Dr. Katie Spellman has been with University Dental Group for 10+ years. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. Before joining University Dental Group, she practiced in Perry, Iowa, and her hometown of Poplar Bluff, Missouri. She and her husband, Andy, have two school-aged children, Will and Caroline. When time allows, she loves to travel anywhere and everywhere with her family and friends, cooking, reading, and walking around town with her dog, Henry. Dr. Spellmans most loved aspect of dentistry is meeting new people and hearing their stories. She enjoys working with the amazing team at University Dental Group and the fantastic dental environment that the staff and patients have created over the years.
Dr. Patrick is thrilled to join Drs. Elsner and Spellman, her longtime mentors at University Dental. Dr. Lauren Patrick attended Drake University for her undergraduate education and obtained her doctorate at the Creighton University School of Dentistry. With a focus on comprehensive care and treatment, Dr. Patrick enjoys working with patients of all ages and backgrounds. Her primary goal is to create positive experiences through patient education and an engaging team.
A native of Chicago, Dr. Patrick is excited to be a part of the Des Moines community, along with her husband, Kevin, and daughter, Kennedy. Outside of the office, she enjoys exercise, cooking and quality time with family and friends. She is currently a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry and the Iowa Dental Association.
Dr. Katherine Elsner has recently retired, she was in dental practice for over 40 years. She graduated from Ohio State University College of Dentistry and completed a General Practice Residency at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. The past twenty years she has been involved in dental sleep medicine by treating patient referrals for obstructive sleep apnea with dental devices. Dr. Elsner pioneered a free dental program for the women currently at House of Mercy. This organization is dedicated to serving women recovering from addiction. The entire office feels a sense of fulfillment that comes with the sharing and caring of others. She enjoys working with patients of all ages.
My name is Shannon , I have been with University Dental group for 27 years. I am married and have 2 boys, we enjoy boating, spending time with family and friends. What I love most about my job is the connections and relationships I have made through the years.
My name is Tracey and I have been a registered dental hygienist at University Dental Group since 1999! I am a Des Moines native and I love my job and my community- I feel so lucky to work with my friends at University Dental Group, and I am passionate about oral healthcare.
My name is Cat and I have been a registered dental hygienist for 20 years. Ive always had an interest in oral health since I was a child growing up in Ankeny. I love to travel with my husband and spend time with my 2 fur babies. I also enjoy reading a good murder mystery in my free time.
Jaime joined our Team in July 2020 and she has 15+ years of dental office management experience. Jaime and her husband have 2 school-aged children. They enjoy kayaking, fishing, cooking and playing table tennis together. Jaime and her dog Nalla are lifelong avid runners and run all year round! Among Jaimes favorite things about managing dental offices is the patient care and education and developing lifelong friendships.
I have been apart of the dental industry for 10 years now, always on the front office side. I absolutely love what I do and getting to know our patients and building relationships is such a huge part of it for me. When not at work youll find me enjoying the outdoors in my garden, kayaking on the lake or out for a ride with my husband on our tandem bike.