Meet the Team

We recognize that all our patients are unique and deserve to receive dental care that reflects their individual needs. Our experienced and talented dental team is committed to working with you and your family to create a comfortable, stress-free, and rewarding dental experience every time you visit our practice.

We are pleased to welcome you and your family, and we look forward to working with you.

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Tara E.

Practice Manager

Tara, our dedicated Practice Manager with a rich background in the dental field since 2001. In 2006, Tara made Arizona her home and joined East Valley Periodontics in 2010, where she has been an integral part of our team.

Tara earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with an Emphasis on Management from Northern Arizona University and has a passion for leadership and team development. She is proud to be a member of the EVP team and loves working with our skilled and dedicated doctors and team members.

Outside of work, Tara treasures family time with her husband and three boys. They share a love for outdoor adventures such as hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and camping. Additionally, they enjoy recreational shooting, attending movies, and exploring car shows together.

Fun Fact: Before assuming her role as Practice Manager, Tara excelled as a Treatment Coordinator, Patient Care Coordinator, and Insurance Billing Specialist at East Valley Periodontics.

We are privileged to have Tara's expertise and dedication enriching our practice, ensuring exceptional care and a supportive environment for our patients and team alike.

Shelby D.

Professional Relationship Director

Shelby, our dedicated Professional Relationship Director who serves as the vital link between our office and our referring practices. With over two decades of experience in the dental field, starting from her teenage years, Shelby brings a wealth of knowledge and boundless enthusiasm to her role.

Shelby's passion for dentistry is rooted in her genuine enjoyment of interacting with patients and bringing smiles to their faces. Her lifelong ambition is to connect with as many people as possible, nurturing meaningful relationships along the way. She thrives in our practice's warm, family-like atmosphere and values teamwork and collaboration.

With a diverse background encompassing Orthodontics, General Dentistry, Marketing, and Periodontics, Shelby is exceptionally well-rounded and skilled. She is even a certified Dental Assistant, demonstrating her dedication and versatility. Whether she's visiting offices, assisting with surgeries, managing communications, or hosting continuing education seminars, Shelby's commitment is unmatched.

Outside of work, Shelby resides in Mesa with her high-school sweetheart-turned-husband, Nick, and their two sons, Mattix and Daxton. She treasures spending quality time with her family, making lasting memories outdoors, pursuing her passion for dirt bikes, and enthusiastically supporting football.

Shelby's life philosophy revolves around choosing happiness in the face of adversity. She is also deeply passionate about raising cancer awareness, having been personally affected by its impact on herself and loved ones.

We are privileged to have Shelby's vibrant Italian personality and unwavering dedication enriching our practice. Her presence ensures strong partnerships and exceptional care for our patients and referring colleagues alike.

Vanessa Z.

Insurance Specialist

Meet Vanessa, our dedicated Insurance Specialist with over 15 years of comprehensive experience in the dental field, spanning roles from front office to back office. Vanessa finds great fulfillment in interacting with our patients and has a remarkable talent for patient communication.

Many recognize Vanessa as the welcoming smile they first encounter upon walking through our doors. Before transitioning into her current role as our Insurance Specialist, she served as our trusted Patient Care Coordinator, showcasing her commitment to patient satisfaction and care.

Vanessa excels in navigating the complexities of insurance and effectively communicates with insurance companies to maximize patient benefits, ensuring a smooth and seamless process for our patients.

Outside of work, Vanessa cherishes her time with family. She is happily married and is the proud mother of two sons and a daughter. Their shared interests include camping, hiking, and attending her sons' sporting events. Vanessa's priority is to spend quality time with her loved ones whenever possible.

We are fortunate to have Vanessa's expertise and warm personality contributing to our practice, ensuring that our patients receive the highest level of care and support.

April Q.

Treatment Coordinator-Queen Creek

We are lucky to have April on our team as one of our awesome treatment coordinators. She comes to us by way of Texas and has been working in the dental field for 10 years. April is attentive to detail and excellent at multi-tasking and tast prioritization which makes her perfect for the position of treatment coordinator.

April enjoys helping people and always strives to make our patients a priority. She also enjoys being part of our great team.

April is very family oriented and when she is not in the office, her family enjoys the outdoors, doing things like hiking, paddle boarding, swimming, working out and riding quads.

Fun fact: April lived in Colorado for two years. During that time she was part of an adventure club and says that she was blessed to do beautiful hikes and trail riding. 

Rebecca C.

Treatment Coordinator- Mesa

Meet Rebecca, a native Arizonan with a passion for dentistry and seven years of experience in the field. Her favorite aspect of dentistry is educating patients about their oral health, empowering them with knowledge.

Rebecca finds EVP to be her ideal workplace due to its systematic approach and the genuine kindness of everyone involved.

