Meet the Staff

Tavin – Surgical Assistant

I was born and raised in Billings, Montana. After graduating from Eastern Montana College in 1987, I moved to Portland, Oregon.  I started working as a Oral Surgery Assistant in 1988 and have continued to do so ever since. It is very hard to believe I have been doing this over 35 years now. I feel very fortunate and enjoy what I do. My hobbies include hiking and painting. I live and work in Gresham and I am happy to be a part of this community. Our practice is care oriented and I feel like our patients appreciate this. I have worked for some wonderful doctors and have enjoyed some lasting friendships with old bosses and co-workers. I am excited to be a part of the team here at Blue Lake Oral Surgery.

Kd – Surgical Assistant

I have been in the dental field starting at the age of 21. I worked with a general dentist until he retired but knew I wanted to work side by side with an oral surgeon. I enjoy oral surgery because it has a medical side as well as dental. I hold EFDA and a radiology certificate as well as BLS, ACLS, PALS and DAANCE certification.

I enjoy working with my hands and caring for patients to make them feel at ease as much as possible.

In my free time I enjoy spending time with my granddaughter and family. I like the outdoors and anything crafty.

Satera – Surgical Assistant

I have been a dental assistant since the age of 19. I started in general dentistry and quickly moved to oral surgery. Growing up I have had a significant fear of the dentist, but after having a good experience during my time with the orthodontist, I knew I wanted to help people overcome their dental fears and challenges.

Working at Blue Lake Oral Surgery has been the best experience because I get to work with my friends.

Tiffany – Front Office Coordinator

My love for the dental field started in high school. Shortly after graduating, I trained on the job to become a chairside assistant working in general dentistry, then moved to the administrative side of the practice.

Not many people like going to the dentist, so I love being a part of a team that makes you as comfortable as possible, teaching patients that having dental treatment doesn’t have to be a terrible experience and then seeing patients smiling and happy after treatment is very rewarding.

I love spending time with my family and friends.

Amanda – Office Manager

I have always loved dentistry. I spent my senior year of high school volunteering at an orthodontics office where I found teeth and patient care fascinating. Once I graduated from assisting school, I found a job assisting in oral surgery with Dr. Smith and I knew right away that oral surgery was where I wanted to spend my career. After 12 years of being a surgical assistant to Dr. Smith, learning so many things about medicine and dentistry it felt like the right time to challenge myself with something new. I am happy to have the opportunity to be the Office Manager at Blue Lake Oral Surgery and continuing my career with Dr. Julie Ann Smith.

In my free time I love spending time with my daughter, husband and dog doing anything outdoors.