At the core of our dental practice is a friendly team of professionals that are dedicated to your utmost comfort and optimal oral health. We view each patient as a unique individual, and tailor each treatment to your specific needs. As part of our commitment to providing close, personalized attention to every patient, we want to encourage patient communication. Please know that we are here to provide outstanding patient care, and that we value the trust you have placed in us.
Stacey, Office Administrator
Stacey joined our team in October of 2015 as our Hygiene Coordinator. In January 2023, she transitioned from our Treatment Coordinator, at the front desk, to the Office Administrator. You may have noticed recently that Stacey has not been at the front desk greeting you with her smile, but rest assured that she is still with our practice! Stacey misses seeing all the patients and loves when patients stop by her office to say Hi! Stacey strives to make sure the office runs smoothly and is constantly looking for ways to improve the patient experience. Stacey has been married to her husband Paul since 2008, and lives outside of Mifflin with their two teenage children. Outside of the office, Stacey is involved in her children’s many school activities/sports along with remodeling/decorating their 100-year-old farmhouse.
Jamie, Virtual Patient Advocate and Insurance Coordinator
Jamie has been with Priest dental since October 2020 and began her career as the Treatment Coordinator. Just short of a year with us, her family relocated to the Sunshine State of Florida where she now works remotely. Jamie is the Virtual Patient Advocate and Insurance Coordinator. She has over 16 years’ experience working with insurance. When not traveling to watch her son play hockey and daughter run cross country, she enjoys relaxing by her pool and spending time on the beautiful beaches of Florida with her husband and kids.
DeAnna, Financial Coordinator/Implant Coordinator
DeAnna joined our practice in May 2022. She has been in the dental field for 30 years. She became a DANB Certified Dental Assistant in Pt. Charlotte, Florida in 1992. She moved to Ashland, Ohio in 2005 to raise her two sons. She has worked for many years as a dental assistant, lead dental assistant, a dental assisting instructor with the Ashland County West Holmes Career Center, and a New Practice Transition Coordinator where she opened new dental offices and trained the staff members throughout the U.S.
She is now assisting patients in securing financial loans, discussing treatment plan costs, options, and scheduling treatment in the doctors’ schedules. She is patient focused and wants each person she encounters to have a wonderful experience at the dental office. DeAnna can be found in one of our new offices located off the lobby. Being a dental assistant and an instructor has increased my ability to explain treatment to patients in an understandable way. DeAnna, has two grown sons, a granddaughter, and another grandchild on the way. She will be married to her fiancé David this October and has three dogs that keep them busy. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her granddaughter Ila, travel to wineries with her fiancé and loves to read.
Jo Ellen, Treatment and Financial Coordinator
Jo Ellen has been with the practice over 17 years, and is our Treatment and Financial Coordinator. She assists in securing financial loans, discusses treatment plan costs with patients and schedules appointments with the doctors. She provides excellent customer service through detailed and thorough interaction with patients. Jo Ellen, can be found in one of our new offices located off the lobby. Her favorite part of her job is interacting with the patients that are seen at our office. Jo Ellen is married to her husband John and lives in Ashland. They have three grown children and five adorable grandchildren. While not at the office, Jo Ellen can be found crafting, reading, or spending time with family or their dogs.
Maya, Hygiene Coordinator
Maya joined the practice in August of 2021 as our Hygiene Coordinator. She is a 2017 graduate of Ashland High school and studied at both Ohio State University Mansfield and North Central State College. Maya oversees the schedule of our six hygienists and enjoys being the cheerful smile to greet all of Priest Dental’s wonderful patients. The perfect patient experience is Maya’s top priority- she wants everyone to feel safe, welcome, and appreciated while visiting our office.
Outside of work, Maya loves to read and spend time with her family and her beloved dog, Winnifred Beatrice.
Ginger, Dental Hygienist
Ginger joined the practice in 1996, making 2023 her 27th year with us. She graduated from the dental hygiene program in 1995 from The Ohio State University branch in Lima, OH. Her passion for treating her patients with the best care and educating them about their dental health fuels her excellence every day. Ginger’s positive attitude is one of her most notable qualities, alongside her contagious “Ginger Giggle”. All these qualities combined with her incredible work ethic make her indispensable to the Priest Dental team.
When away from the office, Ginger likes to be outdoors and spend quality time with her family.
Tara, Dental Hygienist
Tara has been a dental hygienist since 2008. She graduated from Lorain Community College with an Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene. She has been with the practice for 13 years and is an extremely valuable asset. She enjoys building dental relationships, but also loves getting to know each patient personally as well. The comfort level that her patients have reported as well as her relationship with the office staff is unmatched. She strives to inspire patients to become educated in their oral health both in and out of the office. She possesses a great work ethic and enjoys working with anyone she encounters.