Outside of her professional life, Rebecca cherishes time with her daughters and eagerly anticipates the arrival of her baby boy. Family is central to her life, and they enjoy activities like camping, attending races, and going on rides together.

A fun fact about Rebecca: She has a creative side and loves crafting using her Cricut machine, making personalized items such as shirts, cups, and signs.

We are delighted to have Rebecca as part of our team, bringing her dedication to patient care and her creative flair to enhance our practice.

Stefanie A.

Treatment Coordinator- Mesa

BIO COMING SOON!

 

 

 

 

 

Patient Care Coordinator- Mesa

Meet Angie, originally from Santa Ana, California, now residing in Chandler, Arizona. With four years in the dental field, Angie has quickly become a valued and hardworking member of our front office team.

Angie's aspiration over the next five years is to graduate from hygiene school and pursue a career as a dental hygienist, potentially right here at EVP. She admires the positivity and camaraderie within our team, noting that "everyone is always smiling." Angie takes pride in interacting with patients during check-ins and check-outs, finding joy in receiving compliments about our team.

Beyond dentistry, Angie has a passion for archaeology, viewing the study of the past as integral to understanding the future. She was particularly inspired by her visit to the Teotihuacan Pyramids, marveling at the incredible culture they represent. One of her pet peeves is littering, reflecting her respect for the environment.

Outside of work, Angie leads an active lifestyle, routine 5 am morning walks with her goldendoodle Mando. She enjoys reading self-development books, going to the gym, and unwinding with movies. She also enjoys taking spontaneous trips to the beach!

We are privileged to have Angie as part of our team at EVP, where her dedication, enthusiasm for patient care, and passion for learning enrich our practice.

 

Crystal A.

Patient Care Coordinator- Queen Creek

Crystal comes to us by way of Washington State but she has lived in AZ for over 12 years.  She has been working in the dental field for over 18 years and says that she loves working with our patients helping them get health and confident in their smile.  

Crystal enjoys working for EV Perio because everyone is super friendly and helpful and says that "it definately feels like family".  

When Crystal is not working she enjoys spending time with her kids watching their sports and playing card games.  Other than her boys, she is passionate about Relay for Life and the Wounded Warrior Project. 

Fun Fact:  Crystal is mom to 3 boys!

Staci M.

Patient Care Coordinator- Mesa

Meet Staci, originally from Nebraska—where she proudly supports her alma mater, Go Big Red! With over 25 years of experience in the dental field, Staci has worked both in the back office and at the front desk, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a warm, welcoming demeanor to our practice.

Staci's passion lies in ensuring every patient feels welcomed and leaves with a smile. She deeply values the professionalism of our doctors and the caring, supportive atmosphere among our team at EVP.

Outside of work, Staci resides in Mesa with her husband, her best friend of over 25 years, and their two daughters. She also adores her role as a grandma. In her leisure time, Staci enjoys hiking, kayaking, motorcycling, lounging poolside, and cherishing moments with friends and family.

We are privileged to have Staci as an integral part of our EVP family, where her dedication to patient care and her vibrant personality contribute to exceptional experiences for our patients and team alike.

Elizabeth "Elzie" M.

Patient Care Coordinator- Mesa

Elzie  is born and raised in Tucson, AZ. She has been in the dental field since 2012 starting out in a Pediatric Dental office. Elzie's favorite thing about dentistry is seeing patients smile. When asked what she loves about EVP, her response is, "the team is like a family."

When not in the office Elzie is hiking, at festivals, concerts, dining out at new places, or being outdoors.

Fun Fact: Elzie is a Neuroscience nerd and was a mental health advocate and even spoke publically on the topic.

Crystal V.

Lead Surgical Hygienist-Mesa/ Queen Creek

Meet Crystal, the Lead Surgical Hygienist at EVP, who has been an integral part of our team since July 2017. She works seamlessly on the surgical side during our IV and oral sedation cases as well as treating her routine and root planing hygiene patients. When she isn’t treating hygiene patients or in surgeries you can find her fixing things around the office, touching up paint, or building equipment. Crystal prides herself on her excellent time management skills, teamwork abilities, commitment to patient comfort, and unwavering positive attitude. She is dedicated to learning, building strong relationships with her patients, and fostering a cohesive team environment at EVP. 

Crystal's passion for dental hygiene stems from her enjoyment of the meticulous aspects of the profession—she fondly admits she "loves to pick," finding satisfaction in removing calculus and stain and educating patients on achieving optimal oral health. She places a strong emphasis on patient education and thinks outside the box on adapting oral hygiene products based on every patient's individual needs and ergonomics, ensuring they understand the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene practices without the patient feeling reprimanded or discouraged. Patient relationships are extremely important to her and there is a reason her patients book their appointments 1-2 years in advance. 

