(TH) Our Hygiene Staff

(TH) Kathy C. RDH, BS : Kathy grew up in Duluth, Minnesota. She graduated and taught Dental Hygiene at the University of Minnesota. She and her husband moved to the Tri-Cities with their three girls and started working at Chapados Family Dentistry in 1992.
During the past four years, she has been a dental instructor at Columbia Basin College with the Dental Hygiene Program. She is passionate in her commitment to help her patients maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Diane W. RDH : A North Dakota native, Diane graduated from North Dakota State School of Science with a certificate in Dental Hygiene in 1972. She says “the best part of her 38 years in the dental hygiene profession has been her patients. She has enjoyed helping them maintain and improve their oral health and therefore their total body health and that has been a rewarding experience.” When Diane isn’t in the dental office, she enjoys hiking, camping, boating or anything that takes her outdoors.
Melissa M. RDH, BA : Born and raised in Vancouver, WA, Melissa started her higher education at Washington State University. She graduated in 1995 from Bassist College with a BA in Apparel Design and Textiles. Her love of fashion and sewing led her to a career in pattern making.
After working in the apparel industry, Melissa wanted a profession where she could make a difference in people’s lives. Following in her mother’s footsteps she pursued a degree in dental hygiene. Upon her graduation in 2000, Melissa was awarded “Texas Dental Hygiene Student of the Year” for her excellence in academia, commitment to community service, and passion for the profession of dental hygiene.
Settling in Richland, WA, Melissa started her dental hygiene career, eventually joining Chapados Family Dentistry in 2001. That same year she fulfilled a dream by traveling to Honduras with Northwest Medical Teams to provide dental care. She enjoys helping people achieve optimum oral health and thus improving their overall well being.When not working, Melissa loves spending time with her husband and two sons. She enjoys traveling, cooking and outdoor adventures with all the boys in her life!

Bobbi T. RDH, BS : Bobbi began her career in dentistry in 1990 as a dental assistant. She then left to pursue a bachelor’s degree from Central Washington University in Food Science and Dietetics. Bobbi’s love of dentistry and personal wellness inspired her to obtain her second degree in Dental Hygiene.Bobbi’s enthusiasm, kindness and passion for teaching lead her to be recruited by the local community college as a dental hygiene instructor. Bobbi also is a beloved fitness instructor in the Tri-Cities teaching a variety of classes from yoga to kickboxing.As a proud and active member of the American Dental Hygiene Association she currently represents the Columbia Basin Dental Hygiene Society as a State Trustee. Bobbi looks forward to assisting you, your family and friends.
Annette P. RDH : Annette grew up in the Mesa/Basin City area and attended Connell High School. She received her dental hygiene degree from Shoreline Community College in Seattle in 2002. Annette has been working at Chapados Family Dentistry since the fall of 2003.Annette loves getting to know her patients and helping them get and stay healthy.