Meet the Team

We’d love to see you!

I have worked at Optimal Dental since 1994, and truly love this practice. During the many years I have worked as a Dental Hygienist, I have had opportunities to specialize in areas I enjoy, gaining valuable experience I offer to all of my patients. Early in my career I worked in a pediatric dental practice where I developed a love for working with kids of all ages. I currently specialize in a periodontal office as well.

I am also a registered licensed yoga instructor.

Kristian and I married in 1992, and have a family of five children we adore; Ashley, Ehlee, William, Maire and Maura. We also have a pug, 2 cats and a rabbit.

I love the dental profession and the patients I get to work with. The dental field is always changing and technology growing so we can better serve our patients. We do a lot of continuing education throughout the year to keep up to date on these changes.

My favorite thing would be the relationships that I am able to build with our patients. I love hearing what they have been up to since the last time we saw each other, what their kids are doing and where they have been traveling to. I also love working with people with dental anxiety. It is so rewarding to see their smiles at the end of the appointment, when they tell me they had a great experience in our office and make their next appointment to come back to see us.

As a Dental Hygienist my job is to monitor your tissue and bone health. I love educating patients on oral diseases (for example: gingivitis, decay and periodontal disease) and going over home care to help reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth. We also perform Oral Cancer Screenings on each patient.

My personal interests include traveling, crafting, ice fishing, camping, reading, my two kitties and spending time with my many nieces and nephews.

I grew up a farmer and ranchers daughter in central Nebraska.  I graduated from Central Community College in Hastings in 2000 from the Dental Hygiene program.  I moved to Lincoln shortly thereafter to start my career.  While working full-time, I also finished my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.  I worked in a periodontal office for 16 years before accepting a position at Optimal Dental in 2020.

I enjoy working with patients of all ages and developing relationships with them.  Helping them with their dental care is very important to me.

I have a husband, Dave, two stepsons, Andrew and Noah, and our son, Logan.  We also have three furry kids; a large dog named Walter, and two cats.

I graduated from UNMC College of Dentistry with a bachelors degree in dental hygiene in 2013.

My husband and I moved to Michigan shortly after graduation for his job and to attend graduate school. We spent 5 years there and I worked full time in a general family dental practice. We made our way back to our home state when he accepted a job with UNL. I was thrilled to find Optimal Dental as my new dental family in the summer of 2020.

I’ve had a passion for dentistry as long as I can remember – I grew up wanting to be a dental hygienist! I love getting to know my patients and helping them achieve a healthy smile. 

In my spare time I enjoy traveling, board games, walking my dogs, Husker football and spending time with family and friends. 

I am new to the Optimal Dental family as of December 2019.  I grew up here in Lincoln Nebraska.  My husband and I recently moved from Kansas City Missouri, so it feels great to be back home.  I graduated from Lincoln High School in 2005.  I have over 10 years of dental experience, ranging from Dental Assistant to Benefits Coordinator.

My husband and I keep busy with our son Peter and our cat, Prickly Pear.  I enjoy live music, walking, cooking and spending time with my family. It makes me happy seeing the friendly, and some familiar, faces at Optimal Dental.

I was born in New Orleans and grew up in Louisiana and Mississippi. After graduating from high school I went to school for cosmetology and worked for a salon for 8 years.

I moved to Lincoln, NE in 1998. After a few years of working in an in home preschool,  I decided to go back to school.

I attended SCC Dental Assting program and graduated in 2005. I have worked in specialty offices and family practice.

I joined Optimal Dental in 2020 as an assistant/hygiene assistant.  I enjoy getting to meet the patients and building relationships with them.

I have 2 children of my own, Hailey and Matthew and when I married my husband Lance in march of 2020 I gained 3 more children;  Macy, Avery and cade.  I enjoy cooking and spending time with my family and friends and of course my to cats Joey and Mila

I was born in Lincoln, but grew up in Syracuse, Nebraska. After graduating from Syracuse High School in 2009, I attended the University of Nebraska in Omaha and then on to Southeast Community College, where I graduated from the accredited Dental Assisting Program in 2013.

Since graduating, I worked as an orthodontic assistant. I enjoyed working with children of all ages and I especially loved the final results of creating a beautiful smile.

I joined Optimal Dental in 2014 in the role as hygiene assistant. In that role I would assist patients as well as the needs of all of our hygienists.

In 2018 I transitioned into the role of the treatment coordinator. In this new position I welcome new patients into the practice, coordinate and explain treatment to all patients, answer questions, and assist the doctors as needed.

In the fall of 2019, the doctors made it possible for the assistants to complete our expanded functions classes at SCC, which enabled us to expand our scope of practice.

I get great joy in assisting patients and forming new life long relationships.

My husband and I were married in 2014. We added to our family in October 2016 with the birth of our son Barrett, who was welcomed by our “first born fur baby” Oakley. Our second son, Baker, was born in February 2020. My husband and I farm near Syracuse NE, and when I’m working as a dental assistant, I’m fulfilling my duties as a farmer’s wife.

My role in the office as business manager includes being responsible for accounts receivable, accounts payable, resolving insurance claims and questions.

I very much enjoy the interaction with patients; being able to help them with their concerns and having them be happy with the outcome.

My husband and I were married in 1984, we have two grown children and two granddaughters. My personal interests include spending time with my family, camping, church activities and reading.

After graduating from the Heartland Dental Assisting Program, I worked as a Dental Assistant at a practice in Omaha for a year.  In July 2015 I was hired at Optimal Dental, filling the position as Front Desk Receptionist, where I get to meet and greet all of our Optimal Dental “family”.  I love seeing their smiles!

I was born in Houston, Texas and moved to Lincoln at the age of 7 so, I have lived here most of my life.

My husband and soulmate, Eric and I are raising our two boys, Taylor and Jackson, who occupy most of our time outside of work.  Given the opportunity, I enjoy photographing weddings and family.