Registered Dental Assistant
Expanded Function Dental Assistant – Level 2
Johnna is a Registered Dental Assistant and Expanded Function Dental Assistant who is passionate about helping patients feel comfortable and supported throughout their dental care. She studied at Hawkeye Community College and continued her training at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, where she expanded her clinical skills and knowledge.
Johnna was drawn to dentistry because of her natural desire to help others and her love of being in a caregiving role. She enjoys being able to work closely with patients throughout their entire treatment experience, offering reassurance and support from start to finish. Building those relationships and helping patients feel at ease is what makes her work so meaningful.
At The Dental Lounge, Johnna especially enjoys the diversity of the patients she meets. She loves hearing people’s stories and getting to know individuals from all backgrounds. The welcoming and friendly environment of the office makes it a place where she truly enjoys coming to work each day.
Johnna says one of the things that motivates her most is the team she works with. Her coworkers bring energy and positivity to the office, and the combination of hard work and laughter makes every day enjoyable.
Originally from Waterloo, Johnna is a proud cat lover and has two cats of her own. During the summer months, she enjoys spending time around Iowa City attending festivals, enjoying patio dinners, and being outdoors. In her free time, she also loves pottery, yoga and workout classes, and trying new restaurants around town.
Lauren is a Certified Registered Dental Assistant with radiology certification and is currently preparing to begin Expanded Functions Level 1 training. She is passionate about helping patients feel confident in their smiles and comfortable during their dental visits.
Lauren has always had a natural desire to care for others and knew early on that she wanted to work in healthcare, though she felt drawn to a setting outside of the hospital environment. Dentistry became a natural path for her. Growing up, she was surrounded by positive influences in the field—her aunt worked for many years as a Registered Dental Assistant, and a close family friend is a Registered Dental Hygienist. Her own orthodontic treatment experience was also incredibly positive, which helped spark her interest in the profession.
In 2023, Lauren began her dental career as an orthodontic assistant, where she spent over two years helping patients transform their smiles. Watching people gain confidence as their smiles improved gave her a deep sense of fulfillment and confirmed that dentistry was the right career for her.
At The Dental Lounge, Lauren immediately felt a strong connection with the team. She appreciates the honesty, support, and welcoming atmosphere that makes the office feel like more than just a workplace. Feeling valued and supported by her coworkers is something she says makes coming to work each day truly enjoyable.
Lauren is motivated by the opportunity to continue learning and growing within dentistry. While orthodontics was rewarding, she was excited to expand into general and cosmetic dentistry, where every day brings something new. She enjoys the variety of procedures and the opportunity to care for a wide range of patients. She also credits Dr. Desai for creating a positive environment that makes it easy to love what she does.
Outside of the office, Lauren enjoys staying active and spending time with her dog, Coco. She loves going for long walks, playing ping pong at her apartment, and traveling whenever she can. Summer is her favorite season, which may explain why California and Florida are two of her favorite places she has lived. Lauren grew up in Illinois along the Mississippi River and spent a lot of time visiting Iowa City for sporting events and hospital visits—making her a proud supporter of the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Nicole serves as the Treatment Coordinator at The Dental Lounge, where she helps guide patients through their care with clarity, compassion, and attention to detail. She graduated from Kirkwood Community College in 2012 as a Registered Dental Assistant, giving her a strong clinical background that helps her support patients as they navigate their treatment plans.
Nicole has always been drawn to healthcare, especially the personal and relationship-focused side of patient care. Dentistry allows her to connect with people, support them through their treatment journey, and help create an experience that feels comfortable and positive from the moment they walk through the door.
At The Dental Lounge, Nicole values the supportive team environment and the shared commitment to delivering high-quality, personalized care. She enjoys being part of a team that works together to ensure every patient feels understood, respected, and well cared for.
Nicole is motivated by the opportunity to create a welcoming and reassuring experience for every patient she meets. Knowing that the work the team does can truly improve someone’s confidence, comfort, and overall well-being makes her role incredibly rewarding.
Born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Nicole still lives there today with her husband, their two daughters, and their chocolate lab. Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with her family, shopping, going for walks, and trying new recipes in the kitchen.
Stacey is a Registered Dental Hygienist with more than 25 years of experience in the dental field. She began her career as a dental assistant before continuing her education at Kirkwood Community College, where she earned her Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene.
Dentistry has been part of Stacey’s life from an early age. With an uncle who was a dentist and an aunt who worked as a hygienist, she grew up surrounded by the profession. As a pre-teen, a softball accident required extensive dental and specialty care, giving her a firsthand look at the process of restoring a smile. That experience sparked a deep interest in dentistry and ultimately shaped the career path she chose.
At The Dental Lounge, Stacey appreciates the culture of learning and excellence that Dr. Desai brings to the practice. She admires his commitment to staying current with the latest techniques and technology and the high standard of care he sets for the entire team. Stacey values how he invests in the growth and development of his staff, creating an environment that encourages continual learning and confidence in delivering exceptional care to patients.
Stacey is motivated by helping patients achieve and maintain their best oral health. She understands that for some people, simply coming to a dental appointment can be a big step, and she takes pride in creating a supportive, comfortable experience. Watching patients gain confidence in their smiles and seeing their progress over the years is one of the most rewarding parts of her work. She especially values the long-term relationships she builds with patients and their families.
Outside of the office, Stacey enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends whenever the weather allows. She is the proud mother of two children, Alex and Talan, and loves good food, reading, and relaxing in her spare time. She’s also an avid Hello Kitty fan.
