Meet Our Friendly Sammamish Dental Office Team

“The best part of my job is hands down the relationships that I build with our patients and with my fellow teammates. I consider everyone a part of my ‘dental family.’ I enjoy the daily challenges that dentistry brings… every day is never the same!

I’m a people-person and a natural pleaser, which makes me pretty great at my job. I want to see you smile!”

Education and Experience:

• 24 years of front-office experience
• Training with elite coaches such as The Richardson Group and Blatchford Solutions

What do you do outside of the office?

“I enjoy long walks, snowboarding, going to the movies, and am definitely known to enjoy a Cadillac margarita during HH!”

Who is your hero?

“My hero is Wonder Woman. She is tough, yet feminine. I would love to embody those traits!”

What’s one item on your bucket list?

“To get some stamps on my passport. Traveling the world is my #1 wish.”

What’s your spirit animal?

“A cat because they like to bask in the sunshine, as do I!”

“My passions for dentistry started when I was very young! Dental visits were always a fun and positive experience for me. I chose dental assisting as my career in 2003 and have been recreating those wonderful dental experiences for other people ever since by turning frowns upside down! My bubbly personality sets the tone for a happy visit.”

Experience and Education:

• 15 years experience as a dental assistant and in the front office
• Graduated top of the class for dental assisting
• Externed at the UW’s prosthodontics department

What do you do outside of the office?

“I like to garden and cook new recipes with my husband who is a retired Army vet. I spend a lot of time playing with my four furry children – two dogs and two cats.”

“It all started with a job offer as a dental assistant in high school. Dentistry was not a career path I chose, but after finishing the apprenticeship, I wanted to stay in dentistry. I wanted to become a hygienist mainly because of the interaction with people. The absolute best part of my job is helping people with their oral health and developing a trusting  relationship with them. I believe compassion is the most valuable asset I bring to my job besides being a skilled clinician. Most patients are fearful in the dental chair, and showing understanding of their fears and needs is incredibly important for successful treatment outcome.”

Experience and Education:

• Dental Assistant degree in 1987 in Neustadt, Germany
• Graduated in 1995 from Pierce College with a degree in Dental Hygiene
• Received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Washington in 1997
• Volunteered for the last four years at the SKCC event, providing free dental care for the underserved

What do you do outside of the office?

“I love spending time with my family! We love to hike the beautiful outdoors, go cross-country skiing, and cook together. We travel mostly to Europe to see family. Another great passion is reading. I always have a book in my hand! Horseback riding is a lifelong hobby of mine.”

Who is your hero?

“My girls! They are such wonderful, strong human beings who surprise me every day because no matter what the day may bring, they always make me smile and help me believe in the good in people.”

What’s one item on your bucket list?

“Travel to Austrailia.”

What’s your spirit animal?

“The horse. Not only because I have always loved horses, but because of their gentle and trusting nature, beauty, and intelligence.”

Originally from Dallas, TX Grad 1983 Baylor College of Dentistry/Caruth School ofDental Hygiene – practicing 36 yrs. Met my husband Steve in college Moved to Seattle 1990 – my husband is from Seattle. I have one sister lives outside of Atlanta. I also have family all over the south and in Missouri

Why did you choose dentistry?

Since I was a little girl I wanted to be in medicine. In 8th grade I got braces and thought “maybe I’ll do this..??!” Thought I’d go to dental school but wanted to try hygiene first. Then, I went out on a date with a dental student and married him. One dentist in a family is enough! 🙂

What is the best part of your job?

Helping patients see the big picture: the value in their oralhealth = the value in their overall health

What do you do outside of the office?

Being with friends, theatre, movies, reading, music/concerts,working out/running, working in the yard -pretty much doing anything outside, traveling, anything artistic/painting/decor

Who is your hero?

There are 2: Eleanor Roosevelt and Jane Addams. Eleanor for all the obvious reasons – she was an amazing woman who accomplished so much for the betterment of the poor, child welfare, minorities, equal housing and women’s rights. Jane Addams – similar to Eleanor in many regards: she worked tirelessly in Chicago during the early 1900’s with immigrants and the working poor making sure they had proper care,housing, food and education for their children. She is considered the Mother of Social Work and she was a leader in women’s suffrage. In 1931 she received the Nobel Peace Prize

What is the best quote you’ve ever heard?

I have 2 from my dad “Never say never!” and “It ain’t over til it’s over!

“My father is an orthodontist, and I have been integrated into the dental field since I was 14-years-old. I love interacting with different people every day. I am 100% a team player and always willing to help out if I can.”

Experience and Education:

• Worked in her father’s office
• Graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Studies from Valparaiso Univerity
• Graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in Dental Hygiene Studies

What do you do outside the office?

“I thoroughly enjoy running after my two-year-old who is very active! As a family, we try to hike as much as we can in the beautiful Cascade Mountains. I also enjoy shopping and traveling.”

Who is our hero?

“My mother is my hero. She inspires me every day to be the best person I can be.”

What’s one item on your bucket list?

“I would love to go to Fiji and stay in a hut on the water where you can see the fish.”

What’s your spirit animal?

“Definitely a bear. I am a mama bear at heart.”

What do you do outside of the office?

“I grew up riding horses and wanted to be a horse jockey. I was a gallop girl at Longacres racetrack before it closed down. I enjoy skiing and laying in the sun on a tropical beach. My favorite thing to do is jump on the trampoline with my boys!”

Who is your hero?

“I have two hero’s in my life. My son Brayden, who has battled brain cancer and has had to have over 10 operations to date and has struggled with disabilities left from the cancer. He has shown so many people how to be brave and give them strength when they are going through something scary and to not let anything hold you back even if it is challenging. His younger brother Tyler is also a hero. He helps his big brother do things without being asked when he sees it is challenging for his brother to do.”

What one item on your bucket list?