Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality dental care in a welcoming and comfortable environment. With decades of combined experience, each member of our staff plays an important role in helping patients feel informed, relaxed, and confident in their care.
We take pride in building lasting relationships with our patients and their families, often caring for multiple generations over the years. From the front desk to the treatment rooms, our goal is to make every visit a positive experience and to help you achieve and maintain a healthy smile.
Kristen Clark: Office Manager
Kristen has worked in the dental field since 1998 and brings over two decades of experience to her role as office manager. She enjoys interacting with patients and helping them understand their insurance benefits while assuring them they are in capable and caring hands with the practice’s team.
One of Kristen’s favorite parts of the job is building relationships with families and seeing generations of patients return to the office over the years. She enjoys watching children who once came in as young patients grow up and return with their own families.
Outside of work, Kristen spends much of her time cheering on her kids at their sporting events, relaxing at the beach with her family, reading, and catching up with friends.
Marybeth Rafferty: Front Desk
Marybeth has been part of Dr. Hillyard’s practice since 1991 and was his very first assistant when the office originally opened on Monroe Street. In the early days, it was just the two of them running the practice with a handwritten appointment book and no computer system. Dr. Hillyard personally trained Marybeth as a dental assistant and supported her in earning her dental X-ray license.
Over the years, Marybeth discovered she also loved working with patients at the front desk and has spent the past several years helping welcome and assist patients as part of the administrative team. She enjoys getting to know patients and building relationships, many of whom she considers like family. Marybeth especially appreciates being able to reassure patients who may feel nervous about their visit.
Outside of work, Marybeth enjoys reading, following Philadelphia sports teams, swimming in the summer, and spending time with her son Connor.
Paula Scota: Front Desk
Paula joined the practice in 2024 and brings several years of experience working in orthodontics. As one of the welcoming faces at the front desk, she enjoys greeting patients and helping coordinate their appointments. Paula loves seeing patients leave the office smiling and works hard to make everyone feel comfortable from the moment they arrive by offering a warm welcome, listening carefully, and assisting with scheduling.
Outside the office, Paula enjoys spending time with her grandsons, going to the movies, walking, dining out, and getting together with friends. One of her favorite ways to spend a day off is playing with her great nephew.
Danielle O’Donnell: Hygienist
Danielle has been part of the practice since 2006 and began working in dentistry while still in high school. That early experience sparked her interest in dental hygiene and led her to pursue a career in the field. She graduated from Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, earning her Registered Dental Hygienist license in 2005. She also completed Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) certification in 2025.
Danielle enjoys building relationships with patients and finds it especially rewarding when they return with improved oral health after following her recommendations. She believes communication is key and works closely with patients to make each visit comfortable and positive.
Outside of work, Danielle enjoys spending time with her two boys, walking her dog, reading, and listening to live music.
Katie Keller: Hygienist
Katie has worked in dentistry for over three decades, beginning her career as a dental assistant in 1989. After many years filling in with the practice when needed, she officially joined Dr. Hillyard’s team as a regular member in 2024. Katie earned her Dental Assisting Associate of Applied Science degree in 1988 and her Dental Hygiene Associate of Applied Science degree in 1996, both from Luzerne County Community College. She also completed Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) certification in 2025.
Katie enjoys helping patients understand that a healthy mouth plays an important role in overall health. She focuses on explaining each step of treatment so patients feel comfortable and informed during their visits.
Outside of the office, Katie enjoys cooking, gardening, traveling, and spending time with her family. One of her favorite ways to spend a day off is relaxing at the beach.
Dawn Gurzenski: Hygienist
Dawn has worked in dentistry for over three decades and joined Dr. Hillyard’s practice in 2024. Her interest in the dental field began after undergoing extensive orthodontic treatment and orthognathic surgery at the age of 20, which sparked a lasting passion for oral health. She earned her dental hygiene degree from the Community College of Philadelphia in 2002. She also completed Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) certification in 2025.
As a dental hygienist, Dawn enjoys seeing patients’ oral health improve from visit to visit. She focuses on listening to patients’ needs and building relationships so they feel comfortable and cared for during their appointments.
Outside of work, Dawn enjoys spending time with her family and their dogs, trying new recipes in the kitchen, and visiting Cape May and the beach.
Alicia Little: Dental Assistant
Alicia has worked in dentistry for nearly a decade and joined the practice in 2018 shortly after graduating. Inspired to enter the dental field by a close friend, she quickly discovered how rewarding it is to help improve patients’ health and confidence in their smiles.
Alicia enjoys helping patients feel comfortable by keeping conversations light and helping them focus on something other than their dental visit. She loves being part of a team that supports patients and helps them feel at ease.
Outside the office, Alicia enjoys spending time with her husband Alex, their two children Alex and Aiden, and their dog Lea.
Noreen Perakis: Dental Assistant
Noreen has worked in the dental field for over a decade and joined Dr. Hillyard’s practice in 2021. She enjoys being part of a team dedicated to providing patients with a positive experience and high-quality care during every visit.
Noreen helps patients feel comfortable by starting friendly conversations and helping take their minds off being at the dentist. She enjoys creating a welcoming environment so patients can feel relaxed and cared for while they are in the office.
Outside of work, Noreen loves spending time with her husband Brian and their young daughter Ellie. On her days off, she enjoys family trips to the Poconos or relaxing down at the shore together.
Linda Tierney – Dental Assistant
Linda has worked in the dental field for over four decades and joined Dr. Hillyard’s team in 2021. Originally considering a career in nursing, she discovered that dentistry was an even more interesting and rewarding path. Linda is passionate about helping patients feel comfortable and ensuring they have a positive experience during their visits.
She often helps ease patients’ nerves by explaining each step of their procedure and offering reassurance when needed. Linda is a Certified Dental Assistant through the Dental Assisting National Board and received her certification in 2004.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, visiting Longwood Gardens, and relaxing at the shore.