Meet Our Dental Team – Scottsdale, AZ

Karla, Dental Office Manager

Karla used to be an assistant in the back office, and although she has since moved to the front, she is always ready to jump in the back when needed. She has been with Shea Dental of Scottsdale for over three decades, and she still loves being able to form meaningful relationships with her patients.

Karla deeply appreciates being surrounded by a loving family that includes her family, her daughter, and her boyfriend (as well as two “fur babies”). Her hobbies include tennis, pickleball, reading, watching movies, going to the gym, and traveling to Flagstaff on weekends.

Josie, Front Office

Josie has worked as a dental assistant in the past and has also achieved certification in radiology and CPR. She greatly appreciates getting to work alongside such a fabulous dental team, and she works hard to create a warm, welcoming practice environment for our patients.

Josie loves her family, which is small but close. Outside the office, she likes to go traveling, explore Arizona’s beauty, go out for brunch and sushi, and watch true crime documentaries.

Kristie, Front Office

With three decades of experience and counting, Kristie still loves to learn and grow within the dental field. Originally from Agoura Hills, CA, she underwent on-the-job training to become a dental assistant before moving to the front office and becoming an office manager. Over the years, she’s attended various courses offered through Pankey Institute, Pac Live, Cerec, Sirona, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentists, and Fortune Management.

Kristie is married to her high school sweetheart and they have three sons, three grandchildren, and three dogs. She has a close-knit family who enjoys getting together regularly for dinner and game nights. Her hobbies include gardening, walking, and watching films and documentaries. Right now, she’s obsessed with the idea of “tiny” homes and constantly pours through floor plans, though she doesn’t think she’d live in one.

Sandy, Registered Dental Hygienist

Sandy studied dentistry at Pima College in Tucson, Arizona. She has attained certification for anesthesia and the use of dental lasers. She is very passionate about dentistry and has well over two decades of experience in the field. One of the things she enjoys about her current position at Shea Dental of Scottsdale is having the chance to get to know her patients better.

Sandy loves her family, which includes her husband Scott, her beautiful daughter, and her two bonus children. Outside of her dental work, she has participated in designing and building a number of homes in Tucson. Her hobbies include yoga, taking long walks, and spending time with her loved ones.

Mari, Registered Dental Hygienist

Mari has been in the dental field for close to a decade, and she enjoys every bit of her work. She attended Paradise Valley Community College for her undergraduate degree before going to the Fortis College Dental Hygiene Program. Today, she is certified in anesthesia, laser dentistry, CPR, and BLS, and she enjoys remaining up-to-date with continuing education so she can provide the best care for her patients. Her favorite thing about her job is helping people achieve healthy and confident smiles.

Mari is married to her wonderful husband and enjoys spending time with her two sweet boys as well as their three small dogs. Outside of dentistry, she loves reading, going to the park with her children, and traveling to new places. She is also an absolute extrovert and enjoys meeting new people wherever she goes.

Sam, Dental Assistant

Sam is certified in radiology safety and CPR. She is proud to have learned about dentistry through her hands-on work at Shea Dental of Scottsdale. She loves getting to know each patient who visits our office and helping them achieve the smile they have always wanted.

Sam has a fiancé named Nick and two “fur babies” named Walter and Clyde. She also has two older brothers and two younger sisters. When she’s not at the office, she likes dancing, hiking, spending time in flea markets, and drawing. One interesting fact about her is that she is actually an ordained minister!

Theresa, Dental Assistant

Theresa may be relatively new to our practice, but she already loves helping patients achieve healthy smiles! She always goes the extra mile to create a stress-free environment and add a little bit of fun into every visit. Originally from Petaluma, she studied at Santa Rose Junior College. Before getting started in dentistry, she actually worked as a dog groomer and trainer.

Theresa is the youngest in a family of five. When she isn’t busy inspiring smiles, her biggest hobbies include crafting, creating art, and hanging out with her cat Norman.

Val, Dental Assistant

Born and raised in Mesa, AZ, Val graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Biological Sciences and a minor in Spanish. She later achieved her certification in CPR and is a certified Phlebotomy Technician. Her favorite thing about her job is that she gets to directly contribute to her patients’ experience and see their immediate results, whether that’s a brighter smile or more confidence. The more she works and builds with her team, the more passionate she is about becoming a dentist one day!

Val is the first generation in her family, as her parents are from Mexico, and she greatly enjoys spending time with her loved ones. When she isn’t camping or hanging out on the lake with her family, she is likely volunteering with non-profit organizations or enjoying things that help her connect with other cultures, such as singing, dancing, and trying new cuisines. One interesting fact about her is that she’s allergic to horses and has to take medications before riding.

Autumn, Insurance Coordinator

Autumn has had quite a varied career, having held every role in a dental office except for dentist and hygienist. As a result, she has a very deep understanding of the practice and works to make sure everything operates as smoothly as possible when it comes to bringing patients the care they deserve. She enjoys using creative problem-solving to overcome the challenges associated with her job.

Autumn has a family that loves the outdoors, and together they enjoy camping, hiking, and simply enjoying nature’s beauty. She is very passionate when it comes to hunting and is skilled in archery and tracking. She has a deep-rooted respect for wildlife, which is why she embraces the challenge of ethical hunting.