About Out Team | Rice Dentistry

About Our Team

At Dr. Rice’s office, we take the time to get to know you. We genuinely care about your dental concerns and needs. Our team is made of outgoing, friendly, self-starters who view their role in the practice, and therefore in your healthcare, as a professional service and not just a job.

Administrative

Wendy, Office Manager

Wendy’s 20 years of dental experience are obvious as she’s able to easily articulate Dr. Rice’s services and help patients feel great about their overall experience. She has enjoyed involvement in the industry as a dental assistant, a patient educator, a dental office technology trainer and now as Dr. Rice’s office manager. She and her husband enjoy their two children, being outdoors, and many activities such as water skiing, hiking and traveling. At work, she loves cosmetic dentistry cases, helping patients design their smiles through cosmetic imaging and then seeing the amazing artistry Dr. Rice delivers. She is known by her team to be a very professional team motivator who is fun, loves to tease and always has a joke. Read what our patients say about Wendy.

What patients say about Wendy

"Wendy did a great job of setting my appointment at the earliest cancellation. Dr. Rice is great and a real artist." -D.C.

"Wendy explained everything in detail and answered my questions and concerns. She is always friendly and smiling."

"I had a great experience with Dr. Rice and the staff. Wendy and Monica assisted me and were both so friendly. I am usually nervous and uncomfortable at the dentist, but not this time."

"Tracy and Wendy are like family. Ten years I’ve been coming and will keep coming!"

Becky, Scheduling Coordinator

Becky is the first person you usually see or hear when contacting Our office, and she has been with the practice for nearly four years. Her infectious smile catches on as she works with the patients to get records from other offices, confirm appointments, keep the schedule on track, etc. She loves her job and enjoys working with the other team members. Becky is married with five kids and enjoys spending time with her family, walking, working out, reading and working with other team members.

What patients are saying about Becky

"Becky is always so welcoming when I enter the office. I am always impressed that she remembers my name."

"Receptionists / schedulers were very pleasant. I feel more at ease after meeting Dr. Rice and staff. Thank you." -K.S.

"Tracy, my hygienist, is the best I have ever had. Becky, at the front desk, thanks for telephoning me."

Carol, Financial Coordinator

Carol is our insurance specialist and works with several different insurance plans to help our patients receive prompt dental benefits and reimbursement. An artist since an early age, Carol loves to draw, paint, do mosaics and took 1st place in the Orange County Fair Art Show 3 years in a row. Before joining our practice, Carol traveled the world training on digital photography and imaging. Team members describe her as kind, understanding and honest. She and her husband love to spend time on their boat with their family.

Dental Hygiene

Sann, RDH

Sann has been a registered dental hygienist for 27 years and still loves her profession because “it allows me to be around people who are interested in keeping themselves healthy.” She has been with Dr. Rice for 16 years. She has enjoyed developing the hygiene department into an excellent periodontal preventive practice and seeing daily delivery of excellent dentistry and hygiene. Sann is very knowledgeable with and understands the “big picture”, which helps her address not only the dental hygiene situation, but all of the patients’ goals with very thorough attention to detail and great follow-through. Team members describe her as efficient, precise, helpful, professional and honest. She is married with two sons: Taylor, 18 who attends USC, and Parker, 13. She enjoys gardening with roses and orchids.

What patients are saying about Sann

"Sann King is very thorough, caring and a real nice person. I feel very confident with her."

"Sann is giving me the best advice on tooth/gum care that I have ever received (wish I had this advice years ago). The office staff is the greatest – cheerful, friendly, and polite. Dr. Rice has taken excellent care of all my dental needs! I am glad I made this choice!" -J.M.

"Sann is always professional, but very warm and friendly and does her job efficiently and painlessly!"

"My Kids love Sann!"

"We like Sann, our Hygienist, as a person as well as a dental care personnel."

"Sann always does a great job on my teeth, and she’s always very pleasant!"

"Sann is just outstanding and very professional."

Tracy, RDH

This true caring professional has been practicing dental hygiene since 1978 and working with Dr. Rice for almost 10 years. She and her husband of 24 years, Craig, have two daughters: one in college in attending Carnegie Melon in Pittsburgh and one in high school. She loves theatre, movies, gardening, family trips, travel, reading and playing games or practical jokes. She enjoys camaraderie not only with her family, but with her co-workers in Dr. Rice’s office. They describe Tracy as sincere, caring, multitalented, devoted and committed to running a harmonious office. Patients love to hear her laugh and can always depend on her to be competent, caring and non-judgmental.

What patients are saying about Tracy

"Tracy and Wendy are like family. Ten years I’ve been coming and will keep coming!"

