Our Team
We are especially interested in making all our patients feel right at home! We put your needs first to achieve efficient and comprehensive treatment. Our staff is trained and skilled, and we strive to provide outstanding care to each patient. Each member of our treatment team is a registered assistant, and our office staff has years of experience in treating patients with the highest level of care. We strive to stay abreast of the very latest in technology and advances by regularly attending continuing education courses and seminars. Our staff enjoys what they do and it shows! Our receptionist has been with the practice for 15 years, one assistant for 24 years, a second assistant for 22 years and a third assistant for almost nine years. We look forward to your visit!
Kim – Office Manager
You will find Kim at our front desk right when you walk in our office, ready to help you in any way possible. Kim hails from Edmonds, where she has lived most of her life. She has been involved in orthodontics since 1992 and has worked for Drs. Shapiro and Winkler for the past 15 years. Kim says she loves working with our patients. "I feel that they become our friends during the process of orthodontics and they even come back to us long after they get their braces off." Kim has two grown children, a son in college and a daughter who recently got married. In her spare time, Kim enjoys spending time with her family, wine tasting, and traveling as long as it is somewhere warm and sunny.
Brenda – Clinical Assistant
Brenda is one of our highly experienced, extremely talented orthodontic assistants. Brenda is the first of two sisters who have been a key part of our practice for more than 20 years. She first started working for Dr. Shapiro in 1987 and has loved orthodontics ever since. According to Brenda, she "really enjoys getting to know our patients and working with them to improve their beautiful smiles." Away from the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband, their children, and their children’s spouses. They have fun together boating, waterskiing, and going for walks with their dogs.
Valerie – Clinical Assistant
Valerie is another wonderfully skilled, compassionate member of our team. Valerie grew up here in the Pacific Northwest and is Brenda’s sister. She was trained by Dr. Shapiro and his team in 1988 and has worked for him ever since. She now enjoys working also with Dr. Winkler and is continually learning new skills from both doctors. Valerie says, "I am fortunate to work with such a fun, talented and caring team. We take pride in the quality of care we give." Outside of work, Valerie spends her time with her husband and two young sons. They love snow skiing in winter and boating in the summer. She also enjoys playing volleyball, gardening and volunteering at her boys’ schools.
Brittany – Clinical Assistant
With Brittany, you will find yourself in exceedingly gifted and caring hands. She was trained as an orthodontic assistant by Dr. Shapiro in 2002 and has been an important part of our practice ever since. Brittany is a Washington native, growing up in Shoreline. Her interest in dentistry began in high school where her first job was working at the dental practice in which her mother was a hygienist. "I am honored to work with such a fun and caring team. I love helping the doctors create beautiful smiles." Away from our practice, Brittany cherishes time with her husband and beautiful daughter.
Alicia – Clinical Assistant
We consider ourselves very lucky to have Alicia join us as the newest member of our team. In 2008, she moved from Spokane, where she grew up, to Seattle and began working for Dr. Shapiro. Alicia brings a wealth of experience and skill with her from eastern Washington as she has been an orthodontic assistant since 1992. "I have always loved working in orthodontics. It is a privilege to be part of creating beautiful smiles and seeing patients of all ages become more confident because of their new smiles." Alicia enjoys spending time with her husband, family and friends. She participates in many of the great activities that living in the Northwest brings including hiking, camping, scuba diving and beachcombing.