Our Patients Are Like Family

As Dental Hygiene Team Leader, Kari Olson is a friendly, familiar face at Personal Care Dentistry. She joined the practice in 2010 and her responsibilities include hiring and coaching her hygiene staff, working with the dentists, and helping patients achieve optimal oral health.
Kari’s education includes an associate degree in Dental Assisting from Herzing University. After earning her degree, she spent four years at a small dental office in that role. My love of dentistry helped me see I wanted to further my education and in 2007 I returned to school, says Kari. In 2010 she graduated once again from Herzing University, this time with her Dental Hygienist License and started at Personal Care Dentistry on a very part-time basis. I wanted more independence and one-on-one time with patients. Being a hygienist allows me to build relationships with the people I treat, she says.
When I started here I immediately loved the environment. It’s a super-friendly place to work and everyone is so positive, notes Kari. The practice I worked at before was poorly managed and it was highly stressful. I didn’t like going to work there. I feel very lucky to be at Personal Care Dentistry. This practice runs like a well-oiled machine, she says with a smile.
On her initial start in the office she says, I only worked four hours a week because nobody ever leaves this practice. People truly care here. It just grew from there, my hours increased to full-time and Dr. Hunt eventually made me the Hygiene Lead.
Kari speaks about her place of work with enthusiasm and warmth. PCD is amazing. Many of our patients come from word-of-mouth so Dr. Hunt is obviously doing something right. I have a sense of pride being part of this team. She talks about the staff with genuine affection saying, We all get along. Our team is incredible. It’s so nice to work some place where you know your team has your back. If I’m out of the office for any length of time I genuinely miss everyone here. All of us strive for the same thing The Golden Rule, Kari says, referring to Dr. Hunt’s belief that every member of the staff treat people as they would want to be treated themselves.
When speaking about treating patients, comfort is king with Kari. I always ask what I can do to make them more comfortable in my chair. Reading body language is important and if I can sense they are uneasy I will do what I can to make them comfy. I’m passionate about doing a good job for them. About her chair-side manner Kari clearly conveys a sense of caring compassion. I don’t want people to feel like just a number… they really matter to me. I love getting to know patients and catching up with them when they come in, she says.
Asked about her future goals Kari states, I never want to be stagnant. I strive to be the best hygienist I possibly can be and continue to hone my treatment skills. I want to be perpetually learning and growing this incredible practice with Dr. Hunt.
Outside of work Kari enjoys spending time with her husband, friends and family especially her two young nieces. She has a terrier mix dog named Lola that she calls a little diva. I love to laugh and have fun, says Kari. I like to think I’m the right amount of easy going.