Our Staff

All our professionals at Blair Ridge Dental maintain the highest levels of accreditation and pursue ongoing education to stay abreast of the latest trends in periodontics.
 

Our Doctors

Dr. Joel Sardzinski

Dr. Joel Sardzinski graduated from Mid-America Nazarene College with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion/Psychology.  From there he attended and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.  He is a longstanding member of the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry.  Other associations include the Iowa Dental Association, Linn County Dental Association, and the Academy of Sports Dentistry.  He is currently working toward a Mastership with Dr. Gorden Christensen at the Scottsdale Center for Dentistry. 

Dr. Sardzinski is an adjunct member at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in the Department of Family Dentistry.  He is a “courtesy staff” member for Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids as well as a volunteer dentist for the Community Free Health Clinic in Cedar Rapids, which provides free dental care. 

Dr. Sardzinski is the team dentist for the Cedar Rapids Rough Riders Hockey team and the Cedar Rapids Kernels baseball team.

 

Dr. Amy Wilken

Dr. Wilken received her dental degree from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, where she also completed undergraduate training in biochemistry.

Currently, she is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, Iowa Dental Association, Linn County Dental Association,and the American Academy of Oral Medicine.  Dr. Wilken obtained her fellowship from the Academy of General Dentistry in 2006 and is currently working on becoming accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.  She has completed training in Invisalign treatment and has completed numerous hours of study at the Pankey Institute. Dr. Wilken is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in the Department of Family Dentistry.
She is a volunteer dentist for Mercy Hospice, Mercy Hospital, and the Community Health Free Clinic in Cedar Rapids.

 

Dr. Julia Stanley

Dr. Julia Stanley graduated from the University of Iowa in Iowa City with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology while playing soccer for the Hawkeyes.  She went on to receive her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry.  Currently, she is a member of the American Dental Association, Iowa Dental Association,  Linn County Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. 

Dr. Stanley is a volunteer dentist for the Community Health Free Clinic, which provides free dental care for individuals in need.  She is currently in the process of completing her fellowship in the American Academy of General Dentistry.

 

Dr. Jin Chodr

Dr. Jin Cho completed her undergraduate studies and received her degree in Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) at the University of Iowa. She is a member of the American Dental Association, Iowa Dental Association, Linn County Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. She is also a volunteer dentist for the Community Health Free Clinic in Cedar Rapids.  Dr. Cho was born in South Korea but grew up in Iowa City since she was four years old.

Dr. JJ Heyingdr

Dr. Heying attended the University of Iowa where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2005. He went on to continue his dental education at the University of Iowa by undergoing a specialty residency in the Prosthodontic Department. He received his Certificate of Prosthodontics in 2008 and a Master's of Science (M.S.) degree in 2009.

Currently, he is a member of the American College of Prosthodontists, the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, the American Dental Association, the Iowa Dental Association and the Linn County Dental Association.

Since joining Blair Ridge Dental, Dr. Heying has enjoyed providing a family dentistry practice with a focus on prosthodontics and treatment/management of sleep apnea. He is an adjunct assistant professor in the Family Dentistry Department at the University of Iowa and a volunteer dentist at St. Lukes Hospital and Mercy Medical Center.

 

Dr. Ben Plank Dr. Ben Plank

Dr. Ben Plank graduated from the University of Iowa in Iowa City with a bachelor of arts degree in journalism and religion.  He worked as a professional photojournalist for four years prior to earning his doctor of dental surgery degree from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry.  Dr. Plank is currently a member of the American Dental Association, the Iowa Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. 

Dr. Plank is originally from Mason City, Iowa, and has enjoyed living in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids area for eight years with his wife, two kids, and sheepdog. 

 

 

 



Treatment Coordinators


Dami

Certified and Registered Dental Assistant with 13 years of experience.  She has two children and enjoys helping others, bike riding and spending time with her family.
















Elisa

Certified and Registered Dental Assistant with 10 years of experience.  She graduated from Hawkeye Community College.  She is married and has three daughters.  Elisa loves the Hawkeyes and enjoys working with the public, biking and being with friends and family.












Darcy

Certified and Registered Dental Assistant with 10 years of experience.  She graduated from Des Moines Area Community College.  Darcy is married with three children.  She enjoys the outdoors and spending time with family and friends.










 

Carissa

Registered dental assistant with four years of experience.  She graduated from North East Iowa Community College.  Carissa enjoys watching the Hawkeyes and the Cubs. She also likes going out and being social.












Deb

She's a certified and registered dental assistant with 20 years of experience. She is a graduate of Marshaltown Community College. Deb is married with 2 dogs, a cat and a bird. She enjoys cooking and helping with community fund raisers.






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Hygienists




Jillian

Registered Dental Hygienist with 8 years of experience in assisting and hygiene.  She graduated from Kirkwood College with an Associates degree in Applied Science.  Jillian is originally from Chicago and is a big Cubs fan.  She hopes to continue traveling to third world countries to provide dental care and education to those in need.  She spends her free time competitively show jumping with her horses and chasing around her son. 












Tiffany

Registered Dental Hygienist with one year of experience.  She graduated from Hawkeye Community College with an Associates degree in Applied Science.  She grew up near Cedar Rapids and was recently married.  Tiffany is a Hawkeye and Cubs fan and enjoys sports, fishing, and the outdoors. 












Jill W.

Registered Dental Hygienist with four years of experience.  She graduated from Hawkeye Community College with an Associates degree in Applied Science.  Jill is married and expecting first child & is a huge Hawkeye fan.  She enjoys biking and being with friends and family. 










 

Nancy
 

Registered Dental Hygienist with 14 years of experience.  She graduated from University of Northern Iowa with an Associates degree in Applied Science.  She is married with two children.  Nancy loves to cook & golf.  She enjoys being outdoors and relaxing with friends and family.



 






 


Financial Coordinators

 

Jessica P. (J.P.)

Certified and Registered Dental Assistant with 11 years of experience.  She graduated from Kirkwood Community College.  She is married and enjoys reading thrillers, playing with her dogs, and spending time with friends and family.


 

 

 

 

Managerial Staff


Paula - Clinical Coordinator

Registered and Certified Dental Assistant with 15 years of experience.  She graduated from Hawkeye Community College.  She is married, has 2 yellow labs and three cats.  Paula enjoys playing volleyball, going to movies  and spending time with family and friends.











Kay - Insurance Coordinator

She has been at Blair Ridge for three years.  She has three children and 4 grandchildren and enjoys spending time with all of  them. 



 

 

 

 

 

Jessica H. -Office Manager
She has been with our office for almost 3 years. She was a retail manager for 14 years. Jessica is married and enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and spending time outdoors.


















General, Cosmetic, Prosthodontics- Hiawatha, Blair Ridge Dental, Hiawatha, Iowa 52233 (319) 396-3596
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