Dr. Brent D. Dryden, DDS
Dr. Brian K. Poulsen, DDS

Meet the Team

Lani Skiff, R.D.H.


 

 Lani is a 1986 Covington High School graduate. She attended DSLCC and in 1990 she graduated Suma Cum Laude from Virginia Western Community College with an associates in Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene. She has been a loyal employee in our office for over twenty seven years. She loves seeing patients smile and feels privileged to call many of them her friends. She strives to be a friendly familiar face and to put patients at ease with gentle care. Lani graduated from Good News School of Ministry in June 2007, and enjoys serving the Lord in various capacities. She resides in Covington with her children, Ian and Logan, and her dog Lulu, and her grand dog Teddie. She enjoys singing, reading, spending time on her side porch, watching her Yankees play, and spending time with her friends and family.

  


 



 Emily Loving, R.D.H.



 

                                               

 

 

Emily attended Wytheville Community College where she graduated with an associates in Dental Hygiene in 2016. Emily grew up in Clifton Forge, where she now lives with her boyfriend and two kitties. Emily has been with the practice since October of 2017, where she has formed a great working relationship with her fellow coworkers and patients. In her free time, Emily enjoys watching movies, traveling as much as possible, and spending time with her loved ones. Emily looks forward to seeing at your next cleaning appointment! 

  


   



 

 Tammy Persinger, Office Manager


 

 

 Tammy has been with the practice since June 1, 1989. Not long after that she and her husband Mike moved to Buena Vista where he had been working at Dana, INC. Tammy started out as the scheduling coordinator, but has been our office manager since 1994. Tammy grew up in the Alleghany Highlands where she attended Alleghany High School. With her children participating in sports for Parry McCluer Schools she quickly became a true “Blue” fan. When Tammy is not working she LOVES spending time with her Grandson Ian, clogging with the Rebels of Rhythm Cloggers and spending as much time as possible with family and friends.

 

 


 

Lisa Ferguson, Financial Coordinator


 

 

 

Lisa would like to welcome everyone to the office. She is one of the friendly faces at the front desk. She loves to find ways to make people smile. She is happy to answer your questions, plan for appointments, help your resolve your concerns, discuss your financial options and make your visits a positive one. She has been with Buena Vista Family Dentistry for almost 3 decades, currently as Financial Coordinator and she appreciates how positive the environment is here. She appreciates the attentive care our doctors and team strive to provide to each patient. When she isn’t working, she enjoys cooking, shopping and spending time with her husband, children and their three beautiful grandchildren.

   

 

 


 

 Kristy Martin, Clinical Manager 



 

 

Kristy is a 93 graduate of PMHS. She has been with the practice since June 1993. She is currently holding position as Clinical Manager and is your new face at the front desk. She enjoys working with the doctors and staff helping with patient education and treatment to better their lives. When she isn’t working, she enjoys clogging as a member of the Rebels of Rhythm Cloggers. As well as spending time with friends, family and her loving pets Maggie Mae and Lucy.

 

 

 

  

 


 

 Brenda Wheeler, Assistant 


 

 

 

 

Brenda has over four decades of dental assisting experience. She makes patients comfortable and relaxed with her sweet demeanor. Brenda is a member of the Buena Vista Presbyterian Church, member of the choir and the circle. She resides in Buena Vista with her husband Johnny and has two sons, Jeff and Derrick.  In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, especially her grandsons Hayden, Jacob, Koda, and granddaughter Clara Grace. 

 


  

 

 


 


 Bridgett Hemmings, Lab Case Manager 



 

 

 

Bridgett is our lab case manager. She has been with the practice since 2007. When she’s not busy here, she’s spending as much time as possible with her sweet kiddos and husband. They love being outdoors, going for adventurous walks and snuggling up for movie nights.

 


 

  

 


    

Hillary Austin, Implant Coordinator and Assistant



 


 

Hillary is the Dental Implant Coordinator, as well as, one of the assistants at Buena Vista Family Dentistry; she has been with the practice since fall of 2014. She loves spending all of her home time with her family. She is married and has two kids, Oliver & Charlotte. Her hobbies also include: doing volunteer work for the Buena Vista Pentecostal Holiness Church as a youth leader, baking, and going to sporting events (she is a die-hard Tarheels fan).  Hillary loves to meet new people and help patients out in any way possible; she cares for them as if they are family.

 

  

 


  

Bonita Cash, Assistant



 

 

 

 

Bonita joined Buena Vista Family Dentistry in May 2015. She has over four decades of experience in the dental field. In her free time she enjoys feeding and caring for stray animals. Also she loves cuddling up with her kitty Romper and other special kitties Riley, Sprinkles, Miss. Black, Wilma, Gray Cat, Spot, and rest of neighborhood kitties. She even cares for special guests; the opossum family. She looks forward to seeing you at your next visit!


 

 

 


   

Faith Bane, Assistant


 

 

 

 

Faith is a 2020 homeschool high school graduate. She has spent most of her life traveling and sight seeing around Virginia. After graduating, Faith took a three month course at Valley Vocational Technical Center in Fisherville to become a Dental Assistant. She loves spending time with family and friends, and being an aunt to her two nephews. Her hobbies include reading, writing, learning, listening to music, traveling (especially to West Virginia), and worshiping Jesus Christ. 


 

 

  

 Kim Via, Assistant



 

 

 

 

 Kim graduated from Covington High School in 2020. After graduating, Kim attended Accelerated Dental Assisting Academy in order to work as a dental assistant. Kim currently lives with her family in Covington, VA. When not working, Kim likes going fishing, kayaking, and hanging out with her friends. She is the newest team member at Buena Vista Family Dentistry and looks forward to seeing you in the dental chair! 


 



 


   

Bonita Cash, Assistant



 

 

 

 

Bonita joined Buena Vista Family Dentistry in May 2015. She has over four decades of experience in the dental field. In her free time she enjoys feeding and caring for stray animals. Also she loves cuddling up with her kitty Romper and other special kitties Riley, Sprinkles, Miss. Black, Wilma, Gray Cat, Spot, and rest of neighborhood kitties. She even cares for special guests; the opossum family. She looks forward to seeing you at your next visit!


 

 

 



Bonita Cash, Assistant



 

 

 

 

Bonita joined Buena Vista Family Dentistry in May 2015. She has over four decades of experience in the dental field. In her free time she enjoys feeding and caring for stray animals. Also she loves cuddling up with her kitty Romper and other special kitties Riley, Sprinkles, Miss. Black, Wilma, Gray Cat, Spot, and rest of neighborhood kitties. She even cares for special guests; the opossum family. She looks forward to seeing you at your next visit!


 

 

 



Bonita Cash, Assistant



 

 

 

 

Bonita joined Buena Vista Family Dentistry in May 2015. She has over four decades of experience in the dental field. In her free time she enjoys feeding and caring for stray animals. Also she loves cuddling up with her kitty Romper and other special kitties Riley, Sprinkles, Miss. Black, Wilma, Gray Cat, Spot, and rest of neighborhood kitties. She even cares for special guests; the opossum family. She looks forward to seeing you at your next visit!