Meet Our Team
Dr. Jake Garn
DDS
Dr. Garn is passionate about helping patients achieve optimal oral health and providing care that is both skilled and compassionate. He loves every aspect of dentistry-from the hands-on clinical work to building lasting relationships with his patients.
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Originally from a small town in Idaho, Dr. Garn completed his undergraduate studies at Utah State University, where he met and married his sweetheart, Amy. He went on to earn his dental degree from the University of Utah, where he gained strong clinical experience and developed a deep appreciation for comprehensive dental care.
Beyond his dental school training, Dr. Garn pursued an additional 300 hours of advanced education in implant dentistry, and is a proud member of the American Association of Implant Dentistry. His commitment to continuing education ensures he stays current with the latest advancements and provides the highest quality care to every patient.
In early 2025, Dr. Garn and his family made the move to Flagstaff to return to the mountain-town lifestyle they love and to raise their daughters in a special, close-knit community. He is proud to call Flagstaff home and serve the amazing people who live here.
When he’s not in the office, Dr. Garn enjoys spending time with his family and proudly embraces his favorite role as a “girl dad.” He’s also a big fan of fantasy football, getting outdoors, and staying active through regular workouts.
Dr. Jonathan Baker
DDS, MBA
Dr. Jonathan Baker is passionate about helping patients improve their oral health and confidence through high-quality, personalized dental care. He enjoys building relationships with his patients and believes that a healthy smile can have a lasting impact on a person’s overall well-being and quality of life.
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Dr. Baker began his dental journey over six years ago, first working as a dental assistant before pursuing his dream of becoming a dentist. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Utah and also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA). His unique combination of clinical expertise and business education allows him to provide thoughtful, patient-centered care while continually seeking ways to enhance the overall patient experience.
Dedicated to lifelong learning and excellence in dentistry, Dr. Baker enjoys helping patients understand their treatment options and empowering them to make informed decisions about their oral health. One piece of advice he shares with every patient is simple: invest in an electric toothbrush. He believes it is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve oral health and maintain a healthy smile.
Outside of the office, Dr. Baker enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, skiing, playing ice hockey, and perfecting homemade pizzas in his pizza oven. A fun fact many patients are surprised to learn is that he holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Since moving to Flagstaff, he has also enjoyed exploring downtown and discovering the unique shops and local businesses that make the community so special.
Karen
Office Manager
With over 22 years of experience in management and a passion for people, Karen joined the dental field in 2024 and brings a wealth of leadership and heart to our practice. What she loves most about her role is the opportunity to work with a supportive, dedicated team and to help create an exceptional experience for every patient who walks through our doors.
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Karen has a fun and eclectic side too-she’s a major music fan and has seen a wide variety of artists in concert, from New Kids on the Block in 7th grade to U2, Bon Jovi, Prince, Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett, and most recently, Taylor Swift with her daughter!
Outside of work, Karen enjoys traveling to Europe with her family, curling up with a good book, and savoring a great cup of coffee. Having called Flagstaff home for 17 years, she loves the small-town feel and especially enjoys weekend brunches downtown with her husband and two kids.
Her warmth, experience, and people-first mindset make her a vital part of our office leadership.
Angelica
Front Office Specialist & Dental Assistant
With 15 years of experience in dentistry, Angelica brings dedication, curiosity, and a genuine love for learning to our dental team. One of her favorite parts of the job is that no two days are ever the same-there’s always something new to experience and learn!
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Outside the office, Angelica is a passionate gardener and enjoys spending her time traveling, hiking, running, and being with her family and church community. A true local at heart, her favorite things to do in Flagstaff include catching a movie, hitting the trails, hunting for treasures while thrifting, reading anything and everything and, of course, enjoying great food.
Angelica’s best dental care tip? Avoid corn nuts! Your teeth will thank you.
Her positive energy and years of experience help make each patient’s visit both comfortable and caring.
Lauri
Front Office Specialist & Back Office Support
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With 16 years of experience in dentistry, Lauri brings a unique perspective to the front office team. Her clinical background allows her to help patients better understand their treatment recommendations, answer questions, and feel confident about their dental care decisions. She especially enjoys building relationships with patients, greeting them when they arrive, and getting to know them and their families over time.
Lauri believes that prevention is the foundation of a healthy smile. Her best advice for patients is to stay consistent with regular recare appointments and avoid getting too far behind on routine dental visits. She knows that small, proactive steps today can help prevent larger dental concerns in the future.
Outside of the office, Lauri enjoys staying active through exercise, walking, and hiking. A fun fact about her is that she is the youngest of six children. Living in Flagstaff allows her to enjoy two of her favorite activities year-round-skiing during the winter months and hiking the beautiful trails throughout the rest of the year.
