Our team
Meet Our Team of Dentists
At The Dental Anesthesia Center, our doctors and team care for patients who cannot get comfortable dental care in a traditional setting. From severe dental anxiety to special needs, we combine advanced sedation and anesthesia training with a patient, compassionate team, and we work to build lasting relationships with the patients and caregivers who trust us.
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.
Michael J. Hoffmann, DDS
Founder · General Dentist & Board-Certified Dental Anesthesiologist
Founded the practice and has provided sleep dentistry and anesthesia care in St. Louis for over 30 years. One of Missouri’s first board-certified dental anesthesiologists and the 2012 Missouri Dental Association Dentist of the Year.
Meet Dr. Hoffmann →
Sean M. Thoms, DMD, MS
Dentist Anesthesiologist
Provides sleep dentistry, deep sedation, and general anesthesia for patients of all ages and abilities, including patients with special needs and severe dental anxiety.
Meet Dr. Thoms →
Maris E. Behl, DDS
Sedation Dentist · IV Conscious Sedation
Provides comprehensive dental care with IV conscious sedation, with experience in hospital dentistry at Mercy caring for patients who need treatment beyond a traditional dental setting.
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
Office Manager | Practice Administrator
Marie has been with The Dental Anesthesia Center since 2005, starting her journey as a business assistant. Now, as our office manager, Marie is a vital part of our practice’s daily operations. Along with spending quality time with her husband and daughter, Marie is talented at refinishing furniture.
Julie
Certified Dental Anesthesia Assistant, EFDA | Certified in ACLS, PALS and BLS
Since 2007, Julie has been a dental anesthesia assistant at the DAC. She provides a cheerful atmosphere to the office that helps our patients feel carefree. Outside the office, she spends time with her husband, three sons, and Labrador retriever, Marshall.
Robin
Certified Dental Anesthesia Assistant, EFDA | Certified in ACLS, PALS and BLS
Robin has been with the DAC since 2008. She has been working as a dental assistant for over 20 years and brought an additional skill set when she joined our team. Robin loves to encourage our patients and explain treatment and post-operative care. While she is outside of the office, Robin enjoys watching her children participate in sporting events and spending time with her grandson, Hunter.
Kristy
RN-BSN, Certified Dental Anesthesia Assistant, EFDA | BLS Instructor, Certified in ACLS and PALS
For more than eight years, Kristy has utilized her educational background to care for our patients. She recently completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Outside the office, “Nurse Kristy” enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog, Teddy.
Carrie
Registered Dental Hygienist | Certified Dental Anesthesia Assistant | Certified in ACLS, PALS and BLS
Carrie has been with the DAC since 2011 and has been dedicated to improving our patients’ oral hygiene. She is known for building lasting relationships with our patients, both with and without special needs. Carrie is a teacher at heart and spends time educating others in the hygiene program at Lewis and Clark Community College. In her free time, Carrie and her husband love to cheer on their children at their sporting events.
Cheri
Insurance and Claims Manager | BLS Instructor
Cheri joined the DAC team over five years ago. She is grateful to be able to help our patients receive the care they need. Family is always first outside the office, and Cheri often spends time with her grandson, Matthew.
Sherry
Certified Dental Anesthesia Assistant, EFDA | Certified in ACLS, PALS and BLS, Phlebotomy and IV placement
After beginning her dental assisting career over 20 years ago, Sherry joined our team in 2017. Her dental knowledge and bubbly personality give our patients a positive dental experience. Outside the office she creates beautiful cakes and cupcakes for all occasions or can be found enjoying time with her friends and family.
Ashley T
Certified Dental Anesthesia Assistant, EFDA | BLS Instructor, Certified in ACLS and PALS, Phlebotomy, and IV placement
Ashley has been a dental assistant since 2012 and joined the DAC in 2018. She finds caring for patients with special needs extremely gratifying. When not in the office, Ashley enjoys creating new recipes in the kitchen and spending quality time with her family, friends, husband, and son.
Taylor
Certified Dental Anesthesia Assistant, EFDA | BLS Instructor, Certified in ACLS and PALS, Phlebotomy, and IV placement
Taylor began her dental assisting journey five years ago and joined our team in 2018. She finds joy in helping patients achieve excellent oral health. When not at the office, Taylor spends time with her husband and two daughters on her family farm.
Brittany
Certified Dental Anesthesia Assistant, EFDA | Certified in ACLS, PALS and BLS
Brittany has been a dental assistant since 2016 and joined our team in 2019. Brittany has found great fulfillment in caring for our special needs patients and improving their dental health. In her time outside of the office, she enjoys watching her children play soccer and working out.
Rebekah
Business Assistant | Certified in BLS
In 2019, Rebekah joined our team and has since helped to organize our daily schedule to ensure each day runs smoothly and efficiently. When she is not helping our patients, she can be found crafting or spending time with her family and friends.
Emilee
Dental Assistant | Certified in ACLS and BLS, Phlebotomy, and IV placement
After 4 years of dental assisting experience, Emilee became a wonderful addition to our team in 2020. She enjoys our positive team dynamic and participating in our events with Autism Speaks. Emilee loves the outdoors and can often be found hiking, kayaking, or cruising around on her bike.
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.