Staff

Heather started out as a dental assistant but left the “back” and became our office manager and then our COO. Heather loves coming to work every day and views both her patients and coworkers as family. When not working, Heather enjoys riding motorcycles with her husband, Jesse, spending time with their three kids, and one of her most favorite hobbies is shopping!

Margaret has been in the healthcare field for over 15 years and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Health Care Management at Appalachian State University in 2019. She is married to her husband, Zach, and they have a little girl. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends! She has been a part of the Mills River Family Dental family since 2019 and loves her work family. Her favorite part of working at Mills River Family Dental is establishing relationships with the patients at the office and strives to provide exceptional care to those at Mill River Family Dental!

Paityn grew up within the mountains and cannot imagine living anywhere else. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her boyfriend Tyler and her family, as well as taking trips and visiting other towns. Whether it’s going down to stay a weekend at the lake, taking a trip to the beach, or staying in a cabin in Tennessee, she is all in. Paityn is excited and committed to making your visit at Mills River Family Dental enjoyable and comfortable while creating a feeling of being valued and centered.

Penny joined our team in July 2024 and brings a passion for helping others, having volunteered at a local food pantry and cared for the elderly. A lifelong resident of the area, she loves the mountains and can’t imagine calling anywhere else home. She enjoys frequent trips to Key West with her sisters and friends and has two wonderful sons who have blessed her with five beautiful grandchildren. In her free time, she loves cooking Sunday family meals and spending time with her grandchildren or her 15-year-old fur baby, Missy.

Ashley is our knowledgeable and meticulous Insurance Coordinator. She joined us in 2025 with five years of experience in dental insurance, many years in healthcare and a degree in medical office administration. She grew up in the area and loves the beautiful mountains and experiencing all of the seasons. In her free time, Ashley enjoys crafts, spending time with loved ones, camping with her family, serving at church, learning new things, and venturing to new places with her husband.

Since joining the office in 2021, I’ve worked my way from receptionist to new patient coordinator and now marketing director. I love meeting new people, easing dental anxieties, and creating a great dental experience for everyone. One of my favorite parts of the job is visiting local schools during Oral Hygiene Month to spread the word about healthy smiles. Originally from Florida, I moved to North Carolina in 2005 with my husband, Dane. We’re always up for road trips, lake days and checking out MLB stadiums. I’m a proud momma to two kiddos, Lindsey who serves as a dispatcher and Cameron who is a busy student playing multiple sports and serving on student body.

Christy is a valued member of our hygiene team with 16 years of experience in dental hygiene. A native of Hendersonville, she completed her associate degree in dental hygiene at Greenville Technical College in South Carolina and her bachelor’s degree at East Tennessee State University. Christy exudes a calm confidence that instantly puts her patients at ease. With years of experience, her gentle touch is both reassuring and precise. Known for her warm demeanor, she takes the time to listen and engage, ensuring that each patient feels valued and understood. Outside of work, Christy loves spending time with her husband, Josh, and their three daughters, Rylee, Catelynn, and Caroline. She enjoys watching her girls dance and cheer. Her favorite vacation spots are the lake, camping with family in Tennessee, and the Florida Keys.

With nine years of dedicated service at our dental office Sara-Diana brings a wealth of experience and a gentle touch to every patient visit. Known for her warm demeanor and thorough care, she ensures that each patient feels comfortable and well-informed about their oral health. She is a native to Brevard and currently lives in Mills River. She loves working with her patients to help them keep happy and healthy smiles. She is loving the journey of motherhood with her daughter BaxleyKate and son Elee. She enjoys traveling with her husband David and family to see as many new places as they can. Summer is her favorite time of year
and loves spending time at the lake with family and friends. Her favorite food is Mexican and of course anything chocolate!

Alicia has worked in the dental field for 11 years, and joined the Mills River Family Dental team in September of 2020. Alicia enjoys playing softball on the weekends with her friends, and spending time with family, boyfriend, and dog outside of work. Alicia looks forward to meeting new patients, and patients that have been with our practice for many years.

