OUR TEAM
the People Behind Your Care
A multidisciplinary team united by thoughtful planning, clinical excellence, and genuine relationships.
Our Dedicated Doctors
Dr.
Andrew
Bruening
Owner Dentist
Bio
Thoughtful care, guided by precision.
Dr. Andrew Bruening approaches dentistry through the lens of diagnosis, thoughtful planning, and long-term health. His work blends surgical and restorative expertise, digital innovation, and a prevention-forward philosophy to help patients make informed decisions with confidence.
He believes technology should support human care — enhancing precision, improving comfort, and creating a more thoughtful patient experience.
It is your smile. We guide thoughtfully. You decide with confidence.
Andrew’s Faves
Coffee Order
Cortado or Espresso
Favorite Ways to Recharge
Golf, photography, cooking
Weekend Ritual
Golf, family time, something on the grill
Always Learning About
Digital workflows, design, systems
Currently Inspired By
The intersection of craftsmanship and technology
What He Values Most in Care
Trust
TRAINING & FOCUS
UMKC School of Dentistry, Academic Honors
Oral Surgery Honors Program
Digital Dentistry Educator and Speaker
Fellow, International Dental Implant Association
Pursuit of Mastery
Committed to continual refinement through Pankey-inspired study, digital education, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Cosmetic Smile Redesign
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Bite Rebalancing
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Tooth Replacement
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Cosmetic Smile Redesign | Bite Rebalancing | Tooth Replacement |
Dr.
carissa
Bruening
Owner Dentist
Bio
Thoughtful care, rooted in connection.
Dr. Carissa Bruening believes exceptional care begins with listening. Her work blends comprehensive diagnosis, prevention-focused care, and thoughtful treatment planning to help patients feel informed, comfortable, and supported in their decisions.
With a background in kinesiology, leadership studies, and a deep interest in clinical biomechanics, she is passionate about helping patients understand how teeth, muscles, joints, posture, and overall well-being are intricately connected. She is particularly drawn to concerns involving function, comfort, and the relationship between the bite and the temporomandibular joints.
Education remains at the heart of her approach. She believes patients deserve to understand not only what is recommended, but why—creating a foundation for confident, collaborative decision-making.
Her commitment to comprehensive care led her to the Pankey Institute, where she completed the Essentials 1–4 continuum and advanced study in TMD and Orofacial Pain, further shaping her philosophy of thoughtful, relationship-centered dentistry.
Care begins with understanding, and trust grows from there.
Carissa’s Faves
Coffee Order
A fresh cup brewed from our home-roasted coffee beans, though a vanilla latte is always my vacation choice
Favorite Ways to Recharge
Golf, gardening, exercise, and adventures with family
Weekend Ritual
Slow mornings, tending to our homestead, cheering on the Wildcats, and making memories with family.
Always Learning About
The relationship between function, movement, oral health, and overall well-being.
Currently Inspired By
Helping patients connect how they feel, function, and live with the health of their smile.
What She Values Most in Care
Understanding
training & Focus
Kansas State University, Kinesiology
UMKC School of Dentistry, Academic Honors
Advanced interest in functional bite and joint health
Comprehensive, prevention-focused care philosophy
Pursuit of Mastery
Committed to continual learning through Pankey-inspired study and advanced education in comprehensive, function-focused care.
Functional Bite Analysis
|
TMJ & Joint Comfort
|
Preventive Health Planning
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Functional Bite Analysis | TMJ & Joint Comfort | Preventive Health Planning |
Featured Clinical Partner
Dr.
Andrea
morris
Associate dentist | remvia founder
Bio
Looking deeper for answers others may miss.
Dr. Andrea Morris brings a thoughtful, systems-based approach to care rooted in dentistry, public health, and whole-body wellness. Her work focuses on helping patients understand the relationship between breathing, sleep, oral structures, and overall health.
As founder and inventor of Remvia, Dr. Morris guides patients through a diagnostic and educational process designed to uncover overlooked contributors to chronic symptoms and support more informed next steps.
At Hilltown Dental, Dr. Morris sees patients specifically through Remvia consultations and care pathways.
Sometimes the next step in care begins with understanding the “why.”
andrea’s Faves
Coffee Order
Flat white
Favorite Way to Recharge
Music, ceramics, time outdoors
Currently Inspired By
The intersection of breathing, healing, and systems thinking
Values Most in Care
Curiosity and trust
Training & Focus
Doctor of Dental Surgery — UMKC School of Dentistry
B.A. Biological Sciences — University of Missouri–Columbia
Pursuit of Mastery
Dr. Morris brings together clinical experience, public health leadership, and continued study in airway-centered care to help patients explore health through a broader lens. Her work reflects a commitment to innovation, thoughtful inquiry, and care that looks beyond symptoms alone.
Airway Health
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Sleep Screening
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BREATHING FUNCTION
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REMVIA CARE
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Airway Health | Sleep Screening | BREATHING FUNCTION | REMVIA CARE |
Meet Our fun-loving team
Helping patients feel comfortable, understood, and cared for.
Amanda
Registered Dental Hygienist
BIO
Helping patients feel comfortable, understood, and cared for.
