Meet the Team

Dr. Kari Chellis
A Seattle native, I fell in love with dentistry, and the magic that dentistry could perform by improving self-esteem when I had orthodontics done in 7th and 8th grades. Back then, I had such a terrible smile that even my Dad teased me mercilessly, but after having braces, I could smile proudly and be so much more confident! I love being able to help guests in our Smile Secrets "family" to feel that same boost of self-confidence when they can be proud of their healthy, beautiful smile!

From that early influence, I went on to receive my Bachelors of Science in Dental Hygiene from Loma Linda University in 1976, graduating magna cum laude, and then my Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Washington in 1992, graduating in the top 10% of my class.

My passion now is to create healthy beautiful smiles while utilizing the latest dental technologies in materials and prevention. I have a strong focus on prevention and healing of disease and love to help you prevent cavities with our Anti-Cavity Prevention Program. My new passion hearkens back to my roots in Dental Hygiene, but today, I bring the power of dental lasers to healing Periodontal Disease--without surgery and without pain.

In addition to travel, music, and cooking, I love spending time outdoors camping with my husband Henry and our four-legged "kid," a female Whippet named "Frankie."

Laura Bernardo
I have always had a fascination with teeth, even as a child. I knew from then on I would be in the dental field. I graduated with honors from Renton Technical College and I have been Dr. Chellis’ assistant for over 4 years now and I love every minute of it. I have a wonderful boyfriend named Shaun and we have two beautiful cats, Kitty and Ralley. In my free time I love to workout, especially taking Zumba classes!

Cindy Hart
I am so happy to be part of this amazing Smile Secrets team! I come to this office with 35 years of experience and am thrilled to say that I am constantly learning new innovative techniques in patient care. It makes me proud to work in an office that is so focused on treating our guests in a holistic way, while providing the most avant-garde dental care!

Family is very important to me and I enjoy spending time with my four children Shawn, Nick, Jeni and Chandra and my two grandchildren Landen and Taraji. Children are my passion; I do respite foster care for drug affected babies, and belong to the Highline Exchange Club, raising money to help children's causes in the Highline area. I also love Racquetball, Zumba, Kayaking and Travel.

Please call if you have any questions I can answer about the office and I look forward to meeting you and your family soon!”

Alexis Howard
I am the full-time hygienist at Smile Secrets. I was born and raised in our beautiful Seattle area. I lived in Los Angeles, then Portland while continuing my education and pursuing my dream of becoming a dental hygienist. I could not have been more excited the day I received my hygiene license and was officially able to call myself a registered dental hygienist. I love this industry and I love my career.

I am so very proud to be a part of the amazing Smile Secrets team. On my days off I enjoy spending time with family and friends or just relaxing at home with my soon to be husband, David. I look forward to seeing you all at your next hygiene visit!

Kristin Beaty
I started working with the Smile Secret's Team as a dental hygienist in December 1999. I have a passion for dentistry and thrive on learning and implementing new techniques to improve the dental health and aesthetics of my patients. Dr. Chellis has enabled me to become the dental hygienist I am today not only by taking me to the top dental education courses to learn cutting edge techniques, but also by being able to use the best equipment dentistry has to offer. Dr. Chellis is a phenomenal dentist and I feel privileged to be able to work with her.

I grew up in West Seattle and still live here with my husband, who is a dentist in Federal Way, and our two children, Sydney and Owen. While I don't find much time these days to row or kayak, I love being out on the water. I enjoy gardening and find my exercise time going on walks with my children and chasing them around the park.