Meet The Team

Lea

Dental Hygienist

Shannon

Dental Hygienist

I was raised in Sharpsville, PA.
Education: I graduated Valedictorian and Class President of Pittsburgh Dental Hygiene class of 2024. I was a part of Sigma Phi Alpha Dental Hygiene Honor Society. Magna Cum Laude from Point Park University in December 2020 with a BS in Pre-Medical/ Pre-Professional Studies and a double minor in Chemistry and Psychology.
What I like most about dentistry: For the love of dental science; structure, development and abnormalities of the teeth, disease prevention of the mouth and gum tissue, the anatomy, the physiology, and oral biology.
Favorite hobby/ pastime: Trying new coffee shops in Pittsburgh
My favorite place or favorite getaway: Key West is my favorite place and hope to one day call it home.
Favorite sports team: The Steelers!
Favorite restaurant: Gaucho and Cafe 33 
Favorite movie: Shutter Island
Favorite music: Anything Mac Miller
What do you love most about Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh people love Pittsburgh. We have the number one fans for every sports team. Pittsburgh fans are the best!
Bucket list: To visit the River Shannon in Shannon, Ireland.
Favorite quote: “The world only exists in your eyes. You can make it as big or as small as you want. – F. Scott Fitzgerald
Fun fact: My middle name is my mom and grandmas name put together
Favorite dental joke: Why should you be kind to your dentist?. . . because they have fillings too.

Amanda

Dental Hygienist

Born and raised in Columbus, OH. Moved to Pittsburgh in early 2024
Education: Attended Columbus State Community College and received my Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene 
What I like most about dentistry: I enjoy getting to know my patients and helping those with dental anxiety to overcome it. I’m constantly learning in dentistry so it’s never boring!
My happy place or favorite getaway: The Smoky Mountains
Favorite hobby/past-time: currently paint by numbers. Also have gotten into indoor rock climbing recently. 
What I love about Pittsburgh: the hills and trees! Also the food scene and the people.
Favorite sports team: I have to say Ohio State Buckeyes, although I’m not much of a sports person! 
Favorite restaurant: I have a big list still to try here but so far Spork and Noodlehead have been my favorites!
Favorite movie: Inside Out 
Favorite music: Early 2000s emo and pop punk 
Favorite app or social media site: Instagram 
My Bucket List: Thru hike the Pacific Crest Trail
Favorite quote: “hike your own hike”
A fun fact: I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2023
Favorite dental joke: What’s a tooth’s favorite dance? The Floss 

Isha

Treatment Coordinator

Kim

Patient Coordinator

I was born and raised on an Army Base at Campbell, KY. We moved a lot as a family,  and landed in Pittsburgh in the 70’s. I finished school in Pittsburgh, married in 1990, and began moving all over again. Kanas City, Alabama, Calgary Alberta Canada, then back to the Burgh in 2020.
Family: Married for 30 years with 3 grown daughters.
What I like most about dentistry: The amazing advances to keep people smiling.
My favorite place or favorite getaway: Kauai, Hawaii
Favorite hobby/pastime: Dance … I teach Zumba Classes and I love to Scrapbook!
What I love most about Pittsburgh: Hometown feel and pride. The feeling of family even if you are not.
Favorite sports team: Duh, Steelers!
Favorite movie: Grease
Favorite music: Rock & Roll, Classic and New
Bucket list: traveling to Italy
Favorite quote: If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything!

Chelsey

Lead Dental Assistant

I was born in Lexington, South Carolina and raised in  Steubenville, Ohio.   Adventure is my middle name!
Family: I am the only child, but have a huge family. My dad is the youngest of nine and my mom is a sibling of seven.
Education: I attended The Ohio State University… “Go Bucks!”
What I like most about dentistry: Helping our patients shine bright with a smile.
My happy place or getaway: My bed. LOL
Favorite hobby/pastime: My favorite hobby is perfecting my make-up, but if you see me at work I probably look a mess.
What I love most about Pittsburgh: All the hidden gems.
Favorite sports team: The Buckeye’s (OSU) and the New England Patriots (Sorry Steeler fans!!)
Favorite restaurant: Anything Seafood
Favorite movie:  Inception
Favorite music: Old school R&B, preferably the 80’s
Favorite app or social media site: Instagram
Bucket list: Go to the Maldives and walk the beach that lights up blue at night.
Favorite quote: I do what I need to do, so I can do what I want to do.
A fun fact: I have two middle names!
Favorite dental joke: Knock, knock. Who’s there? Dishes. Dishes who? Dishes how I talk since I lost my teeth.

