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Our Staff
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| Mona Garger, Director of Business Services
Hi, my name is Mona Garger. Upon coming to America from Korea when I was in Jr. High School, my career aspiration was to become a nurse like “Florence Nightingale.” Subsequently, this vision lead me to Loma Linda University and later, California State University of Long Beach. During the first two years of the nursing program, I realized, though I liked the patient care aspect of the healthcare, I much preferred the administration and financial part of the business. Therefore, I transferred my last two years of school to CSULB and changed my major to Political Science/Public Administration. My passion and understanding of the healthcare business landed me with numerous financial management career opportunities. The majority of my career had been spent managing and directing the financial offices, managed care contracts, admitting offices, and Business Development of several major acute hospitals in Los Angeles and Orange County areas in So. California.
A golden career opportunity to do some hospital financial consulting work brought me to Bakersfield in 2001. While I loved living in Naples in Long Beach, I moved to Bakersfield and, “yes,” it is at this point in my life that I met Dr. Garger! In July of 2002 we got married and my career got shifted from hospital healthcare to dental healthcare management. Although the procedures are vastly different between these two industries, the principle of the business of serving the clients and meeting their needs to the best of our abilities and making the process affordable and pleasant are still identical. I consider myself extremely fortunate to be involved in the dental healthcare business and be a part of the family at Gentle Family Dentistry.
I have so many passions in life but some of the primary ones are, reading, writing, hiking, downhill skiing, and if not the most, definitely cooking, “yes” cooking; trying out different recipes and “yum…” savoring the byproduct as well.
Most importantly, I am here at Gentle Family Dentistry to support Dr. Garger’s motto, “to deliver the highest standard and quality of dental care at the state-of-the-art facility where we offer the latest modern technology with “Trusted, Caring Dental Excellence!” Please feel free to contact me if you have any concerns regarding the finances or any exceptional cases that our regular staff may not be able to assist you with. I am here to serve you in any way I can!
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| Valerie Grigsby, Registered Dental Assistant/ Supervisor
Hello, I’m Valerie Grigsby and I have been a registered dental assistant since 1973.
I am a Bakersfield native and graduated from North High and Bakersfield College.
I have been with Dr. Garger since he purchased the practice in 1999. I do anything and everything in the office. I thoroughly enjoy working chairside but am equally at home talking with patients about their concerns. I never want to see any patient in pain.
I do my best to keep things running smoothly in the office and never have patients waiting longer than is absolutely necessary. I look forward to personally greeting every patient and take great pride in their dental education and health.
I’ve been married to my husband, Joe, for 25 years. I enjoy camping at the beach, the mountains, or the desert. I love NASCAR almost as much as my granddaughter, Lily.
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| Michelle Ness - Registered Dental Assistant, Scheduling and Treatment Coordinator
I was born and raised in Phoenix Arizona. In 1987, my family and I relocated to California. I graduated high school in N. California and moved to Bakersfield in 1994. I went to San Joaquin Valley College where I received my Associate of Science and my Dental Assisting degree. I sit on the board at SJVC. I am married to a wonderful man, Joel. We are active in Praise Band at church where Joel plays the guitar and I sing. We can be seen cruising around town together on his motorcycle. I have two children, Brad & Kierstin who are great kids in so many ways.
My job as a dental assistant has proven to be challenging and rewarding simultaneously. I enjoy so many aspects of our office. Dr. Garger is a dynamite dentist to work for and with. We have a great staff of ladies who have been together for a long time and our patients love them. We have high expectations of one another, which provides our office with exceptional care for you, the patient!I am in charge of scheduling and treatment coordinating and as a result, work in the front office majority of the time. However, when the things get too hectic in the back, I jump in and assist the patient care team as a registered dental assistant. |
| Helen Matthews, Registered Dental Hygienist
I am Helen Matthews and have been with Dr. Garger since he purchased this practice in 1999.
After high school I worked for a summer as an orthodontic assistant but never considered a career in dentistry until college and graduated from USC in 1969 as a dental hygienist. Over the years I have worked in the LA and SF Bay area before returning to Bakersfield where I was born.
