Mona Garger, Managing Director

Hi, my name is Mona Garger. My educational background and work experiences for the past 20 years have been in the Health Care Industry in the field of financial management. I have managed eight different hospitals.

I married Dr. Jonathan Garger in 2002.

Since then I have assisted Dr. Jonathan Garger in managing the dental practice. It has been the most wonderful five years.

Dr. Garger’s motto is to deliver the highest quality dental care consistently to every patient, young or old and do so with the minimum of fuss. We also offer the latest in modern technology in painless dentistry.

I love to cook. At one time I owned a restaurant in Alaska.

I was the host of two national radio shows in the US.

I love the mountains, and take skiing very seriously. I read several books at the same time and am currently writing one. Lastly, daily “meditation,” to reflect upon life and to give back a grateful heart to God is one of the highest priorities in my life.


Helen Matthews, Registered Dental Hygienist

Hi, I’m Helen Matthews and I have been with Dr. Garger since he purchased the dental practice in 1999. After high school, I worked for a summer as an orthodontic assistant. I graduated from USC in 1969 as a dental hygienist. I worked in the LA and SF Bay area before returning to Bakersfield where I was born.

The favorite part of my job is interacting with my patients, many of whom I’ve known for years. Dentistry has changed dramatically since I graduated from college in 1969 and my challenge is to bring the best that dentistry has to offer to my patients. And that includes the best treatment for periodontal (gum) disease. I go to great lengths to make sure every one of my patients understand how to keep their mouths healthy and beautiful. This is our motto at Gentle Family Dentistry.

My favorite hobbies are playing my guitar and singing at my church, and raising African violets, many of which you will see in our office.



Brenda Shavinski, Registered Dental Hygienist

Hi, my name is Brenda Shavinski. I have been with Dr. Garger from the first day he took over Gentle Family Dentistry in January 1999.

I obtained an A.S. Degree in Dental Hygiene from Fresno City College in 1976. I have been working as a dental hygienist for over 30 years. I love what I do and the opportunity to help people have brighter smiles. I love people. I believe in educating my patients so that can benefit from the best dental hygiene and dental health. I spend as much time as needed to do the best “cleaning” but also to get to know my patients and their family members. Since most of my patients have been with this practice for over a decade, we treat each other like family. I truly enjoy my relationship with every patient.

My hobbies include photography, making crafts, and any activities with my children.

Valerie Grigsby, Registered Dental Assistant/ Supervisor

Hello, I’m Valerie Grigsby and I have been a registered dental assistant since 1973.

I am a Bakersfield native and graduated from North High and Bakersfield College.

I have been with Dr. Garger since he purchased the practice in 1999. I do anything and everything in the office. I thoroughly enjoy working chairside but am equally at home talking with patients about their concerns. I never want to see any patient in pain.

I do my best to keep things running smoothly in the office and never have patients waiting longer than is absolutely necessary. I look forward to personally greeting every patient and take great pride in their dental education and health.

I’ve been married to my husband, Joe, for 25 years. I enjoy camping at the beach, the mountains, or the desert. I love NASCAR almost as much as my granddaughter, Lily.

Roberta Gardner, Registered Dental Assistant

Hi, my name is Roberta Gardner but everyone at Gentle Family Dentistry calls me Birdie. I have been working with Dr. Garger and his wonderful staff for the past two years and my greatest joy is to see perfect healthy smiles on our patients faces.

I attended San Joaquin Valley College and became a registered dental assistant in 1989.

I enjoy life to the fullest and love going camping and deep-sea fishing with my husband. We have three wonderful sons, one is in the Navy currently stationed in Washington, one is in the Army stationed in South Korea and one still lives at home.

My most unforgettable moments are those I spend with my three grandchildren, Cheyenne, Sierra and Sage.

Michelle Ness - Scheduling and Treatment Coordinator

I was born and raised in Phoenix Arizona.  In 1987, my family and I relocated to California.  I graduated high school in N. California and moved to Bakersfield in 1994.  I went to San Joaquin Valley College where I received my Associate of Science and my Dental Assisting degree.  I have been and continue to sit on the board on SJVC.  I was recently married to a truly wonderful man, Joel.  We are active in Praise Band at church where Joel plays the guitar and I sing.  We can be seen cruising around town together on his motorcycle.  I have two children, Brad & Kierstin who are great kids in so many ways.

My job as a dental assistant has proven to be challenging and rewarding simultaneously.  I enjoy so many aspects of our office.  Dr. Garger is a dynamite dentist to work for and with.  We have a great staff of ladies who have been together for a long time and our patients love them.  We have high expectations of one another, which provide our office with exceptional care for you, the patient!  I just started working for Dr. Garger in Sept. 2008.  I am in charge of scheduling and treatment coordinating and as a result, work in the front office majority of the time.  However, when the things get too hectic in the back, I jump in and assist the patient care team as a registered dental assistant.  Come see or give us a call.  If you have dental needs, we can and will see YOU!

Melissa Campbell – Registered Dental Hygienist

I was born and raised right here in Bakersfield.  I attended Cerritos College and obtained Dental Hygiene license. What I enjoy most about my career is meeting new patients and improving the oral health of our patients.  I also love teaching our patients what they can do to stay healthy.  

My natural affinity for sharing knowledge led me to an instructor position at San Joaquin Valley College for the Dental Assisting Program.  While I was teaching, in order to fill the needs, I ended up writing a Textbook for this program.  I am also active in community service by reaching out to some skilled nursing facilities and regularly providing oral hygiene services to their residents on a voluntary basis.

Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and spending quality time with my husband, Ron and Jordan, my 10 year old daughter; right along with our golden retrievers and our cats.  It’s my dream to be one of the first civilians to go to the moon but meanwhile, I never thought I would be as blessed as I am today and I am glad to be part of Dr. Garger’s clinical dental team. I look forward to meeting you!

Samira Casillas - Registered Dental Assistant

I was born in America but grew up in Mexico until I became a pre-teen and moved back to Southern California.  As a result, I am bilingual, fluent in Spanish and English.  I attended Clarita Career College for the Dental Assisting Program in Canyon Country.  For the past decade, I enjoy working chair-side with dentists and involving myself with patient care on a day to day basis.  I make a conscious effort to enhance our office environment through honesty, maturity and dependability to ensure the best quality care for our patients.

I moved out of Bakersfield a couple of years ago but returned to Bakersfield where my husband, Antonio and I feel is the best place to raise our two young children.  If I am not cooking or helping my husband with the family business, I can be seen in my vegetable garden picking peppers and tomatoes to make that awesome salsa that everyone at our office raves about.