"Tracy takes her time to explain how to properly floss and take care of your teeth. It shows that she enjoys her job very much!"

"Tracy has taken very good care of me. She has also been a good teacher, which helps me avoid problems."

"Tracy, my hygienist, is the best I have ever had. Becky, at the front desk, thanks for telephoning me."

"Tracy is the best! She makes coming to the dentist fun."

"Tracy is so knowledgeable and nice. I appreciate the product bags and refreshments in the waiting room. Excellent office environment and staff!"

"Tracy has taken exceptional care of my son and me for the seven years we have been coming to you office."

"Tracy is the best! She made my boys (ages two & four) feel very welcome. I really like Dr. Rice and think he is am exceptional dentist; however, my main interaction is with Tracy and I would follow her wherever she went." -C.J.

"Tracy, I love your combination of professionalism and friendliness. I always look forward to my appointments because I know you care, you do a fabulous job and you are a wonderful kindred spirit. Thank you! Everyone in the office is warm, friendly and helpful in the office and on the phone." -P.F.

"I would like to especially call attention to Tracy – she is just outstanding, not only as a dental hygienist, but as a person." -L.D.

Heidi, RDH

Heidi was recruited by Dr. Rice, and is described by patients as having a great “ability to put them at ease with her bubbly personality.” Dancing, upgrading her home, traveling, hanging out with friends, go-carting, hiking, biking, sitting in a hot tub…these are all things Heidi loves to do between raising her two teenage children and offering quality hygiene care to Irvine Dental Care patients.

What patients are saying about Heidi

"It is truly a pleasure to come to Dr. Rice’s office and to be attended by outstanding people like Heidi Farrell. Thank you very much!" -J.S.

"Heidi always greets me with a warm smile and is very caring."

"My dental hygienist, Heidi, is very skilled and makes me feel comfortable at all times. I would recommend her to my family, friends and business associates."

"Heidi, who cleans my teeth, has always taken time to explain the smallest and greatest details to me - I’ve appreciated this service. By far the professionalism of the entire office is beyond anything I had at my other dentist." -C.S.

"Heidi was great! All my questions were answered and I understood her. I thought that she should be recognized."

"Heidi – for her hard work and dedication. The front office staff are also very nice!"

"Heidi is personable, competent and knowledgeable."

"Heidi has done superb job!"

"I think Heidi is wonderful and very caring - she’s great! Thank you!" -P.G.

"Heidi always makes us (my whole family) feel comfortable. My son, who is five, will only see Heidi because he is scared to see anyone else."

"Heidi was great to work with for my four-year-old daughter and myself. She is very gentle during procedures and has very good bedside manners with kids. She knows how to make them feel comfortable!"

"Heidi is very friendly and informative. She addressed all my concerns and was sympathetic to my needs. I also appreciated being told how much to expect to pay for my next visit. I feel that everyone I have encountered in your office has been extremely courteous and friendly. Superior staff!"

Clinical Dentistry

Naomie, RDA

Naomie lived in Utah after graduating from high school in Southern California, but fortunately for our patients, she came back to sunny California. She became a dental assistant in 1996, and said she “truly loves her career and seeing the difference dentistry makes in lives of dental patients.” She describes her family as the blessing of her life, and loves to spend time with her family and friends. Naomie’s patients love her for being very warm, concerned, and always available to speak to about dental treatments. Coworkers describe her as professional and friendly.

What patients are saying about Naomie

"Naomie, as always, was wonderful and made sure I was comfortable at all times. And of course, Dr. Rice was gentle and reassuring. I’m always very pleased with my appointments." -S.C.

"Naomie and Dr. Rice always show how much the patient means to them."

"Naomie was a great help, she made me feel very comfortable."

"Naomie is always very pleasant and caring!"

"I would like to recommend: Heidi – for her cheerful and attentive care. Naomie - for her quiet, genuine and reassuring professionalism. Dr. Rice – for your integrity, reassuring manner and excellent dentistry. I appreciate all of your staff!"

Leila, Clinical Coordinator

Leila joined the practice in 2005 and said she “enjoys being able to assist wherever needed.” She is the person behind the scenes who assists the hygienists. You’ll see her from time to time when she comes in with the camera to take pictures, do your periodontal charting, develop x rays and carry out sterilization procedures. She is “on the go for everybody,” according to co-workers who say she’s great with all of her various tasks: answering the phone, pulling charts, helping the doctor, working with the hygienists, etc.

Maria, Dental Assistant

Maria enjoys assisting Dr Rice and interacting with patients. She has been a Registered Dental Assistant for 11 years.