Meet The Team

Tammy is a born and raised lifelong Alaskan. She started in the Dental field 34 years ago as a dental assistant being trained on the job. She decided that she loved it, so she went to the Dental Assisting Program at UAA and graduated at the top of her class. She spent 20 years as a dental assistant and then transitioned to the administration side of things for the last 14 years. She was thrilled to become part of the team at Excellence in Dentistry as the New Patient Coordinator where she can connect with the patients one-on-one with her knowledge and experience. She loves being an educator of dental health, treatments, and procedures.

Outside of the office, she loves spending time with her family, watching movies, playing games, cooking, and singing and dancing at the American Legion in Palmer. She has a beautiful daughter and granddaughter who live here in Anchorage, and her mother who lives in Wasilla. She also is a mom to her super cute but yappy Multipoo dog Abby.

Having been born and raised right here in Alaska, I have been able to take advantage of all the beauty and spender offered by our amazing state. My husband and I both enjoy the privilege of working for local organizations and being able to contribute to our community. Our family appreciates being able to savor Alaska’s winter activities as well as all the summertime fun.

Being in the dental field for so long has given me the opportunity to aid patients from several areas of the dental office. I started in dentistry as an assistant and have also working front admin as well as in billing. Working for Excellence in Dentistry allows me to enjoy my favorite aspect of the dental office, which is helping patients use and understand their dental benefits. The amazing team here at Excellence, opens the door for patients to experience the most advanced and comprehensive treatment available, and I am proud to be able to support our patients get the care they desire.

I was raised in the hospitality industry in Kentucky. I was working the front desk of my father’s hotel alongside my grandmother long before I could drive. Granny passed on many valuable insights, but her customer service was legendary. Her philosophy was simple: Treat everyone like your best friend. After all, a stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet. As much as I loved the mountains where I grew up, I was determined to find out what was on the other side. During my freshman year of high school, I traveled to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. That trip awakened my spirit of adventure. I wanted to see more of my own country and the world. During the remainder of my high school career, I was an exchange student in Portland, Oregon, and Forslov, Sweden and attended the Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire.

My husband of 40 years served 20 years in the Air force. We raised our 4 children in Texas, Japan and Alaska. Our 9 years in Japan were truly the adventure of a lifetime. I taught English in a boarding school in Tokyo and served as a cub scout leader and camp director on base. Alaska was a compromise between my need for adventure and our children’s desire to live in their own country. This beautiful place has been our home for 27 years. Our two daughters and their families still live in Alaska. Our sons’ moved to Denver with their families when our youngest son entered dental school in 2015. I discovered my love of all things dental in 2002 when the mother one of my girl scouts asked me to come and work with her in an orthodontic office in Anchorage. For 13 years I managed that practice and delighted in the process of helping people transform their lives by improving their smile. I worked with a pediatric practice in Portland helping them to establish an ortho practice within the pediatric practice. When I came back to Alaska I decided to expand into general dentistry and learn more about what my son is doing.

I absolutely love helping our patients pursue good oral health. I’m honored to be part of the journey of our patients who undergo treatment to improve their smiles. I’m grateful for everyone who touches my life in such a positive way and hope I can be a blessing for those whose lives I touch.

Having worked in Dentistry for over 26 years, I have had the privilege to operate in many facets within the dental team. In this season of life, I’ve found helping people and practices stay healthy financially is what I love doing most. It is an honor to ensure everyone receives excellent compensation and benefits and it’s very rewarding to see the fruits of my labor come to fruition over consistent, methodical processes.

I am an introvert (who practices the learned the art of extroversion) and love to spend every moment I’m able, with my husband of 24 years and my 10-year-old daughter. I am a Siamese cat-lover and a Chocolate Lab girl, through and through. Alaskan adventures are at the top of my agenda each week and I feel blessed to be living a simple, quiet life in such a beautiful place!

Bio coming soon!

Originally from Indiana, Emily graduated with honors from the University of Alaska Anchorage and brings a warm and compassionate approach to her role as a dental hygienist. With a passion for educating patients about their oral health, Emily is dedicated to helping each person achieve their healthiest, most confident smile. Her calm demeanor and thoughtful care make every patient feel comfortable and valued. Outside of work, Emily enjoys traveling, hiking, and biking, as well as discovering new dining spots. She cherishes quality time with her husband Zack, their Samoyed Sebastian, and their Siamese cats, Stella and Apollo. Emily is thrilled to be part of the Excellence in Dentistry team and looks forward to welcoming you to the practice!

Kat has 5 years of dental experience as an assistant. She enjoys working with patients and educating them about their oral health and her biggest goal is to help them overcome any dental anxiety they may have.

Janae has been a dedicated dental assistant since 2009, bringing skill and care to her patients with expanded functions expertise. She loves making a difference in people’s smiles and enjoys working closely with patients. Outside the dental office, she is a passionate photographer. In her free time, she enjoys hunting with her husband and pup, embracing the great outdoors.

Kayleena has recently started her new journey at Excellence in Dentistry and has since fallen in love with the team. Dentistry can be very hard, but with the right team, it feels like family and it makes it all worth it.

She has been in dentistry for about 2 years and looks forward to continuing growing her skills in Dental Assisting and Admin Reception. She likes to spend her free time with her family and fur babies.