Meet the Team

We’d love to see you!

I began working at Optimal Dental in 1984.  During that time I have also had the opportunity to teach part-time in the Periodontal Department at the UNMC College of Dentistry and to practice part-time in a periodontal office.

My favorite thing about the profession would be the relationships that I have with my patients. Over the years, I feel like I have developed a friendship with most of my patients. I love that many of the children that I saw for their first dental appointments are now getting married and bringing their children in to see us! I also enjoy that the practice of dentistry is always changing. With the advances in technology and patient care, there is always something new and exciting to share with the patients.

My main role in the office would be to oversee the patient’s periodontal (bone and tissue) health. I do this by evaluating tissue health with a full periodontal assessment, taking radiographs to see bone levels, checking for oral cancer, and removing any build-up on the teeth by either scaling (routine cleaning) or by scaling and root planing (periodontal therapy). I follow this up with home care instructions and by continually monitoring the patient’s dental health and dental hygiene needs.

My personal interests are my family, friends, walking and going to the health club.  When the weather is nice, I enjoy being outside, I am a wimp in the cold weather!

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 am very fortunate to love what I do. One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is being able to form close relationships with my patients. I also enjoy working with people of all ages.

Our beautiful daughter, Tenli, was born in August 2015 : )

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 in the Kansas City area but now consider Lincoln home! I moved here in 2013 to attend the University of Nebraska. Upon graduating in 2017 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Dental Hygiene, I gained valuable experiece for a year before joining the Optimal Dental team part-time.

My passion for dentistry is rooted in the time I spend getting to know our patients and their families, often many generations. I hope the connections as well as the dentistry make people feel cared for. I also hope to offer our patients knowledge and tools so that they feel empowered and equipped to take responsibility for their oral health.

David and I are newlyweds as of September 2018. We have one dog named Osborne, as in Tom. I enjoy traveling, spending time with our extended family, and making use of the trail system in town.

I started as an assistant with Dr. Ganser upon graduation. I moved out of state for a period of time, while out of state, I assisted in an oral surgery practice full-time as well as completing lab work for two family practices. After returning “home” to Nebraska; I was very fortunate to return to Optimal Dental.

Beginning in the fall of 2007, the doctors allowed me the opportunity to work as an adjunct clinical instructor for the Southeast Community College Dental Assisting Program during the spring and fall quarters, one afternoon a week. I did this over a span of 4 years, and during that time I supervised, graded and offered feedback to the Dental Assisting students completing clinical rotations at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Dentistry along with site visits of students while in private practices. I also serve as a board member on the Advisory Board for the Dental Assisting Program.

I very much enjoy taking care of our patients on a daily basis and the relationships I have formed with them over the years. I feel fortunate to work alongside Dr. Bailey and Dr. Wirth every day. I take pride in what I do and the people I work with.

Away from the office, my two adult daughters take up part of my time. I love spending time with friends, both in and out of the office, and I play on a coed competitive volleyball team through our church (even though every year I tell myself “this is the last time” it never is).

Cody and I were married in 2018 and are anxiously awaiting the birth of our first child in June. My hobbies include going for walks with our two dogs, decorating our new home, and spending time with family.

I grew up and lived in Minnesota for almost 20 years. I went to Union College for Physician Assistant School before I realized that my passion was in dentistry. I moved back to Minnesota to complete generals for the dental assisting program to start in the fall of 2017. I then graduated at the end of September of 2018.

Away from the office you can find me with my friends bicycling around Lincoln, traveling, and spending time with my family. I have two wonderful mastiff dogs, Hercules and Thor, that live with my parents in Minnesota who I often go and visit.

I was born in Boulder, Colorado, but moved to Nebraska early in my life. I’ve lived in Valparaiso most of my child and adult life! I attended Wahoo Public Schools and graduated in 2008.

I attended an accredited dental assisting program at Southeast Community College and graduated in 2011. After completion of that program I worked at a general office here in Lincoln for four years. I then went on a career adventure, before returning to dentistry finding a home at Optimal Dental!!

Outside of my career I have a beautiful 6 year old daughter (Brookelyn) and a 1 year old pup (Rooger) that occupy most of my time. We enjoy being outdoors, camping, swimming, sports, concerts, and family.

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.

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. 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.

In 2011, I chose to explore other dental office management opportunities. I worked at a practice with Dr. Wirth 2012-2014 as an account executive for a dental billing service 2012-2015.

Though outside work experiences provided varied and valuable knowledge, I happily returned to Optimal Dental in 2015 when a position became available. Much of what I do at Optimal Dental is promote our family-friendly practice and the excellent care provided here. As scheduling coordinator, my goal is to build a daily schedule that utilizes the clinical staff and doctors’ time effectively, while devoting adequate time to each patient for the treatment they need, being respectful of everyone’s time.

Family time is my first priority outside the office. Mike and I have been married since 1979. We raised a son and 2 daughters, each married with families of their own, blessing us with nine grandchildren. Any and all time spent with them is our greatest joy! In addition, I enjoy a variety of arts and crafts, and a wide range of music.

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 fiancé 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.