Meet Our Team

Meet Our Dental Team Members

Registered Dental Hygienists

dental hygienist Jackie Sawyer at Alaska Premier Dental GroupJackie – Dental Hygienist

I have been in Alaska for over 50 years and really enjoy hiking outside with my two dogs. I am also an avid wildlife & bird watcher and photographer.

I love that I have been able to build not only dental relationships but also friendships with so many patients over the last 31 years in practice.


Dental Hygienist Rhonda at Alaska Premier Dental GroupRhonda – Dental Hygienist

Originally from Wisconsin, I have been in Alaska since 1990. I have two daughters and one son who keep me very busy. We spend our time together taking care of the horses, cats and dogs that we have collected over the years.

I went to hygiene school in Madison, WI, and worked in Minneapolis for 6 years. I am really glad that I was able to move to the Last Frontier and make Alaska Premier Dental Group my home since 1997.


Ruth dentist office team member at Alaska Premier Dental GroupRuth – Dental Hygienist

Having grown up in Alaska, I didn’t realize what it had to offer until I went away to college. I spent years dreaming of coming home one day and I was finally able to do that 17 years ago. I can’t imagine living anywhere else and trying to enjoy as much as I can here in Alaska.

I love to fish, camp (as long as I can shower), hike and snow machine. I am learning to ride a dirt bike but with some trepidation, as my first five minutes riding one, landed me in the operating room.

I have five wonderful sons, ranging in age from 15 to 25. I am so passionate about working in dentistry that so far, two of my sons are also working in the dental field.
As a hygienist, my goal is to have a personal relationship with each patient and for the last 16 years, I feel like I have spent each day seeing one friend after another. I also have the opportunity to help all of these fantastic people I care about.

The most rewarding thing to me is to hear people say that they had a great time at their dental appointment and look forward to their next one.


Emily dentist office staff at Alaska Premier Dental GroupEmily – Dental Hygienist

I moved to Wasilla from the Chicago area in the fall of 2000. In 2006, I moved to Missoula, Montana and received my bachelor’s degree in biology from The University of Montana. After graduation, I returned to Alaska, the state I love. I later returned to school and earned my degree in dental hygiene from UAA.

My passion is for education and health care. For me, dental hygiene is the perfect collaboration of the two. I am excited to be a part of the APDG hygiene team so I can share my knowledge on how to create and maintain optimal oral and overall health with my patients.

My son and I love the outdoors and spend the majority of our free time in the mountains exploring new hiking trails and throwing rocks in the river. We are looking forward to countless more years in this beautiful state. I am excited to build relationships with the members of our Alaskan community.


Photography by Camiel Vincent Photography