Meet The Team at Gentle Family Dentistry

Renee

Registered Nurse | Director of HR, Purchasing, and Marketing

Duquesne University/Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania/Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
University of Phoenix/Phoenix, Arizona/Master’s Degree in Nursing
Graduated Summa Cum Laude

Let me be the first to welcome you to our practice! We love how positive the environment is here and it is my hope that our patients do too. Our amazing dental team works extremely well together while providing the best dental services to our patients! Our warm, caring staff attentively strives to make each of our patients feel comfortable, and knowledgeable, while in their care. Our Doctor, Jonathan Garger DMD, is an amazing Dentist. He has vast and excellent dental skills, with a flair for hi-tech dentistry, but with gentle old-time care.

Having over 30 years of experience as a Registered Nurse, with a background in both Critical Care and Nursing Education, Renée has a unique and diverse understanding of both patient care and business management. When she is not in the office, Renée enjoys spending time with her husband, Dr. Garger. Together they enjoy walking with their dog Hermie, laughing, dining, and travel.

Shayna

Office Manager

Santa Clarita Career College / Dental Assisting / 2008

Shayna loves meeting new people, learning their history, and listening to their stories about life. She wants to learn about our patients, so she can better know how to serve them! She likes to connect with patients, so they do not feel like they are ‘just another patient.’  She feels lucky that her career allows her to work with amazing people who ultimately become your second family. Shayna also enjoys seeing people’s lives change with a new smile, which gives them a newfound confidence!

When she is not at work, Shayna likes to spend time with her dog! She also enjoys going to the movies with her son and finding new places to eat. Being new to the area, Shayna is still discovering all of the wonderful things to do in Bakersfield, and exploring what the area has to offer!

Nishana

Dental Receptionist/Patient Coordinator

Nishana loves the welcome feeling of Gentle Family Dentistry. She loves the staff and feels like we have a great team! (We agree!). Nishana loves our patients who she describes as being loyal, nice, and sweet people (We also agree!). She also says she really enjoys her time here with Dr, G … he gets along so well with the staff and patients alike! 

In her free time, Nishana likes to take her boat to the lake and spend time with her husband and kids. Her family loves taking trips, especially to Disneyland.

Jocelyn

Registered Dental Hygienist

Taft College /Associates in Dental Hygiene / 2017 Graduated with Honors / Phi Theta Kappa

Jocelyn joined Gentle Family Dentistry in 2022. A welcomed new member of the dental team, Jocelyn loves her profession because she enjoys empowering our patients with the knowledge and understanding of their oral care. Jocelyn focuses on helping our patients to achieve their optimal oral health, while providing a comfortable and positive experience. Jocelyn enjoys being a part of Dr. Garger’s team and serving the community.

When she is not at work, Jocelyn enjoys many diverse activities! Some of these activities include traveling, doing water sports, drawing, exercising, baking, and watching baseball. Her favorite activities are time spent with her family, friends and high school sweetheart.

Abby

Registered Dental Hygienist

Taft College / Associates in Dental Hygiene / 2019

We welcomed Abby to Gentle Family Dentistry in 2023! Abby knew from the time she was a little girl that she wanted to work in dentistry. Abby always had the best experiences at her dentist growing up, and she wanted to be able to be a part of creating healthy smiles as an adult. Abby enjoys working with people and plans to build lasting relationships with the patients in our practice. Abby’s priority is to provide patients with a great experience as well as make them feel confident about their smile. She also says, “I really enjoy working with my coworkers in an upbeat and positive environment”.

In her free time, Abby enjoys cycling and any outdoor activity, as well as spending time with my husband and our two cats Tony and Tux.

Isabelle

Registered Dental Hygienist

Taft College / Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene / 2023

Isabelle says the best part of her job is being able to develop a rapport with her patients, along with helping them to achieve their best smile. She strives to help our patients to feel as confident as possible.

In her free time, Isabelle loves to travel; but most days you will find her spending time with her husband and two fur-babies Kaleo and Ruca (Dalmatian & long-haired Dachshund).

Kimberley

Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions II

San Joaquin Vocational College / Registered Dental Assistant / 2000
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant Association (EFDAA) Fullerton / Extended Functions Program / 2012

Kimberley is fluent in Spanish and English and loves to serve others. Each day she strives to make dental care fun and also informative for our patients. Kimberley especially enjoys the bonds which she builds with our patients as she helps each to have their best smile.

In her free time, Kimberley likes to cook, especially BBQ, clean and bake! She also enjoys attending church and adventuring to the central coast for hikes.

Joyce

Registered Dental Assistant

Bakersfield College / Biology / Working on her Associate Degree

Fluent in both English, Spanish, and Portuguese, Joyce says she ‘loves everything’ about her career and working at Gentle Family Dentistry. She loves being able to help people and making a positive impact in their lives. Joyce loves dentistry so much that she is continuing her education with plans to become a Dentist one day!

On her days off, Joyce enjoys shopping with her mom, playing with her dogs (Fat boy and Ziggy), going to the beach, and working on her car.

Jackeline

Registered Dental Assistant

Kaplan / Dental Assisting / 2009

Fluent in both English and Spanish, Jackeline enjoys helping patients with their oral health.

In her free time Jackeline enjoys working out and spending time with her family

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