A lifetime of healthy, confident smiles
Meet Dr. Mari
Dr. Mari Kiesling is a 3rd generation Montana native. After graduating from Belgrade High School, Dr. Mari’s collegiate volleyball career took her to Southwestern Oregon Community College, Carroll College, and finally Montana State University.
After graduating, Dr. Mari continued her training at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry in Kentucky. She graduated with honors after four years and was accepted into the pediatric dental residency at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah.
During her time in Utah, she worked alongside the program’s faculty and received extensive training in emergency care and trauma, orthodontics, dental sedation, general anesthesia, and care for children with special needs.
Dr. Mari is a board-certified pediatric dentist and diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She is a member of the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and Montana Dental Association.
Dr. Mari and her husband have been blessed with three beautiful children. As a family, they love everything Montana: skiing, hiking, hunting, boating, and the great outdoors. She absolutely loves working with kids and is honored to serve Helena and its surrounding communities.
Admin Team
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Robyn
Robyn Bowles is the Clinical Coordinator here at Prickly Pear Pediatric Dentistry. She has over 20 years of experience in the dental field as a dental assistant, as well as a history of teaching dental assisting. She loves working with and teaching children.
Robyn is a devoted wife to a newly-retired Army veteran of 25 years, and a proud mom of two wonderful children - a married daughter with a new grandson (that she loves to pieces) and a 17-year-old son.
When not working, Robyn loves to explore the outdoors and hike with her son and their dogs in the beautiful mountains of Montana. She is also an avid reader and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Robyn is proud to be a part of the team here at PPPD and hopes that her knowledge and passion for dentistry will help provide our patients with the best possible care and dental experience possible.
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Kami
Kami Shuman is the Office Manager for Prickly Pear Pediatric Dentistry. She is a Montana native who has worked in dentistry for 15 years. She worked alongside Dr. Mari for seven of those years as lead dental assistant and for the last two years she added dental office manager to her experience. Kami is passionate when it comes to providing an amazing dental office experience for patients and their families.
In her free time, Kami can be found cheering at football games, traveling with her husband of 26 years, and hanging out with her 3 awesome children: Kaden, Carson, and Mackenzie. She also enjoys taking walks with her fur-baby, Titan and grand dog, Jack.
Kami is a wonderful asset to the PPPD team. We know she will make your family’s visit at the office a good one!
Clinical Team
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Tabitha
Tabitha Southworth is a dental assistant at Prickly Pear Pediatric Dentistry. She has been working with Dr. Mari as a dental assistant for five years, and absolutely loves her job!
Tabitha has called Helena home for the last seventeen years. When she’s not at work, she can usually be found performing or designing shows at Grandstreet or Carroll College, where she graduated in 2022 with degrees in Theater and Criminology. She loves traveling and exploring new places, but is also happy to be at home, spending time with her parents and siblings, playing the cello, and listening to true crime podcasts with her dog and two cats.
Tabitha is so excited to be a part of Dr. Mari’s awesome team here at PPPD, and is excited to continue to use her knowledge and skills to help children have comfortable and enjoyable visits at the dentist and to learn good oral hygiene practices that they can take with them for the rest of their lives.
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Nikki
Nikki Krueger is a native Montanan from Kalispell. She earned a degree in Business Administration with a minor in Public Relations at Carroll College.
During Nikki’s time at Carroll she earned four All-American honors and a National Champion title in shot put. After graduating from Carroll College she has pursued a coaching career at Helena High, coaching boys high school shot put and discus.
In her free time Nikki likes to adventure the great outdoors by skiing, enjoying Montana’s many beautiful lakes, hunting, fishing, and hanging around a fire. When not outside Nikki loves to bake, cook, read, and watch movies.
Nikki is very excited to start a new chapter with Prickly Pear Pediatric Dentistry. Making an impact on young children in the community is one of Nikki’s greatest passions. She loves helping patients, one smile at a time.
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Ylenia
Ylenia Woodlief, aka “Little Italy” is a dental assistant at PPPD.
She was born and raised in northern Italy and has been a dental assistant for almost two years. She’s married to a wonderful man and has a beautiful and goofy dog name Zeke. She loves working with kids and helping the community. In her free time she likes to go camping, hiking, biking with her husband and dog, as well as spending time with friends and family.
She is beyond excited to be part of an amazing team at PPPD and hopes to make your visit a great experience!
