Welcome to our office! Our entire team is looking forward to meeting you and helping your family have the healthy and attractive smiles that you deserve.
Hilary Gronvold, RDH
Locations for Hilary Gronvold, RDH
- Children's Smile Center- Ozark
- Children's Smile Center- Aurora
- Children's Smile Center- Branson West
Sandy Thompson
Community Relations Director
As Community Relations Director, Sandy is responsible for public relations, special
events, grant writing, and serves as the agency’s primary liaison with school districts.
Sandy’s background includes experience in sales and finance, and she holds a
bachelor's degree in Mass Communication/Journalism from Texas State University.
Sandy’s favorite part about her job is seeing the compassion shown by the staff when
interacting with patients and the extra care they take to make sure the children have a
wonderful experience. She also loves being a voice in the community to share our
mission of providing access to quality dental care for children.
Sandy is a native of Texas and lives in Ozark with her husband, Jeff, and their three
kids. She is an active community volunteer and member of Ozark Rotary Club. In her
spare time, Sandy enjoys watching sports, family game nights, and working on her
flower beds.
Locations for Sandy Thompson
- Children's Smile Center- Ozark
- Children's Smile Center- Aurora
- Children's Smile Center- Branson West
Maurisa Gordon
Dental Assistant
Maurisa joined the Children's Smile Center team in 2025 as a dental assistant after graduating from Missouri Technical Institute. Her journey into dentistry began in an unexpected way—she was once terrified of dental visits herself. However, the more she experienced dental care, the more she grew to love the field and wanted to help others have positive experiences too.
Maurisa is passionate about encouraging patients to have confidence in themselves and their smiles. She finds great joy in watching kids grow and develop, making her a perfect fit for our pediatric practice. Her personal experience with dental anxiety gives her a unique ability to connect with nervous patients and help them feel comfortable during their visits.
When she's not helping create beautiful smiles, Maurisa enjoys shopping and traveling, always looking for her next adventure.
Carrie Burke, FAADOM
Administrator
Carrie Burke is a veteran in the dental industry, with 24 years of experience and 19 years with Children’s Smile Center. Her overarching mission is to ensure daily operations go smoothly and to be a leader who makes her teammates feel like they are integral to the vision and mission. She graduated from Ozark High School in 1993 (Go Tigers!) and earned advanced degrees from Ozarks Technical Community College and Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, MO.
She finds fulfillment in her job on several levels. Her favorite thing about working with the team is seeing them in their element and experiencing their talent every day. When working with patients, she values fostering positive relationships from when they arrive to when they leave and all the moments in between.
Carrie loves being a part of a mission and vision that helps children. She has always been passionate about children and supports numerous children-focused causes. Carrie is a member of the Christian County Kiwanis Club, Cosmopolitan Club of Ozark, and the American Association of Dental Office Managers.
During her spare time, Carrie enjoys traveling, camping, photography, and mowing. Carrie also likes working on her family’s land, dining out, and especially celebrating various holidays. At Christmas, she decorates 25 different trees in her house. But one detail few people expect about Carrie is that she used to drive a racecar.
Locations for Carrie Burke, FAADOM
- Children's Smile Center- Ozark
- Children's Smile Center- Aurora
- Children's Smile Center- Branson West
Chelsey Flenniken, EFDA
Clinical Manager
Chelsey is one of Children's Smile Center's longest tenured employees. As Clinical Manager, Chelsey wears many hats including overseeing clinical operations, supply ordering, as well as assisting the dentist during general anesthesia cases. Chelsey is the primary contact for parents/guardians who have a child being seen under general anesthesia at an ambulatory/hospital setting. The favorite part about her job is helping kids get to the point of a healthy, pain-free smile.
When Chelsey isn't working, she enjoys traveling, hiking & reading. Chelsey can also be found fishing at the lake on many summer weekends. She is married and has 3 boys that keep her busy. She enjoys watching her husband, Mikey, and 11 year old son, Boone, play hockey. Her middle child, Eddie, born in fall of 2023, also enjoys spending time at the hockey rink watching dad and big brother score goals. Chelsey and her husband Mikey welcomed another boy June of 2025.
Locations for Chelsey Flenniken, EFDA
- Children's Smile Center- Ozark
- Children's Smile Center- Aurora
- Children's Smile Center- Branson West
Janis Garner, EFDA
Expanded Functions Lead Dental Assistant
In 2010 after graduating from Vatterott College, Janis began working as a dental assistant and has been with Children's Smile Center since 2015. Her main concern is assisting our dentists and providing patient care and education.
Janis has always been interested in dentistry since when she was a child. Because she genuinely enjoys her own dental visits, she brings that enthusiasm to each child we treat. One thing she loves about working with children is talking with them; you never know what hilarious things they will say. In addition, being part of a hardworking team where everyone is willing to help whenever needed makes her job a joy every day.
In her personal time, Janis enjoys being outside, planting flowers, kayaking, and riding motorcycles. One unique hobby she has is making soap.
Janie Salas, RDH
Registered Dental Hygienist
A wonderful experience for both boys ages, 8 & 11. The eldest with Sensory Processing Disorder has had horrible prior experiences but was less intimidated and is willing to continue with dental care. The staff was compassionate, and professional displaying knowledge of Neurodiversity and did an exceptional job at meeting his needs. Thank You!