Residing in Gilbert, Crystal shares her life with her wonderful husband, who works as a tech 4 machinist for a large mining company, and their three beautiful children—two sons and a daughter. Outside of work, she treasures moments spent with her family, enthusiastically supporting her kids at their sporting events, enjoying date nights with her husband, indulging in movies, and savoring delicious Mexican food. Crystal is deeply passionate about oral cancer screenings and actively participates in the annual oral cancer walk. She loves birthdays and donating Christmas gifts to families in need, reflecting her compassionate nature and commitment to community service.

Fun Facts: Crystal is adopted. She has an extraordinary memory and always jokes that if she were an animal she would be an elephant.We are fortunate to have Crystal as a valued member of our EVP family, where her dedication to patient care, love for her profession, and compassionate heart enrich our practice and community alike.

Karen G.

Hygienist- Mesa

Karen, a dedicated member of our team originally from Idaho, moved to Arizona from Ogden, Utah. With an impressive 42 years of experience with our office, Karen embodies a passion for dentistry that extends far beyond routine care.

Her favorite aspect of dentistry is helping patients overcome their dental fears and empowering them to take ownership and pride in their oral health. She finds immense satisfaction in witnessing the results of their accomplishments, particularly when it comes to achieving painless injections—a skill she has mastered over the years.

She deeply appreciates how our practice values and cares for each patient, reflecting her commitment to excellence and patient-centered care. Outside of work, she cherishes spending time with her family, enjoying rounds of golf and tennis, and indulging in her love for baking. To unwind, she treats herself to a relaxing massage and actively participates in service projects through her church.

Beyond her professional and personal interests, she is passionately involved in the fight against human trafficking through O.U.R (Operations Underground Railroad). Her dedication to this cause underscores her commitment to making a difference in the world beyond dentistry.

Fun fact: Karen began playing the piano at the age of 4 and continues to showcase her musical talent by performing solos and accompanying choirs, recitals, and school performances. She has been recognized with prestigious awards throughout her career, including the HuFriedy Golden Scaler Award in 1981 and the Clinical Excellence Award from the Reber State College Dental Hygiene Program.

We are privileged to have Karen as an integral part of our team, bringing her wealth of experience, compassion for patients, and unwavering dedication to dental care.

Collette B.

Hygienist-Mesa/ Queen Creek

Collette has been with us since the fall of 2015. She has been a dental hygienist for 20 years and is originally from Salt Lake City. Collette loves being a hygienist because she loves helping people get healthy. She says that she would like to work until she is 80 doing something significant. She enjoys working at East Valley Periodontics because everyone is so kind and good at what they do. She loves that our patients become friends.

When she is not working, Colette enjoys hiking, camping, doing dentistry in third-world countries, learning Spanish, exercising, studying alternative health options for chronic diseases, and learning the piano. She is the mother of seven children - one son and six daughters - and has 15 grandchildren. She feels strongly about birth choices for women and is a certified doula.

Fun Fact: Collette is left handed.

  Amy S.

Hygienist-Mesa/ Queen Creek

Meet Amy, a Chandler native deeply rooted in Arizona, where she has been practicing dentistry for 6 years. Amy's journey in dentistry has been multifaceted—she has worked clinically and also served as an educator in the dental hygiene program at Mesa Community College. Her greatest passion in dentistry lies in educating patients about the vital connection between dental health and overall well-being. Amy is dedicated to fostering relationships that ensure a comfortable and seamless patient experience with her gentle approach.

As a dental hygienist with EVP, Amy thrives in the positive atmosphere among her fellow dental professionals. When she's not chairside, Amy enjoys exploring the great outdoors—whether it's trailer camping, hiking in the Superstition Mountains, fishing lakeside, or spending quality time at the dog park with her border collie, Ace. She's also a dedicated fan of Arizona sports teams.

Amy's love for animals, commitment to family time, and passion for community service are central to her life outside of work. A fun fact about Amy: She is musically inclined, proficient in playing the piano and currently mastering the acoustic guitar through lessons.

We are privileged to have Amy as part of our EVP team, where her dedication to patient care, love for Arizona's outdoor beauty, and musical talents enrich our practice and community.

Alison W.

Surgical Assistant

Alison was born and raised in Gilbert, Arizona. While in high school, she
attended the East Valley Institute of Technology where she took a
Dental Assisting course, since graduation she has been assisting full time. She started in general dentistry and recently found her way to surgical.

Alison strives to make the patients feel that they are in a safe
environment and in good hands no matter who they meet in the office.
She is a firm believer that the patient's needs should always come
first. She loves getting to know the patients and is always more than
happy to help them i n any way she can.

Alison enjoys working at EVP because the team is so incredible.
Everyone at EVP is so welcoming and so quick to help others. She
says "At EVP it feels like we are all one big family and we all have the
same goal, which is to help the patients as much as we can." She also
enjoys the diversity in the procedures done at the office, not one
procedure turns out exactly the same. She l oves seeing the amazing
work the doctors do.

