About Us
Providing Compassionate And Comfortable Dental Care For Your Kids
Dental appointments can be stressful for young patients and parents alike. That’s why at Caring Tree Children’s Dentistry we offer dental services that are compassionate and comfortable, alleviating any anxiety. Our caring and friendly team will ensure that you and your children feel at ease during appointments while delivering expert dental care to kickstart their oral health journey. Let us help you instill good oral habits in your children.
Meet The Doctors
Michelle Kucera, DDS (“Dr. K”)
Our Core Values
- We value being gentle, CARING and respectful.
- We look for opportunities to bring lightness, laughter and JOY to our practice.
- We empower our patients and their families with the latest in oral health care EDUCATION.
- We are committed to clear COMMUNICATION.
- We are a part of the COMMUNITY and pledge to give back.
- We are a TEAM.
From Encouraging First Steps To Caring For Children’s Teeth
Dr. Michelle Kucera, or Dr. K, values building relationships with her patients and earning their trust by listening to their stories. She developed a passion and love for children at a tender age when she witnessed her younger sister take her first steps. This was when she and her sister encouraged their toddler sibling to walk by standing at opposite ends of the room, cheering her on. To their delight, the little one took her first steps, creating a beautiful and unforgettable experience. From that moment on, she knew her career had to involve helping children.
Here Are Fun Facts You Need To Know About Dr. K
- Dr. K became fascinated by dentistry while working for a local dentist and orthodontist in high school.
- She graduated from Case Western Reserve University in only six years instead of the typical eight.
- She is inspired by her aunt, the first woman in her family to become an airline pilot, and encourages others to follow their own path.
- Her personal goals include riding her bicycle across the United States, learning Spanish, and traveling to new places with her family.
- Dr. K purchased Caring Tree Children’s Dentistry in 2012 and strives to create a joyful and supportive team for the best patient experience.
Credentials
Doctor of Dental Surgery
Pediatric Dental Certificate
American Board of Pediatric Dentistry Board Certification
California Oral Conscious Sedation License
Basic Life Support Certification
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
Dr. Chris Lee, DDS ("Dr. Chris")
Growing up amidst the quiet charm of the East Bay Area in Danville, CA, the “City of Trees” came calling for Dr. Chris Lee and his family. So Dr. Chris made his way to the Sacramento area, drawn by familial ties and a desire to escape the hustle and bustle of bigger cities and dreadful traffic jams.
Dr. Chris’s academic journey began at the University of California, Irvine, on a Chancellor’s scholarship, studying the intricacies of developmental and cell biology within the college’s esteemed honors program. Dr. Chris’s keen interest in research drew him to spend two illuminating years at the Beckman Laser Institute, balancing academia with his stint as a lenient resident advisor. He graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2007, and then continued his academic pursuits at the UCLA School of Dentistry. He embraced the Bruins spirit and graduated in 2012 before he ventured east for his residency at Yale University to quench his bougie, Ivy-League thirst for knowledge.
You might think with all of that education under his belt, Dr. Chris might consider taking a vacation from learning, but nope! His passion lies in unraveling the mysteries of facial development, tethered oral tissues, and the profound impact of airway on health and behavior, so he continues soaking up as much information as he possibly can about each of those subjects.
Dr. Chris has practiced around the Sacramento area for the last decade, and his dedication to pediatric dentistry has brought smiles to countless faces in the area since 2014. What does he enjoy most about his career? The opportunity for playful banter, alongside the joy of distributing prizes for the kiddos ranks high, but nothing is more fulfilling than continuing to master his craft.
If you catch Dr. Chris outside of the office, you’re most likely to run into him in court! The pickleball or basketball court, that is. From time to time, Dr. Chris also lets his “inner nerd” out, as he engages in Nerf gun battles, remote control car racing, and immersive adventures in video games, movies, and anime. He enjoys a good bite to eat – it doesn’t take much to impress him, food-wise; and when he travels, he’s getting out of town for a little change in weather… or a little adventure.