Amanda has been part of Hilltown Dental since 2015 and brings a calm, thoughtful approach to preventive care. She values building long-term relationships with patients and helping people feel more confident in their health through education, consistency, and comfort.
KNOWN FOR
Creating ease for patients, noticing the details, and building trust over time.
AMANDA’S FAVES
Coffee Order
Iced latte
Favorite Way to Recharge
Volleyball, time outdoors, family
What She Values Most in Care
Comfort
bridget
Registered Dental Hygienist
BIO
Thoughtful care, delivered with steadiness and heart.
Bridget loves building real connections with patients and helping people feel more comfortable and confident about going to the dentist. She’s passionate about preventative care, patient education, and keeping up with new products and technology that make oral health easier and more personalized.
KNOWN FOR
Known for positive energy, gentle care, and making patients feel at ease while bringing a supportive, upbeat presence to the team.
bridget’S FAVES
Coffee Order
Iced vanilla sweet cream cold brew
Favorite Way to Recharge
Spending time with family
What She Values Most in Care
Helping patients feel comfortable, educated, and confident in their oral health while creating a positive and supportive experience at every visit.
Currently Inspired By
Modern preventative dentistry and the advancement of new products and technologies that help improve patient education, comfort, and long-term oral health outcomes.
hannah
Registered Dental Hygienist
BIO
Supportive care, grounded in encouragement and connection.
Hannah brings warmth, energy, and a thoughtful approach to preventive care. She enjoys helping patients feel informed, comfortable, and supported, and believes a lighter moment, a little laughter, and clear communication can go a long way in helping people feel at ease.
KNOWN FOR
Keeping the mood light, bringing positive energy, and helping patients feel encouraged.
Hannah’S FAVES
Coffee Order
Espresso Martini
Favorite Way to Recharge
Time outdoors, movement, family time
What She Values Most in Care
Encouragement
shelby
Expanded Function Dental Assistant
BIO
Thoughtful support, grounded in precision and personality.
Shelby brings a calm, highly organized approach to clinical care while helping patients feel comfortable and at ease. She values preparation, continuity, and creating an experience that feels thoughtful and seamless — while believing a little humor can make even complex care feel lighter.
KNOWN FOR
Thoughtful precision, quiet leadership, and keeping the mood light.
Shelby’S FAVES
Coffee Order
Honey Lavender Latte
Favorite Way to Recharge
Family time, being outdoors, quiet weekends
What She Values Most in Care
Confidence
Cheyne
Dental Assistant
BIO
Thoughtful support, grounded in preparation and connection.
Cheyne helps support complex care by bringing organization, attentiveness, and a warm presence to treatment coordination. She values helping patients feel prepared, informed, and supported as they move through care.
KNOWN FOR
Staying organized, anticipating needs, and helping patients feel ready.
Cheyne’s FAVES
Coffee Order
Iced Latte
Favorite Way to Recharge
Family time and being outdoors
What She Values Most in Care
Readiness
Kelsey
Patient Care Coordinator | Patient Experience & Scheduling
BIO
Thoughtful support, grounded in hospitality and follow-through.
Kelsey values building strong relationships with patients through compassion and communication. She enjoys guiding patients through appointments by answering questions and helping them better understand their benefits plan. She creates a caring and comfortable environment where patients feel heard, cared for, and confident in their treatment plan.
KNOWN FOR
Warm communication, geniune care, and a good laugh.
Kelsey’s FAVES
Coffee Order
Vanilla Iced Coffee
Favorite Way to Recharge
Quiet weekends and patio time with her fur babies.
What She Values Most in Care
Transparency
Currently Inspired By
Ever-evolving dental field and opportunities to better serve patients.
Patient Care Coordinator | Insurance & A/R
Chris
BIO
A familiar presence built on relationships and experience.
Chris has been part of Hilltown Dental since 1988 and is often one of the first familiar faces patients recognize when they walk through the door. With experience in both dental assisting and patient coordination, she brings a thoughtful, well-rounded perspective to helping patients feel informed, supported, and cared for.
She values the relationships built over decades of care and loves the daily connection she shares with patients and families throughout the community.
KNOWN FOR
Building lasting relationships, helping patients feel comfortable, and bringing years of experience to every interaction.
Chris’s FAVES
Coffee Order
Pass on the coffee… she’ll take a Coke Zero or Raspberry Tea
Favorite Way to Recharge
Time with family, car shows, serving her church and community, and rummage sales
What She Values Most in Care
Connection
Currently Inspired By
The relationships and familiarity built through years of caring for patients and families
Lauren
Business Manager | Practice Experience & Operations
BIO
Helping thoughtful care feel connected.
Lauren helps support the systems, communication, and behind-the-scenes coordination that allow care to feel seamless from start to finish. She values clarity, thoughtful systems, and creating an experience where clinical excellence and hospitality work together.
KNOWN FOR
Connecting the details, improving systems, and helping the patient experience feel intentional.
Lauren’s FAVES
Coffee Order
Double Espresso
Favorite Way to Recharge
Time with family, good coffee, and big ideas
What She Values Most in Care
Continuity
