Meet the Doctors
Our doctors are leaders in the Richmond dental community. In addition to having an exceptional chairside manner that puts even the most nervous patients at ease, they are consistently voted Richmond’s Best by local publications such as Richmond Magazine, Style Weekly, Virginia Living, and Our Health Magazine. Our team of doctors serve the entire central Virginia region – from Charlottesville, VA to Richmond, VA to Colonial Heights, VA.
Dr. Brent Rusnak
Founder of River Run Dental, Dr. Rusnak is an award winning dentist in Richmond VA who is well trained in the latest dental techniques. He places a strong emphasis on keeping up with dental technology advancements in order to consistently enhance his patient experience. As someone who is passionate about providing his community with healthy smiles, Dr. Rusnak regularly volunteers with the Mechanicsville Free Dental Clinic. He also works as an adjunct faculty member at the VCU School of Dentistry. Dr. Rusnak was named Top 40 Under 40 by Style Weekly in 2014 and has been named one of Richmond’s Top Dentists for the past 6 years by Richmond Magazine.
Dr. Molly Adler
Dr. Adler is passionate about helping others. She has been actively volunteering with the Virginia Mission of Mercy Projects since she was a pre-dental student at Virginia Tech. She also participates in The Jamaica Project and Give Kids a Smile through the VCU School of Dentistry. Dr. Adler loves to constantly learn new things, particularly about dentistry! She is currently a member of the American Dental Association, the Virginia Dental Association, and the Richmond Dental Society.
Dr. Rawan Al Najafi
Dr. Rawan Al Najafi graduated from the University of Virginia in 2016 with a Bachelor’s in Biology and a Minor in Middle Eastern Studies. After a year of working as a Special Education science teacher, she attended Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and graduated in May 2021. Since then, Dr. Al Najafi has been practicing dentistry. Dr. Al Najafi is passionate about providing a relaxing and comfortable environment for her patients, emphasizing clear communication and advocating for her patients. She believes that communication is the foundation for excellent dentistry, and she hopes that her patients trust that they can confide in her without fear of judgment.
Dr. Cynthia Brooks
Dr. Cynthia Brooks is a graduate of The Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry. Upon graduation she began working as an associate dentist at a general dentistry practice in Charlottesville, Virginia. Shortly thereafter she became the first female president of the local dental society. She then teamed up with Dr. David Gilrain to pioneer Gilrain and Brooks Dentistry in 2001. Since then, the practice has grown to include a team of dedicated dental hygienists and an extraordinary support staff. In 2022 Gilrain and Brooks partnered with River Run Dental, where Dr. Brooks continues in her role as Partner Dentist. Dr. Brooks’ mission is to provide high-quality dentistry in a friendly and peaceful environment and to continue to serve her long-time patients in the Charlottesville, VA area.
Dr. Clairise Cash Parker
Dr. Clairise Cash Parker is a Virginia native, originally from Williamsburg, VA. In 2013 she attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and received her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. Later, she attended Virginia Commonwealth University where she earned her Doctorate of Dental Surgery. She enjoys dentistry as a means of improving her patient’s quality of life, by getting them out of discomfort, improving their self-confidence, or helping them achieve optimal oral health. She is passionate about how rewarding and impactful dentistry can be and often gives back to the community by participating in dental projects such as Missions of Mercy, Remote Area Medical projects, fundraising for The Jamaica Project at VCU, and supporting local free clinics. She remarks, “giving back is a responsibility that comes hand-in-hand with my training as a dentist.”
Dr. Ariadne Dane Dongieux
Dr. Dane Dongieux is originally from Sterling,VA. She graduated magna cum laude from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry after completing her Bachelors in Biology at the University of Mary Washington. She believes in practicing excellence by providing complete care to her patients and has taken numerous courses in Cosmetics, Implant Dentistry, Full Mouth Reconstruction and Sleep Dentistry. Dr. Dongieux gives back to the community through dental mission trips both locally in Virginia and internationally in Jamaica and El Salvador. In 2003, Dr. Dongieux received both the Loudoun Healthcare and the INOVA Health Systems Award for her research in Biomedical and Health Sciences. Dr. Dongieux is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry and is working on her fellowship.
Dr. Jacob Fant
Dr. Jacob Fant completed his Bachelor’s of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology as well as his Doctorate of Dental Surgery at the University of Florida. Later, he relocated to Virginia and earned his Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) at Virginia Commonwealth University. Currently, he is a member of the American Dental Association, the Virginia Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. He is driven to provide comfort, trust, and support to his patients, with an emphasis on treating the whole person. Outside of River Run, he volunteers with free dental care clinics, community health centers, and Mission of Mercy projects.