Dr. Chris and his wife have been married since 2012, and together, they enjoy managing the joyful chaos that comes with parenting two awesome young children.
Meet Our Team
Bill B.
Marketing & Front Office
Bill is a nearly complete newcomer to the dental world. Other than late-night and dinner table conversations with Dr. K about prophylaxis or the pros and cons of composites versus amalgams, his primary entry into this world is based upon the fact that he, indeed, has teeth. (You’ll surely note it in his gleaming smile.) Prior to working at Caring Tree, Bill practiced as a criminal defense attorney for nearly 15 years. At some point, he began to realize that something felt a little off with his life. (At this point, it should probably be mentioned that Bill not only works for Dr. K, but he’s also married to her.)
Anyway, at those times when late-night and dinner-table conversations between Bill and Dr. K were not about dentistry or the law, they steered towards the stress of being full-time working parents. Bill and Chelle (that’s her home name, along with “Momma”) both realized that they were working very hard and piling on tons of stress and something different needed to be done. In early 2019, they cautiously and nervously agreed that Bill should leave the law and work for Dr. K – that’s right, for, not with. While you might think that he gets a pass because of his marital status, you’d be right, but for the wrong reason. He gets a pass because he works for an amazing person and, yeah, he actually likes it.
Bill’s focus will be twofold: marketing and front-office assisting. Most of his focus will be on building up the Lincoln Caring Tree Office. That means that Bill will always put forth his best argument as to why Caring Tree is the best (and frankly, the only) option for your child’s dental care. Except, instead of making a dramatic closing argument in front of a jury, he’ll just let your kids’ health and happiness speak for him.
(P.S. Don’t ask him for legal advice, he’ll just tell you to call a lawyer.)
Lizzy H.
Director of First and Lasting Impressions
Lizzy grew up in the Bay Area. Her favorite thing about dentistry is chatting with kids and families and making sure they have a fun and positive experience. When she is not working, she loves to spend time with her daughter, twin boys, and fiancee. They love to go swimming and play with their dogs, Sammy and Sully. She also likes to read a good romance novel, Mexican and Thai food, traveling, and spend time at Rollins Lake. A unique thing about her is she is left-handed.
Credentials
Basic Life Support (BLS)
Ashtyn V.
A relative newcomer to the dental profession, Ashtyn loves watching our patients leave with big, bright smiles on their faces. Always empathetic and compassionate, Ashtyn makes sure to go the extra mile to make sure our patients are comfortable and well taken care of.
Ashtyn grew up in Nevada City and graduated from Nevada Union in 2007 before she moved on to Sierra College. Art is her true passion, and she loves trying out new crafts, sometimes by herself, and sometimes with her three children Gunnar, Aniyah, and Mahina. When they’re not crafting together, Ashtyn and her family love sports, and with three kiddos and their two dogs – Mango and Ani – you can bet she and her husband Lokaio are always on the go.
If you ever play trivia with Ashtyn and you get to the “History” portion of the game, you’re going to wish you had her on your team. A self-proclaimed history buff, she considers history to be one giant puzzle to look back on and put together. She may as well be a virtual data server for random historical facts. It almost doesn’t matter the subject, if Ashtyn hasn’t heard of it before, she’s always interested to learn more about it.
Summer is Ashtyn’s favorite time of the year, when she enjoys gardening or just laying by the ocean, watching the waves roll in.
Credentials
Basic Life Support (BLS)
Leslie B.
Since 2007, helping others achieve a happy and healthy smile has always been Leslie’s favorite part of the job. And although she loves dental assisting, and constantly strives to improve her knowledge and skill, she is most proud of being a mother to her beloved son.
Leslie bases her strong work ethic on her grandmother, who she says was her number-one role model. “Every time we asked to bake cookies or pick flowers or fruit off the trees, my grandmother always taught us the best way while making it fun at the same time,” says Leslie. “My grandmother taught me the true meaning of dedication and hard work, and also how to get back up and start again if you ever stumble.” And like her resilient grandmother, Leslie is always giving of her time and love to everyone.
