Melanie
Dental Assistant
Where are you from? Emporia, Kansas
What’s your favorite part about working with kids? They make me laugh every day.
What’s the best joke you’ve heard from a patient? What is red and bad for your teeth? A brick!
What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend? Watching my kids’ sports: wrestling and volleyball.
What was your favorite subject in school? English.
Jennifer
Assistant Manager
Where are you from? Lee’s Summit, Missouri
What’s your favorite part about working with kids? Showing them that going to the dentist doesn’t have to be scary, and that it’s actually fun!
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Tacos.
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them! Asher, my dog and Ruger, my cat.
What’s one fun fact about you that most people don’t know? I can fold my tongue not only into a taco shape, but also in multiple bends. It’s called a cloverleaf tongue.
What did you want to be when you grew up? A pastry chef.
What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend? Spending time with my husband, gardening and going on fun adventures together. My favorite, by far, was skydiving together.
What was your favorite subject in school? Art. I love being creative.
Christina Hunt
Office Manager
Where are you from? Independence, Missouri
What’s your favorite part about working with kids? They always (well, usually) come in with such great moods. I love being able to show the nervous ones that it’s not so bad.
What’s your secret talent? Drawing eyebrows.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Pasta! Any kind, but especially pasta alfredo.
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them! Two cats and a dog who bicker like siblings all day but love to snuggle at night.
What’s the best joke you’ve heard from a patient? What do you call a duck that steals things? A robber ducky. Where do dinosaurs shop? The dino store.
What did you want to be when you grew up? Pediatrician.
What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend? Relaxing at home with family and watching movies.
Which superhero would you be, and why? Ironman because he made himself a hero. He’s smart and resourceful without powers. Not to mention his sarcastic comebacks are top tier.
What’s your go-to karaoke song? “Mr. Brightside”.
What was your favorite subject in school? Science and English.
What’s your favorite holiday, and why? Christmas. My family always went all out when I was a kid. Not necessarily with gifts but with family, lights, decorations and goodies. It was always a family event.
Kenzie
Dental Assistant
Where are you from? Blue Springs, Missouri
What’s your favorite part about working with kids? That they are all unique in their own ways!
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Mexican.
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them! Crew, my cat I rescued from a farm when she was four weeks old.
What did you want to be when you grew up? A veterinarian.
What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend? Going shopping and relaxing with my family.
What was your favorite subject in school? Math and science.
What’s your favorite holiday, and why? 4th of July because it’s a big celebration with lots of pretty fireworks.
Christina (Tina)
Front Office/Dental Assistant
Where are you from? El Paso, Texas
What’s your favorite part about working with kids? All the funny, random things they like to talk about.
What’s your secret talent? I can say the alphabet backwards.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Sushi and Thai food.
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them! I have an English bulldog, Pork Chop, whose favorite things are sleeping and snacks.
What’s one fun fact about you that most people don’t know? I don’t have pinky knuckles.
What did you want to be when you grew up? A baker.
What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend? Relaxing at home or taking a walk outside.
What was your favorite subject in school? Science.
What’s your favorite holiday, and why? Halloween. I love anything during fall!
Summer
Dental Hygienist
Where are you from? Lee’s Summit, Missouri
What’s your favorite part about working with kids? They keep me on my toes. Each day is a surprise, and I never know what to expect.
What’s your secret talent? I’m double jointed.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Mexican!
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them! A cat, Kitty. She acts more like a dog. She’s super friendly and social.
What’s one fun fact about you that most people don’t know? I had a metal detector as a child. I thought I’d find treasure, but only found nails and screws.
What did you want to be when you grew up? I loved animals and wanted to be a veterinarian.
What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend? I’m super busy with my three kids, so I love the weekends when we get to stay home and relax.
Which superhero would you be, and why? Spiderman. He lives his normal day-to-day life while casually saving the world every now and then.
What’s your go-to karaoke song? My eldest daughter and I like to belt out “Glad You Came” by The Wanted.
What was your favorite subject in school? Elementary: English and spelling. Later: anatomy and psychology.
What’s your favorite holiday, and why? I love Christmas… the food, wearing cozy sweaters and sitting by a fire. I love to give gifts and watch my kids open presents with their family.
Olivia
Dental Assistant
Where are you from? Indianapolis, Indiana
What’s your favorite part about working with kids? Every kiddo has a unique sense of humor.
What’s your secret talent? I can list all the U.S. presidents in order.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Chili cheese hotdogs.
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them! Two cats, Dixon & Binx.
What did you want to be when you grew up? A marine biologist or astronaut.
What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend? On a trip to anywhere, near or far.
Which superhero would you be, and why? Aquaman because I love the ocean.
What’s your go-to karaoke song? “Mr. Brightside”.
What was your favorite subject in school? Anatomy and psychology.
What’s your favorite holiday, and why? Halloween because I love dressing up.
Nikala
Dental Assistant
Where are you from? Higginsville, Missouri
What’s your favorite part about working with kids? How funny they are.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Cheeseburgers.
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them! A cat named Duke.
What’s one fun fact about you that most people don’t know? I’m the second oldest of six siblings.
What did you want to be when you grew up? An interior designer.
What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend? Spending time with my nephews.
What’s your go-to karaoke song? “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton.
What was your favorite subject in school? Art.
What’s your favorite holiday, and why? Thanksgiving because I love the big meals.
Maria
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
Where are you from? Valencia, Venezuela
What’s your favorite part about working with kids? How exciting and unpredictable they are.
