Meet Our Team

Mary Beth Powers
Hygienist

Mary Beth was born & raised in Peoria, Illinois. She graduated in 1981 from the Illinois Central College Dental Hygiene program & moved to Arizona in 1985. She began working for Canyon Vista Dental Care in 1986. For her, the most fulfilling part of her job, & the reason that she loves dentistry so much, is because of the close relationships she has formed with her patients at the office in the last 30 years. She also loves watching & helping patients reach their dental goals, & then helping them to maintain their beautiful dental work & smiles. She believes that it really is teamwork between her & her patients, & she is proud to have many good “students.”

In the last 36 years since she first became a hygienist, dentistry has changed tremendously! Most notably, in the clinical aspects such as infection control (when she went to school, they didn’t even wear gloves), equipment, digital x-rays, materials used now, implants, etc. Dentistry has really become a work of art! Dentists & hygienists are much more in tune with function, esthetics, & overall health than they were years ago. It really is gratifying to see that. But the best part is that fundamentally, nothing has changed! Mary Beth still does the best job she can to clean her patients’ teeth, educate them, & hopefully make them comfortable enough to continue to return to better their dental health. This approach to dentistry is the same as what she enjoyed doing when she first began her career in Peoria. She is the mother of two adult sons: Matthew & Eric. Her hobbies include golf, walking, & traveling, especially to the beach!

Sarah Scott
Hygienist

Sarah is a native of beautiful, sunny Arizona! She was born in Mesa & grew up in Gilbert. She attended Mesa Community College for her undergraduate degree & continued her education at Rio Salado College to complete her education to become a hygienist! While it was a lot of studying & work, she made life-long friends & she had amazing instructors who helped her graduate with honors! Sarah has always wanted to work here in Arizona, because it is where she is from & she has no plans on moving away!

Sarah has loved working in dentistry. She enjoys the opportunity to talk & connect with people from all walks of life & educate them about the importance of good oral hygiene. Sarah is especially good at helping those patients who are anxious & nervous about coming to get their teeth checked. She tries her best to calm the patients’ nerves & provide them with a positive experience so that way those patients leave their appointment happy. Sarah appreciates the flexibility associated with dentistry. Dentistry allows her to be a hygienist but also leaves time for her to be a mom.

Sarah lives in Arizona with her husband & her 10 month old baby. She likes to do many different things but for right now, she enjoys taking care of her baby & spending time with her growing family! When people describe Sarah, they say that she is level-headed & is a hard worker. She is devoted to serving other people & helping them love their smile. Sarah can’t wait to see you & help you to improve your oral health!

Tom Bowen
Hygienist

Tom was born & raised in Mesa, Arizona. He attended Northern Arizona University for his undergraduate & also for his hygiene degree, for which he graduated with honors. He chose to attend hygiene school at NAU because of the longer, in-depth hygiene program. As part of his schooling, he completed an internship as well as outside rotations, all of which allowed him to gain additional experience working with patients & developing his skills.

Tom first became interested in dentistry because he had friends who were already in the dental field & enjoyed it. He was drawn to the hygiene program because it allowed him to provide for his family while at the same time allowing him to have a successful, fulfilling career. He loves being a part of the CV Dental team & taking care of our patients. He finds great satisfaction in interacting with & educating patients & helping them to have healthier mouths.

Tom currently lives with his wife of over 20 years & their four sons in Gilbert, Arizona. Everyone in his family enjoys playing most any kind of sports, & Tom has coached several of his sons’ teams. Their family also enjoys hunting, fishing, & other outdoor activities. Tom is very active in his church & often helps with Boy Scouts & other community & youth activities. One of his special talents is his ability to whistle & wiggle his ears. He feels very blessed to have such a great family & to work with such a wonderful team here at Canyon Vista Dental Care.

Kirsten Czaplicki
Hygienist

Have you ever met someone who makes you feel at ease in the dentist’s chair? Allow us to introduce you to Kirsten Czaplicki, a dental hygienist who does just that. Born in Remscheid, Germany—the same city as Wilhelm Röntgen, the inventor of the X-ray—Kirsten’s journey into dentistry is as adventurous as her spirit.
Raised in Stuttgart, the “Gateway to the Black Forest,” Kirsten brings a touch of German precision to her work in Apache Junction. She moved to the East Coast before finally settling in Arizona in 2007, captivated by the wide-open spaces that mirror her adventurous soul.

When Kirsten isn’t busy perfecting smiles, she’s likely to be found exploring different cultures & foods. Travel is not just a hobby for her; it’s a passion. Her adventurous nature is something her friends & family would unanimously agree upon if asked to describe her & let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want a hygienist with a zest for life as vibrant as Kirsten’s?

Kirsten specializes in helping patients overcome their fears & misunderstandings about dental procedures, a skill she honed early in her career thanks to a kind orthodontist who welcomed her into the field soon after she arrived in the U.S. This experience was transformative & pivotal, as it helped her realize her calling in dentistry. For Kirsten, dentistry isn’t just about improving health; it’s about creating amazing teeth & smiles, something she openly admits she loves.

Her journey through dental hygiene school was no walk in the park. Imagine learning dental terminology while also mastering English—Kirsten did just that, & she did it with honors! If she could go back in time, she’d tell her younger, high-strung self to take a deep breath & trust in her capabilities.

Kirsten’s family is her pride & joy. She’s married to Steve & is the proud mother of Stacy & Brandon. Her grandchildren, Lily, Finn, & Holland, bring an extra sparkle to her eyes. Let’s not forget Remy, the family’s baby—a dog who undoubtedly shares Kirsten’s adventurous spirit.

Why did she choose to be a hygienist? It’s simple: Kirsten loves teeth! In her world, who wouldn’t want to be a hygienist? Her favorite aspect of the job isn’t just about health; it’s about the artistry involved in creating beautiful smiles.

So, next time you’re in Apache Junction & need a little dental magic, Kirsten Czaplicki is your go-to hygienist. She’ll ensure your dental visit is as comfortable & enjoyable as possible, leaving you with a smile almost as bright as hers.