Dr. Lance Vander Giessen Dr. Vander Giessen was born and raised in Lynden, Washington, and graduated from the University of Washington School of Dentistry in 2008. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree in biology at the Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. He has been practicing in Bellingham since August 2008. To make sure he keeps providing high-quality dental care, Dr. Vander Giessen continues his education at the R.L. Bruna Dental Seminar each month and attends about three other classes regularly. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Washington State Dental Association and the Mount Baker District Dental Society. Dr. Vander Giessen is married to his high school sweetheart, Amanda, and they have four children together, Jude, Emmy, Piper and Milo. When he is not working with patients, he enjoys road biking, camping, hiking, running and all kinds of skiing (downhill, back country and cross-country). His goal as a dentist is to treat people, not teeth. He believes that dentistry should always be about empathy and kindness. He works hard to be as precise as possible, as high-quality, precise dentistry lasts longer!
Shawna has been in the dental field for over 25 years and has been working with our practice since 2015! She has three adult children and eight wonderful grandchildren, and she enjoys hiking, skiing and knitting in her spare time.
Beverly has been a valuable member of our practice since 1997. She graduated from BTCs dental assisting program. She loves that she feels like she works with family and that everyone in the office has a great working relationship. Beverly has been married for over 25 years and has two amazing children and two dogs. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, running and biking.
Beth was born in Oregon and at age 10, she moved to Carmel, California. She received her bachelors degree from UCLA in 1978 and completed her dental hygiene training at West Los Angeles College in 1985. She has been with our practice since moving to Bellingham in 1993. As an oral health professional in a family practice, Beth enjoys helping patients of all ages feel great about their smile by providing preventive oral health care, education and treatment of periodontal disease. Her passions outside the office include cooking, gardening and travel, having visited 46 of the 50 states as well as many foreign countries.
We were happy to welcome Erin to our practice in June 2020, after her local employer of over 20 years retired. She graduated with a bachelors degree from Western Washington University followed by a dental hygiene degree from Clark College in Vancouver, Washington in 1995. She loves working together with a dental family that works to provide high quality dentistry with a gentle touch. She strives to help patients have healthy mouths and develop ongoing relationships with them. Outside the office, Erin enjoys exploring trails around Bellingham, watercolor painting, and camping with her husband and almost-grown daughter.
Denni has been working at our practice with over 21 years. She has DA education from Oregon and was mentored by Dr. Oswald and Dr. Vander Giessen for her EFDA certificate. She thinks the best part is being a member of an awesome team that provides high-quality, patient centered dentistry. We love our patients! She has two children. Outside of work, she is a wine enthusiast who enjoys cooking and spending time outdoors.
Roxie has been working as an assistant with our practice for over 9 years. She graduated from the BTC dental assisting program in 2005. She loves working with a staff and dentist that take pride in their work and work hard to make a difference in peoples lives by meeting their dental needs. Roxie contributes to our practice with her compassion, attention to detail and by being a great listener. She has been married to her husband TJ for over 12 years, and they have two kids together, son Colton and daughter Charlie. When she is not working, Roxie enjoys camping and spending time with her family.
Allison has been working with our practice since September 2019. She loves how everyone works together as a team and provides the best possible care to our patients. Allison has a husband and two cats and enjoys doing anything outside, reading and traveling.