OUR STAFF   At the Front Desk:  Jen, Ali, Karen, and Laryssa Our three friendly front desk staff members are here to answer any questions or concerns you may have and help make your visit a "family" experience.  If you have a problem or an inquiry, they can help you at the time of your appointment or over the phone anytime during our business hours.  Their duties include computer scheduling of appointments, sending insurance claims, billing, and recalling. The front desk staff also assists developing marketing materials, brochures, mailings and other facets of the office communications.  They also handle financial arrangements. Answers to your questions or help is never more than a phone call away. Dental Assistants:  Karen, Flavia, and Laryssa Our office retains three certified trained dental assistants.  They assist our dentists at the dental chair so procedures are done in a timely and efficient manner while maintaining a high quality of care.  Our assistants are also responsible for sterilization of the dental operatory and instruments, as well as ordering supplies, taking x ray, pouring models, taking impressions, helping create temporary crowns, producing study models and making bleaching trays.  In the lab, our dental assistants pack cases to be sent to dental laboratories and unpack cases that come in.  Their primary concern, however, is to be sure you are comfortable and cared for during dental procedures. Dental Hygienists:  Shirin, Janyce, and Anna We have three excellent licensed dental hygienists.  They are responsible for cleaning teeth, teaching preventative procedures, x rays, maintenance, sterilization of prophylaxis instruments, and identifying suspicious areas in the mouth.  They perform advanced procedures related to gum disease, including administering local antibiotics, root planing, and curettage in the hopes of avoiding more invasive treatments such as gum surgery.  Our dental hygienists are licensed after advanced training and examination to administer local anesthetic, such as novocaine, to aid in treatment when required.  Our hygienists also create records of our patients with detailed written records, medical history, x rays, and photographs.  Hygienists also do sealants.