Originally from Bakersfield, Leslie, her parents and her sister gradually made their way up California to Elk Grove where she has stayed ever since the 7th grade. If you ever see Leslie around town, you’ll likely find her with her son and their two massive dogs she lovingly named, “The Monsters.” In her spare time – when she gets a free minute, that is – she enjoys D.I.Y. projects around her house, as well as hiking and kayaking with her son.
Credentials
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
Basic Life Support (BLS)
RDA License # 73413
Sally L.
Dental Assistant
Sally grew up in a small town. She has been in the dental industry for 3 years, and her favorite part of her job is getting to work with kids. She says they are hilarious and just plain fun to be around. When she not having fun with the kids at Caring Tree she loves painting, hiking, camping, and working out. She says her life has been a rollercoaster ride for her, like a rollercoaster from Disney. She says she doesn’t want it to end. Her goals are simply to be happy, and healthy, and to have a happy family and home. She hopes to have an impact and leave the world a little better.
Credentials
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
Basic Life Support (BLS)
Xray Certificate
Judy G.
Registered Dental Assistant
Ask Judy about her goats and chickens!
Credentials
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
Basic Life Support (BLS)
RDA License 0538
Zach C.
Registered Dental Assistant
Zachary knows that a trip to the dentist can be unsettling and even frightening for children, and that’s why he goes the extra mile to ensure every single pediatric patient he treats knows they can trust him.
From an early age Zachary realized he got the most personal and professional satisfaction from helping people. Zachary turned his fervent desire to be extraordinarily accommodating into an accomplished vocation in the dental profession. He began his dental career in 2018; earned his certificate for dental assisting upon graduating from Carrington College in Sacramento, California, in 2019; and has been part of the Caring Tree staff since early 2022. When Zachary gains our patients’ trust, they tend to relax more and become so much more easy going.
Zachary was proudly born and raised in Yuba City, California, and grew up with his older sister and his “awesome” mom. And if you ever see Zachary around town and you’d like to say “hi,” you might want to double check to make sure it’s actually him because he also has a twin brother (pro tip: if he’s out walking his adorable little doggo named Max, it’s Zachary).
The saying goes, “A way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” but in Zachary’s case, the way to his heart is with Mexican food! When he’s not demolishing a burrito or helping children keep their mouths as healthy as possible, Zachary digs playing video games, binge-watching TV series and going out to dance the night away from time to time. When he has time off, Zachary loves traveling to explore places he’s never been before.
Credentials
Pediatric Advanced Life Support
Basic Life Support
RDA License #96050
Emiley Rodriguez
Registered Dental Assistant
Emiley joined Caring Tree Children’s Dentistry on June 29, 2023, eager to make a difference in the lives of our patients. With her boundless energy, compassionate nature, and remarkable patience, she embodies the qualities needed to make dental visits for kids enjoyable and comfortable.
She hails from Gridley, California. While Emiley spent her formative years there, life led her to Salem, Oregon, during her early childhood, only for her to eventually return to her California roots. Her educational journey took her to Butte County ROP, where she pursued her dental aspirations and graduated from the program in May 2022.
As a Registered Dental Assistant, her favorite aspect of dentistry is working with children, as she strives to create an atmosphere of comfort and ease, ensuring they never fear the dentist’s chair. Outside of her career, Emiley finds joy in reading and dancing. Most importantly, she cherishes spending quality time with her beautiful daughter, Amell, and her close-knit family. Emiley’s small family, consisting of herself, her boyfriend, and Amell, serves as the cornerstone of her life, providing endless joy and meaning.
Early life experiences taught her adaptability, shaping her into a determined individual. Emiley’s life goals include being the best mother to Amell and inspiring others to persevere through challenges. Her empathy, compassion, and dedication are invaluable to our practice and community.
