Annie Steel grew up in Africa, Asia, and various parts of the US, with her formative years spent in Santa Barbara. Annie has worked in the dental field as an office administrator since 1995, and has been with Dr. Ross since 2001. She has extensive knowledge of dental insurance and is always willing to go the extra mile to assist patients. She enjoys cooking, gardening and spending time with family and friends.

“I love being part of a team that focuses on making a dental appointment an enjoyable experience. When you leave with a smile …our goal has been met in more ways than one!”

AMANDA MELBY | GIRL FRIDAY / FRONT OFFICE

Amanda has lived all over the beautiful state of California. She was born in Oakland, raised in Mariposa, went to college in San Diego, finishing her degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. We are happy to have Amanda as one of the newest additions to the wonderful staff at Ryan M. Ross, DDS, assisting with marketing, social media and front desk duties. When not at work, Amanda enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and wine tasting. She lives with her best friend, two cats, and she is engaged to be married.

DENISE RENTERIA | REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT & BACK OFFICE MANAGER

A true native of the Central Coast, Denise was born and raised in Paso Robles. Denise began her dental career in an endodontic practice, bringing her specialty knowledge with her when joining Dr. Ross in 2001. When you don’t find Denise hiking the local trails, she loves spending her time with her family and keeping up with her young son.

LISA VAN MOUWERIK | REGISTERED DENTAL HYGIENIST

A native of San Diego, Lisa Van Mouwerik, RDH has been a practicing dental hygienist for 24 years all over California. She and her husband, Dave, settled in San Luis Obispo in 1997, finding it to be the perfect place to raise two boys. She loves skiing, hiking, bodysurfing, and is an avid reader. “I am so happy to be working with such a fun and patient-oriented team.”

LISA MILLS | REGISTERED DENTAL HYGIENIST

Lisa Mills, RDH, born and raised in Connecticut has been practicing hygiene since 1987. “I received a new dental hygiene magazine and the cover article said San Luis Obispo was one of the 6 best areas in the county to live and work as a dental hygienist. After a lifetime of winter storms and wet summers, in 1992 I decided a sunny California lifestyle might be worth a try. It turned out to be the best decision of my life.” Lisa and her husband, a firefighter, reside in Shell Beach. She enjoys hiking, bicycling, boogie boarding, lounging on the beach with a good book, and the fabulous pacific coast sunsets.

PAM CARPENTER | REGISTERED DENTAL HYGIENIST

Our newest member of our hygiene team, Pam Carpenter has been a hygienist since 1989. Pam is an avid runner, often out of state for running events. When not on the run, Pam loves the outdoors “if I could clean teeth outside I would.” She enjoys traveling and spending time with the love of her life, husband Dennis, and their dogs.

KIRSTEN JOHANSEN | REGISTERED DENTAL HYGIENIST

Kirsten, a native of the Central Coast, graduated from Taft College in 2011 in Dental Hygiene. Kirsten enjoys building a personal and professional relationship with her patients while striving to assure they have a welcoming, educational, and pleasant dental experience. Her goal is to treat each patient uniquely so that they can attain optimal dental health and a smile they can be proud of. Kirsten spends her spare time hiking, gardening, playing soccer, and above all, spending time with her family. She loves spontaneity- traveling on a whim, camping, or anything adventurous.