Meet Our Team

Our exceptional, friendly staff is one of our greatest assets, and we are proud of their long time association with our office. Patients tell us often how well we work together as a team.

We pride ourselves on staying on the cutting edge of dentistry and great patient communication. Each of our team members is motivated to achieve the best results for our patients in a calming and comfortable setting.


Office Manager

Michele Kasper

After serving as a hygienist with the office beginning in 2006, Michele Kasper enthusiastically decided to move to the front office when the opportunity arose. Michele loves serving our patients’ administrative needs and shares her joy of dentistry in her new role as Office Manager.  A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, class of 1991, Michele moved to Pittsburgh from the Philadelphia area where she was first employed.  Like the rest of our  team, Michele loves working with patients, playing a part in keeping them healthy, and getting to know them personally.  Michele is married and has two beautiful daughters.


Office Coordinators

Carol Deangelis

Our office coordinator is Carol DeAngelis. Carol will greet you with a warm and friendly smile. Her 30 plus years of experience in the dental field as a dental hygienist, a dental assistant, and
now a business assistant, give her a unique understanding of your dental needs. Carol also brings with her experience as a dental instructor and a consultant with a dental insurance company. Carol will assist you with scheduling appointments, arranging payment options, and maximizing any applicable insurance benefits.

Outside of Uptown Dental, Carol loves spending time walking daily with her husband and working out remotely with her sister. When Carol’s not walking or working out, you can find her gardening or cooking. She also loves sharing laughs and visiting with her sons and daughter-in-laws.  We trust you will find Carol as warm and welcoming as the rest of our practice family does.

Jessica Stein

Jessica Stein is back from her maternity leave full of vigor and smiles. Prior to joining our team, Jessica had five years of experience in the healthcare field as a medical assistant. She made the transition into the dental field in 2015, when she brought her customer service skills to our office. Jessica will tell you how much she enjoys working in such a friendly workplace. She passes along this warm and approachable attitude to the patients as she assists them with scheduling, financial needs, and answers to their questions.

When not at work, Jessica loves spending time with her husband and very young family. Making memories camping in the summer is one of her favorite pastimes.

 

Becky Carlson 

Becky Carlson is the newest member of our Uptown Dental team. She joined the practice in April 2022. Even though she is new to our office, she has worked in dentistry for forty years. After graduating from the Median School as a dental lab technologist, Becky worked for a few of the local dental laboratories in the area. During those years, Becky realized her strengths were better served with direct patient care, both as a chairside assistant and as an office manager. The exceptional experience gleaned from her years in prosthodontic and periodontal practices serves our patients well.  

When not working, Becky loves to travel with family, garden with her husband, and to spend time with her son, dogs, and cats.

 


Patient Coordinators

Pattierin Houston

Pattierin Houston is the patient coordinator and serves as Dr. Hirschfield’s chair-side assistant. Patti has  years of experience in the dental field enhancing patients’ smiles. Together she and Dr. Hirschfield make a wonderful team. She facilitates the doctor’s work greatly, and ensures each patient’s visit is comfortable as well as productive. When not in the office, Patti shares her life with her husband and best friend, Terry, and their sweet Bouvier dog, Elsie. Her interests include crafting, gardening, and home improvements. In both Patti’s professional and personal life, she appreciates the process of playing a part in making something special … be it a beautiful smile or gorgeous garden.

patti

Jean Rakoczy

Jean Rakoczy, also a chair side assistant, has served the patients of our office for over 20 years. She works closely now with the doctors ensuring patients’ comfort and ease. The doctors will tell you how invaluable Jean’s skills are in helping to provide excellent dental care. Jean enjoys her work and the new people she meets through it.

Jean, originally from Chicago, has called Pittsburgh home for 30 plus years. She and her husband, parents of a son and daughter, enjoy traveling, reading, cooking, and long walks with their yellow lab, They also enjoy an occasional ride in their antique cars. Jean’s family is growing with two new beautiful grandchildren.

Tiffany, Dental Assistant

Tiffany Waibel

Tiffany Waibel has worked in dentistry as a Certified Dental Assistant for over 10 years. Graduating with honors from the dental assisting program at the Bradford School. Tiffany continues to expand her knowledge with course work in some of the latest technologies in dentistry. 

She loves helping patients feel comfortable in the dental office and enjoys meeting so many wonderful people each day. When not in the office she enjoys gardening, traveling, exploring new restaurants, and spending quality time with her family, friends and dogs -Buddy, Trevor, and Scout.

Hygienists

The office hygienists are Diane Masilunas, Joan Olah, Myia Fehl, and Adam Perl. They are all highly dedicated to the practice of preventive dentistry to ensure your optimal dental health. All of them have that “thorough but gentle touch”, and we are fortunate to have such experienced and personable clinicians to serve our patients. In addition, the hygienists participate in their own hygiene study club, as well as join the doctor’s at hers. They are proud of the number of days they dedicate to continuing education to provide our patients with the best dental health care can offer.

Diane Masilunas

Diane has been a hygienist with our office for close to 25 years. Diane has met so many wonderful patients during those years, but perhaps the kids in the practice are her favorites. Helping patients maintain healthy smiles and getting to know them is what attracted Diane to the profession, and continues to bring a smile to her face. When not busy at the office, Diane finds joy singing in her church’s Contemporary Choir, walking, biking, and best of all, spending time with her family including her five grandchildren.

diane

 Joan Olah

Joan comes from a family of dental hygienists … two of Joan’s the sisters are hygienists.  She has enjoyed working together with Dr. Betty Jo for close to 35 years.  Joan will tell you her reward at the end of the work day is that she has helped 10 other people become healthier.  Her family likes to spend a great deal of time hiking, biking, and kayaking outdoors.  On occasion Joan will run into patients on the local trails and always enjoys seeing their great smiles.

Myia Fehl

Myia Fehl’s introduction to our office was during her training as a dental assistant, and it was during those months she decided to pursue a career as a hygienist.  Myia graduated from the University of Pittsburgh’s dental hygiene program in 2014. From there, she continued at the University to complete her bachelor’s degree and work as a teaching assistant with the dental hygiene department.  She found great enjoyment in teaching, but patient care is her passion.  Myia was thrilled to return to Uptown Dental. Her goal is to help her patients with both their inner and outer smile. During Myia’s free time she enjoys traveling, working around her new home in Dormont, and spending time with her “little sister” from the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

Adam Perl

Adam Perl is a proud lifelong Yinzer who grew up in White Oak. Adam graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in Undergraduate Studies and Dental Hygiene.  He has been with our office since 2011, and is still in love with his job! Adam has expanded the hygiene services available to our patients with advanced training and we are thrilled to have him on our team. Adam enjoys running, listening to music and playing bass guitar with his band, traveling, and spending time with his partner and rescue dogs. Talk to him about your favorite sushi roll! 

adam