Credentials
Basic Life Support (BLS)
RDA License # 98565
Irene G.
Registered Dental Assistant
Make the experience a positive one for all involved.
Irene grew up in a large and loving family. There were three girls and two boys. She is the oldest daughter, and loved helping with the younger children. She loves working with children in part because they have a wonderful sense of humor and an individual perspective on their own environment.
When Irene was only nineteen, she started working for the dentist she had seen since she was three years old. The dental assistant had been her babysitter, and even though the assistant was only a few years older than Irene, she proved to be an excellent mentor.
An advocate for the environment, Irene makes an effort to set an example by re-using items rather than simply throwing them away. She has plans to travel in the future – and wants to immerse herself in the history, art, and culture of faraway lands.
Irene and her husband love the challenge and puzzle of restoring old cars, particularly Ford Mustangs. They have two daughters, ages 18 and 26 who appreciate and understand that what Mom does helps other children. Both her husband and daughters benefit from her love of cooking and hobby of creating new, interesting, and healthful recipes, for which they are willing ‘testers’.
Gentle, sweet, and honest is how she describes Dr. K. She says, “Dr. K is someone you want your own kids to go to for their dental needs.”
Credentials
Basic Life Support (BLS)
RDA License 12691
Sandra C.
Registered Dental Assistant
Sandra has been a dedicated member of the dental community for an impressive three decades and joined our practice in June 2023. Hailing from Carmichael, California, Sandra’s journey in the dental field began at Western Career College, where she pursued Dental Assisting and graduated in 1995. Her extensive experience and unwavering commitment to patient care have made her an invaluable asset to our team.
Sandra’s favorite part of her job is helping patients, a passion that has driven her throughout her career. She finds immense joy in making a difference in their lives, ensuring they receive the best care possible.
Outside of work, Sandra enjoys spending time with her family, a source of great happiness for her. With four children, two of whom still live at home, family life is central to Sandra’s world. In her spare time, she loves hiking, capturing moments through photography, diving into a good book, and staying active with regular workouts. These activities not only bring her joy but also reflect her vibrant and energetic approach to life.
Sandra’s dedication to her family and profession makes her a cherished member of our practice. Her warmth, experience, and passion for helping others continue to make a positive impact on both our team and the patients we serve.
Kylee Godfrey
Dental Assistant
Kylee Godfrey joined Caring Tree Children’s Dentistry more than five years ago, and she brings a fresh and enthusiastic energy to our practice. Growing up in Newcastle, Kylee’s journey into the dental field began early in Idaho, observing at a dental office during her senior year and eventually being hired. After working there for about 10 months and completing a CTE program, she decided to return to California. This early exposure sparked her passion for dentistry, and she has been committed to the profession ever since.
After gaining experience at several other dental offices, Kylee found her place at our practice, where she now enjoys the teamwork and connections she builds with her coworkers, making each day at work fulfilling. Assisting Dr. Chris and Dr. K also brings her great joy, as she cherishes the camaraderie and shared interests with her coworkers.
Outside of work, Kylee is an avid mini golfer and often spends her free time on the course with friends. She also enjoys working out and hiking near her home, embracing an active lifestyle that keeps her energized. Family plays a significant role in Kylee’s life; she is close to her two siblings and parents, with fond memories of adventuring and swimming with her now happily married brother, who was her childhood best friend.
Looking ahead, Kylee aspires to further her dental career by becoming a dental hygienist and dreams of living near the ocean. The Oregon coast, with its beautiful beaches and aquariums, holds a special place in her heart, bringing her a sense of peace and happiness.
Kylee’s positive spirit, dedication to her work, and aspirations for the future make her a valued member of our team, and we’re excited to see her grow within our practice.
Credentials
X-ray and Infection Control License
Ruhee Judge
Registered Dental Assistant
Since joining the dental field, Ruhee has enjoyed every moment of interacting with her patients and helping them feel comfortable during their visits. With just over a year in the dental profession, her favorite part of the job is the opportunity to see her patients smile and chat with them about their dental health and beyond.