Olivia

Administrative Dental Specialist

I was Born and Raised in Lynchbroug, VA, new to Pittsburgh, but I’m enjoying exploring the city. I love being creative and picking up hobbies to do in my spare time.
Family: 4 brothers, 2 sisters-in-law, parents, and dog (Alaska)
Education: Bachelors degree in English
What I like most about Dentistry: I like helping people feel confident about their smiles and getting to meet and care for so many people 
My happy place or favorite getaway: Maine
Hobby: Paint by numbers
What I love about Pittsburgh: I love many delicious restaurants there are and how many fun and unique things there are to do 
Favorite Sports Team: Steelers
Favorite App or Social Media Site: Pinterest
Favorite Restaurant: Apteka 
Favorite Movie: the Life of Pi
Favorite Music: Billy Joel
My bucket list: to publish a book
Fun Fact: I was fluent in Latin for a time and have translated the Aeneid from its original Latin (I have forgotten most of it)
Favorite Quote: “Everyday, once a day, give yourself a gift.”
Favorite Dental Quote: When’s the best time to go to the dentist? - Two thirty! (Tooth hurty)

Jessica

Registered Dental Assistant

I was born and raised in a city called San Felipe in Venezuela. I moved to Pittsburgh a year ago because of the love I found 4 years ago and I love this city. I am a positive person that loves taking new challenges and learning from each and every day.
Education: I am a registered dental assistant (RDA) in Pennsylvania and was a practicing dentist in Venezuela
What I like most about dentistry: I like dentistry because it is a super nice career in which you can help people with their oral health and improve their smile.
My favorite place or favorite getaway: I like to go to the park for a walk and connect with nature
Favorite hobby/pastime: In my free time I like to watch Netflix series and bake cakes and muffins
What I love about Pittsburgh: I love the weather and seasonal changes. I also love the people here because they are very nice
Favorite sports team: Pirates!! I like baseball
Favorite restaurant: Fogo de Chao. I like to eat!
Favorite movie: Miracle in Cell No 7
Favorite music: Pop and Reggaeton
Favorite app or social media site:  Duolingo and Instagram
My bucket list: I want to see my parents soon!
Favorite quote: “It always seems impossible until it’s done”  Nelson Mandela
A fun fact: I sneeze 7 times in a row
Favorite dental joke: Why did the king go to the dentist? To get his teeth crowned!!

Paulina

Dental Assistant

I was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. I moved to Pittsburgh in 2021 to pursue a master’s degree and fell in love with this city. 
Education: Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies from Harvard University, where I majored in Government and minored in Law. Master of Science in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. 
What I like most about dentistry: I enjoy interacting with many different people throughout the day and learning about them. I love how dentistry incorporates art and science to restore someone’s smile and to ease any discomfort they may have. I also like the problem-solving aspect of taking into consideration the patient’s concerns, analyzing the radiographs and clinical evaluation, and then thinking up a treatment plan. 
My favorite place or getaway: Any bookstore, library, or walking through nature. 
Favorite hobby/pastime: Any creative outlet such as, drawing, interior decorating, putting together outfits, etc. 
What I love about Pittsburgh: I love how prideful the people are in this city—it reminds me of home. 
Favorite sports team: New England Patriots!!
Favorite restaurant: Meat and Potatoes
Favorite movie: Waking Life
Favorite music: Electronic dance music 
Favorite app or social media site: Pinterest 
Bucket list:  To see the northern lights in Iceland. 
Favorite quote: “Ask yourself, ‘Who can I make smile this morning?’ This is the art of creating happiness.”
A fun fact: Mindy Kaling’s mom was the OB-GYN who delivered me when I was born. 
Favorite dental joke: “Which teeth do you have to brush? Just the ones you want to keep.”

