Meet our ADVANCED Dental Therapists

Advanced Dental Therapists, or mid-level providers (think nurse practitioner), are licensed oral health professionals who have received advanced training, qualifying them to provide primary dental care. In 2013, Southern Heights Dental started using dental therapists, offering even greater access to quality oral health care to more people. Our dental therapists work with a wide-range of patients, but have a particular focus, and knack for, working with children.

 
 

Carley Banks
Advanced Dental Therapist

Carley Banks, ADT  received her Bachelor of Science from Minnesota State University, Mankato, in 2009 before getting her Master's in Dental Therapy at the University of Minnesota in 2012. She worked as a dental therapist in Albertville, MN for one year and has since been at Southern Heights Dental Group.Carley received her certificate in Advanced Dental Therapy in 2016 from the University of Minnesota which has allowed her to widened her scope of practice. She is able to treat people of all ages, but especially enjoys treating children. Carley lives in Lakeville with her husband, son, and two dogs. 

Lauren Esposito
Advanced Dental Therapist

Lauren Johnson, ADT started as a dental therapist at SHDG in spring of 2015, and continues to see and treat primarily children. She received her Bachelor in Arts in May of 2011 from the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota and Master of Dental Therapy in December of 2014 from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She received her Advanced Dental Therapy certificate in March of 2017. She is an active member of the Minnesota Dental Therapy Association and enjoys traveling in her free time. Lauren resides in Burnsville.

Sunny Moon
Advanced Dental Therapist

Sunny Moon, ADT received her Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry, from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, in 2012 before getting her Master’s in Dental therapy at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in December of 2017. She received her Advanced Dental Therapy certificate in March of 2018. She went on to obtain another Bachelor of Science, but in Dental Hygiene at Herzing University in August of 2022. Prior to joining SHDG in March of 2022, she worked in a pediatric clinic but decided she wanted to provide services to all ages, as she finds access to quality dental care paramount. Sunny enjoys spending time with her husband, traveling, cooking, exercising, and playing with her dogs in her spare time.