Meet the friendly faces who make every visit comfortable, personalized, and full of smiles below.
I’m married with children; my husband Rick and I have 8 kids between the two of us – his three and my five. We have ten grandkids. I moved to Wichita from the Kansas City area, and have lived here since 2001.
Why did you choose dentistry?
I’ve worked with accounts receivable and insurance for many years and enjoy helping and working with patients to achieve their dental goals financially.
What is the best part of your job?
I enjoy seeing how we as a team help our patients achieve their dental goals.
What aspect of your personality adds the most value to the office?
My ability to get to know our patients and help our team make their visits as comfortable as possible.
What do you do outside of the office?
My husband and I travel quite a bit yearly. We love going to concerts, going out to dinner on Friday nights, and taking my grandkids to the zoo. Our family is into all sorts of sports, especially basketball, and we enjoy watching our grandkids’ teams play.
We also collect a lot of Beatles memorabilia and cookbooks.
What’s one item on your bucket list?
I would love to visit the Amalfi Coast in Italy.
I was born and raised in Wichita and feel lucky to still call it home. I married my high school sweetheart, and together we have two amazing kids—a boy and a girl—who keep life fun and busy.
Why did you choose dentistry?
The best part of my job is seeing firsthand how everyone treats each other like family. It’s truly inspiring to watch the strong, trusting relationships that have been built with our patients over time. Being part of that kind of team is something really special.
What is the best part of your job?
I love being able to help create a welcoming and comforting environment, especially for patients who feel nervous or anxious about their visit. Whether I’m scheduling an appointment or checking someone in, I do my best to make sure each person feels seen, heard, and at ease.
What aspect of your personality adds the most value to the office?
I’d say my calming and friendly nature helps put patients at ease. Dentistry can be intimidating, but a warm smile and reassuring voice can make all the difference. I’m happy to offer that kind of support every day.
What do you do outside of the office?
Outside of work, you can usually find me at the park with my kids, planning our next big family adventure, or curled up with a good book and a quiet moment to myself.
I’m a born and raised Wichitan. I bleed black and yellow, a WSU grad. My husband is from Wichita as well, he is a lieutenant in the Fire Department. We have two little girls, Summer Shae and Caroline Jo. We spend most of our free time outdoors chasing them around.
Why did you choose dentistry?
My mom is a retired dental assistant. I grew up in a dental office. We went to work with her when school was closed and on the weekends to help her clean the office. My sisters and I would “play dentist” often. My sisters were my patients growing up when we played dentist and were my first patients in dental hygiene school as well. Little did they know, they were guinea pigs all those years. I suppose being immersed in the dental world is what peaked my interest in pursuing dental hygiene.
What is the best part of your job?
Working in an environment where I can laugh as loud as I want. Dr Volker and his assistants say they can hear me laughing across the building. Laughter is contagious. It brings people joy. It connects people. It is how I connect with my patients.
What aspect of your personality adds the most value to the office?
I like to think I’m flexible. I try to go with the flow. I can adapt to most situations.
What do you do outside of the office?
My family and I are regulars at the park, zoo and Exploration Place. We love most things in Wichita, local festivals, kayaking down the Arkansas, hole-in-the-wall-bars, live music, and Vegas every once in a blue moon.
I am married and my husband Chase and I have identical twin girls that are 13. The girls’ activities keep us busy and on the weekends we enjoy going to church, going to the gun range and going on trips to ride our side-by-sides. I love the KC Chiefs football! We love animals at our house and have 3 house cats, 2 outdoor farm cats, 1 dog, 1 chinchilla and a hamster!
Why did you choose dentistry?
My mom worked at a dental office since before I was born. Growing up frequently visiting the office it became such a comfortable setting for me and I loved to see how her coworkers and patients were treated like family. I love to help others and help them feel comfortable with their dental experience in our office.
What is the best part of your job?
I love to help patients understand their treatment options and feel at ease by being positive, friendly, funny and willing to help whenever needed.