Donna

Administrative Assistant

I was born and raised in Richland, a suburb of Johnstown, PA. I currently live in Wexford. 
Family: I have two grown children and 2 grandchildren. 
What I like most about dentistry: The finished product
My favorite place or favorite getaway: Going to visit my daughter and her family, and my son in Miami 
Favorite hobby/pastime: Working out, pilates, walking, and bike riding 
What I love about Pittsburgh: It’s big enough to get the feeling of a “big city” and easy to navigate to wherever you need to go
Favorite restaurant: Olives and Peppers
Favorite movie: The Holiday
Favorite music: Pop, Jazz, and Big Band
Favorite app or social media site: Instagram
My bucket list: Go to Italy
Favorite quote: “If you ain’t got something nice to say, don’t say nothing at all.”
A fun fact: I can spin a basketball with my finger! Lol

Phillip

Pre-Dental Intern

I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland.
Family: One older sibling, sister a senior in college Education: Currently a sophomore at Pitt majoring in Natural Sciences with a minor in business.
What I like most about dentistry: Dentistry mixes art, engineering, and providing important patient care
My favorite place or favorite getaway: The beach
Favorite Hobby/Pastime: Learning to play the guitar
What I love about Pittsburgh: Pitt’s campus and the city
Favorite sports team: Ravins
Favorite restaurant: Cafe Moulin in Shadyside
Favorite movie: Imagine Dragons
Favorite music: Pop & Country
Favorite app or social media site: Instagram
My bucket list: Skydive
A fun fact: never had a cavity :)
Favorite dental joke: A patient asks the dentist, “What did you do before you became a dentist?” “I was in the army.” “What did you do there?” Dentist replies, “I was a drill sergeant!”

Julie

Graphic Designer

I was born and raised in Greensburg, PA. I have 3 little boys that are my whole world!
Education: TheArt Institute of Pittsburgh
What I like most about dentistry: The feeling you get knowing you have a healthy smile. Health is so important!
My favorite place or favorite getaway: Myrtle Beach it’s been a family fav. the past 5 years
Favorite hobby/pastime: Painting, books, baking, cooking, going to watch my kids play baseball
What I love about Pittsburgh: PNC park, Stage AE, PPG Place, Kennywood, so many good places that I have great memories as a kid and now share them with my kids
Favorite sports team: Pittsburgh, Steelers! 
Favorite restaurant: Nakama, Cheesecake Factory, Waffle House
Favorite movie: Fools Rush In, Black Sheep, Stepbrothers 
Favorite music: Punk
Favorite app or social media site: Instagram
My bucket list: Do missionary work in Africa
Favorite quote: "For beautiful eyes, look for good in others; For beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge you're never alone." - Audrey Hepburn

Zoe

Cheerful Patient Greeter, Loyal Friend, and Therapy Dog

I was born in Reading, PA.
Family: The awesome humans on the Smiles by Hart Team.
Education: Working on it with the help of lots of treats.
What I like most about dentistry: The patients! They tell me I’m adorable and I get lots of attention.
My happy place or favorite getaway: other than on a patients lap …  in the yard chasing squirrels real and imagined
Favorite Hobby / Pastime: I love a good fetch and return game and watching Animal Planet is up there too. I am particularly fond of hanging my head out the car window.
What I love about Pittsburgh: I get to go to work everyday, so I’m never home alone. Wearing winter sweaters isn’t too shabby either.
Favorite Restaurant: Starbucks puppuccino is pretty good and Brew Dogs is a close second
Favorite Sports Team: Steelers and Penguins … Duh! My pawrents scream pretty loud every time they score so it’s super exciting! 
Favorite Movie: Marley & Me
My favorite social media site: Instagram: #smilesbyhart.pittsburgh #cavalier_life
My Bucket List: Go to the Westminister Dog Show 
Favorite quote: “It’s a dog’s world people just live in it”
“Be the person your dog thinks you are.” -C.J. Frick