What’s your secret talent? I can braid different hairstyles.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Pizza.
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them! Our dog, Bruno. We adopted him from an animal shelter when he was four months old.
What’s one fun fact about you that most people don’t know? I have a twin brother, and I’m married to a twin.
What did you want to be when you grew up? A veterinarian.
What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend? Spending time at the lake on hot summer days.
What was your favorite subject in school? Like most of our patients, recess and lunch!
What’s your favorite holiday, and why? Christmas. I love spending time with family, gift giving and all the lights and activities.
Mady
Dental Assistant
Where are you from? Oak Grove, Missouri
What’s your favorite part about working with kids? Making a positive impact and experience for the kiddos.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Tacos!
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them! A Cocker Spaniel puppy, Amelia (Millie), who loves to do “zoomies” around the house.
What’s the best joke you’ve heard from a patient? Dr. Ben looks just like Dr. AA, but with less hair!
What did you want to be when you grew up? A teacher. I have my associate’s degree in elementary education.
What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend? Inviting family over for dinner and to play cards.
What’s your go-to karaoke song? “Tequila” because I don’t sing! LOL!
What was your favorite subject in school? Family and consumer sciences.
What’s your favorite holiday, and why? Thanksgiving. I have a large family. We play fun card and competition games for prizes, and we eat tons of food.
Kelcie
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
Where are you from? Blue Springs, Missouri
What’s your favorite part about working with kids? I love making them laugh and feel comfortable to come back.
What’s your secret talent? I can run like a horse!
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them! A 10-year-old Pitbull rescue from Midwest Animal Rescue named Kane who likes to eat and sleep in his cozy home.
What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend? Making memories with my two daughters, reading my Kindle… Freida McFadden is my favorite author.
What’s your go-to karaoke song? Anything by Queen
What’s your favorite holiday, and why? Memorial Day. The pools are open and BBQs; summer is coming!
Jasmine
Dental Assistant
Where are you from? Raytown, Missouri
What’s your favorite part about working with kids? They overcome their fears when they find out their appointments aren’t scary or hurtful, but FUN!
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Tacos.
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them! Duke, who likes to eat everything.
What’s one fun fact about you that most people don’t know? I was born in Germany.
What did you want to be when you grew up? A teacher.
What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend? Relaxing and sleeping in.
Which superhero would you be, and why? Superwoman to save people.
What’s your go-to karaoke song? “This Christmas” by Chris Brown.
What was your favorite subject in school? Lunch time, LOL!
What’s your favorite holiday, and why? Thanksgiving because I’m thankful for everyone and the food they made.
Gracie
Dental Assistant
Where are you from? Higginsville, Missouri
What’s your favorite part about working with kids? Each kid is different and makes the day fun.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Mexican food.
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them! An energetic goldendoodle named Paisley who loves fetch.
What did you want to be when you grew up? A nurse.
What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend? Spending time with my son.
Which superhero would you be, and why? Superman because I could fly.
What’s your go-to karaoke song? High School Musical.
What was your favorite subject in school? Math.
What’s your favorite holiday, and why? Christmas! I love the feeling all month and spending time with family.
Angela
Front Office/Dental Assistant
Where are you from? I was born in Oklahoma, but graduated high school in Harrisonville, Missouri.
What’s your favorite part about working with kids? Their laughs and helping them feel safe at the dentist and overcoming their dental fears.
What’s your secret talent? I can come up with a song from a single word. Sometimes, I make them up and my co-workers love it. LOL!
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Tacos!
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them! Winston, an 85 lb. black labradoodle who is the sweetest boy you will ever meet. He lets me dress him up in anything for treats. He does no wrong and is perfect in every single way.
What’s one fun fact about you that most people don’t know? I can juggle.
What did you want to be when you grew up? A lawyer. I thought I was very good at arguing.
What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend? With my family, gardening with my husband, basically anything outdoors.
Which superhero would you be, and why? Invisible Woman. I would play sooo many pranks!
What’s your go-to karaoke song? “Fancy” by Reba and “Shoop” by Salt & Pepa.
What was your favorite subject in school? English.
What’s your favorite holiday, and why? Christmas. I love how magical the season is! The decorations. The meaning behind it all. I just feel people are kinder around the holidays.
Alyssa
Dental Assistant
Where are you from? Lee’s Summit, Missouri
What’s your favorite part about working with kids? Helping them get over their fears.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Pasta!
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them! Three miniature Beagles; a mom, dad and their daughter.
What did you want to be when you grew up? Anything dental related. I wanted to help people get rid of tooth pain.
What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend? I like to hang out with my nieces and nephews.
Which superhero would you be, and why? Spiderman, so I can swing across things.
What’s your go-to karaoke song? “Pocketful of Sunshine”
What was your favorite subject in school? English.
What’s your favorite holiday, and why? Thanksgiving. I like all the different foods and seeing my family.
Abbie
Dental Assistant
Where are you from? Odessa, Missouri
What’s your favorite part about working with kids? Getting to know their fun personalities and helping them achieve healthy smiles.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Raising Cane’s.
What’s one fun fact about you that most people don’t know? I did phlebotomy and was a certified nursing assistant in high school.
What did you want to be when you grew up? A dentist.
What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend? I love spending time outside, hiking, shopping and spending time with family. I also love going to church.
What’s your go-to karaoke song? “Party in the U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus.
What was your favorite subject in school? English.
What’s your favorite holiday, and why? 4th of July because I love summer!