Brenda
Front Desk Coordinator
- What’s your hidden talent (or a talent you wish you had)? I wish I could sing! My sister always told me I couldn’t carry a tune — and honestly, she’s not wrong!
- What is your ultimate “orthodontic survival kit” item — something you have to have during your shift? My glasses! I literally can’t see the computer without them, so they are a non-negotiable.
- What’s your go-to snack or drink that gets you through the day? Coffee, for sure. I need my morning cup to get going!

Tracie
Office Manager
- What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten? I’m not experimental with food.
- What are the things you’d spend with a billion dollars? First, paying off any debt, investing for the future, then travelling.
- What makes your day better? Talking to my family makes my day better.
- Why do you love your job? I enjoy the relationships that I’ve made with our patients and their families. Plus, I work for a great guy who treats us well! That makes coming to work enjoyable.

Mindy
Treatment Coordinator
- What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten? The weirdest thing I have ever eaten was Octopus.
- What are the things you’d spend with a billion dollars? I would start college funds for my grandchildren and travel.
- What makes your day better? A phone call from my kids makes my day better.
- Why do you love your job? I love seeing how excited the children are when they find out they are getting braces!

Shelly
Insurance Coordinator
38 years in the industry, 18 years with OSSTL
- What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten? Frog legs.
- What are the things you’d spend with a billion dollars? SO. MANY. THINGS. For every $100,000 I spend for me and my family, I would match that amount for a charitable cause, choosing different ones each time.
- What makes your day better? Smiles and a positive attitude from myself and everyone around me makes my day go better….and coffee!!
- Why do you love your job? I love my job because improving people’s teeth, bite and smile can change lives!

Katy
Orthodontic Assistant
- What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten? I’m not experimental with food. The weirdest thing I have ever eaten was fresh eel in Japan.
- What are the things you’d spend with a billion dollars? If I had a billion I would open a Dog/Cat rescue to save as many sweet angles as possible.
- What makes your day better? My day is always better anytime I get to see and get to spend time w/my nieces and nephews. My fur babies always put a smile on my face too!! They are all my WORLD!!!!
- Why do you love your job? I love my job for many reasons, seeing the patients grow up and change right before our eyes, and I love how much positive confidence that a straight beautiful smile brings our patients. I have been doing this so long that I love seeing former patients bringing their children in for their treatment.
Heather
Orthodontic Assistant
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Orthodontic Survival Kit Must-Have: Scaler and director – because precision is everything!
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Go-To Snack or Drink: Coffee is a must! I love me an upside-down iced caramel macchiato—it keeps me moving all day long.
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Funniest Patient Moment: One time, a patient took the lid off the mouth rinse and drank from it! We were both in shock—I ended up letting her take the whole bottle home.
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Favorite Part of Working Here:Getting to know our patients and their families. I love learning about who they are—it makes the job so much more rewarding.
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Dream Job for a Day: Air vac nurse! I’ve always been curious about that fast-paced, high-impact role.
Whether she’s assisting with braces, cracking jokes, or sharing a laugh with a patient, Heather keeps the office both efficient and full of energy. Make sure to say hi the next time you’re in the chair—just don’t drink the mouth rinse!
Mahsa
Orthodontic Assistant
- If you were an orthodontic tool, which one would you be and why? I’d be the cheek retractor — not because I enjoy stretching people’s limits, but because I’m always trying to make people smile wider.
- Hidden talent (or one you wish you had)? I’ve always wished I could play an instrument and sing — just sit down, vibe out, and let the music speak. There’s something magical about turning feelings into sound. Total dream energy.
- Favorite part of working in our office (besides all the amazing smiles)? The connections. I love getting to know patients over time and being part of their smile journey from start to finish.
- If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be and why? A travel photographer! Just one day of wandering somewhere new, camera in hand, capturing stories through a lens. It’s the perfect mix of creativity and adventure.
- Ultimate “orthodontic survival kit” item? A hair tie — because you can’t adjust wires with hair in your face. Simple, but essential!
- Funniest or most memorable patient moment? A patient told me they were counting down the days until they could eat caramel apples again once their braces come off. I said, “Same! Just bring me one too, and we’ll celebrate together!”
Daniela
Orthodontic Assistant
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If you were an orthodontic tool, which one would you be and why? I’d be a stainless steel wire — flexible, easy to shape, and always adapting. Whether it’s a new environment or learning something new, I adjust quickly and stay strong under pressure!
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Hidden talent (or one you wish you had)? I can do a split! Not super useful in the clinic… but definitely fun to show off!
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Favorite part of working in our office (besides seeing all the amazing smiles)? I truly enjoy getting to know so many different people. Everyone has a unique story, and I love connecting with patients beyond their braces journey.
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If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be and why? A coffee barista! I love coffee and making drinks for people — there’s something so satisfying about creating the perfect cup.
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Your ultimate “orthodontic survival kit” item?Mint gum or an energy drink — one keeps me fresh, the other keeps me going!
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Go-to snack or drink that gets you through the day? Alanís or coffee — always!

Jessica
Orthodontic Assistant
- What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten? The weirdest thing I have ever eaten has been Shark bites, I’m a picky eater so I don’t eat many weird foods.
- What are the things you’d spend with a billion dollars? If I had a billion dollars, I would travel, to a beach house on the beach and a cabin in the mountains, and more traveling.
- What makes your day better? My day is better when I get to spend time with my four beautiful daughters.
- Why do you love your job? I love my job because I care about helping others and love seeing patients smiles transform!