Our South Arlington Dentists

Dr. Merchant grew up in Carrollton, Texas. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry. While at Baylor Dr. Merchant was a member of the Texas Dental Association, American Student Dental Association, Asian-American Dental Society, the Hispanic Dental Association, Xi Psi Phi (ZIPS) fraternity, and these involvements enriched his educational experience.

As a dentist, Dr. Merchant believes he has the opportunity to strengthen his patients’ self-confidence and improve their overall health. He is also extremely passionate and very dedicated to providing the highest level of care for his patients and constantly training to become the best he can be.

In his free time Dr. Merchant enjoys playing basketball, swimming, watching movies and sports (especially the Mavs and Cowboys), and spending time with his friends and family

Dr. Cherbie Orelus was born in Haiti and grew up in Nampa, Idaho. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Idaho and her Doctor of Dental Surgery at Texas A&M College of Dentistry.  

Dr. Orelus entered the dental field because she enjoys helping people and giving back to the community. Her favorite aspect of dentistry is providing patients with a healthy smile they can be confident in.  

Outside of the office, Dr. Orelus enjoys working out, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. 

Dr. Afra Saleh grew up in Los Angeles, CA and Toronto, Canada. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at UCLA, and her Doctor of Dental Surgery at Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC.  
 
Dr. Saleh entered the dental field because it allowed her to combine her passion for helping people with her love for art and esthetics. After working as a general dentist with Deca Dental for a few years, she realized her true interest in dentistry was the field of Orthodontics which sent her to pursue her MS and certificate in Orthodontics from the University at Buffalo, New York.   
 
Her favorite aspect of Orthodontics is that every individual case is unique, requiring a tailored solution for each patient. Each smile transformation is an individual journey that Dr. Saleh enjoys from start to finish.  
 
Outside of the office, Dr. Saleh enjoys drawing, painting, working out and taking her pups out on long walks. 

For over a decade, Dr. Garrett Nelson has been practicing oral surgery in the DFW area. Dentistry is in his family as he is a fourth-generation dentist. Dr. Nelson’s brother is an orthodontist in the Houston area and his father continues to practice dentistry at 72 years of age. Dr. Nelson is committed to the delivery of the best oral surgery treatment and experience possible.

Dr. Nelson’s clinical experience includes implant dentistry where he utilizes the very latest technology in planning and delivering the very best in clinical care.

Dr. Nelson studied dentistry at UCLA and studied medicine at Texas Tech. He is a native of Los Angeles but came to Texas to settle down as his new home. He completed his Oral Surgery training at Baylor in Dallas and continues to serve the oral surgery program as an Associate Clinical Professor for over ten years. Many of the current dentists throughout Dallas were once his students.

Dr. Nelson has four children and lives in Frisco where he enjoys golf, travel, snow skiing and serving his church and community. His newest hobby is running several half marathons a year with his wife, Rachel.