Meet The Staff:
Megan Clark
Megan is our office manager and usually the bright, welcoming face you’ll see when you walk through our doors. In addition to managing the many day-to-day responsibilities at the front of the office, Megan also works as a dental assistant.
She graduated from Hawkeye Community College with an associate’s degree in Marketing Management. A lifelong resident of La Porte City, Megan still calls the community home, where she lives with her two boys, Aedric and Gryffin, and their dog, Baker.
Outside of the office, Megan enjoys being outdoors and staying active as much as possible. She also loves being involved in her boys’ activities and coaches both of them in various sports. Her friendly personality, dedication, and love for her community make her a wonderful part of our team.
Mary Jaquith
Mary is one of our dental hygienists and brings nearly 35 years of experience in the dental field to our team. She began her career as a dental assistant before becoming a hygienist, giving her a well-rounded understanding of patient care. Mary attended Hawkeye Community College and graduated in 2005 with her degree in Dental Hygiene.
Originally from La Porte City, Mary now lives in Cedar Falls with her husband, Brian, and their dog, Archie. Together, they have two children, Brad and Rebecca, and two grandchildren, Brielle and Brecklyn.
When she’s not at the office, Mary enjoys spending time at her cabin in Prairie du Chien, boating, biking, and shopping. She enjoys getting to know her patients and is proud to care for patients at both our La Porte City and Denver offices.
Nicole Dierks
Nicole is one of our dental hygienists and has been part of our team since graduating from Hawkeye Community College in 2018. A lifelong resident of La Porte City, Nicole is proud to continue calling the community home.
Nicole is married to her high school sweetheart, Mitchell, and together they have three children: two boys, Brady and Dawson, and their daughter, Dallas. Family is very important to Nicole, and she enjoys spending time with friends and loved ones whenever she can.
In her free time, Nicole enjoys golfing, working on jigsaw puzzles, and watching her favorite TV show, Friends. Her friendly personality and genuine care for her patients make her a wonderful addition to our dental team.
Taylor Thede
Taylor is one of our dental hygienists. She attended Iowa Central Community College, where she was also a member of the golf team. She later attended Hawkeye Community College and graduated in 2022 with her degree in Dental Hygiene.
Taylor grew up in Maquoketa and now calls Waterloo home. She has one fur-baby, her dog, Charcoal, who keeps her company outside of work.
In her free time, Taylor loves being outdoors and spending time on the golf course. She is also a dedicated Wordle player and never misses her daily puzzle! Taylor is ordained and hopes to add officiating a wedding to her list of accomplishments someday. Her fun-loving personality and passion for helping others make her a great part of our team.
Kaitlin Vaske
Kaitlin, who often goes by Katy, is one of our dental hygienists. She attended Hawkeye Community College and graduated in 2022 with her degree in Dental Hygiene.
Originally from Urbandale, Katy now lives in Evansdale with her husband, Jared, their daughter, Eden, and their cat, Samantha. Family is very important to Katy, and she enjoys making memories with them whenever she can.
Outside of the office, Katy enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time outdoors. She loves getting to know her patients and providing them with compassionate, personalized care.
Karissa Vaughn
Karissa is one of our dental assistants. She grew up in Sumner, Iowa, and later attended Kirkwood Community College, graduating in 2006.
Karissa now lives just outside of La Porte City with her husband, Brice, and their four children: Linkyn, Kaenyn, Emeryck, and Krew. Life is always busy in the Karissa household, as she enjoys cheering on her kids as they participate in a variety of sports.
Karissa and her family are also big Iowa State fans and try to attend as many football and basketball games as they can throughout the seasons. When her busy schedule allows, Karissa enjoys getting out on the golf course. Her dedication to her family and her positive, energetic personality make her a wonderful part of our team.
Savannah Hall
Savannah is one of our dental assistants. She graduated from Hawkeye Community College in 2020 and is proud to be part of a dental team serving her hometown community. Originally from La Porte City, Savannah now lives in Center Point with her husband, Dylan, their child, Ottis, and their two dogs, Ringo and Winnie.
Outside of the office, Savannah enjoys playing tennis, taking her dogs for walks, and spending quality time with friends and family. She loves staying active and making the most of her time with the people—and pups—she loves most.Her caring personality and genuine love for helping others make her a valued member of our dental team, and she enjoys getting to know each patient and helping make their dental experience as comfortable as possible.
Lainey Willenbring
Lainey is one of our dental assistants and is proudly from what she calls “the Lord’s greatest place on Earth”—Traer, Iowa!
Lainey graduated from Hawkeye Community College in 2024 and is currently completing her prerequisites for dental hygiene school. She hopes to continue growing her knowledge and skills in the dental field as she works toward becoming a hygienist.
Outside of the office, Lainey loves staying active and making the most of the outdoors. Whether she’s traveling, spending time on the lake, or enjoying quality time with friends and family, she is always looking for her next adventure. Her outgoing personality and love for people make her a fun and welcoming part of our team.