Kathi
Practice Manager
Hi I’m Kathi!
I am so excited to be working with Dr. Merchant and this exceptional team. It has been so gratifying to be able to help patients be free of pain, to sleep well, have great oral health, and to overall enjoy their lives. I have about 33 years experience in the dental front office. I am here to help our patients. I want our patients to feel comfortable and welcome when they come into our office.
I enjoy coming to the office each day and seeing where we as a team can help a patient. My favorite part of my job is developing lasting relationships with our patients. I have known some of our patients for over 29 years!
When I am not at the office I am hanging out with my best friend, my husband. We have 4 cats who rule our lives with their velvet paws. My favorite pastimes are spending time with our adult children and grandchildren, camping and going on day trips together.
“Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” - Mark
Twain
I am so excited to be working with Dr. Merchant and this exceptional team. It has been so gratifying to be able to help patients be free of pain, to sleep well, have great oral health, and to overall enjoy their lives. I have about 33 years experience in the dental front office. I am here to help our patients. I want our patients to feel comfortable and welcome when they come into our office.
I enjoy coming to the office each day and seeing where we as a team can help a patient. My favorite part of my job is developing lasting relationships with our patients. I have known some of our patients for over 29 years!
When I am not at the office I am hanging out with my best friend, my husband. We have 4 cats who rule our lives with their velvet paws. My favorite pastimes are spending time with our adult children and grandchildren, camping and going on day trips together.
“Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” - Mark
Twain
Katelyn
Airway/TMJ Assistant
Hello, I am Katelyn and my passion for the dental field comes from my mother. During college I assisted in the dental office where my mother was a dental assistant during my breaks and I fell in love with the field of Dentistry.
From the moment I first came into this office, I could tell it was different from any other.
I am fortunate to have found a dentist who is dedicated to providing the absolute best dental care to her patients.
I love learning alongside Dr. Merchant in the field of Sleep, TMJ, and Neuromuscular Dentistry as I accompany her to most continuing education courses since I joined the team. I’m excited by the advancements in this field and the ability to help our patients feel better and live a healthier longer life. In my free time, my husband and I like to travel, run, hike, and play with our rescue pup Harley.
From the moment I first came into this office, I could tell it was different from any other.
I am fortunate to have found a dentist who is dedicated to providing the absolute best dental care to her patients.
I love learning alongside Dr. Merchant in the field of Sleep, TMJ, and Neuromuscular Dentistry as I accompany her to most continuing education courses since I joined the team. I’m excited by the advancements in this field and the ability to help our patients feel better and live a healthier longer life. In my free time, my husband and I like to travel, run, hike, and play with our rescue pup Harley.
Cara
RDH, Orofacial MFT
Hi, my name is Cara, I am a dental hygienist, orofacial myofunctional therapist, and the owner of a telehealth myofunctional therapy practice MyMyoSpot.com.
As a collaborating provider with Dr. Merchant I provide her patients with comprehensive care for a variety of airway related issues including tongue ties, mouth breathing, and oral function issues such as tongue thrusts and improper swallowing patterns.
My own experience as an adult with chronic issues related to a tongue tie is what led me to the field of airway dentistry. My results after a tongue tie release and myofunctional therapy were life-changing, and are the reason why I started my own therapy practice and strive to bring that same symptom relief and improved health to all of my clients!
When I am not working, I love to do craft projects, read good books, and go on adventures. I have a husband who is a photographer, a daughter who is working in theater on a cruise ship, and 2 cats ‘Finn’ and ‘Milton’ who are the best reading cuddle buddies!
As a collaborating provider with Dr. Merchant I provide her patients with comprehensive care for a variety of airway related issues including tongue ties, mouth breathing, and oral function issues such as tongue thrusts and improper swallowing patterns.
My own experience as an adult with chronic issues related to a tongue tie is what led me to the field of airway dentistry. My results after a tongue tie release and myofunctional therapy were life-changing, and are the reason why I started my own therapy practice and strive to bring that same symptom relief and improved health to all of my clients!
When I am not working, I love to do craft projects, read good books, and go on adventures. I have a husband who is a photographer, a daughter who is working in theater on a cruise ship, and 2 cats ‘Finn’ and ‘Milton’ who are the best reading cuddle buddies!
Kevin
DPT
I am a physical therapist and owner of Rehab & Performance Specialists, LP. I graduated from AT Still University-Arizona School of Health Sciences with my Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2004. I specialize in the evaluation and treatment of orthopedic and sports-related injuries, persistent pain issues, postural-related disorders, and orofacial & headache pain.
Unlike most physical therapy experiences, where insurance restricts treatment only to the site of pain and a therapist's time with the patient is often limited, my practice is focused on addressing the various perpetuating factors of the ongoing problem that are frequently missed in treatment. This may include manual therapy interventions and a proactive corrective exercise program that targets imbalances and inefficiencies. This way, the client can perform their focused program independently, and the average number of clinic visits can be significantly less than with typical outpatient physical therapy.