What aspect of your personality adds the most value to the office?
I love to make people smile and I love to have fun!
What do you do outside the office?
We like to travel to different states with friends and family and go off-roading with our side-by-sides! A good boondoggle is always fun! I love to watch the KC Chiefs football!
What’s one item on your bucket list?
I would love to go to a KC Chiefs game at Arrowhead Stadium! I love to watch the games but I have never actually been to a game at the stadium. I just want to experience the noise of the crowd! My girls say that I am too loud when I watch the game at home so I think it would so much fun to be in the crowd!
I have lived in Wichita my entire life and cannot imagine living anywhere else. I graduated from WSU. My husband and I stay busy running around after our three girls and two dogs.
Why did you choose dentistry?
I had severe dental anxiety as a child (and still do to this day!) so I didn’t think that I would end up working in dentistry until I finished high school. I love to pick at things and meticulously clean things with small brushes and toothpicks, so being a dental hygienist came naturally. I feel like my dental anxiety has also made me a lot more empathetic to others who share my anxieties.
What is the best part of your job?
I love making connections with patients and looking forward to catching up with them at their appointments.
What aspect of your personality adds the most value to the office?
I’m very detail-oriented which comes in handy with cleaning teeth. I am also a quiet observer which helps me to solve problems.
What do you do outside of the office?
Having three little girls and two dogs, my husband and I spend most of our free time playing in our backyard or at the park. When I get the chance I enjoy reading mystery books.
What’s one item on your bucket list?
Someday I would love to visit Greece.
I’m the wife of an amazing man who’s been my best friend for over twenty years, and the mother of three beautiful girls. Alyssa who I lost too soon in life at the age of 16, she is now my forever guardian angel, Caitlin and Zayla who are both so very strong and beautiful. I’ve lived in Wichita since the age of twelve, though I spent a few years in my twenties living in both Cheyenne, WY, and Billings, MT. I will always consider Wichita my “hometown”.
Why did you choose dentistry?
Growing up I had what you would call a “Complex Mouth”. I needed seven years of orthodontic treatment and at the age of 12 had to have twelve teeth removed at one time. I remember waking up from anesthetic in panic wanting to see my mom. The assistant at the time was very unkind and stern with me. I always knew I wanted to be in dentistry, however that one woman directed me into wanting to take care of people in a way she did not do. I chose the path of assisting to help comfort and support patients in situations not all are comfortable with, and to show understanding in those moments.
What is the best part of your job?
It’s hard to narrow down the best part of my job, the people I’m surrounded by daily both staff and patients, is what makes me smile the most when coming to work. I also enjoy the technology aspect of what we do, we’ve come so far in dentistry and Smile Connections uses technology in a way that gives our patients a smile that not only looks great but feels great too.
What aspect of your personality adds the most value to the office?
I get along with everyone, and I always try to stay positive and that helps in a lot of different scenarios at work and in my personal life. I’m upbeat and full of energy which is great in a fast paced office that pays attention to every detail of care we give our patients.
What do you do outside of the office?
Outside of work I’m the BIGGEST KC CHIEFS FAN, football season is definitely a favorite in my house! I decorate cakes in my free time, I love being artistic and I get to enjoy the tasty creations. Staying fit is important to me so I love when I can get outside and be active.
Who is your hero? Why?
My hero has always been and will always be my mother. She is a strong woman who wears her heart on her sleeve. She takes care of those around her and has set an incredible example for me to live up to. When I choose to take care of those around me I do it in a way I know would make her proud.
I’m married with three amazing kids and a red mini goldendoodle who keeps us all entertained!
I chose dentistry because I love helping patients transform their smiles—it’s such a rewarding feeling to see their confidence shine through. The best part of my job is seeing that excitement when treatment is complete and they finally see their new smile.
I’m known for keeping things positive and bringing laughter to the office—I truly believe a good attitude makes every day better!
When I’m not at work, you’ll usually find me busy with my kids and their sports, traveling, or just spending quality time with my family.