When Alison is not working she loves to be anywhere outdoors or in
the water! She is a huge fan of going to the beach, lake, and river. She
loves to stand up paddle surf in the ocean when she visits California,
snowboard, wakeboard, wakesurf, and longboard! She also enjoys
hiking and going on adventures all around Arizona. Alison also loves
to spend time with her family.

One thing Alison feels strongly about is pediatric cancer. She once
raised just over 1000 dollars for the National Pediatric Cancer
Foundation. She hopes one day there will be enough research to find
a cure because no child should have to experience cancer when they
are just starting their life. Children should be worry free growing up
and be happy and healthy!

Sarah W.

Surgical Dental Assistant

Sarah comes to EV Perio by way of LaCrosse, Wisconsin.  She has lived in Arizona since 1986 and has been in dentistry since 2000.  Her favorite part of working in dentisry is educating patients.  

Sarah said that the reason she enjoys working at East Valley Periodontics is because it is a rarity to find an amazing clinician that is also a truly good person at heart. (We all share that sentiment.)  She also says that she feels truly blessed to be part of our team. 

When Sarah is not at work she enjoys hiking, target shooting, camping, kayaking, shopping and cleaning (believe it or not).   She is passionate about animals, anything and everything to do with them. 

Fun Fact: Sarah was born on Christmas day. 

Shilo T.

Surgical Dental Assistant

Shilo has traveled a lot and comes to us from multiple states around the country.  She has been a surgical assistant for the last 5 years.  She is excellent at engaging with our patients and helping them with any questions that they have whether they want to know a little or a lot about their treatment in our office.  In fact, taking care of our patient's needs and helping to restore their oral health and beautiful smiles are very important to her.  

She says that she loves EVP because of our family atmosphere with "amazing individuals" that truly care about our patients.  

Outside of EVP she enjoys skating, traveling and anything outdoors, spending as much time as she can with her family.  She says that her family makes her a better person and being an aunt to her nephew is her favorite thing.  She also says that working with mental health awareness is one of her passions.

Fun fact: Shilo loves being barefoot and she "can do a few things to a car".  

LaShonda V.

Surgical Assistant

LaShonda is an Arizona native who worked in the medical assisting field for 15 years before deciding to migrate over to the dental field because her sister-in-law Crystal, (who is one of our excellent hygienists) displayed such a passion for what she did.  LaShonda has been happy with the change and says that she really enjoys the hands-on aspect of surgical assisting really likes that "there is never a boring day".   Part of what she really likes is that there is a family atmosphere and that everyone works together as a team. 

LaShonda married her high school sweetheart and has 3 beautiful children and outside of EVP LaShonda loves spending time with her family, staying active outdoors, excersizing, dancing, watching movies, swimming and playing games.  She is really passionate about spreading kindness as a matter of fact, her favorite quote is "Smile at the world and the world will smile back". 

Fun Fact: LaShonda is the oldest of 6 siblings, she's the shortest and the only one with straight hair. 

Jennice C.

Surgical Dental Assistant

Jennice is born and raised in AZ, she grew up in Tucson. She comes to EVP with 4 years in the dental field. Jennice's favorite thing about dentistry is educating patients and helping build their smile. When asked why she likes EVP she will say, "its my work family, and everyone is so friendly and caring."

When Jennice is not at work she enjoys hanging out with family and friends, and trying new places with her boyfriend.

Fun Fact: Jennice grew up with 7 siblings and is currently going to school to become a dental hygienist. 

Mady K.

Surgical Assistant

Mady is another native to Arizona. She comes to EVP with 4 years in the dental field. Her favorite thing about EVP is of course the surgeries but also when patients leave the office with a smile. She enjoys the family vibe from the team and assists all 3 of our doctors in the office. 

When not in the office Mady is out hikingm spending time with family/friends, paddleboarding, or watching sports. She is a proud dog mom to "Ahsoka" after the StarWars Jedi!

Fun Fact: She is a 49ers fan because her moms family is from San Fran! 

Kailey W.

Surgical Assistant

BIO COMING SOON!

 

Sherale S.

Surgical Assistant

BIO COMING SOON!

 

 

 

 

 

Sydney

Sterile Tech

Sydney is born and raised here in Arizona. She is new to the dental field for and her favorite thing about dentistry is being detail oriented.  Sydney loves being at East Valley Periodontics because it is a very accepting team and everyone helps one another. Sydney is passionate about experiencing news things and pushing herself by expanding her knowledge.

When Sydney is not working she enjoys hiking with her chiweenie (dog) named Caramel, off roading, and going out to eat sushi.

Fun fact: Sydney lived in Hawaii for four years.