I am very excited to be part of Dr. Merchant's collaborative efforts here in Tucson. By bringing together the talents of a variety of practitioners who are focused on the holistic benefits of collaborative care, we can give patients better solutions to restore their health, wellness, and performance.
Unlike most physical therapy experiences, where insurance restricts treatment only to the site of pain and a therapist's time with the patient is often limited, my practice is focused on addressing the various perpetuating factors of the ongoing problem that are frequently missed in treatment. This may include manual therapy interventions and a proactive corrective exercise program that targets imbalances and inefficiencies. This way, the client can perform their focused program independently, and the average number of clinic visits can be significantly less than with typical outpatient physical therapy.
I am very excited to be part of Dr. Merchant's collaborative efforts here in Tucson. By bringing together the talents of a variety of practitioners who are focused on the holistic benefits of collaborative care, we can give patients better solutions to restore their health, wellness, and performance.
Ysela
Dental Assistant
Hello my name is Ysela, I am 24 years old and have been a dental assistant for about 6 years now. I have actually been a patient of Dr. Merchant since I was 15 years old and she is much of the reason why I got into this field. I love helping people and working in Pediatrics for the first couple of years as a DA helped me realize that I love what I do and love making the Dentist office a not so scary place.
I believe that developing positive experiences at a young age can help patients enjoy going to the dentist as they get older. I am thankful I get to be a part of making sure our patients leave with a smile. I am currently taking colleges courses with the goal of becoming a Dental Hygienist. When I’m not working my boyfriend and I love traveling but especially when we get to go to Disneyland or an LA Dodgers game. I love the sports and the outdoors so in my free time I love going fishing, camping, playing some baseball or softball with family, and taking my dog Khloe to the park to run around.
I believe that developing positive experiences at a young age can help patients enjoy going to the dentist as they get older. I am thankful I get to be a part of making sure our patients leave with a smile. I am currently taking colleges courses with the goal of becoming a Dental Hygienist. When I’m not working my boyfriend and I love traveling but especially when we get to go to Disneyland or an LA Dodgers game. I love the sports and the outdoors so in my free time I love going fishing, camping, playing some baseball or softball with family, and taking my dog Khloe to the park to run around.
Stephanie
RDH
My name is Stephanie, I am the dental hygienist at the office. I have been a dental hygienist since 2012.
I love my job because I get to interact with my patients and try to make them feel as comfortable as possible while they are in my chair.
I did not take great care of my teeth as a child so I can relate to patients who have to receive a lot of dental treatment. The best feeling is when I can make somebody feel confident about their smile and their oral health. This office is the perfect fit for me because we are all honest and always put the patients first.
When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my husband and my dog. I am a huge Disney fan and I will try to go to a Disney theme park as often as possible. I enjoy baking almost as much as I enjoy eating what I bake and I love to make decorations and crafts.
I love my job because I get to interact with my patients and try to make them feel as comfortable as possible while they are in my chair.
I did not take great care of my teeth as a child so I can relate to patients who have to receive a lot of dental treatment. The best feeling is when I can make somebody feel confident about their smile and their oral health. This office is the perfect fit for me because we are all honest and always put the patients first.
When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my husband and my dog. I am a huge Disney fan and I will try to go to a Disney theme park as often as possible. I enjoy baking almost as much as I enjoy eating what I bake and I love to make decorations and crafts.
Misty
MA, CCC-SLP, COM®
My name is Misty, and I am a Speech Language Pathologist, Certified Orofacial Myologist® (COM®), and owner of Pillar Speech Therapy, LLC. I graduated from the University of Houston with an M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology.
Since 2015, I have performed the diagnosis and treatment of delays/disorders in all areas of speech pathology (articulation, language, cognition, swallowing, feeding, etc.). I’m an advocate for early intervention and passionate about working with children and their families in a one-to-one setting to promote their social, emotional, and behavioral health and academic success.
I am also a COM® with the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM). After years of suffering with jaw tension, difficulty swallowing, migraines, trouble sleeping, and grinding of my teeth, I was diagnosed with an orofacial myofunctional disorder.
I’ve learned about the importance of tongue position and swallowing habits, and the impact it has on facial growth, dentition, airway, speech, and so much more! As a COM®, and in collaboration with Dr. Merchant and her team, I can assist patients with pre-/post- tongue tie releases as well as reducing tongue thrust and improving tongue posture
Since 2015, I have performed the diagnosis and treatment of delays/disorders in all areas of speech pathology (articulation, language, cognition, swallowing, feeding, etc.). I’m an advocate for early intervention and passionate about working with children and their families in a one-to-one setting to promote their social, emotional, and behavioral health and academic success.
I am also a COM® with the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM). After years of suffering with jaw tension, difficulty swallowing, migraines, trouble sleeping, and grinding of my teeth, I was diagnosed with an orofacial myofunctional disorder.
I’ve learned about the importance of tongue position and swallowing habits, and the impact it has on facial growth, dentition, airway, speech, and so much more! As a COM®, and in collaboration with Dr. Merchant and her team, I can assist patients with pre-/post- tongue tie releases as well as reducing tongue thrust and improving tongue posture