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.
Not having been born here, people often ask, “What brought you to Alaska?” Well, it was always one of my childhood dreams to move to and live in Alaska. I can finally say I have seen that dream come true and more importantly, I love it here! What a wonderful place to live, work, play, and raise a family. I am a graduate of the University of Washington (Go Dawgs!) and have been practicing as a general dentist since 2008. I appreciate the variety and challenge that comes with general dentistry and I am committed to helping people achieve their goals.
When not working, I find great enjoyment in working with youth groups and providing service in my church. My greatest pleasure comes from spending time with my family and in introducing my two boys to all of the wonderful outdoor activities that Alaska has to offer. I would value the opportunity to meet you and discuss what my team and I can do for you. We have a passion for helping and will work hard to provide you the quality dental care you deserve.
Staci is a dental hygienist, a mom to 5, a wife of a basketball coach and a professional McDonald’s Diet Coke drinker. Sadly, most are unpaid positions. There is no doubt that she could be paid as a rep for McDonald’s Diet Coke. She is just that good! She was raised in Alaska and still, to this day, get sick on a fishing boat. So, her status of a sourdough is compromised:) She love reading, scrapbooking and eating nachos. Not necessarily in that order. Sometimes she is just all about the nachos. And the Diet Coke …. She has never met a ray of sunshine that she hasn’t loved!
Marie grew up in Omaha Nebraska and graduated in 2005 from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. She moved to Seattle in 2006 for her husband to finish his postgraduate education. In 2009 the family moved to her husband’s home state of Alaska to raise their children in the mountains. She would have chosen to live in the mountains anyway as she loves to hike, camp, mountain bike, ski, and just about anything else in our outdoor playground.
Marie’s favorite part of being a dental hygienist is getting to know her patients. Whether it’s hearing about a far-flung trip or a local adventure she can connect with anyone she meets. When she is not in the office you can find her volunteering at her kids’ schools, ushering at the PAC, or walking her Newfoundland Poodle on the Coastal Trail.
I was born and raised in Albania and moved to Alaska in 2019. I joined Bright Smiles in March 2023 but have been in the dental field for 12 years. What I love most about my job is interacting and connecting with patients and making them feel the most comfortable in the practice and during their visits.
I enjoy spending time off from work with my wife Penesta and my precious daughter Luna! You will probably find me on Sundays at Chuck E. Cheese with them! I’m a fan of rock music and hope one day I will have a chance to see a live concert of my favorite band Bon Jovi. If you see me outside of the clinic don’t hesitate to say hi.
Stacey is our office schedule coordinator. She joined our Bright Smiles team in 2017. However, she has worked with Dr. Cavaness since 2013. You may recall chatting with her to book your appointments or when you check-in. Some patients may know her as the person who keeps changing her hair color or as the person who loves eating spicy food. Occasionally, she helps our assistants and hygienists with taking x-rays or any other way she is needed on a busy day. She is married to her high school sweetheart and together they have a six-year-old son. When she’s not at Bright Smiles she loves to spend time with her boys. They enjoy sightseeing, shopping at local shops, and experimenting with new recipes at home. If she isn’t spending time with the boys, she enjoys picking up new hobbies such as baking, crocheting, knitting, or getting decorations ready for the office. If you recall ever seeing a cartoon version of Dr. Cavaness around the office, it is likely she and the team are responsible for it. Currently, she is attending UAA for a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and is aiming to double major in Business Management.
Brijon joined our Bright Smiles Dental team in 2014. As the Financial Coordinator, she’s here to help patients have a smooth check-out experience by explaining how their insurance can help with their treatment needs and what options are available to fitting treatment costs into their budget.
Brijon has decades of experience in the dental office. She grew up in a dental family here in South Anchorage and was put to work as soon as she knew her alphabet well enough to make and file charts. What kid wouldn’t love playing with labeling stickers and a typewriter? She’s worked in both the clinical and clerical sides of dentistry and enjoys the diversity of being able to help in multiple areas.
When she’s not working at the office, she can be found working at home taking care of her husband and four kids, taking classes in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in Business Management, teaching youth at her church, reading, playing at a playground with the kids, singing to every song she hears, and trying out new recipes for her family and coworkers. Her secrets to peace and keeping her sanity are faith, prayer, music, and a good night’s sleep.