Dr. Brittany Field
After completing her undergraduate degree at The University of Virginia, Dr. Field attended dental school at the VCU School of Dentistry. Dr. Field was active in student leadership and organized dentistry while in dental school. Additionally, she volunteered at a number of Mission of Mercy projects as well as the VCU Jamaica Project dental mission trip. She graduated in 2017 and was then selected for a post-doctoral residency program at the Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine. Dr. Field loves connecting with her patients and creating an environment where people feel comfortable receiving their all-important dental care. Although she was born in Fairfax, VA, Dr. Field has lived in Richmond since 1999 and loves serving the dental needs of her hometown.
Dr. Rubana Masood
Dr. Rubana Masood is a Virginia native, originally from Short Pump, VA. She earned her Master of Science in Physiology as well as her DDS from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. Later, she continued her dental education by completing her Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) at The University of California- Los Angeles where she stayed and practiced for several years before returning home to Virginia. She is a member of numerous organizations including the American Dental Association, the Virginia Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. She believes that by being attentive to a patient’s individual needs and goals, she is able to empower her patients and leave them feeling better than when they came in.
Dr. Shrineel Patel
After obtaining his undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida, Dr. Patel moved to Richmond, Virginia where he attended the VCU School of Dentistry. He served as Vice President of his dental school class, and also completed a fellowship in dental academia through the American Dental Education Association. Following graduation, Dr. Patel completed residency training at an Advanced Education in General Dentistry program located within the Medical University of South Carolina. He then spent a couple of years in private practice in Charlotte, NC prior to moving back to Richmond.
Dr. Nitya Reddy
Dr Nitya Reddy completed her Doctorate of Dental Surgery and her Master of Science in Periodontics at Virginia Commonwealth University. She is currently a member of the American Dental Association and American Academy of Periodontology. She also volunteers for Missions of Mercy which provides free dental care to underserved and rural areas in Virginia. Dr. Reddy specializes in periodontics, which includes diagnosing and treating periodontal disease, placing dental implants, extractions, and gum grafting. It is important for Dr. Reddy to connect with her patients and be a part of their oral health journey throughout their life.
Dr. Mary Cameron Robert
Dr. Mary Cameron Robert is originally from Atlanta, Georgia where she earned her Doctorate of Dental Medicine at The Dental College of Georgia. Currently, she is a member of both the American Dental Association and the Georgia Dental Association. Dr. Robert is particularly passionate about restorative dentistry and helping her patients maintain healthy smiles. In her practice, she empowers her patients to be active participants in their oral health and feel confident in their treatment.
Dr. Emily Sinclair
Dr. Sinclair attended The University of Mary Washington where she received a BS degree in biology. Following undergrad, Dr. Sinclair began work on her MS degree in human physiology at the Medical College of Virginia at VCU. Her thesis research focused on growth factors involved in head and neck cancers, which was eventually published in the Journal of Oral Oncology. Dr. Sinclair then attended the School of Dentistry at VCU and gained her DDS degree in 2013. Dr. Sinclair loves spending time her her husband and son, traveling and running.
Dr. Vanessa Sturz
Dr. Vanessa Sturz attended Randolph-Macon College where she received her Bachelor’s in Chemistry. Later, she earned her Master of Science in Clinical Research at the University of Virginia as well as her Doctorate of Dental Surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University. Her combined experience in both the Public Health space and Dentistry space makes her a well-rounded practitioner who serves both her patients and her community well. In her dental work, she prioritizes empathy and compassion when working with her patients. Her goal at River Run is to help patients overcome dental anxiety and maintain their oral health.
Dr. Alexa Vinson
A graduate of the VCU School of Dentistry and Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Dr. Vinson is a dentist in Richmond VA who enjoys the technical side of dentistry and loves discussing dental procedures with other experienced dental professionals in order to constantly better herself. She enjoys giving back to her community and staying involved through projects such as Give Kids a Smile and Mission of Mercy. Dr. Vinson is a member of the American Dental Association, the Virginia Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. Her dental services include dental crowns, fillings, bridges, Invisalign, and more.
Dr. Jennifer Wheeler
Dr. Wheeler is originally from Northern Virginia, but has lived in Richmond for the past 11 years. She was a recognized University Scholar during her undergraduate studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. After graduating with a B.S. in Biology she completed her D.D.S degree at the VCU School of Dentistry. Dr. Wheeler serves as a volunteer dentist and adjunct faculty member overseeing VCU dental students at the Mechanicsville Free Dental Clinic. She is passionate about supporting Give Kids a Smile and routinely participates in additional projects to provide free dental care for underserved populations such as the local Mission of Mercy (MOM) projects as well as international mission trips.