Meet Our Team

Brittany joined our practice in 2017 and is one of our amazing dental asisstants. What she loves most about being part of our practice is the opportunity to change the way people feel about their smile and getting them out of pain. When she’s not in the office, you’ll find Brittany staying active with cross-fit or driving a school bus since 2008. She cherishes spending quality time with her family and friends. Brittany is a proud mom of two and has a spouse named Jere.

Darla has worked in the dental field for over 40 years and joined Dr. Patel at Walnut Ridge Dental Care in 2018. Darla enjoys getting to know each patient and helping with their appointments, insurance and billing needs. Darla is married to her husband, David, and together, they have three daughters, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. In her spare time, she loves camping and spending time with her family.

Jessica Johnson has been a seasoned dental professional since 2013. She finds fulfillment in her role by helping patients regain confidence and alleviate pain. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys quality time with her four boys—Barrett, Treston, Riles, and Abel. She loves traveling and experiencing new places with her family and friends. Jessica’s commitment to her patients and her genuine love for her family make her a valued member of both her professional and personal communities.

Laura joined Thayer Dental Care and Walnut Ridge Dental Care team in 2020. Laura is the first face you see when walking into our office. She is your go-to for scheduling appointments for your dental treatment.

Laura and her husband, Brandon, married in 2009 and welcomed their beautiful daughter, Ally-Brook, in 2011. In her spare time, Laura enjoys playing golf and watching her husband dirt track race and her daughter play basketball.

Sara has been working in the administrative side of the dental field since 2003. Sara joined Thayer Dental Care and Walnut Ridge Dental Care in 2018. Sara enjoys working with and getting to know her patients. Sara loves to help her patients with any dental insurance, billing or scheduling questions. What she enjoys the most is seeing her patients’ new smiles!

Sara is married to her husband, Joe, and they have two sons, Cooper and Cole. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends. Sara always looks forward to her summer beach vacation, kayaking and hiking with her family.

Madelyn is a proud employee of Thayer Dental Care and Walnut Ridge Dental Care since 2019. Madelyn began her dental assisting career in 2018 at Arkansas Dental Assisting Academy. Madelyn enjoys her job at our office as a treatment coordinator.

She loves helping patients turn their dreams into reality by finding comfortable payment plans and helping patients get their smile back! Madelyn married her husband, Darren, in June 2021! They now have two children, Stella Jo and Stetson Thomas! In Madelyn’s spare time, she enjoys grilling and making memories with her family and friends!

Madison has been a registered dental hygienist since 2015, when she graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene. At our office, Madison evaluates the oral health of our patients and educates them on proper ways to improve and maintain their oral status and overall health.

Madison joined Thayer Dental Care and Walnut Ridge Dental Care in 2018. Outside of work, she enjoys the little things in life with her husband, Jake, and their beautiful daughter, Maci. In her spare time, Madison enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Hannah loves working in dentistry because she enjoys helping people achieve the smiles that they love. At home, she has three little girls and a wonderful husband, whom she loves spending time with. They also have a little dog, Darcy. Hannah loves spending time with her family and shopping with her girls when she is not working.

Jade joined Thayer Dental Care and Walnut Ridge Dental Care in 2018. Jade enjoys helping give patients the confidence to smile again.

Jade married her husband, Lucas, in September 2020, and they welcomed a beautiful son, Kannan, in August 2021. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs.

Katy has been a dental assistant since 2014. Katy joined Thayer Dental Care and Walnut Ridge Dental Care in 2020. Katy enjoys helping patients with their smile. Katy and her husband, Chris, have two children, Fletcher and Brooks. Katy enjoys spending her free time with her family and hunting.

As a dental assistant for several years, Lisa joined our Thayer Dental Care and Walnut Ridge Dental team in 2018. Lisa enjoys the level of patient care we provide to each patient at our office, the teamwork that exists with her co-workers and the dedication to patient care each team member has.

At our practice, she works alongside Dr. Patel and Dr. Blount to assist in all dental procedures. She works to make sure that every patient receives the highest level of care possible throughout their procedures and recovery. She can answer any questions they may have about their procedures. When not at the office, Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband, Kurt, and their children and grandchildren.

Tammy is a dental assistant and joined Thayer Dental Care in 2010 and Walnut Ridge Dental Care in 2018. Tammy is married to her husband, Benny, and together, they have four children, Alexis (Devin), Allie, Abby and Jordan (Taquila), as well as four grandchildren.

Tammy enjoys spending time with her family, friends and church family, and she loves cooking in her free time. One of Tammy’s favorite things to do is to have family and friends over for a cookout.

Here is what Tammy enjoys about her job:

“Watching someone’s life change because we gave them back (or gave them for the first time) a pretty smile. Dentures that fit better than any other and look like natural teeth.”

Cameron joined Thayer Dental Care and Walnut Ridge Dental Care in 2019. Cameron has one daughter, Patience. In his free time, he enjoys road trips with his daughter, hiking and kayaking. Cameron enjoys learning about history and anything to do with the universe. Cameron is a huge basketball fan and loves traveling and seeing new places.

“I love my job because, at TDC and WRDC, Dr. Patel provides advanced treatment and offers all the newest innovations in dental technology to not only the community I grew up in but also to patients coming from all states and regions in America. My work environment consists of people I have been friends with since the first grade. I love the constant opportunity to continue learning in this field and being a dental lab technician.”

Garret has been employed with Thayer Dental Care since 2014 and Walnut Ridge Dental Care since 2018. He graduated from Mammoth Spring High School. He enjoys helping people and being part of their family at our practice. Garett strives to do his best every day to serve our team and our patients. Garett and his wife, Jessica, have three children, Brennan, Brinnley and Braylynn. Away from the office, he enjoys fishing and spending time with his family.

Nick joined Thayer Dental Care and Walnut Ridge Dental Care as a lab technician in 2021. Nick is married to his wife, Shelby, and has two children, Isaac and Olivia. Nick really enjoys the process of making prosthetics and working with his coworkers. Nick enjoys spending his free time at home with his wife and children, on the farm, and gardening.

Sagen joined Thayer Dental Care and Walnut Ridge Dental Care in 2021. Sagen enjoys spending his spare time with family and friends, fishing, and kayaking.

“I enjoy the crew I work with and learning something new every day. Being able to have the opportunity to help people achieve a new smile. Everyone I work with is very advanced in their skills and takes pride in their work, making it a great environment.”

Spencer is originally from Mammoth Spring. He has been with Dr. Patel and his team since May of 2022. He works in the plaster room making models and enjoys helping people get the very best smile they can! Spencer likes to fish and make jewelry in his spare time. He also likes to hike as often as possible.

Zach joined Thayer Dental Care and Walnut Ridge Dental Care in 2018. Zach is married to his wife, Madison, and together, they have three children- Chandler, Gavin and Jagger. Zach enjoys working around his house, riding four-wheelers, working in the yard, and hanging out with his wife and children.

“It’s a pleasure to be able to work with my co-workers. We work long days, but it’s worth it to be able to hang out with the group of guys I work with. I am thankful to work for Dr. Patel as he is always pushing us and wanting us to learn the newest technology and techniques to make us better at our job.”