Meet Our Team

Sarah Perrin Registered Dental Assistant

Born in Los Angeles, California, Sarah moved to Des Moines in the 8th grade. A graduate of Vatterott College, Sarah earned her dental assisting degree and became a registered dental assistant with her Associates degree in 2008. Recently, she finished the expanded functions course and enjoys sharing her dental knowledge of oral health care with everyone.

Sarah feels her biggest pleasure comes from helping patients improve their smiles, thus helping improve their self-esteem and confidence. She likes how dentistry is always changing, offering her a new challenge, with new techniques, materials, and trends in cosmetic dentistry.

Away from the office, Sarah enjoys spending time with family and volunteering in the community. She also sits on the Advisory board and Policy Council for Drake Head Start as well as the Advisory board for Vatterott College.

Sarah's other interests and hobbies include travel, visiting amusement parks, movies, basketball, playing softball, and going on adventures with her children.

Shardae Nelsen Registered Dental Hygienist

Since 2007, Shardae Nelsen has worked in the dental field, and she received her AAS in dental hygiene from DMACC in 2010. Graduating at the top of her class, Shardae received the Academic Excellence Award, is licensed to administer local anesthesia, and is certified to provide nitrous oxide. She enjoys dentistry because of the constant influx of new advances and close patient interaction. Her goal is to give patients top-notch oral health care. Shardae resides in Osceola, where she loves spending time with her husband, Tyler, and their two dogs. She also likes cheering on the Hawkeyes.

Brenda Shook Treatment Coordinator

After five years in dentistry, Brenda Shook became a registered dental assistant in 2001, and she received her expanded functions certification in 2006. Along with being a dental assistant, she has many years of experience as a dental office manager. Away from work, Brenda enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and daughter. She also loves quilting, reading, and the great outdoors.

Crystal Wessel Expanded Functions Dental Assistant

Born and raised in Des Moines, Crystal graduated from East High School in 2005. Crystal continued her education by pursuing a career in dental assisting at Vatterott College, where she was in the top 10 of her graduating class, and later received her Expanded Functions Dental Assisting License. What Crystal really loves about dentistry and her job, is that there is always something to keep her busy, and the variety of patients she has the pleasure of meeting. She enjoys attending continuing education courses to learn about new products and ways to improve the office and treatment of patients. In her free time she enjoys scrapbooking, spending time with her husband and two Doberman pinchers, Duke and Annabelle, and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and Dallas Cowboys.

Michelle Gray

Michelle graduated from Vatterott college in 2007 from the dental assisting program. In 2010 she earned her expanded functions through continued education. She is happy to join the team at Lawson Family Dentistry and looks forward to meeting their current and new patients.

Michelle and her husband, Andy, live in Ankeny with their one year old son Hudson. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, taking her son to the park, reading and baking.

Bobbi McCarthy

Born and raised from Sioux City area, Bobbi moved to Cedar Rapids in 2002. Bobbi has been around dentistry for nearly 3 years and after completing the Dental Hygiene program through Kirkwood Community College in May 2011, Bobbi moved to the Des Moines area to be closer to home.

Pursuing a career as a dental hygienist was an easy choice for Bobbi because she thoroughly enjoys caring for people and education them in maintain optimal oral health. For Bobbi, a first impression begins with a smile and she loves being part of that. She is excited to become part of the Lawson Dental Family and looks forward to building lasting relationships with her co-workers and patients.

Outside of the office some of Bobbi's hobbies include being outside, traveling, cooking, sports, and doing all these activities with her friends and family.