Janna "The Gate Keeper"
Office Manager
(ISFP - The Adventurer: Creative, Quick Wit, and Always Ready to Make Life More Fun)
A perfect fit from day one, Janna joined Dr. Young’s team in 2008 and has been the glue holding the office together ever since. She’s the angelic (and occasionally sarcastic) voice you hear when you call, the scheduling genius, and the guru of all things that keeps our office flowing. She loves being part of an office that’s grown leaps and bounds since she joined, and considers herself truly blessed to work with such an amazing team.
Born and raised in good ol’ Orange County, Janna found her forever person, Tyler, and tied the knot in September 2015. Together, they have two adorable kiddos: Perri, their little superstar born in August 2016, and Tucker, their wild card with endless energy, born in October 2018. When she’s not managing the office, Janna is busy managing the beautiful chaos of mommy life—and loving every second of it.
In her rare moments of free time, Janna loves camping under the stars, dancing like no one’s watching, singing along at live concerts, cheering on the Angels, and dominating backyard BBQs and games. She’s always up for trying fun and new cuisines, and she somehow makes balancing it all look effortless (even when it’s not). With her warmth, humor, and knack for making everyone feel at home, Janna is truly the heart of the office.
Shayne "Mighty Mouse"
Front Office
(ISFJ – The Defender: Loyal, Empathetic, and Always Looking Out for Others)
Don’t let her height fool you! This part-Mexican, part-Irish Valentine’s Day baby comes with a spicy personality. Growing up in the Northern California countryside, Shayne spent her days surrounded by horses, rabbits, ducks, and a pig named "Farrah". After high school, Shayne earned her Registered Dental Assistant license at Sacramento City College.
In 1999, Shayne visited Newport Beach, fell head over heels for the city, and never looked back. She traded in the countryside for coastal vibes and started building her life in sunny SoCal.
Fast-forward to today, and Shayne is the proud mom of Kyan, her college-attending, committed-relationship-thriving, occasionally-decision-questionable son. She couldn’t be prouder of the incredible young man he’s become—even if she sometimes has to shake her head and laugh at his antics.
When Shayne isn’t rocking it at the office, you’ll find her soaking up the sun at the beach, strolling along the Back Bay, or hitting up new restaurants with her girl squad. With her down-to-earth nature, warm personality, and just the right dash of sarcasm, Shayne has been a perfect fit for Dr. Young’s team from the start.
Marcela "The Office MacGyver /Handyman"
Dental Assistant
(INTP – The Thinker: Logical, Resourceful, and the Go-To Fix-It Genius)
Marcela has been in the dental industry for over 40 years, and her passion for dentistry began in Guadalajara, Mexico, where she completed dental school and practiced as a dentist. After marrying and moving to Southern California, she joined Dr. Young’s practice in 2005 as the dental assistant/office handyman extraordinaire.
Faithfully commuting to Newport Beach from Los Angeles every day, Marcela has one endearing flaw we’ve all learned to embrace—she’s late to work about 90% of the time. But what she lacks in punctuality, she more than makes up for with her immense talent, hard work, and reliability. After decades of working side by side, Marcela and Dr. Young have developed a bond that makes their banter in the dental chair nothing short of comedic gold. Patients often say that getting dental work done with the two of them is more entertaining than a live comedy show.
In recent years, Marcela has celebrated watching both of her children get married and is now the proud grandmother of a lively 3-year-old grandson, with another grandson on the way. Her growing family is her greatest source of pride and joy, second only to her uncanny ability to fix absolutely anything in the office.
When she isn’t working or stuck in traffic, Marcela enjoys cooking, dancing, and sharing her ancient Mexican anecdotes, which somehow apply to just about every human condition. Her sharp mind, warm heart, and incredible problem-solving skills make her an irreplaceable part of the team—and a joy to work with every day.
Chrissy "The Cheerleader"
Dental Hygienist
(ENFJ – The Protagonist: Charismatic, Caring, and Always Uplifting Everyone Around Her)
Chrissy was born and raised on the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin (and will claim either state depending on who she’s talking to). Her family still lives on a hill overlooking the St. Louis River, with one side leading to a ski hill and the other to endless scenic views. Her passion for dentistry began during her own orthodontic journey. While most girls were swooning over boys’ good looks, Chrissy was laser-focused on… their teeth. “He had nice teeth,” she would say.
After earning her degree at Lake Superior College in Duluth, MN, Chrissy honed her skills at a periodontal office before setting out on an adventure to Switzerland. There, she expanded her dental expertise while traveling across Europe and, most importantly, meeting her future husband. In 2004, Chrissy and her husband moved to sunny Southern California, where they’ve lived ever since. Their daughter, Shyla, born in 2013, is a true California girl with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a personality to match. Chrissy and Shyla are not just mother and daughter—they’re besties who share a love for all things Taylor Swift!
Chrissy leads an active lifestyle that reflects her small-town roots, with a love for running, hiking, mountaineering, and yoga. She’s also a proud member of her book club.
In 2008, Chrissy joined Dr. Young’s practice and quickly became the team’s cheerleader (both figuratively and, yes, she really was one in high school). At some point during your cleaning, she will serenade you with her singing. That’s how you know she loves ya! Her boundless positivity and knack for uplifting others make her an irreplaceable part of the team—and the reason patients leave with brighter smiles in more ways than one.
