Meet Our Tacoma Dental Team
Your Smile, Our Complete Attention
At Commencement Bay Dentistry, Dr. Miller leads a team of expertly trained professional hygienists, assistants, and administrators, all of whom stand by our commitment to providing personalized, sincere, and top-of-the-line care to all patients. We deliver a compassionate approach to dental care, understanding that everyone views the dentist’s office differently. By creating a positive, welcoming, and comfortable environment, we aim to make each person feel at home. If you would like to learn more about our talented team, read our bios.
Brittan, Financial Coordinator
Brittan brings over 25 years of experience to our practice, and over the decades, she has loved meeting new people, creating happy smiles, and educating patients on how to optimize their oral health. She graduated from Bates Technical College and honed her craft with continuing education from Spear Education and the Pankey Institute.
A Tacoma native, Brittan’s life is filled with love and family thanks to her four adult children, nine grandchildren, three siblings, and parents who have been married for over 50 years. When she isn’t spending time with them, she enjoys cooking, trying new foods and local restaurants, and attending comedy and jazz shows.
Shawn, Financial Coordinator
Shawn has been in front office administration for 29 years. She enjoys working with our patients on all their front-office needs, especially with insurance and billing. Shawn has been with Commencement Bay Dentistry since 2020 and worked with Dr. Miller for several years prior to joining us in Tacoma. She has three sons, one daughter-in-law, and two grandsons. She likes to spend her free time with her family and best friends from childhood, getting together often to play games, like Mexican Train.
Jenny, Scheduling Coordinator
Jenny began her career in dentistry in 1996, studying dental hygiene at Oregon State University. Over the past 29 years, she has gained experience in nearly every area of the field—from dental hygiene and lead dental assisting to front desk scheduling and administration. She has also completed advanced training through the Pride Management Institute, enhancing her skills in business and practice management. Jenny is passionate about delivering outstanding care and is known for going the extra mile to meet the needs of her patients. She truly values building long-lasting relationships and providing a high standard of service. Outside of the office, Jenny enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons, and her large, close-knit extended family.
Kelli, Insurance Benefits Coordinator
Kelli began her career as a registered dental assistant in 1990 and spent over a decade working chairside before deciding to return to college to earn her bachelor’s degree in business. After exploring several different career paths, she realized that her heart was still in dentistry. With her extensive background and well-rounded experience, Kelli now thrives in the front office as a treatment coordinator, where she combines her clinical knowledge with strong communication and organizational skills.
Her favorite part of the job is the daily connection she builds with patients, helping them feel informed, supported, and welcomed.
Originally from Houston, Kelli relocated to Tacoma and quickly fell in love with everything the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, spending quality time with her husband and two children, and bringing old furniture back to life through creative refurbishing projects - turning junk into treasures.
Rachel, Expanded Function Dental Assistant
Rachel joined our team in 2017 and brings a strong foundation in dental care, having earned her Associate Degree in Dental Assisting from Clover Park Technical College in 2012. Always striving to grow in her field, she continued her education and received her Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) certification from South Sound Community College in 2019.
Outside the clinic, Rachel enjoys a busy and fulfilling life surrounded by animals. She shares her home with her beloved dog, Kenai, two horses, and several cats. An outdoor enthusiast, Rachel loves trail riding and hiking—especially when Kenai is by her side.
Lana, Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
Lana has worked as a dental assistant for over 20 years and has her EFDA certification. Her passion for helping patients comes through in her work every day. She understands that a visit to the dentist isn’t always easy, but she believes that if she provides quality care and ensures our patients are comfortable, and that appointments can actually become enjoyable.
Lana entered the dental industry because of her love for working closely with people. But when she’s not getting to know her patients, she loves hiking, running, working out, and spending time with her family and two adult children.
Ivy, Dental Assistant
Ivy joined our practice in 2014 and brings over 20 years of experience in the dental field. A graduate of Clover Park Technical College, she is passionate about all aspects of dentistry, with a special interest in assisting with complete smile makeovers. Ivy's attention to detail and outgoing personality help put patients at ease, making every visit a positive experience.
