Our Carmel Dental Team

Our team consists of dedicated individuals who are kind, friendly, and caring. Our staff is here to ensure a pleasant experience during your visit to our office. Our team includes experienced and energetic people whose goal is to communicate well with our patients and provide the best care possible.

HYGIENIST

Jenny Riso, RDH

Jenny has been in the dental field for over 40 years. She was a Registered Dental Assistant for 27 years before she decided to further her career as a Registered Dental Hygienist. She has been a hygienist since 2007. Over the years Jenny has had the privilege of working with some top-notch dentists on the Monterey Peninsula, so she really knows excellent dentistry when she sees it. She loves her patients and her work, where every day she can educate her patients on home care and see positive results. You can always ask Jenny for her honest opinion and know you are getting the truth. She takes great care in her work. Jenny has two grown children and two grandchildren whom she loves spending her free time with. Because Jenny was born and raised on the peninsula, she is one of those people who seems to know everyone. She joined Carmel Family Dental because she knew the perfection and quality of work for every patient that is performed every day. Jenny's oral health obsession is making sure her patients are well educated about the oral health of their tissues. Her favorite moments at CFD are when you see the smile on someone's face and how happy they are with their new smile. When Jenny is not here perfecting your smile, you can always find her walking on the beach and enjoying the ocean.

HYGIENIST

Alison Kite, RDH

Alison was born and raised in the Bay Area moving to the Cental Coast in 2016. She has been in the dental field since 2007 starting her career as a dental assistant. She graduated with a BS in Health Science from San Jose State University. Then achieved her Dental Hygiene degree from Southwestern College in 2013.


She has enjoyed her time working with Dr. Simonsons’s team delivering gentle and thorough care to patients. Her passion is to help patients achieve optimal oral health. She prides herself on building a trusting relationship with patients and educating them on the connection between oral health and overall health.


Alison feels lucky to live and work in such a beautiful part of California with her husband Nick and their young daughter. She enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family. Hobbies include gardening, baking, hiking, and caring for her house plants.


OFFICE MANAGER

Jackie Monk

Jackie joined Carmel Family Dental in 2017. She grew up and went to school in Portland, Oregon. She spent several years in the Bay Area before finally settling on the peninsula for a more relaxed lifestyle. Her background lies in Medical Administration, which she has been practicing for many years. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, children, grandson, and her beloved cat, Phoebe.

FRONT OFFICE ADMIN

Lisa Washington

Lisa was born and raised locally here on the Monterey Peninsula. Lisa is new to dentistry but has almost 15 years of customer service and retail management experience. During Lisa’s free time, she enjoys having family days with her husband, two kids and her two fur babies. Lisa also just found out she’s expecting her third child. You can always find Lisa in the sun. She loves traveling and discovering new places. She enjoys having gathering with her friends and family and is a huge foodie. Lisa is such a people person and is excited to be joining the family at Carmel Family Dental. 

DENTAL ASSISTANT

Tina Tuiolosega, RDA

Tina, originally from the Central Coast graduated from the RDA program at MPC in 2016, She started working at Carmel Family Dental 2017. She loves helping her patients achieve their dental goals and feel more comfortable coming to the dentist office. Tina loves to learn, she is currently continuing her education to become a Dental Hygienist, and is hoping to get in to the Dental Hygiene program at Cabrillo. In her spare time, Tina loves to  find new restaurants to try and going for walks with her 3 kids, husband and 2 dogs. 

DENTAL ASSISTANT

Shay Escobedo, RDA

Shay, A California native, moved to the Monterey peninsula in 2018 while her husband was serving in the U.S Navy. She joined Carmel Family Dental that same year and has been an assistant since 2017. Shay loves to explore our beautiful coast and go hiking with her 2 dogs, a Newfoundland and yellow lab. She is currently attending Monterey Peninsula College, where she is completing her Pre-Dental Hygiene accreditation. She hopes to attend Cabrillo College for Dental Hygiene or Arthur Dugoni school of Dentistry in San Francisco to become an extended functions dental assistant. 

FRONT OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Ireland Barnes

Ireland was born and raised on the Monterey Peninsula and joined Carmel Family Dental recently in 2023. With her experience in both the Medical Field and Hospitality Industry, Ireland enjoys being involved in the Dental Community where she can join her two passions of helping others and connecting with patients to create a more personable experience. 


Ireland attended Hartnell College and University of Arizona, earning a degree in Communication Studies in which she is currently furthering her studies in locally. 



As a proud local to the area, Ireland enjoys all that Monterey County has to offer and being close to her family. In her free time, you can find Ireland with her boyfriend, Wyatt, enjoying all outdoor activities such as fishing, skiing, and camping all throughout California and Western US. If she’s not out fishing and camping, you will certainly find her out with her siblings and cousins playing basketball, softball, or cooking for her loved ones. 

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