Meet Our Team

Amy Backstrom – RDH, MS, OMT

Amy has 25 years of dental experience. She received her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from the University of New Haven and later achieved her Master of Science in Integrative Health from Rutgers University. She was a professor at the University of Bridgeport, teaching clinical Dental Hygiene at the Fones School of Dental Hygiene. Amy furthered her education and became an Orofacial Myologist. She is passionate about education and treating patients holistically. Her other passions are her two daughters, husband and Husky named Apache. She loves to cook, garden, sing, and spend time outdoors with family and friends.

Ashley – Dental Hygienist

Ashley has been with our practice since 2013. She finds her job most fulfilling when she can help an anxious patient through a visit and then leave with a smile. In her spare time, Ashley loves to spend time outdoors fishing and hiking with her husband and two children.

“A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles.” ~ William Hazlitt

Kim B. – Dental Hygienist

Kim joined our practice in 2009 and loves working with our amazing team of women. She loves her patients and genuinely takes an interest in their daily lives. Kim provides a calm energy for our most anxious patients. When Kim is not at work, she enjoys reading and the outdoors. She loves to kayak, travel, camp and garden.

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.” ~ Thoreau

Trish – Dental Hygienist

Trish has been with our practice since 2003. She loves working with our team and being able to help her patients leave her chair with a smile. Throughout her career, Trish has always enjoyed working with people and brings her fun sense of humor to help patients relax in her chair. Trish loves animals, enjoys spending time with her family and cooking international foods. Since retiring in July of 2020, Trish is enjoying more time with her family and doing the activities she loves most.

“You don’t stop laughing because you grow older. You grow old because you stop laughing.” ~ Maurice Chevalier

Antonette – Dental Hygienist

Antonette joined the Smilen Dental Group team in 2020. She comes to us with over 10 years of experience in the dental field. Antonette is a graduate of the University of Bridgeport with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene. 
Antonette works diligently to provide individualized oral hygiene care to her patients in an ongoing effort to promote oral health. In her spare time, Antonette loves to hike, travel, and spend quality time with friends and family. 

Maria – Dental Hygienist

Maria has been a beloved hygienist since 1984. She loves the people she meets each day. She connects with her patients and enjoys when they share interesting stories about their lives with her. In her spare time, Maria enjoys reading, cooking, camping and traveling.

“All are welcome.”

Taryn – Orthodontic/Dental Assistant

Taryn has been an orthodontic dental assistant since 2017. Her passions include reading, crochet, learning new languages and singing. Taryn is currently pursuing her bachelors degree in biology with a minor in psychology. Her dream is to apply to dental school and become an orthodontist. Her house is always the life of the party with her 5 siblings and her good boy Sampson. She enjoys the art of creating new smiles and bringing back the confidence to all of her patients once they see their new smile.

“Use your smile to change the world, but don’t let the world change your smile”

Michele – Dental Assistant

Michele has her degree in Health and Human Services from New York City College of Technology. She started her career as a dental assistant in 1992. Michele feels joy in her heart as our patients improve their smiles throughout their dental visits. Michele speaks French Creole and enjoys spending time with her family.

“Let no one come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.” ~ Mother Teresa

Liz – Dental Assistant

Liz has been working with pediatric patients since 2015. She loves working with children and providing support to the patients and their families. Liz is fluent in Spanish which helps our young Spanish-speaking patients stay calm during their dental treatment. She loves spending time with her husband and son.

“The most beautiful thing in the world is a child’s smile. The next best thing? Knowing that you are the reason behind it.” ~ Fatima Nacana

Danielle – Dental Assistant

Danielle truly connects with our pediatric patients. She loves being able to work with our youngest patients every day. It makes Danielle’s heart happy to make each visit to our office a fun and positive experience for every patient. Danielle is an identical twin and loves spending time with her two nieces.

“Believe.”

Kim K. – Dental Assistant

Kim joined our practice in 1990 and has built many relationships with our patients over the years. Her enthusiastic personality allows her to make genuine connections with our patients. Kim says: “The best part of an adult and pediatric practice is watching the children grow up and become confident adult patients.” Kim enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.

“Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears.” ~ John Lennon

Cory – Office Manager

Cory graduated from SCSU with her B.A in Business Management. Cory has several years of experience in the medical and dental fields. She loves all the positive energy at Smilen Dental Group! Working with this incredible team is a gift, and seeing patients smile is the best part of her day! Cory’s favorites are all things, Disney, spending time with her rescue pups, going to the beach and traveling with her husband and two sons.

“Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, dreams are forever.” ~ Walt Disney

Janet – Administration

Janet joined our practice in 1990. Her prior experience includes nine years in orthopedics and seven years in pediatric dentistry. Having witnessed many positive changes in dentistry over the years, Janet is happy to have been able to be a part of this patient-centered practice and the amazing group of people with whom she is privileged to work. After turning over the office management reins to Cory at the end of 2019, Janet is enjoying her semi-retirement. When not in the office, she is exploring her artistic talents in painting, pottery and printmaking. She also enjoys traveling across the country with her husband.

“Customer service is not a department- It is a personal responsibility.” ~ Lee Cockerell

Eva – Business Team

Eva joined our Business Team in 2021. Eva has spent much of her career in both the clinical and business aspects in the medical field. She brings over 18 years of experience and takes great pride in her customer service skills. Eva always has a friendly smile and greets each patient with warmth and compassion. Fun facts about Eva: she speaks Polish, loves nature, history, Star Wars and animals of all kinds. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling, swimming and spending time with her family.

“A woman is like a tea bag, you don’t know how strong she is until she’s in hot water.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt

Jamie – Business Team

Jamie has been greeting patients with her beautiful smile since 2014. She loves working with our team and building connections with our patients and their families. Jamie is a die-hard NY Giants fan, loves going to the beach and spending time with her two children.

“Where there is love, there is life.” ~Gandhi

Maria W. – Business Team

Maria has been in the dental industry since 1996. Over the years, she has worked in both general dentistry and specialty practices. Maria joins our team with much front desk, customer service and office management experience. Maria enjoys spending time with her amazing children. Her hobbies include script writing, photography and film making.

Sandy – Business Team

Sandy has been working in customer service for over ten years. She greets every patient with a warm smile. She enjoys being a part of a team of women who encourage and support each other. Sandy loves to travel and learn about new cultures. She has lived in three different countries, speaks Spanish and loves to dance.

“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.”