Dr. Ellsworth Compliments Staff at Family Dental of Spokane Valley Read Transcript The staff that I have, they're all great. The bottom line is is that, you can always find somebody who's good at their profession, somebody who's good at knowing insurance, somebody who's good at assisting, somebody who's good at being personable, but at the same time, they've gotta be just good people, from the core on out. Every one of those guys are just good people from the inside out, all the way through, not a ... There's never any malice, there's never any ... It's very odd. Oftentimes in an office environment, there's a little bit of jealousies here and there. I don't think I've ever been in an environment with a group of people where I really, honestly have not seen those kinds of jealousies, or maybe bickering, or maybe some hidden agendas, or anything like that. It just doesn't happen. They're good people and they want to be good to other people. That's who they are. That's what I tell them all the time. I say, "Hey, you guys, just keep being yourselves. That's all I need." If I know they're being themselves, I know it's working.
Our Family Dental of Spokane Valley team works together like a well-oiled machine due to our shared commitment to provide the best service to our patients. And our staff is just the right size for covering the extended hours offered in our Spokane Valley, WA dentist office.
Andrea has been in dentistry for 14 years and a part of Dr. Ellsworth’s team since mid 2017. She has a background in pediatric, periodontal, cosmetic, and general dentistry. Andrea earned her dental assisting certificate from Spokane Community College and later completed their EFDA program. She enjoys getting to know and playing an important role in our patients’ lives and health. This along with being a part in providing comfort and confidence are the most rewarding parts of Andrea’s job.
Outside of the dental world, Andrea enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves being outdoors and spending time on the lake boating, floating, camping, kayaking… you name it. She enjoys participating in sprint triathlons and the training that comes along with it! Andrea also loves to cook and loves food in general. She also enjoys doing arts and crafts and going for walks with the dogs, Kadan and Kaylee as well as playing with Starlord, her leopard gecko!
Nikki began her dental career as a dental assistant when she graduated from Carrington College in 2010. She has also worked in front desk/reception roles for over ten years. All of this experience combine to make Nikki fantastic in her new role in our office! Nikki is a registered dental assistant, is certified in CPR and first aid, and has completed training from the scheduling institute. She loves meeting new people, learning something new every day, and helping our patients feel comfortable.
Nikki has a daughter named McKinley Rose who keeps her on her toes! They spend a lot of time outside and playing pretend games because McKinley has such an active imagination. Nikki also enjoys crocheting hats, blankets, and more for her friends and family. She also sells her work on Etsy. Nikki and her daughter love to read and spend time with family in British Columbia where they fish, hike, and swim at the family cabin.
A registered dental hygienist, Mary graduated from Eastern Washington University in 1995 and has worked in our office for her entire dental career. She has received training in many of the technologies we use at Family Dental of Spokane Valley, including our digital X-ray machine, local anesthesia, 3D imaging, sedation, and dental lasers. She enjoys using those skills working with patients and building positive relationships with them. She attends dental conventions to stay current on dental trends. In her free time, you might find her hiking, running, and enjoying the beautiful scenery in the Spokane Valley, WA area, as well as spending time with family.
Our office manager has never met a problem she couldn’t handle, thanks to her education in so many of the aspects needed to keep a dental office running smoothly. Lara’s training covers insurance filing and billing, HIPAA, patient care, team building, workplace safety, communication, CPR, patient records, and first aid, among other areas. She has led our office for nearly three decades and loves meeting new patients. She wants every patient to leave the office with a smile. Prior to entering the dental field, Lara was a certified nursing assistant for five years. This makes her invaluable in assisting patients with special needs, such as those in wheelchairs. She and her husband, Bobby, enjoy motorcycle riding, boating, water skiing, and spending time with their two grown children and four grandchildren. She enjoys riding shotgun on the family 18-wheeler or helping out with mechanic tasks.
Michelle, a dental assistant, has been involved in dentistry for 20 years and at our office for 15 years. She has worked for many different dentists in different geographic areas, thanks to her husband’s career in the Air Force. Radiology, OSHA compliance, surgical assisting, dental materials, sterilization techniques, and interpersonal communication are among the areas in which she has received advanced training. She likes helping patients with dental anxiety relax and feel more comfortable. When she’s not at the office, she enjoys crafts, especially quilting, scrapbooking, and making cards. Other favorite activities include camping, reading, and family get-togethers.
A registered dental assistant who also helps out at our front desk, Meagan has worked with Dr. Ellsworth since 2015. She has taken advanced courses in insurance and clinical dentistry practices. Patient comfort and trust are her top priorities, and she likes knowing she contributes to our patients getting the best care possible. She treats everyone she meets like family. This is no surprise, given how important family is to her. She calls her toddler, Leo, the love of her life and enjoys seeing the world through his eyes. Her favorite off-duty experiences include barbecues with her siblings and their families and time spent on her parents’ houseboat on Lake Coeur d’Alene. She also enjoys attending country music concerts, riding her bike, and walking her dog.
A certified dental assistant, Janet has been involved with dentistry for 26 years, with 18 of those years at Family Dental of Spokane Valley. A graduate of Spokane Community College, she likes helping our patients relax and making them feel confident about their smiles. She participates in at least 10 hours of advanced training every year to keep up on the latest dental techniques. Like other members of our team, she especially values family time. She enjoys cooking for her three grown children and three grandchildren. She and her husband also love spending time on the water, a pastime shared by many of our patients in the Spokane Valley, WA area. And she likes to garden.
