Meet the Team

Jennie, Clinical Assistant

Jennie completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in the Philippines and owned and ran a successful dental practice before she moved to the U.S. She lives in the Northwestern Suburb with her lovely family and travels over an hour each way to work because of her passion for dentistry and her love for Arden Dental Center. Jennie likes interacting with patients and seeing the impact a healthy smile can have on a person. She is a trained surgical assistant in dental implants. Her friendly demeanor makes her exceptional at easing the fears of anxious patients. Outside of work, Jennie enjoys spending time with her family, especially her adorable son

Raya, Clinical Assistant

Raya was born and raised in Amman, Jordan. She completed her Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree before moving to the US and is currently finishing her master's degree in special education at UIC. She is a trained CEREC dental professional who is meticulous with her designs and finishes. Raya has incredible attention to detail in smile makeovers. She is very passionate about dentistry and always makes patients’ comfort and satisfaction her priority. She is fun-loving and outgoing. Outside of work, she enjoys music and the outdoors.

Jacob, Clinical Assistant

Jacob is the newest member of our Arden Dental Center team. He is currently pursuing his college degree in creative writing. As a longtime patient of ours, Jacob is very familiar with our practice’s philosophy and meshes well with our team. Outside of work, he enjoys animating and spending time with friends and family.

Lisa, Registered Dental Hygienist

Lisa has been serving our patients for over 15 years. She has been a dental hygienist for over 20 years and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with a gentle touch. Lisa is originally from Ohio and moved to the Chicago-land area where she graduated from the Dental Hygiene program at Harper College. Lisa takes pride in her work and is meticulous and thorough when caring for patients. Lisa loves spending time with her daughter, boyfriend, and friends. She is passionate about cruising on her Harley, scuba diving, traveling, hiking, and doing many other outdoor activities.

Lisa loves spending time with her daughter, boyfriend, and friends. She is passionate about cruising on her Harley, scuba diving, traveling, hiking, and doing many other outdoor activitie

Kathy, Registered Dental Hygienist

Kathy completed the Dental Hygiene program at Parkland College in Champaign, IL. She is particularly knowledgeable and experienced with soft tissue therapy using a diode laser. No matter how severe your case is, you can rest assured that you are in great hands with Kathy. When she isn’t working to protect patients’ smiles, Kathy enjoys spending time with her husband and three daughters. She also enjoys cooking, walking, and watching movies.

Vanessa, Registered Dental Hygienist

Vanessa completed the Dental Hygiene program at Harper College. She has been a hygienist for 24 years and a Hygiene Program instructor at Harper College. Vanessa has a great sense of humor and always puts patients at ease. She is exceptional in helping patients understand the ins and outs of their treatments. Outside of the office, Vanessa loves spending time with her husband and three children. She enjoys hiking, jewelry making, gardening, biking, traveling, and walking her dogs.

Nga, Treatment Coordinator

Nga completed her Bachelor of Computer Science degree at Devry University. Upon graduating, she took an interest in customer relations and has been in dentistry for over 20 years since then. Nga’s dedication and passion for helping others is unparalleled. Not only does she provide exceptional care to our patients with her strong clinical experience, but she is also the best advocate for them with her extensive knowledge of dental insurance. Outside of work, Nga enjoys running with her dog Pepper, baking, and traveling with her husband and two lovely daughters.

Julie, Registered Dental Hygienist, BS

Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Julie received her Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State and obtained her dental hygiene certificate at Harper College. Julie has accumulated over 20 years of high-level clinical experience. She masterfully combines decades of knowledge with her gentle touch to provide a truly exceptional level of care to all her patients. On top of this, Julie’s personable and positive attitude makes her a joy to have on our team.

Julie’s determination is unquestionable. She is a breast cancer survivor and an avid runner who has completed many marathons and half marathons. She loves spending time with her three children and has a passion for performance vehicles.

Karolina, Registered Dental Hygienist

Karolina, a.k.a. "Hygiene Ninja", consistently keeps up with the current knowledge and latest trends in dentistry. She often works with some of our most periodontally challenged patients and is highly skilled in the early detection and treatment of periodontitis, mucositis, and peri-implantitis.

Outside of work, Karolina enjoys spending quality time with her husband, daughter, and two cats. She loves nature, the outdoors, and hiking. She has been practicing yoga for many years and recently found interest in Wing Tsun, an ancient form of martial arts.

Meredith, Registered Dental Hygienist

Meredith graduated from Marquette University with a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree in Dental Hygiene in 1997. She loves what she does and enjoys educating her patients as well as getting to know them.

Meredith lives in Addison, is married, and has three children, two dogs, and cats. She enjoys spending her time with her family as well as competitive running. She has run over 40 half marathons and 14 marathons.

Ryan, Clinical Assistant

Originally from Naperville, Ryan recently graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology. A pre-dental student throughout his college career, Ryan is extensively passionate about dentistry and specialties within the field. Ryan will be applying for admission to dental school in the summer of 2024.

Outside of work, Ryan serves in the Illinois Army National Guard. His favorite hobbies include working out, being outdoors, and reading.

Diego, Dental Assistant

Diego was a dentist in Venezuela before relocating to the U.S. He is particularly drawn to cosmetic dentistry and surgery, areas where he can combine his artistic sensibilities with his technical skills.

Outside of the office, Diego is an avid traveler and photographer, always seeking new experiences and perspectives. He also enjoys practicing mindfulness and exploring new interests. His curiosity and enthusiasm for life are evident in his approach to both his work and his personal pursuits.