Meet the Team

Charles Clausen, DDS

Dr. Clausen was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and graduated from the University Of Minnesota School Of Dentistry in 1984.  He has respectfully provided gentle, family-orientated dental care and orthodontics to the adults and children of the greater Phoenix community since 1984.  He continues to pursue extensive continuing education in many areas of dentistry and completed the Progressive Orthodontic Course studies from 1985-1987.  Since that time Dr. Clausen has registered over 1000 hours of continuing education in the field of orthodontics alone.  He has studied under some of the leading clinicians in the field including the late Dr. John Witzig, Dr. Brock Rondeau, and Dr. Jay Gerber.  In addition to membership in the American Dental Association and its local chapter, Dr. Clausen is also a member of the International Association of Orthodontics and The American Association of Functional Orthodontics. 

Dr. Clausen enjoys spending time with his wife and 4 children in addition to playing amateur hockey, golf, boating, skiing and ballroom dancing. It is my privilege and I am proud of the many families we serve in Phoenix, Avondale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Glendale, Buckeye, Tolleson, Surprise, El Mirage & Tonopah.

• American Dental Association
• Arizona Dental Association
• Central Arizona Dental Society
• International Association of Orthodontics
• American Association of Functional Orthodontics

 

Dianne Praul
Office Administrator

Dianne and her husband moved to AZ from WA state in 2004 with their two sons.  Dianne completed her dental assistant training at Bates College in Tacoma, WA, and has enjoyed working in the dental profession for over 20 years.  Dianne keeps her dental knowledge current by attending conferences & seminars each year.  She enjoys time with her family, scrap booking, cooking and hiking with her two dogs.                                                                                                         

Leanne Decker
Front Office Coordinator

Leanne grew up in California and relocated to Arizona in 2007. Leanne has been in the Dental Profession for over 25 years. She graduated from college and received her registered Dental Assisting degree along with an Associate Degree in 1981 and has been in the Dental Profession ever since. She was a Dental Assistant for 10 years then crossed up into the front office where she finds her passion. Leanne has been with Dr. Clausen since January 2010.  She and her husband Rick have been married 21 years and have been blessed with 3 sons, ages 17, 12 and 7. She has one dog and two cats and is kept very busy with her boys and animals. In her spare time she enjoys her time with her family, and sings in the praise band at her church.

Gabriella Rojas
Insurance Coordinator

Gaby moved from her home town of Yuma Co to Phoenix in 2007, she has been with Dr. Clausen as an Insurance Coordinator ever since.  She is currently a full time community college student and soon transferring to Arizona State University to major in Communications.  On her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to the movies, shopping, attending her fiancés flag football games, and playing sports.

Trish Fannin
Registered Dental Hygienist

Trish grew up in Las Vegas and moved to Phoenix in 1975.  She has worked in the dental profession since 1996, practicing as a Dental Hygienist since 2002.  She has one son, three stepdaughters and six grandchildren.  Trish's husband, Jeff, is a Neuropsychologist in private practice.  They both love helping others and for that reason they became involved with Canine Companions for Independence, a national organization that raises and trains dogs to assist people in wheelchairs.  They are charter members of the local chapter.  Trish and her husband enjoy traveling, spending time with friends and family and being involved with church activities.  Trish enjoys cooking and baking, playing Bunko with her girlfriends twice a month, and working out.

Karina Jimenez
Dental Assistant

Karina graduated from ROP Dental Academy, Riverside, CA, in 1992 as a certified Dental Assistant.  In 1996 she moved to Arizona and has been  with Dr. Clausen since 1997. Karina has two children and most recently welcomed an adorable grandson to her family.

Shanti Kuchibhotla
Registered Dental Hygienist

Hello, my name is Shanti; which means “Peace.”  I have been a dental hygienist for almost 10 years.  I’m from all over: I grew up in Calgary, Canada, married and lived in Long Island, New York and moved here recently from New Jersey.  I have been in Arizona now for 2 years and have grown to love it.  My two little boys are 9 and 5 years old and keep me busy with soccer and basketball.  My husband is a computer engineer.  In my spare time, I like to cook, do aerobics and decorate my home.

Liana Knott
Dental Assistant

Liana graduated from Red River Community College, Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada dental assisting program in 1993. Liana acquired her dental certification from the Canadian National Board in 1999.  Liana joined Dr. Clausen’s staff in January 2006, bringing with her over thirteen years dental experience, eight of which were spent in an orthodontic practice. Liana has been married for seventeen years and has two children.  In her spare time she likes to read, sew, knit, garden and bake.