Pam, Dental Hygienist
Pam LaRue hails from the Mansfield area and is a graduate of OSU as a licensed dental hygienist. She has been part of this practice for over 31 years and enjoys combing experience years with modern technology to provide optimal care for her patients.
Rachelle, Dental Hygienist
Rachelle has been a dental hygienist since 2009. She graduated from West Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene. She is a recent addition here at Priest Dental as a part time hygienist. She enjoys building relationships, serving her patients, and educating each one about how to have the healthiest mouth possible.
Tonda, Dental Hygienist
Tonda has been with Priest Dental since 2019 and has over 11 years of experience in the dental field. Tonda received her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene as well as her Expanded Functions of Dental Assisting from The Ohio State University in 2010. Her investment in her patients’ general well-being is at the root of her thorough and dedicated care. When seeing each patient, she is diligent with both her dental treatment and education to every patient regarding their oral health and all it entails.
Tonda is married to Todd and has three incredible children- Ian, Lydia, and Simon. Outside of the office, she keeps herself busy with her family, biking, swimming, baking, reading, and attending her church.
Sonya, Dental Assistant
Sonya joined the Priest Dental team in May of 2016. She completed her formal dental assisting training from the Ashland County West Holmes Career Center in 2014. In addition to her dental assisting, she also obtained her radiography certificate and is CODA (Certified Ohio Dental Assistant) certified. In addition to continuing education, Sonya became a certified phlebotomist in 2017. She enjoys interacting with patients and helping them feel comfortable during appointments. Sonya is looking forward to broadening her dental background through continuing education this year and is always eager to learn. Outside the office, Sonya enjoys spending time with her five children, gardening, and baking as well as volunteering at her church.
Mandy, Dental Assistant and EFDA
Mandy began her dental career in 2001 and has been hard at work adding to her credentials since. She received her Expanded Function Dental Assistant certification from Case Western Reserve in 2020. Mandy is heavily involved in the implant and restoration process and has never been known to shy away from a challenge. In addition to her dental expertise, Mandy also assists with the facial aesthetic treatments we offer at Priest Dental.
In her free time Mandy can be found spending time with her husband, dogs, friends, and family. In the warmer months, she enjoys riding her Susuki Boulevard.
Amber, Dental Assistant
Amber joined our team as a dental assistant in 2017 and has over 20 years of experience in the dental field. She is a graduate of Ashland High school and continued her education at Stark State where she received her Coronal Polishing certification in 2018. Amber additionally has radiology certification through The State of Ohio as well as CPR certification through the American Heart Association. All her clinical expertise combined with her kind-hearted and understanding demeanor make her a most valuable asset to the Priest Dental practice.
In her free time, Amber enjoys attending her two daughter’s basketball and volleyball games with her husband, Scott.
Jill, Dental Assistant
Jill began her career as a dental assistant for Dr. Michael Spreng over 35 years. She was his neighbour and he asked her to be his dental assistant. She had no experience. He showed her everything she needed to know. As many of you know Dr. Spreng retired in 2020 and she is happy to step back from full time assisting and now handles the sterilization, GLO (for whitening) and assists the EFDA’s when needed. She enjoys reading, going to antique shops, taking walks, especially with her ‘dog’ Nellie Mae, loves going out to eat and shopping with her girlfriends. She also enjoys lots of outdoor activities. In 2019, she got engaged to Jon. She feels very blessed to have another chance at love. When she is at work she enjoys talking with patients and getting to know them. Jill said she has always been a hugger so any chance a patient wants a hug, it is great! They are special to her, not just patients.
Sarah, EFDA
Sarah joined our team in July 2015 as a dental assistant. She completed her formal dental assisting training from the Ashland County West Holmes Career Center in November of 2014. In addition to her dental assisting, she also obtained her radiography certificate and is CODA (certified Ohio Dental Assistant) certification. In June of 2016, Sarah also completed a Phlebotomy program with Ashland County West Holmes Career Center where she obtained her certificate as a certified Phlebotomy technician through the NHA (National Health Career Association). In August 2016, Sarah completed an implant externship with Dr. Priest through the Midwest Implant Institute. She is a graduate from Case Western Reserve University’s EFDA program in May 2018 (Expanded Function Dental Assistant).
Prior to dental assisting, Sarah served seven years in the Air National Guard with the 179 Airlift Wing and the 200th Redhorse Squadron Det 1. She has two beautiful daughters and a wonderful husband who is also currently serving in the Air National Guard. When not at work, Sarah enjoys crafting, running, and spending time with her family.