Ruhee’s passion for dental assisting began after she graduated from Carrington College in Sacramento, where she earned her certification in November 2023. Though she’s still early in her career, she is always eager to learn and develop her skills further.
Originally from Fremont, California, Ruhee now resides in the Sacramento area with her husband and two young sons. Outside of work, you can often find her cooking delicious meals for her family or tending to her garden. Her love for gardening and cooking helps her relax and recharge.
Ruhee believes that a smile is a powerful thing, and seeing her patient’s smile always brightens her day. She looks forward to continuing her journey in dental care and making a positive impact on every patient she meets.
Cristina Torres
Dental Assistant
Cristina is passionate about working with children and helping them achieve happy, healthy smiles. As a recent graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, with a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Science and an emphasis in Public Health, she joined the dental profession in early 2024. Caring Tree is her first dental job, and she’s loving every minute of it!
Cristina’s favorite part of her role as a dental assistant is working with children, particularly helping them fight off those “cavity bugs” to keep their teeth clean and healthy. Her warm and positive attitude makes each visit enjoyable for her young patients.
Born and raised in Grass Valley, California, Cristina is the eldest in her household. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with family and friends, knitting, playing volleyball, and catching up on her favorite TV shows. Whether she’s at work or home, family is a big part of Cristina’s life.
What truly makes Cristina smile is seeing the joy on a child’s face when she helps them improve their smile.
Vashti H.
Dental Assistant
Growing up in Virginia, Vashti was inspired by the dedication of healthcare professionals who made a lasting impact in their communities. Her time spent volunteering at local clinics gave her a firsthand understanding of the importance of preventive care and patient education, especially when working with children. Driven by this passion, Vashti chose a career as a dental assistant, where she creates a welcoming and supportive environment for young patients, helping them develop healthy oral habits from an early age.
One of Vashti’s favorite aspects of being a pediatric dental assistant is making children feel at ease during their visits. She is eager to further her education in the dental field to become a dental hygienist. Vashti believes in building positive relationships with young patients and enjoys educating them about oral health in fun and engaging ways. Her commitment to preventive care motivates her to provide the best possible support to the pediatric patients she cares for.
Outside of work, Vashti’s creativity shines through her love of painting, karaoke, and reading. She also enjoys engaging in Nerf wars for some high-energy fun and relaxing with her favorite anime series. Family is central to Vashti’s life—she shares a close bond with her elder brother, and together they enjoy video game marathons that are always full of laughter and friendly competition. Vashti also cherishes her time with her niece, creating memories through outdoor adventures and hikes.
What makes Vashti smile most? “Seeing children leave the dental office with confident, bright smiles,” she says.
Credentials
Basic Life Support (BLS),
X-ray Certificate
Infection Control Certificate
Cristina Torres
Dental Assistant
Cristina’s journey into dentistry began in early 2024 when she joined Caring Tree Children’s Dentistry as a dental assistant—an experience she describes as both rewarding and fulfilling. Her favorite part of her job is working with children and helping them fight off those “sugar bugs” to keep their teeth clean and healthy. Cristina brings warmth and positivity to every patient interaction and her caring nature and cheerful attitude ensure that each young patient feels comfortable and enjoys their dental visit.
Cristina was born in Sacramento, CA, and moved to Grass Valley, CA, where she has lived with her family for over two decades. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Sciences with an emphasis in Public Health from the University of Nevada, Reno, in December 2022.
When she is not working, Cristina enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing volleyball, knitting, solving puzzles, and catching up on her favorite TV shows. As the eldest of five children, Cristina cherishes her role in a close-knit family that includes her parents, one brother, and three sisters.
What truly makes Cristina smile is seeing the joy on a child’s face when she helps them improve their smile—turning dental visits into positive and memorable experiences.
Credentials
- Infection Control Course
- CA Dental Practice Act / Law and Ethics