Fariba "The Child Whisperer"
Dental Hygienist
(INFJ – The Advocate: Empathetic, Insightful, and Always Ready to Listen)
Fariba isn’t just great with kids—she’s practically magical. Got a little one who swears they’ll never sit in the dental chair? After one visit with Miss Fariba, your kids will be asking you for weekly dental visits! In fact, patients of all ages find themselves so comfortable with her that a teeth cleaning often turns into a therapy appointment. That is one of her favorite parts of her job! With her warmth and natural ability to connect, Fariba creates a space where patients feel safe, heard, and cared for in more ways than one.
Fariba married her high school sweetheart and is the proud mom of two pre-teen boys who adore her. They keep her on her toes with all their sports and endless appetites. She always jokes that if she’s not in the office, she’s most likely at the grocery store or cooking in the kitchen. When she’s not feeding her crew, she loves organizing her home into Pinterest-worthy perfection, or diving nose-deep in a murder mystery or motivational book—because why not balance thrilling suspense with self-improvement? And as a die-hard soccer fan, she’ll take the thrill of a live match over a binge-worthy TV show any day.
Misty "The Story Teller"
Dental Hygienist
(ESFP – The Entertainer: Fun-Loving, Talkative, and Always the Life of the Office)
If you haven’t met Misty, you’ve definitely heard her voice at some point while visiting the office. Born in Texas and raised in California, Misty is the oldest of four girls who grew up playing piano, performing in dance recitals, and dazzling audiences in 4th of July parades. Misty grew up in the small town of Acton on five acres of land shared with 36 animals, including five horses, several dogs, cats, bunnies, goats, chickens, and even a pig.
Now living in Huntington Beach, Misty shares her busy life with her husband Steve, their two beautiful young daughters, Kelsie and Kirra, their dog Chika, tortoise Lloyd, and a few fish. Whether she’s juggling family life or keeping her patients entertained, Misty’s energy and enthusiasm never waver.
When she’s not in the office, you’ll likely find Misty hosting themed parties, being crafty, traveling with her family, or posting a helpful dental hygiene tip on her social media pages to help her followers maintain sparkling smiles.
Her infectious personality and knack for storytelling make her a favorite among patients and staff alike, and she’s always finding new ways to bring joy to those around her.
Rachael ""
Dental Hygienist
(ISFJ - The Defender: Patient, Hard-Working, and Always Ready To Offer Support)
Meet Rachael, our dedicated dental hygienist who’s passionate about creating healthy smiles with her caring and gentle touch. Her journey into dentistry began in high school with a Regional Occupational Program class in dental assisting. After seven years as a Registered Dental Assistant, Rachael’s love for patient care and dentistry inspired her to take the leap into dental hygiene, graduating with high honors from the Cerritos College Dental Hygiene Program.
Originally from England, Rachael has called sunny Southern California home for more than half her life. (Fun fact: despite her British roots, you’ll never hear even a hint of an accent—not one cheeky slip!) The best part about leaving cloudy England? Getting to stay active and enjoy a healthy lifestyle in sunny California! She’s as dedicated to fitness as the rest of us are to finishing off the Susie Cakes in the break room. You’ll never catch her sneaking a treat—but we’re pretty sure she’s judging us as we go back for seconds!
Rachael’s story with Dr. Young is a full circle twist: she first worked with him in South OC back in 2002 as a dental assistant. Fast forward 20 years, when we were searching for a new hygienist, Dr. Young remembered her kindness and expertise and knew she’d be the perfect fit—and he was absolutely right! With her blend of skill, a gentle approach, and a calm demeanor, Rachael ensures that your dental cleanings are as relaxing and comfortable as possible. She’s a true gem, and we’re so grateful to have her on our team!
Melinda ""
Dental Hygienist
(ENFJ – The Protagonist: Charismatic, Inspiring, and Always Ready To Support)
Melinda was practically born with a dental mirror in her hand. With two dentists as parents, she spent her childhood hanging out in the family practice. While most kids were at the playground or going to the mall, she was dental assisting, sterilizing operatories, and managing patient communications.
Her love for Polynesian culture led her to dental hygiene school in Hawaii, where she spent over a decade living the island life.
Melinda is a proud mom to two incredible teenagers—one with special needs—and a toddler who loves to keep Melinda on her toes. When she’s not juggling therapy appointments, sports practices, or toddler negotiations, you can find her whipping up something delicious in the kitchen or working on crafts.
Melinda is all about connection, encouragement, and seeing the best in people. Her mission? To make every patient feel at ease, empowered, and ready to flash their healthiest, happiest smile!
Katie ""
Dental Hygienist
(ENTP – The Debater: Curious, Spontaneous, and Always Ready for a Challenge)
Born and raised in the small town of Needles, CA, along the Colorado River, Katie grew up riding dirt bikes, water skiing, and jet skiing. If it involved adventure and the outdoors, she was all in! She later swapped river life for the coast, moving to Newport Beach to attend dental hygiene school.
Ironically, Katie was terrified of the dentist as a kid, which is exactly what inspired her to become a hygienist. Now, her mission is to help every patient feel comfortable and maybe even enjoy their visit to the dentist.
As the youngest member of our team, Katie keeps us all feeling a little geriatric with her endless energy! Whether she’s running a marathon, skiing the slopes, or hitting the driving range, she’s always on the move most likely with Red Hot Chili Peppers and Billy Idol topping her playlist.
Fun fact : This girl loves veggies—especially carrots! It’s probably the only thing keeping her mac and cheese obsession in check.
Lindsey "The Sub"
Dental Hygienist
(ENFJ - The Protagonist: Outgoing, Passionate, and Always Ready To Help)