MEET THE TEAM

Kirsten | Dental Hygenist

Kirsten is a third-generation Floridian who grew up in Gainesville and Sarasota. After graduating from Riverview High School, Kirsten received her Bachelors of Science degree in Nutrition with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Florida. While in school, Kirsten worked in research labs in the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Florida College of Dentistry, as well as in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Florida College of Medicine.

Kirsten always wanted a career in healthcare. After completing her undergraduate degree, she went on to complete her degree in Dental Hygiene from Santa Fe College in Gainesville.

Kirsten’s favorite part of being a hygienist is meeting and developing relationships with her patients and their families. She enjoys hearing about what’s new and exciting in their lives. She loves the fact that she can help these people to preserve their teeth and smile.

In her spare time, Kirsten loves spending time with her family, learning how to cook new exotic dishes, and rooting for the Florida Gators!

Mary Ann | Practice Manager

Although she was born in Michigan, at the age of 4 her family moved to Florida and she feels she is a “true Floridian.” She graduated from Southeast High School and trained at Manatee Technical Institute in Bradenton to become a Certified Dental Assistant in the State of Florida. She began her dental career in the orthodontic field, where she learned all of the facets of the dental field in chairside assisting, patient treatment planning, patient scheduling and orthodontic lab procedures. She has more than 18 years in Dental Practice Management.

Some of her accomplishments include: JP Periodontal Institute, Dr. Dick Barnes Practice Development, Schuster Management Program, D.O.C. Oral Sedation, Align/Invisilign, Lumineers, Dentrix advanced training, H&R Block Tax Course and the Amscot Tax Course. She is currently a Notary in the State of Florida.

In our practice, Mary Ann is responsible for coordinating the financial prospects of our patients’ treatment plans and tracking patients’ accounts. Behind the scenes, she assures the practice runs efficiently and effectively, while keeping patient care as her top priority.

Mary Ann enjoys her weekends with her husband, Jim, their son, Jimmy, daughter-in-law, April, and granddaughter, Riley.

Natalie | Dental Assistant

Natalie is originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico but comes to us from Albuquerque, NM. She graduated at the age of 14 through Aztec Home School. She continued her education at the Santa Fe Community College, where she received her Dental Assistant Certification and License, as well as Emergency Medical Technician License. She comes from a “dental family”, as her mother and sister are also in the dental field, and this is where her love for dentistry began. She has a broad range of dental knowledge, from front office experience, to Dental Assisting in a variety of specialty areas to include Pediatric, Ortho, and Oral Surgery. She also works as a government contractor, providing her dental services to our soldiers on the weekends for the National Guard. She has 11 years of experience in the dental field.

Since working with Dr. Lirio, she has started mentoring future Dental Assistant interns from the Manatee Technical Institute. She enjoys teaching the students as well as learning herself. Recently, she has broadened her dental knowledge scope by learning to design and print 3D porcelain crowns. She likes being able to do this, because she enjoys helping make the patients have beautiful smiles!

Natalie enjoys spending time with her partner Megan and going home to NM to visit family. She also likes to spend days at the beach and in the ocean snorkeling. During football season, you will find her cheering on the Michigan Wolverines and Oakland Raiders.

Dara | Patient Coordinator

Dara is originally from Pittsburgh, PA and has lived in Sarasota since 2012. After graduating with a degree in education, Dara accidentally found her way into dentistry over 11 years ago and has been loving it ever since. Dara is very dedicated to her career and prides herself on being a hard worker. She has worked in a variety of dental practices ranging from pediatrics to dentures and has enjoyed each aspect of the dental field. In her free time, Dara enjoys cooking and baking, listening to music and spending time with family and friends. She is also a huge fan of sports and can regularly be found cheering on her hometown Pittsburgh Pirates, Steelers and Penguins.