My favorite part of my job is my patients many whom I’ve know for years.
Dentistry has changed dramatically since I graduated and my challenge is to bring to my patients the best in treating periodontal (gum) disease and helping my patients understand how to keep their mouths healthy and beautiful.
My favorite hobbies are music through my church, gardening and raising African violets.
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| Kristin S. Maniaci, Registered Dental Hygienist
I was born and raised in Bakersfield. I moved to Orange County to attend college at California State University, Fullerton where I pursued my education in Biology. I moved back to Bakersfield to further my education in Dental Hygiene. I graduated from Taft College Dental Hygiene program in 2010. I will be going back to school to pursue my masters in biology as well as a degree in public health. It is also a goal of mine to proceed and work towards my Alternate Practice License in Dental Hygiene (RDH AP).
I have a passion for my career! I feed on the knowledge I learn from others in my field. My goal as a Registered Dental Hygienist, is to educate, inform, prevent and provide the upmost valuable and honest information to my patients. I truly care for their well being and oral health. I am blessed to have the opportunity to work for Dr. Garger and his amazing staff.
I absoloutely enjoy sports (playing and watching), gardening, church, and most of all, my family. |
| Renee Hanoski - Registered Dental Assistant
Hello! I was born and raised in Vancouver, WA. After graduating high school, I moved to California and made Bakersfield my home in 1986. I began my career as a dental assistant in my senior year of high school and I became an R.D.A. in 1991. What I enjoy most about my career is the patients that I get to connect with. I enjoy conversations with people. I take time to get to know patients, allowing me to hear their concerns and answer questions. This helps a patient feel less anxious and allows me to educate them in the process.
I have 3 children Kayleigh, Kyle, and Michael. I have 1 grandchild by my daughter Kayleigh. I am so proud of all of my children and am super excited to have become a grandma. In my spare time I really enjoy reading and shopping. Lets not forget spoiling my new grandchild!
I can honestly say that I truly enjoy working with this team at Dr. Garger's. It doesn't any get better. This team will take care of all your dental needs. My number one priority is patient care and it is apparent the first time I introduce myself. |
| Nikki Jo Watkins - Registered Dental Hygienist
Hi. My name is Nikki Jo Watkins, I was born and raised in Bakersfield California where my family professionally trained horses for team roping and my father was a Professional Rodeo Cowboy. Although life on the ranch was a wonderful one, Dad wanted something more than long hot days and manual labor for his only daughter. By the tender age of nineteen, I had accelerated through college and was the youngest to have ever been accepted into the Taft College Dental Hygiene Program. After graduating in 2007 I traveled to Texas where I lived and worked for a couple of years until life brought me back home to Bakersfield and here with Dr. Garger.
As a Registered Dental Hygienist I take pride in my work and my ability to provide thorough and comprehensive treatment as pain free as possible. My main goal is as an educator in dentistry. I hope to decrease anxiety and increase consistency by providing you the patient with information that you can understand and with the education you need to make better decisions for your oral and overall health.
When I'm not in the office, I’m still living life on the ranch, caring for all the critters, roping, riding and competing in events. I also enjoy doing research in science, medicine and dentistry. My treasured time is that spent with my family, my animals and my God. |
| Ronda Schnee - Certified Dental Assistant
Hello! My name is Ronda Schnee. I was born and raised in Bakersfield, CA. I graduated from San Joaquin Valley College in 1998 and have been in the dental industry for over 20 years. I enjoy working in the dental field very much; it has become a passion of mine. It’s the patient’s that make my job so rewarding. Being able to assist and educate patients with all their dental needs and concerns, is foremost in my job.
I have 3 wonderful children, Joshua, William, and Sara. I am also a grandmother to 2 children, Noah and Isabella. I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends. My days off are spent enjoying all of my various hobbies such as, cooking, camping, computers, and trying my best to learn something new every single day!
I joined Dr. Garger and his team this year and what a great group we have here. It has become my second home! |
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