The team you will meet here has been part of that journey, many of them for years, and every one of them has been treated here too. Our patients are always welcome to bring family and friends into the treatment area, where the living wall, open courtyard windows, and hummingbird feeders make it a place people actually look forward to.
"Absolutely love the environment and the entire team at Marin Ortho."
Makiah
Office Manager · Treatment Coordinator · Registered Dental Assistant
Makiah is the steady center of Marin Ortho, known for her calm, thoughtful presence and deep understanding of the practice. A Marin native, she attended San Marin High School, Dominican University, and the College of Marin. She has personally worked every non doctor role in the office. This experience gives her an intuitive sense of what both patients and team members need. Licensed by the Dental Board of California as a Registered Dental Assistant, Makiah leads with intention, precision, and genuine care, creating an environment where patients feel at ease and the standard of care remains elevated.
Outside of the office, she coaches girls’ volleyball and maintains a wellness focused lifestyle through Pilates and yoga. She values time with family and friends, and with her dog, Moosie.
Paige
Treatment Coordinator
Paige brings a genuine gift for connection to every patient interaction. A Sonoma County native and Psychology graduate of Oregon State University, she has a natural ability to help patients feel informed, confident, and excited about the smile they are working toward, whether it is a seven-year-old on their first visit or an adult taking the plunge on Invisalign.
Outside the office, she spends her free time hiking, catching live music, and being with her family.
Karen
Registered Dental Assistant · Treatment Coordinator · Fluent in Spanish
Karen brings over 10 years of orthodontic assisting experience and effortlessly wears two hats at Marin Ortho clinical and treatment coordinating. A Bay Area native and College of Marin graduate, she’s licensed by the Dental Board of California and brings a calm confidence to everything she does. She has a natural ability to connect with patients, making them feel comfortable, understood, and genuinely taken care of while guiding them through their smile journey.
Outside the office, you’ll find her chasing after her son, Luca, or checking out the latest spots in the local restaurant scene.
Parisa
Lead Assistant · Registered Dental Assistant · Orthodontic Assistant · Fluent in Farsi
Parisa’s path to Marin Ortho was unique. She completed her university education in Iran, where she worked as a Dietitian, before moving to California and earning her dental assisting credentials at College of Marin. Licensed by the Dental Board of California as a Registered Dental Assistant and holding an Orthodontic Assistant Permit, she brings clinical precision and genuine warmth to every appointment. On her days off, she loves exploring the Bay Area with family and friends.
Her legacy at Marin Ortho runs deep, and her son is following mom into dentistry and attending Harvard Dental School.
Katie
Lead Assistant · Registered Dental Assistant
Katie has been working in orthodontics as an assistant since 2009, and it shows in the smoothness of her technique and the ease with which she puts patients at ease. Born and raised in Petaluma and still proud to call Sonoma County home, she trained at Santa Rosa Junior College and holds her RDA license. Her favorite part of the job is having real conversations with patients.
Outside of work, she is camping, floating the Russian River, eating at new restaurants, and making family memories.
Samantha
Dental · Assistant Medical Assistant
Samantha came to orthodontics through a love of patient care she discovered in the medical field, and she brought these credentials with her. A Marin native and San Marin High School graduate, she holds a Kinesiology degree with a Nutrition minor from Chapman University, where she played softball all four years, plus a Medical Assistant certificate from College of Marin
She now coaches volleyball and softball at her alma mater and volunteers with the Miracle League, giving kids with special needs the chance to play baseball and just have fun.
Minerva
Patient Care Coordinator · Fluent in Spanish
Minerva is often the first smiling face you see when you arrive, and she sets the tone for the whole visit. A Bay Area native, she manages scheduling, answers questions, and keeps the front desk running with warmth and ease. She holds an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach certificate and has completed coursework in Clinical Psychology, both of which inform her genuine passion for helping people feel cared for.
Outside of work, she stays active at the gym and loves time with her family and pets.
Derek
Scheduling Coordinator
Derek keeps things moving so your experience at Marin Ortho is seamless from first call to final appointment. A Bay Area native, he manages patient scheduling by phone and text, coordinates Invisalign shipments, and handles the logistics that make a busy practice run on time. He is organized, reliable, quiet and essential to the team.
Myra
Records Coordinator · Scheduling Coordinator · Fluent in Tagalog
Myra brings a background in Computer Engineering and job experience in academic coordination to her dual role managing both records and scheduling at Marin Ortho. Marin Ortho has been a fully paperless practice for many years, and Myra is the reason that system runs seamlessly, precise, organized, and meticulous about every detail
She also connects directly with patients by phone and text, helping ensure every interaction feels personal and prompt. An avid reader and animal lover, she brings the same care to her work that the clinical team brings to the chair.
