Meet Our Team

Sarah, Bookkeeper/Patient Coordinator

Sarah is currently a student at Lincoln College of New England and joined the Center for Dental Excellence team as patient coordinator in March 2010. Sarah loves working with the animated, interactive team and communicating with the patients on a daily basis. She would recommend our practice to friends for quality care and a warm, caring staff. In her spare time Sarah likes to garden, read, and go on hikes with her husband and two children.

Samantha, Financial Coordinator

Samantha, our financial coordinator, joined the team in 2003 and has more than a decade of experience. She loves getting to know her patients on a personal level as she helps them get the treatment they need while staying within their budget. Her clinical experience enables her to explain treatment and help our patients feel comfortable with the procedures. Samantha adores her two grandchildren and spends as much time with them as possible. She loves kayaking in the summertime and recently began dabbling in jewelry making (earrings are her favorite!).

Lonnie, Practice Coordinator

Lonnie studied dental assisting and graduated from Tunxis Community College in 1979. She began her career in dentistry 31 years ago and joined the Center for Dental Excellence team in 1997. She loves working with our exceptional staff using state-of-the-art dentistry while keeping the patients the number one priority. She takes pride in making our patients comfortable and ensuring they know they are important. Lonnie is married with two grown children and four miniature pinschers. She enjoys motorcycles, water skiing, gardening, singing, and sketching; and she recently completed a course in bartending.

Jennifer, Dental Assistant

Jennifer is one of four wonderful dental assistants at our practice. She has 10 years’ experience and joined us in 2009 and administers our BriteSmile in office whitening system. Our patients rely on her consistent quality of assistance for keeping their smiles healthy. Jennifer also loves the people she works with, and her hobbies include cooking and attending family functions.

Darina, Dental Assistant

Darina joined the Pilon, Christian, and Ngheim team in 2010. She has two years of experience and loves our friendly, caring environment. Seeing that our patients are comfortable and cared for is among her top priorities. Her hobbies include playing piano, singing, and shopping.

Tatyana, Dental Assistant

In addition, to holding a Masters of Architecture, Tatyana is also a Certified Dental Assistant and has been a member of our team since 2002. In that time, her commitment to caring for our patients has never wavered. Though originally from Kiev, Ukraine, Tatyana now lives with her family in West Hartford. She has been happily married for 35 years and has two children and two grandchildren.

Rosa, Dental Hygienist

Rosa earned her associates degree in dental hygiene and is certified in local anesthesia administration. She joined our practice family in 2003 and has 22 years of experience. Rosa enjoys working for our practice providing the latest in dental products and technology to better serve our patients, while offering a comfortable, friendly environment. She loves learning about her patients’ families and friends while helping them learn about the many different ways they can maintain their oral health. When she isn’t working, she likes to exercise, travel, read, and ride bicycles with her family.

Marie, Dental Hygienist

Though Marie has been with our Simsbury office since 2008, her work as a dental hygienist goes back 19 years. She obtained her AS in Dental Hygiene in 1992 and her Bachelor of General Studies from the University of Connecticut in 2008. To Marie, Dental Excellence isn’t just a name, it’s what everyone in the office strives to achieve. Every member of the team is dedicated to promoting CSS – Chronic Smile Syndrome! Outside of the office, Marie enjoys spending time with her five children and two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Her hobbies range from taking interesting classes and reading good books to knitting and bobsledding.

Nancy, Dental Hygienist

Nancy obtained her AS from the University of Bridgeport’s Fones School of Dental Hygiene and joined our team in 1977. She has an impressive 38 years of experience! Currently, she is an active member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, the Connecticut Dental Hygienists’ Association, and the Hartford Dental Hygienists’ Association. Working with a great team of dentists and equally amazing patients have been highlights of her career. Her hobbies include cooking, fishing, and boating.