Renee
Billing & Insurance
Renee is new to the dental world, but no stranger to healthcare-she’s spent over a decade in the medical field and is excited to bring her experience into this new chapter. What she loves most so far? The kind and caring coworkers who make each day better.
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A fun fact about Renee: she once lost a regional spelling bee by leaving the “h” out of spaghetti-and she’s never forgotten it!
Outside of work, Renee enjoys thrifting for hidden treasures, getting lost in a good book, cooking up something delicious, golfing, and playing games with friends and family. Her favorite thing to do in Flagstaff?
Simply living her best life!
Kelsey
Lead Dental Assistant
Kelsey has been a dedicated dental assistant for over six years, and she brings compassion, skill, and a calming presence to every patient interaction. What she enjoys most about her role is helping patients feel comfortable with their care-and seeing the joy on their faces when they love the results of their improved smiles.
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A fun fact about Kelsey: she’s on a mission to visit every Disney Park in the world! So far, she’s checked off Disneyland in California and Paris, as well as Walt Disney World in Florida. When she’s not in the office, you’ll likely find her working on a jigsaw puzzle, planning her next travel adventure, or enjoying time with her family-especially walking around downtown Flagstaff with her sister.
Kelsey’s top dental care advice? Don’t wait if something starts to bother you-get it checked early! Her thoughtful approach and positive energy help patients feel at ease every step of the way.
AyRon
Dental Assistant
AyRon is a new addition to our team, bringing over 10 years of experience in the dental field. She’s passionate about making a positive impact in patients’ lives and enjoys building strong connections with both patients and coworkers.
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A proud Slytherin, AyRon brings ambition and heart to everything she does. Outside the office, she loves being a mom to her two beautiful daughters and exploring new coffee spots.
Having recently returned home to Flagstaff after living in Las Vegas, AyRon enjoys hiking, sightseeing, and strolling through downtown. Her top dental care tip? Floss like your life depends on it!
Laura
Hygienist
Laura is new to Mountain West Family Dental, but she brings nearly 20 years of experience in dental hygiene. Her career has spanned a variety of settings, including periodontics, biological and cosmetic dentistry, as well as volunteering with public health and community events.
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What Laura loves most about being a hygienist is the daily opportunity to make a meaningful difference in someone’s health and confidence. She is passionate about helping patients feel supported and empowered to be the best version of themselves. Her best dental tip? “Stay present and mindful.”
Originally from a small town just south of Gettysburg, PA, Laura now calls Flagstaff home and enjoys its mountains, trails, and incredible community of friends. Outside the office, you’ll often find her hiking, biking, snowboarding, backpacking, traveling, or practicing yoga.
A fun fact: Laura once summited Mount Whitney after thru-hiking the entire John Muir Trail!
Angie
Hygienist
Angie has been part of the dental world since graduating from Northern Arizona University in 2022. For the past three years, she’s loved making a real difference in her patients’ lives-especially knowing how much oral health connects to overall wellness.
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One of Angie’s favorite parts of her job is helping people feel confident and healthy through great dental care.
Outside the office, Angie stays busy with her twin girls, born in July 2024! She also enjoys hiking around Flagstaff, treasure-hunting at thrift shops, and spending evenings stargazing just outside the city. You’ll often find her taking peaceful walks through Buffalo Park.
Angie’s dental tip: Floss before you brush-it helps loosen up biofilm so your brushing is even more effective!
Bri
Hygienist
Bri got her start in dentistry as a dental assistant back in June 2021, and in 2025, she graduated as a hygienist! What she loves most about her job is helping patients learn the tips and tricks they need for healthier smiles-and seeing how excited they get about their progress.
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When she’s not at the office, you can find Bri out in the garden (she loves growing both flowers and veggies), hiking around Flagstaff with her husband and their dog, or checking out the local Farmers Market.
Bris favorite dental tip: Don’t forget those back teeth! Try closing your mouth halfway when brushing-it helps relax your jaw so your toothbrush can reach those tricky spots more easily.
Rachel
Hygienist
We’re thrilled to welcome Rachel Stephens back to our practice! Rachel was part of our team during the Hallberg years, and after some time away, we couldn’t be more excited to have her return-now bringing with her 16 years of extensive experience in dental hygiene.
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What Rachel loves most about her work is the people. She truly enjoys getting to know patients from all walks of life and helping them feel comfortable, confident, and cared for during their visits.
Outside of the office, Rachel stays busy traveling, playing pickleball, enjoying card games with friends, and exploring new restaurants and coffee shops. She also loves experimenting with new baking recipes when she has time to slow down.
Her top dental care tip? Don’t forget to clean your tongue! Removing bacteria, dead skin cells, and food debris from the tongue plays a big role in maintaining good oral health-and fresher breath.
When she’s around Flagstaff, you’ll likely find Rachel skiing at Snowbowl, spending evenings at Lowell Observatory, or checking out the area’s many great coffee spots.