She has been married for over 15 years and is a proud mom of three. Ivy lives in Fircrest, where she enjoys gardening, walking, and spending quality time with her children.
Rosa, Sterilization Technician
Rosa began her journey in healthcare by studying to become a nursing assistant in Mexico before moving to the United States. After settling down and raising her two daughters, she returned to the workforce, finding her place in a dental clinic in Minneapolis, where she worked for several years.
When her daughters moved to Washington, they encouraged their parents to join them—and Rosa and her husband happily made the move. She eventually found her way to our practice, where she brings warmth, dedication, and pride to everything she does. Rosa says being part of our team gives her tremendous satisfaction and a true sense of belonging.
Rosa has been married for over 30 years. As a family, they love dancing to salsa, merengue, bachata, and regional Mexican music. Their home is filled with delicious Mexican cooking, laughter, and quality time—often shared with their beloved dog, Bombon. In her free time, Rosa enjoys relaxing walks with her husband, sewing, embroidering, and reading.
Monica, Registered Dental Hygienist
Dear Friends,
The privilege of caring for you—together with Dr. Miller and my outstanding Commencement Bay Dentistry colleagues—has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. I have loved so many things about my work as a hygienist: the relationships with each of you, the successes and challenges we’ve shared, and most of all, the laughter along the way.
Retirement comes with a mix of emotions, but above all, I feel grateful and happy to have had the opportunity to know you and to partner with you in caring for your smiles. I am saying goodbye at a time when Dr. Miller’s hygiene department is thriving, with a wonderful team of kind, compassionate, and highly skilled clinicians ready to help you achieve your oral health goals. With a joyful heart, I thank you for 28 years of truly wonderful memories.
Warmly, Monica LeJeune, RDH
Kathy, Registered Dental Hygienist
Kathy and her husband moved to Tacoma from Vancouver, WA, and joined our office in 2018. She chose a career in dentistry because having a confident and healthy smile positively impacts every aspect of your life, and she wants to help make that happen. She finds her work rewarding with such a supportive and friendly team.
In her free time, she likes to travel, read, and enjoy the outdoors with bike rides, hiking, boating, and kayaking, and she also dabbles in soap making. Her dream trip is to go on a South African safari. Her home is ruled by Harlequin (Harley), their senior lab, who will do anything for food.
Natasha, Registered Dental Hygienist
Natasha graduated from the dental hygiene program at Seattle Central College in 2015. She was a lead dental assistant for five years before going back to school for dental hygiene. She is passionate about attending continuing education courses to further her ability and provide the best care possible for her patients. Her priority is to help each patient achieve optimal oral health while making them feel comfortable during their regular dental visits.
Natasha and her husband live in Ruston with their four children. She loves to travel, spend time with her family outside, and read when she gets a chance.
Charlie, Registered Dental Hygienist
Charlie is a dedicated and compassionate dental hygienist with a strong commitment to patient care and education. She graduated from Pierce College’s Dental Hygiene Program in 2017 and has been proudly serving patients ever since. With a gentle touch and a focus on preventative oral health, she strives to create a comfortable, welcoming environment for patients of all ages.
Charlie enjoys building lasting relationships and helping her patients feel confident in their smiles. Whether it’s a routine cleaning or easing dental anxiety, she takes pride in delivering personalized care that supports both oral and overall health. She is also very committed to staying current with advancements in dental hygiene through continuing education and professional development.
Outside the dental office, Charlie enjoys spending time with her family and staying active through outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and exploring nature. She believes that a balanced life helps bring energy, compassion, and focus to the care she provides every day.
Carey, Registered Dental Hygienist
Carey is a skilled dental hygienist with over 25 years of experience in the field. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Pierce College and has worked in a variety of dental settings, including periodontics. She also spent several years volunteering at the Point Defiance Zoo, combining her love for community service and healthcare.
Carey finds her greatest fulfillment in general practice, where she enjoys building lasting relationships with patients and being part of a supportive, collaborative team.
Outside of the office, Carey enjoys spending time with her husband, Paul, and their two daughters. She loves taking long walks, traveling, and sharing adventures with their family dog, Woody.