Our team
Meet Our Team
Get to know the doctors and team members who care for our patients every day.
Our doctors
Doctor-owned. Doctor-led.
The Dental Anesthesia Center is a privately owned practice that proudly remains doctor-owned, allowing us to keep our focus where it belongs: on exceptional, patient-centered care.
Dr. Michael J. Hoffmann, DDS, FAGD, FICD, FACD, FADSA, DADBA, DNDBA
Dental Anesthesiologist & Founder
Founding our practice in 1991
Fellow, Academy of General Dentistry | Fellow, International College of Dentists | Fellow, American College of Dentists | Fellow, American Dental Society of Anesthesiology
“I founded The Dental Anesthesia Center to give patients with complex medical needs, disabilities, and severe dental anxiety access to safe, compassionate dental care in an environment built specifically for them.”
Meet Dr. Hoffmann →
Dr. Sean M. Thoms, DMD, MS, DADBA, DNDBA
Dental Anesthesiologist
With our practice since 2016
“I take pride in being part of a team that helps patients sleep peacefully through procedures they would otherwise be too anxious to have done.”
Meet Dr. Thoms →
Dr. Maris E. Behl, DDS
IV Sedation | Hospital Dentistry
With our practice since 2022
Mastership, ADSA College of Sedation in Dentistry, ACLS, PALS
“I love helping anxious patients and those with special needs feel safe, comfortable, and empowered by providing compassionate care tailored to their unique needs.”
Meet Dr. Behl →
Team bios
The team behind your care.
Many of our team members have been with the practice for a decade or more. They're certified in advanced life support and anesthesia assisting, and chosen for their patience, warmth, and experience with patients of all abilities.
Marie
Practice Manager
Full bio
BA
With our practice since 2006
BLS Instructor
“I love making sure our team has what they need to give patients the best possible care. Some of these patients are like family to me.”
Carrie
Dental Hygienist
Full bio
BSEd, RDH
With our practice since 2011
Local Anesthesia Certified, DAANCE Certified, ACLS
“I feel passionate about helping patients work through their anxiety and fears.”
Laina
Dental Hygienist
Full bio
BS, RDH
With our practice since 2021
Local Anesthesia Certified, DAANCE Certified, ACLS
“I love when patients come in super anxious and leave saying, ‘Oh, that was so easy, I want to be scheduled with you forever!’”
Julie
Clinical Team Lead | Dental Anesthesia Assistant
Full bio
CDA, CDAA, EFDA, CPT | IV Certified
With our practice since 2006
DAANCE Certified, ACLS, PALS
“I am proud to lead the clinical team that helps patients sleep through procedures they never thought possible.”
Kristy
Dental Anesthesia Assistant
Full bio
RN, BSN, CDA, CDAA, EFDA, CPT | IV Certified
With our practice since 2011
DAANCE Certified, ACLS Instructor, PALS
“I enjoy helping patients and their families feel confident in the safety of our anesthesia care.”
Robin
Dental Anesthesia Assistant | Hospital Coordinator
Full bio
RDA, CDAA, EFDA
With our practice since 2008
DAANCE Certified, ACLS, PALS
“I love helping nervous patients feel calm before their procedure and helping those treated in-hospital navigate through the ins and outs.”
Sherry
Dental Anesthesia Assistant | Marketing & Brand Director
Full bio
CDA, CDAA, EFDA, CPT | IV Certified
With our practice since 2017
DAANCE Certified, ACLS, PALS
“I love caring for our patients chairside and ensuring that the trust they place in us is reflected in everything our practice puts out into the world.”
Taylor
Dental Anesthesia Assistant
Full bio
CDA, CDAA, EFDA, CPT | IV Certified
With our practice since 2018
DAANCE Certified, ACLS, PALS, BLS Instructor
“I love what I do and the patients I get to help every day.”
Ashley
Dental Anesthesia Assistant
Full bio
CDA, CDAA, EFDA, CPT | IV Certified
With our practice since 2018
DAANCE Certified, ACLS, PALS, BLS Instructor
“I enjoy working with patients who have had a hard time at the dentist before and helping them feel safe here.”
Brittany
Dental Anesthesia Assistant
Full bio
CDA, CDAA, EFDA, CPT | IV Certified
With our practice since 2019
DAANCE Certified, ACLS, PALS
“I enjoy working closely with patients who need extra care and attention.”
Emilee
Dental Anesthesia Assistant
Full bio
CDAA, CPT | IV Certified
With our practice since 2020
DAANCE Certified, ACLS, PALS
“I love working with our patients with special needs and appreciate how much this role expands my medical knowledge every day.”
Lexi
Dental Anesthesia Assistant
Full bio
CDA, CDAA, EFDA
With our practice since 2021
DAANCE Certified, ACLS, PALS
“I enjoy helping patients feel safe, comfortable, and cared for throughout their procedure.”
Justine
Dental Anesthesia Assistant
Full bio
CDA, CDAA, EFDA
With our practice since 2021
DAANCE Certified, ACLS, PALS
“I enjoy creating a safe and comfortable environment for our patients with dental anxiety.”
Richell
Dental Anesthesia Assistant
Full bio
CDAA
With our practice since 2023
DAANCE Certified, ACLS, PALS
“I enjoy being a calm, reassuring presence for patients and their families who need a little extra care and compassion.”
Melissa
Dental Anesthesia Assistant
Full bio
CDAA
With our practice since 2025
DAANCE Certified, ACLS, PALS
“I love finding small ways to help patients with special needs feel safe and comfortable here.”
Mackenzie
Dental Anesthesia Assistant
Full bio
CDAA, BS
With our practice since 2025
DAANCE Certified, ACLS, PALS
“I love helping patients overcome their biggest fears and wake up on the other side having finally gotten the care they needed.”
Nichole
Dental Assistant
Full bio
With our practice since 2026
BLS
“I love working with patients who have had a hard time at the dentist before and helping them feel safe here.”
Raven
Dental Assistant
Full bio
With our practice since 2026
BLS
“I love helping nervous patients feel calm before their procedure.”
Felicia
Dental Sterilization Technician
Full bio
With our practice since 2026
BLS
“I love keeping things running behind the scenes so our clinical team can focus on patients.”
Cheri
Patient Care Team Lead
Full bio
With our practice since 2013
BLS Instructor
“I love helping our patients with special needs get the treatment they couldn’t otherwise have completed.”
Rebekah
Patient Care Specialist
Full bio
With our practice since 2019
BLS
“I love being able to help patients who experience dental anxiety ease into their appointments.”
Meaghan
Patient Care Specialist
Full bio
With our practice since 2021
BLS
“I make sure patients have everything they need before their appointment so the day goes smoothly.”
Chrissy
Insurance Liaison
Full bio
With our practice since 2021
BLS
“I enjoy working closely with patients who need extra care, patience, and attention.”
Kelly
Patient Care Specialist
Full bio
With our practice since 2022
BLS
“I love helping patients feel welcome from the moment they walk through the door.”
Academic partnerships
Where other dentists come to learn.
Our doctors train other doctors. Residents in graduate periodontics and dental anesthesiology rotate through our Clayton office to learn sedation and anesthesia care.
Residency rotation
Saint Louis University
Center for Advanced Dental Education
Graduate periodontics residents from SLU rotate through our office for a month of hands-on sedation training with our doctors.
Residency program
University of Pittsburgh
School of Dental Medicine
We partner with the University of Pittsburgh's Dental Anesthesiology Residency Program, helping train the next generation of dentist anesthesiologists.
Come meet us in person.
Whether you're calling for yourself or someone you care for, our team will listen first and help you understand your options. No pressure, no rush.