Doreen is originally from New Jersey and moved to North Carolina in 1990. She received her Dental Assisting diploma and Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene from AB-Tech. Her undergraduate degree in Health Promotion from Appalachian State University and a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from Western Carolina University. In her spare time, she enjoys mountain biking, family time, and traveling to watch her daughter’s volleyball.

Megan graduated from the Dental Hygiene Program at Greenville Technical College in 2006 and has over 19 years of experience in the dental field. She began her career in general dentistry, then spent 9 years of her career specializing in pediatric dentistry before joining Mills River Family in 2022. Megan combines extensive knowledge with practical skills, ensuring a high standard of care. Patience is a hallmark of her  demeanor, allowing her to take the time needed to make patients feel comfortable and at ease during appointments. Thoughtfulness is evident in how she listens to patients’ concerns and tailors her approach to meet individual needs, ensuring a positive and reassuring experience. Originally from Hendersonville, NC, Megan enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, their two boys, Lance and Camden and their dogs, Tiger and Macy. The family is also enthusiastic Clemson Tiger fans.

Tamara joined MRFD in August of 2022. Tamara also has experience in dialysis and currently is a Certified Medical Assistant. In her free time, she likes to shop and pamper herself. Tamara’s favorite thing to eat is seafood and she also loves sports (her favorite team is UNC Tarheels). Tamara is really excited to be a part of the team and is eager to learn the dental field.

Kayla joined Mills River Family as a dental assistant in April 2017. She has always aspiredd to help people in the dental field since she was young. Kayla loves spending time outdoors and on the water with her husband, son, and three dogs.

With over 40 years of experience in dental care, I am proud to be part of the team at Mills River Family Dental. My career has been dedicated to providing high-quality patient care and ensuring a comfortable, positive experience for everyone who walks through our doors. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with patients of all ages, helping them achieve and maintain healthy, beautiful smiles. I’m passionate about staying up-to-date with the latest dental techniques and technologies, which allows me to support both our patients and our dental team effectively. My commitment to patient care is at the heart of everything I do, and I look forward to continuing to serve the Mills River community.

Lauren joined Mills River Family Dental as a Certified Dental Assistant in April of 2022. She loves the MRFD family and helping others any way she can. When Lauren is not working, she loves traveling, online shopping, and finding new yummy places to eat around town. My favorite place to eat is Champa in downtown Hendersonville!

Tierra became part of our dental family in 2022, bringing along 8 years of experience and a true love for helping people smile—literally! There’s nothing she enjoys more than seeing patients walk out the door feeling more confident than when they came in. Always eager to learn, Tierra is constantly picking up new skills to better serve our patients. A proud UTC grad, Tierra fell in love with the mountains and made the move to Asheville right after college—and she’s never looked back! When she’s not in the office, you’ll find her spending time with her son and family, exploring the outdoors, traveling, or coaching basketball. She brings the same energy and heart to everything she does, whether it’s chairside or courtside!

Bailey is a Hendersonville native that has worked in the service industry for many years and is excited to bring the skills learned there into the healthcare field! In her spare time, she loves baking, spending time outside, and hanging out with friends and family.

Abbygail has been a dental assistant since September of 2024 and is excited to be starting this journey in a career that’s all about helping people feel comfortable and confident with their smiles. Born and raised in Western North Carolina and currently living in Arden with her husband, Evan, and their lovable Lab, named Nova. Outside of work, she is usually planning her next trip or dreaming about where to go next. Traveling is one of Abbygail’s biggest passions—  exploring new places, meeting new people, trying foods, and appreciating all of what nature has to offer. She is all about making people feel at ease, whether it’s in the dental chair or in everyday life, and is really looking forward to growing in this field, working with her great group of colleagues, and making a difference one patient at a time.

Stay tuned! Kasey’s bio is coming soon!