about us

Shannon has spent the past 18 years of her dental career in periodontics before joining Dr. Kirkegaard’s office. She worked as an assistant before going to dental hygiene school at JCCC in 2006.

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As a dental hygienist, Shannon is committed to attention to detail, patient education and comfort at each dental appointment. She enjoys each day with the team and projects that on the patient’s experience.

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In her spare time, Shannon enjoys spending time with her daughter, Cassidy. She also enjoys running and riding her jumper mare, Ora.

After traveling the world with her handsome, fun-loving husband, Teri has lived in Overland Park since 2001. She started her career many years ago in Jefferson City and then St Louis, MO as a dental assistant. After a 4-year break to live in Frankfurt, Germany with her aforementioned fun-loving husband, she moved to Huntsville, AL, where she received her dental hygienist certificate from the University of Alabama -Birmingham and practiced as a dental hygienist. In 1996, Teri moved to Yorktown, VA and took a break from dentistry to be a stay at home mom for her two active sons. In 2004, Teri decided she missed dentistry and returned to the workforce. Teri not only brings a depth and breadth of experience to our office but brings a positive attitude and gregarious personality that makes everyone feel welcome. When she is not at work, she enjoys walking, playing golf and spending time with family and friends.

Lakia is originally from Kansas City and currently resides in Grandview with her husband and their 3 boys. She has been in the dental field for 4 years and has experience in oral surgery and general dentistry. As a kid Lakia spent a lot of time in the dental chair due to her love for sweets and became very interested in learning more about the dental field. The thing Lakia enjoys most about working in dentistry is meeting new people and being a part of their dental success stories.

When she isn’t alongside patients in the dental chair Lakia enjoys traveling with her family, crafting, shopping and cooking.

Lauren originally met Dr. K in high school P.E. class in 2006, they got married in 2014 and have always had the dream to work together and do life together. After she completed her bachelor's degree in Accounting at the University of Kansas she followed Dr. K to Chicago while he completed his DMD. She has worked in Corporate Accounting for 10 years before starting at The Art of Dentistry. She will continue to use her accounting background to fill the role as office Business Manager. 

When Lauren isn’t in the office, she enjoys spending time with her family including their daughter Khloe, cat Sushi & dog Ivy. She also enjoys traveling, baking, birds and home organizing.

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Radacey grew up in Harrison, Arkansas and moved to Lacygne, Kansas in April of 2021. She graduated from the dental hygiene program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2019. Radacey chose dental hygiene because she wanted to help people love their smiles! Coming from a small town makes her love working for an office that makes everyone feel like family! When she is not at work she loves spending time on their farm, riding horses or hiking. 

Jessica was raised in Olathe, Kansas. She spent 3 1/2 years living in Iowa and currently resides in Spring Hill, Kansas.

Jessica got her start in the dental world through Orthodontics the past 4 1/2 years. She is eager and excited for the switch to general dentistry. Jessica loves being that first welcoming face you see when walking into an office. She enjoys getting to know each patient and their family.

In her spare time, Jessica enjoys exploring new countries, crafting, walking, and spoiling her two little kids.

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Karima is originally from Algeria. She has a Bachelor’s degree in French Literature and was a French teacher in Algeria. She moved to the United States with her family in 2012. Karima graduated Dental Assisting school in 2016.  She has been working as a Dental Assistant in general dentistry for over 7 years now. Karima loves interacting and connecting with the patients and working for an office where the whole team is professional and caring.

When she is not at work she likes to bake, read, and spend time with her husband and their 3 children.  

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Ivy is our in office Therapy dog and official team morale booster. Her biggest mission is to reduce your anxiety at the dental office and provide an uplifting spirit to make your visit the best – extra licks included!

Ivy is a standard poodle who was born in November 2021. She is always learning new ways to improve your experience here at the office. She is often caught sleeping on the job, work in progress!

Ivy loves working at an office where she gets to meet new smiling faces every day and be with a team that spoils her often!

When Ivy is not at work, she enjoys time at home with Dr. K and his family. Dr. K and her are avid running buddies and she can never pass up a game of fetch. She enjoys every outing and adventure that she can tag along on including going out to local restaurants on the patio and finding new parks to play at with her human sister Khloe.

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