Hutchinson Dental

Services Offered

• General dentistry
• Cosmetic dentistry
• Implant restorations
• Sleep apnea oral appliances

Career Highlight

I love being a part of a smile transformation. To refresh someone’s smile or simply repair a chipped corner can often give patients the confidence they need to go out and show their best selves. It is a privilege to be a part of that!

Making Friends

Probably more meaningful than any smile transformation has been the many relationships I have made over the years thanks to dentistry. The friendships made with my team members, colleagues, sales reps and patients have been what gives me more of the warm fuzzies than any actual restoration or case I have completed.

Open Airways 

My sleep apnea patients love the Panthera appliance. This is milled from type 12 nylon, so it is super thin (less stuff in your mouth) and flexible (it does not feel rigid). It maintains a specific posture of your lower jaw to support your airway. Patients can adjust the position themselves, which is like reducing the volume of their snoring (spouses also love it). 

Up With the Sun

I am an early bird; I’ve never been able to sleep in (but it sounds lovely). I am literally up and running at 4 or 5 a.m. every day, and I don’t stop buzzing around until the sun goes down. It’s like I’m solar powered!

Before & After

This patient was self-conscious about the spaces between her teeth when she smiled, but she didn’t want to do anything too aggressive to improve her smile. So instead of porcelain veneers to change the shape and close the spaces, I did some “Michelangelo-ing” with resin and accomplished the same goals. This was a very conservative option, and she was very happy with the outcome!

Dream Team

Hutchinson Dental is a great place to work because we all have the same attitude of helping patients and each other. There is always laughter, which makes the day fly by. When you have a great team, you have to protect them. 

Preventive Care

I emphasize deliberate home care to patients because there’s nothing like your own teeth. When I diagnose early cavities that aren’t quite ready to be restored, I explain that patients have a window of opportunity to remineralize their enamel and avoid a filling. They can achieve this with consistent brushing, contoured flossing and using a fluoride rinse every day.

Keeping Cool

I made my peace long ago that I can only be in one place and do one thing at a time. When days are nutty, I tend to prioritize what I need to do and block everything else out. I endeavor to do whatever I’m doing well at that moment and move on to what’s next. That’s all anyone can do.

Finding Balance

I spend the majority of my day caring for someone or something. Whether it is patients, my team, my husband, our dog or my garden, I am hardwired to serve others. However, in the interest of self-preservation, I carve out time each day to do something just for myself to ensure my efforts serve me too. Dedicating time for myself allows me to reset and fuel my spirit for the rest of the day. 

Staying Fit

Running is my daily escape. It allows me to check out from whatever is on my mind to challenge myself physically and mentally. It’s my daily confirmation that I can do hard things!

Canine Greetings

Patients probably wouldn’t expect to arrive at the dentist and be greeted by a 100-pound German shepherd dog, but our patients can expect to meet Graham. I swear, I am his emotional support animal. He goes with me everywhere—including the office! Patients are disarmed by how calm and sweet he is. He’s become our unofficial mascot!

Photographed by Fabien & Laura Castro