Meet our staff

Linda, Dental Assistant
Daily responsibilities: Assisting the dentist in operative procedures; preparing treatment rooms for procedures and sterilizing dental instruments; ordering supplies; and providing an “extra set of hands” for the dentist. Linda also does her best to make each patient feel comfortable and at home during procedures.
Other duties as assigned: Gopher and maintenance. “I fix everything around here!”

Years with Dr. Sawhney: 12

Training/Education: Certified X-ray technician and continuing education through UNC School of Dentistry.

Why she likes her job: “I love talking to the first-timers (the little kids),” Linda admits. “They tell me all sorts of stories—and they have such interesting, preconceived ideas.” Linda also enjoys getting to know all her patients personally, and watching their families grow.

What’s great about working here: “The staff—they’re all my friends, and we have a good time together. This is like a second family to me.”

On the side: Linda enjoys going to the beach, reading, tending to her koi pond and spending time with her “big attitude” dog, Topaz. She also loves being able to enjoy the outdoors all year long.

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: 5

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: 11

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: 14

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.”

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: 11

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!”