Meet the Sensational Smiles Team

Jodi is a graduate of Career Centers of Texas-El Paso. She is a military wife and mom of three girls who hails from Alabama. Jodi is a lover of all animals, caring for a snake and a bearded dragon at home. She loves do-it-yourself projects, thrifting, musicals, and attending her kids' many activities. Her favorite movie is the 1985 version of “Clue!”

Adrienne was born and raised in southwestern Minnesota. Before entering the dental field, she was a certified nursing assistant for four years. Adrienne got her degree from Minnesota West. In her free time, Adrienne enjoys shopping, working out, and spending time with her husband and friends. Adrienne’s favorite part about her job is that she gets to work with great people, meet new people daily, and play a part in helping others!

Peyton was born and raised right here in South Dakota and came to Sensational Smiles in September of 2022. She attended the University of South Dakota and received a bachelor’s degree in communications and marketing. The things Peyton loves most about Sensational Smiles are the people she gets to work with and the patients she gets to meet. She loves to travel home to see her family, hang out with her friends, and spend time outdoors.

Remi is currently a student at Augustana University on the pre-dental track. She is active in the community and loves to be outdoors. Remi enjoys shopping, getting coffee, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. She also enjoys cooking and baking.

Olivia holds a diploma from Lake Area Tech. Growing up on a family farm in Redfield, South Dakota, she loves plants and has about 12 of them at home. Olivia also enjoys painting, thrifting, and hanging out with her cat. Her favorite part of working at Sensational Smiles is meeting wonderful patients and learning something new every day.

Elizabeth (known to everyone as Liz) is a dedicated team member, earning her associate's degree from Minnesota West. She loves coffee morning, noon, and night. Elizabeth also enjoys boating, side-by-siding, and hanging out with friends. Her heart belongs to Winnie, her fur grandbaby.

Mirissa wears two hats within the practice. Her main passion outside of work is simply spending time with her family. She is a dedicated team player who helps keep the office running smoothly from both the front and back.

Brie holds a degree from Minnesota West and believes in living life to the fullest. She shows up every day with heart, high energy, and purpose, encouraging her patients to pursue balanced lives that embrace emotional and mental health and physical well-being. Brie is a proud mom to a beautiful daughter and loves outdoor life. When not in the clinic, you’ll likely find her on the golf course, hiking a trail, or breaking a sweat at the gym. She is a big dog lover, and her puppies are always up for an adventure (or a nap).

Sophia is dedicated to her work and is currently furthering her education in dental hygiene at the University of South Dakota. When she isn't studying or working, she enjoys hot yoga, reading, and hanging out with friends and family.

Ashley hails from Hills, Minnesota, and joined the Sensational Smiles family in 2021. She went to the University of South Dakota, where she majored in dental hygiene and minored in business administration. Outside of work, Ashley likes to spend time with her family, help out on the family farm, and visit friends!

Carisa has served at Sensational Smiles since 2016. She went to the University of South Dakota and graduated with an associate degree in dental hygiene. Her life outside the clinic revolves around her family; she loves watching her kids' sporting events and spending time with friends. Carisa also enjoys being on the water—boating, tubing, and fishing.

Haley is from Aberdeen, South Dakota, and has been a part of our Sensational Smiles family since 2020. She graduated from North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, North Dakota, with an associate degree in dental hygiene. She is passionate about organizing, cleaning, and making patients feel comfortable. At home, her fur child is a cat named Captain Boots. In her free time, Haley enjoys hanging out with her wife, rock hunting, antiquing, and immersing herself in nature.

Katie has been in the industry since 2016. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene and a minor in health sciences from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. A former band nerd, she loves chatting about music. Katie is an outdoors person who likes to hunt, fish, and camp. She also enjoys crocheting, reading, and spending time with her family.

Mary has been part of the Sensational Smiles team since 2009. She went to South Dakota State University for two years, where she played the trumpet in the Pride of the Dakotas, and graduated from the University of South Dakota with a Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene. Mary absolutely loves her job, her coworkers, and her patients! Outside of work, she loves hanging out with her husband and daughter, riding bikes, hitting the pool, and gathering around a bonfire for hot dogs and s’mores. A fun fact about Mary is that her dad has always been a ham radio operator, so she grew up knowing Morse code!

