Meet our staff

Christine, Dental Hygienist, RDH
Daily responsibilities: Cleaning and polishing teeth; removing deposits and stains; examining teeth and gums for any sign of problems; teaching oral hygiene for the home.
Other duties as assigned: Keeps the office calm and steady with her unruffled demeanor.

Years with Dr. Sawhney: 8

Training/Education: Wayne Community College

Why she likes her job: “I love being able to help people,” Christine says. “It’s so nice when people come back and I find out that they’ve learned something and made improvements in their dental hygiene.”

What’s great about working here: “The staff—I love the staff. We have great patients, too, and we build really good relations with them.”

On the side: Christine enjoys gardening, particularly flowers and plants. She also likes the beautiful weather in Raleigh and says “I’m a native North Carolinian anyway, so this just feels like home.”

Paula, Dental Hygienist, RDH
Daily responsibilities: Cleaning and polishing teeth; removing deposits and stains; examining teeth and gums for any sign of problems; teaching oral hygiene for the home.

Years with Dr. Sawhney: 14

Training/Education: Middlesex College in Boston

Why she likes her job: “It’s a people thing,” Paula says. “I like spending time with the patients.” Most of all, Paula enjoys helping nervous or fearful patients overcome their emotions and leave the office with a happy, positive experience.

What’s great about working here: “I really like the camaraderie. It’s a fabulous group we have here; very comfortable, yet professional.”

On the side: Paula enjoys yoga and walking. She also loves the friendly people and the beautiful weather in Raleigh.

Debbie, Dental Assistant
Daily responsibilities: Assisting the dentist in operative procedures; preparing treatment rooms for procedures and sterilizing dental instruments; and providing an “extra set of hands” for the dentist. Debbie also works hard to keep each patient comfortable during procedures.

Other duties as assigned: Helps take the “ouch!” out of anesthesia with her relaxation techniques and soothing voice.

Years with Dr. Sawhney: 17

Training/Education: Office training and ongoing continuing education through UNC School of Dentistry and Wake AHEC

Why she likes her job: “We have awesome patients,” Debbie says. “They are what make my job so good.”

What’s great about working here: “I love the flexibility I have working for Dr. Sawhney.”

Wendy/Dental Assistant
Daily responsibilities: Assisting the dentist, making teeth models, implant coordinator.

Other duties as assigned: Wendy’s witty sense of humor keeps our patients laughing and relaxed.

Training/Education: Participates in ongoing continuing education at UNC, has specialized training in implants.

Why she likes her job: -“I enjoy helping patients get through their treatment and hearing a child say they can’t wait to come back.”

What’s great about working here: -“I like the warm family feel of the office. It’s a relaxed atmosphere, yet we work hard.”

On the side: Wendy enjoys reading, sewing, exercising, cooking and spending time with family. Originally from New York, she loves the weather here and proximity to the beach.

Shaun, Office Manager
Daily responsibilities: Overall administrative functions, as well as scheduling, patient relations, billing and collections, telephones and insurance.

Other duties as assigned: You name it, she does it. Shaun handles everything that passes through the front office.

Years with Dr. Sawhney: 14

Training/Education: A variety of administrative jobs during the past 20 years—17 of them in the dental field!

Why she likes her job: “I love getting to meet so many different people,” Shaun says, “and I am able to get close to our family of patients. I especially love the kids.”

What’s great about working here: “We’re like family,” Shaun explains. “You can lose that close-knit feel in a larger office.” Another advantage of a smaller practice like this—Shaun enjoys a variety of responsibilities instead of having to focus on just one, set task.

On the side: Shaun enjoys running, exercising, snow and water skiing, and the beach. She likes the fact that Raleigh is close to the beach and the mountains, and says that “Raleigh is a great place to raise a family!”