The Team at Mill Creek Family Dentistry

Providing Dental Care for Children and Adults

Mariah, Dental Assistant
Trained at the Sno-Isle Skills Center where she did her internship with Dr. Rutherford, Mariah was hired to the team fresh from graduation. Her duties include sterilizing instruments, assisting Dr. Rutherford with dental procedures, Zoom! Whitening and performing children’s cleanings. She loves seeing people leave the office pain-free and happy with the results of their procedures. She also loves the wonderful team she works with – that everyone on the team melds together and is dedicated to making sure patients are satisfied and comfortable in every way.

Nova, Dental Assistant
Nova has worked in the dental industry for over 11 years and was trained at Lake Washington Tech School. She is an Expanded Duties Dental Assistant and plays a supporting role in Invisalign care and smile makeovers. She also works as Dr. Rutherford’s surgical assistant. Nova loves meeting new people, helping patients with their dental needs and, most of all, changing a nervous or fearful patient’s past dental experience into a positive and comfortable one. She also loves the team she works with and feels that they are like members of her extended family. Nova spends her free time with her husband and young son. She and her husband love to travel and have taken some amazing trips.

Joy, Scheduling Coordinator
Joy received her BS from Portland State University and has been working in the dental field for over 28 years. In her role as scheduling and treatment coordinator, she is the cheerful and conscientious first point of contact for each of Dr. Rutherford’s phone or office visitors. Joy most enjoys getting to know and meeting the needs of every patient. She works hard to find the best appointment time for her patients, and knowledgably answers questions about insurance. She values working with her friendly team at Mill Creek Family Dentistry. Joy is the proud grandmother of five grandchildren, and in her spare time she teaches Sunday School, hosts tea parties and luncheons in her home, and reads avidly. Joy and her husband love to travel and last year took a Mediterranean cruise.

Mayra, Dental Hygienist
A graduate of Lake Washington Technical College, Mayra has also had advanced training from Eastern Washington University, where she received her BS. She has been with our practice for over 12 years. She loves helping patients improve not only their oral health but also their overall health. She is excited about the team members she works with and the fact that the practice is always current on the latest technology. Says Mayra, “I take great pride in my work and I do my best to keep patients comfortable and happy.” Mayra has two darling boys that are her pride and joy.

Nancy, Registered Dental Hygienist
Nancy has worked with Dr. Rutherford for over 24 years and couldn’t be happier. She received both her Dental Assisting Degree and Dental Hygiene Degree from the University of Alaska, Anchorage and continues her education by belonging to the great Blue Heron Study Group for Dental Hygienists. Nancy’s responsibilities include management of patient periodontal disease, administering anesthetics, health assessments, wellness care and patient education. She loves her hands-on work and says that her motto is to be “thorough, but gentle.” Nancy feels that the most unique aspect of the practice is the wonderful people that she works with. In her free time, Nancy devotes herself to the most important part of her life – her family. She has three grown children and a new grandchild. She finds cooking and baking relaxing, and enjoys doing both. Nutrition and exercise are two other passions in her life, while reading and listening to music are her favorite pastimes.

Shannon, Dental Assistant
Shannon gained her impressive skills on the job – she spent a day in Dr. Rutherford’s office for World of Work day in 8th grade and never left!  She received her AAAS from Shoreline College, and Dr. Rutherford will be her only employer as she plans to retire when he does.  Shannon’s top priorities are making sure that every patient gets the care and attention they need while making sure they are comfortable and at ease. After being with Dr. Rutherford for 15 years, Shannon feels like the team is her second family. Shannon is happily married and has two little boys. She loves being outdoors, working out, snowboarding, scrap booking and taking pictures.