Meet Our Staff

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Nasta, RDA

Dental Assistant & Front Office - Member since 2017

Meet Anastasia, but more likely you know her as Nasta. She is a registered dental assistant who graduated from Clover Park Technical College. She started at Light Dental Studios as an extern and eventually was hired on to become not just a part of the team, but a part of the family. She has always dreamed of finding a career that would allow her to live out her passion for helping others while making a difference in the community. She is reminded every day working at Light Dental Studios that she wants nothing more than to help create bigger, brighter, and healthier smiles with effortless dentistry. Light Dental Studios is her second home and it is an office that not only values their patients but also their employees and community!

After several years of working on the restorative side of the Puyallup office as both a dental assistant and in our front office, Nasta began her journey into orthodontics. You will receive a warm welcome from her and she strives to make your appointments a breeze. She loves getting to see patients regularly and thinks there's nothing better than building a unique relationship with each of them.

When Nasta is not working she enjoys cooking, watching new movies on Netflix, reading dramas, playing with her puppies, and finding another outdoor journey with her loved ones! She loves being part of an office that aims to deliver affordable, comfortable, and effortless dentistry. So, if you’re looking for a new provider and home for your dental needs come on in, she is so excited to meet you!

Michelle

Front Office - Member since 2023

Michelle joined Light Dental Studios in March 2023. Michelle is also new to Washington, having just moved here in December of 2022. She has been married for 26 years and has two amazing, beautiful boys. Michelle has worked in the dental field for over 15 years and thrives on patient connections. In her time here at Light Dental Studios, she feels it has been so motivating getting to work with a team that has the same goal; to provide patients with an exceptional experience. Michelle looks forward to building new friendships and continuing her goal to always be learning.

When Michelle is not at work you will find her husband and her getting to know their new beautiful state. She loves dogs and has 4 Australian Shepherds. Michelle enjoys reading and hiking and you might find her continuing her learning of the Spanish language (poco a poco).

Malaika

Front Office - Member since 2022

Malaika joined the Puyallup team as a patient care coordinator. Originally from Georgia (with proud Cameroonian roots), she moved to Washington in 2010 and grew up in the Puyallup area. Unlike many, she loved going to the dentist as a child which sparked her interest in the field! Malaika enjoyed playing the cello and tennis in high school, and then leading diversity efforts on her college campus. Having just completed a general AA degree and dental hygiene prerequisites, she will eventually continue studying to become a dentist (although she holds many interests close to her heart).

In her free time, Malaika enjoys spending time with friends, finding new shows/music/books/podcasts to indulge in, going to the gym, biking, songwriting, anything that brings her nostalgia, adventuring and occasionally pretending to be an iron chef. As she begins her journey at Light Dental Studios, she’s most excited to help remodel the idea of the dentist’s office being intimidating and replace the image with that of a caring, pleasurable environment.

Jamie

Regional Orthodontic Manager - Member since 2018

Jamie has been in the dental field for several years. Since starting with Light Dental Studios in 2018, she has been able to hone her skills to make sure her patients are taken care of. Part of the reason she loves working here is that everyone treats you like family.

When meeting Jamie, you'll find she feels like a close family friend. Seeing the excitement on patients' faces when they get to remove their braces is just as exciting to her since she has been able to see them grow over the years. One of the many things she enjoys about her job is getting to work with both general dentists and orthodontists, making patients' experience in the office effortless.

If you don't see her here at the office, you can find her with family and friends hiking and anything outdoors.

Denine

Front Office - Member since 2021

Denine started her journey in dentistry back in 2011 by attending Clover Park Technical College for dental assisting. After getting her associates degree she was blessed to not only do her internship with Light Dental Studios at their University Place location, but to be brought on as a full-time dental assistant directly after school! She worked with the company as a floating dental assistant that would work in any of the locations – which at the time were only 4! Unfortunately, Denine developed carpal tunnel and was unable to continue assisting. Despite this, her love of dentistry kept her striving to stay in the field and she moved to working front office. After being in general front office she moved to our Puyallup Orthodontic office. Denine looks forward to many more years of growing with the company and sharing her love of dentistry and helping people.

When not at work, Denine is an avid gardener, has a love of taking walks with her two dogs, and spending time with her husband and teenage child.

Shannon, RDA

Orthodontic Assistant - Member since 2017

Shannon has been an assistant for 19 years and she joined Dr. Crouch's amazing team in February of 2011.

She loves helping patients develop their confidence and self-esteem when she works with them to create the beautiful smiles they've always dreamed of.

She cannot image a better career for herself.

Kiley, RDA

Orthodontic Assistant - Member since 2020

Kiley was born and raised here in the Pacific Northwest and recently moved to the Puyallup area from the Eastside. She has been a dental assistant since 2014 and started her journey with Light Dental Studios in early 2020 working in the orthodontics office. She feels so blessed to work with such an amazing team here and absolutely loves our patients.

When she's not at work she's a mom and stepmom to 3 amazing kids and 2 dogs. She enjoys hiking, being outdoors and traveling as often as she can!

Stephanie, RDA

Orthodontic Assistant - Member since 2018

Stephanie was originally from Tacoma. After high school, she moved to California for the next forty years. That’s where she found her passion for dentistry. She has gone full circle and is now back in Tacoma.

Stephanie joined the Light Dental Studios family in March of 2017. She works in the orthodontic department with Dr. Crouch. Fortunately, Stephanie was able to participate in the “Give back to the community day” that was held in May, where the LDS family gave their time and work freely to needy patients.

It’s such a joy for Stephanie to come to work everyday, knowing she’s going to help someone and give them that awesome smile.

Sydni, CDA

Dental Assistant - Member since 2018

Meet Sydni she recently graduated from Clover Park Technical College, and prior to that, she got her general AA at Pierce College in 2016. Following school, she started her externship at Light Dental Studios and recently joined our family as a dental assistant. While working at light dental studios she has enjoyed forming relationships with her patients and team members. She knew right away this was the right place for her because she believed in helping others becoming better people everyday. Sydni became a dental assistant because she loves to educate patients on how to take care of their teeth, and feel more confident in their smile. We absolutely love Sydni’s energy and enthusiasm for dentistry and for life.

In Sydni’s free time she enjoys hiking, camping and watching movies.

Jay, RDA

Orthodontic Assistant - Member since 2022

Jay was inspired to step into the orthodontic field because she wanted to be of service and help people love their smiles and be confident in all aspects of their lives. Growing up she always had a fascination with her dentists and grew more curious about what they were doing when working on her, and with that, she developed a passion for oral health. As a Washington local, Jay wanted to work for Light Dental specifically because of their dedication to not only their patients but to help the local communities as well. Jay wants her patients to know that she is so ecstatic to work with you and see your smiles shine!

In her spare time, you can find Jay at the local farmers market, playing club tennis, gardening, or hiking with her boyfriend.

Delia, RDA

Orthodontic Assistant - Member since 2022

Coming soon

Stephanie, RDA

Orthodontic Assistant - Member since 2023

Stephani joined our team in 2023 and brings 12 years of Orthodontic experience to our office. She loves to give the best care to patients and make sure that they have the most comfortable experience possible. She is very knowledgeable of her field and loves to learn and share as much as possible with others.

In her free time you can find her spending time with her family! She also loves spending time gardening, beach combing, and finding treasures at thrift stores!