Sandy has been with the practice since 2016. Graduating from the University of South Dakota with a Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene, Sandy brings a calm, friendly presence to the team. She loves the cozy things in life: blankets, Netflix, baking, reading, and quiet walks. She is fueled by Diet Coke, chocolate, and iced coffee.

Laura was born and raised in Pella, Iowa, but moved to Yankton, South Dakota, where she graduated from high school. She went to the University of Missouri and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene before joining Sensational Smiles in 2009. She enjoys her job and loves making people smile. Outside of work, she enjoys watching her kids' passions grow and staying active by hiking, running, and working out with friends. Laura also enjoys marching bands, musicals, and playing the piano.

Emily was born and raised right here on a farm in South Dakota. Emily joined our Sensational Smiles family after graduating from the University of South Dakota in May 2022. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene. Emily has a creative side, enjoying arts and crafts like calligraphy, embroidery, and painting. When she isn't creating art or watching reality TV, she enjoys reading and watching sports.

Audrey received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Wayne State in 2015, and following that, she attended dental hygiene school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry, graduating in 2017. Born and raised in northeast Nebraska, she loves meeting new people and making sure her patients feel comfortable. Audrey also loves photography, reading, and spending time with her husband, daughter, and chocolate lab.

MacKensie holds a degree from the University of South Dakota. She loves helping her patients have healthier smiles. She also loves spending time with her husband and dogs, as well as hosting get-togethers for family and friends. MacKensie stays active through exercise, but balances it out with shopping and baking when she gets a chance.

Payton joined the team recently. She holds a bachelor’s in dental hygiene with a minor in health sciences from the University of South Dakota. Payton enjoys reading and practicing hot yoga to stay centered. She is excited to launch her career at Sensational Smiles.

Ellie graduated from the University of South Dakota with a degree in dental hygiene. When not helping her patients, she loves to travel to new places, read, and walk or hike with her dog. She also loves the toffee crunch chocolate from Aldi!

Audrey has been with Sensational Smiles since 2020, bringing a wealth of knowledge with a master’s in counseling and human resources management from South Dakota State University and an English degree from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She is a genealogy buff who loves debunking myths and exploring family lore. She loves to bake and has a phenomenal cheesecake recipe. Her philosophy is simple: "I believe the most wasted of all days is the one without laughter—so, bring on the laughter daily!"

Tara joined the Sensational Smiles family in June 2011. She graduated from Minnesota West Community and Technical College with a degree in dental assisting. Tara loves visiting the Black Hills to go side-by-side riding. She also enjoys walking, playing with, and talking to her puppy dog. She likes to joke that she has been working here longer than Dr. Swingdorf!

Candace, who joined the team in 2011, has been with the practice for over a decade. Educated at Ridgewater College in Willmar, Minnesota, she also has a passion for photography. Candace loves working out, reading, camping, and traveling—with a special spot in her heart for Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Living by the motto "I love to smile," she brings joy and leadership to the office daily.

Christine graduated from Rochester Community and Technical College as a registered dental assistant. She joined Sensational Smiles in 2023 and brings a creative and caring touch to the front office. Christine loves to spend time with her family, daughter, and friends. She is also a budding artist who likes to paint with watercolors and alcohol ink.

Christie has been with the practice since 2017. She holds degrees in social work and business from the University of Sioux Falls. Outside of work, Christie loves reading, cooking, and growing plants. Her hidden talent is making pickles!

Shannon is a member of the team with a flair for style, backed by a background in cosmetology from Minnesota West. She loves traveling, swimming, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

Megan has been with the practice since 2020, proudly citing the "school of hard knocks as her training ground. She is the self-proclaimed queen of dad jokes and loves quality time with her family, swimming, reading, and baking. She brings humor and warmth to the front desk, ensuring everyone leaves with a smile.

Mariah is a key member of the team. She holds an associate of applied science in administrative management from the University of Montana. Mariah loves planning detailed vacations, aiming to see or do something cool in every state with her husband and their two miniature dachshunds. Creative at heart, she enjoys decorating her yard with color-coordinated themes every month. She also loves custom fingernail art that she creates herself.