Irvine Smile Design Team
Sloane Birke - Treatment Coordinator
Sloane collects all the information from the dentist and the insurance company, and then helps patients determine the best way to use their dental benefits. Then, when they come in for treatment, patients can focus on their time with the doctor, not on doing paperwork. She went to school to become a dental assistant. However, in early 1996, she was referred to Drs. Brown and Kushner, when they needed someone to work in the front office. She tried it, liked the work, and has been doing front office work at the office for since then. She particularly enjoys seeing the transformation of our patients' smiles as they complete their treatment plans.
Van Nguyen - Dental Hygienist
Van has been with us since 1994. She has always liked the idea of working in the health care field, where she could meet and help people and make a difference in their lives. Since she grew up in a "dental" family - her sister, aunt, uncles, and cousins all practice in dentistry-related professions, it was only natural that she would look to the dental field. While Van was still in high school, she had the opportunity to try out her career choice by working as a dental assistant. She enjoyed the work and the people, and therefore decided to pursue a dental hygiene education. Van graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1990 and moved to California to practice dental hygiene.
Loriann Murillo - Registered Dental Assistant
Loriann joined our staff in June 2005 after attending the American Career College where she graduated with honors (valedictorian) as a dental assistant. In 2005, she passed the state board exams to become a registered dental assistant. She sums up her feelings about the office and staff this way, "The people I work with make all the difference. Everyone is so sincere that it is almost like a family. This applied not only to the staff, but also to the patients. I feel really blessed to be working here."
Joan Woodring - Receptionist
Joan has been our patient since moving from Chicago to California in 1994 and joined our dental team in March of 2005. Having the unique distinction of being a patient and employee, she ensures that the individual needs of each patient are met each time they visit our office. Her duties include answering the phone, greeting patients at the front desk and managing their charts. She also manages the appointment system, from setting appointments and making friendly reminder calls to follow-up reports.
Nicole Martinez - Registered Dental Assistant
Nicole started working with us in 2010 as a Registered Dental Assistant. She helps the Doctors in evaluating a patient's dental needs and assisting them with their treatment. She loves working with the staff, saying that it is a wonderful gift to be working with such wonderful caring people and patients. She is a hard worker and has lots of experience. She has worked in the cosmetic and general dentistry field since 2005. She loves living in Southern California and has lived here all of her life.
