Grand Smiles
Our Team
We love our Grand Smiles team and you will too!
Our staff is here to put you at ease and give you a positive dental experience. We take the time to get to know you so we can better determine the best care for you. We will listen to your concerns, explain your options, and work with you to enhance your confidence- and your smile!
Meet Our Doctors
Dr. Carri Gradt
Dr. Gradt was born and raised in Winnipeg. She attended the University of Manitoba and obtained a Bachelor of Science. She went on to graduate dentistry with honours in 1999, as well as received awards in pediatric dentistry. She spent time as an instructor at the faculty of dentistry as well as a mentor for dental students at the University of Manitoba. For 13 years, while working at Grand Smiles, Dr. Gradt also travelled to rural communities such as Treherne and Arborg, Manitoba.
She now divides her time between her two Grand Smiles locations in Winnipeg.
Dr. Gradt is committed to helping her patients achieve healthy smiles, which are important for overall well-being and self-confidence. She enjoys connecting with her patients and is fully invested in their quality of care.
When not at the office, Dr. Gradt spends time with her husband and two boys, usually at some type of sporting event! She enjoys golfing, camping, hiking and reading.
Dr. Ken Zayac
Dr. Zayac was born in Gimli, Manitoba. He attended primary and secondary education in the North End of Winnipeg. His post secondary education included a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and a doctor of dental medicine degree from the University of Manitoba. He ran multiple satellite practices in rural Manitoba in addition to his main practices in Winnipeg.
Dr. Zayac is committed to listening to the needs of his patients and in turn provide quality dentistry they deserve.
Meet Our Team
Shannon K - Dental Hygienist
Shannon was born and raised in Thompson, Manitoba and moved to Winnipeg in 1998 to attend university. She graduated from the University of Manitoba in 2002 and has been at Grand Smiles ever since.
Shannon enjoys building long-term relationships with her patients. She believes prevention is better than treatment, so she feels it is important to educate her patients on how to achieve optimal oral health. She stays up-to-date in the dental hygiene field by taking continuing education courses yearly.
Outside of work, Shannon enjoys being outdoors, camping and attending many concerts.
Renee R - Dental Hygienist
Renee grew up on an acreage near the small town of Notre Dame de Lourdes where she attended and graduated high school. She always seemed to follow the footsteps of her two older sisters, so it was assumed she would pursue a career in nursing like they did. However, nursing wasn't her calling, and instead Renee developed an interest in dental hygiene. Renee decided to apply to the dental
hygiene program at the University of Manitoba in 2017 and graduated from the program in May of 2019.
Renee enjoys spending most of her free time in the country playing in different sporting events with family and friends such as slow pitch tournaments, curling bonspiels and has recently joined a recreational hockey team. Since completing her post-secondary education, Renee has gained a new passion for travelling and is looking forward to exploring other beautiful countries.
Lynell J - Dental Hygienist
Lynell graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1999 with a diploma in Dental Hygiene. She joined our team in 2000. When Lynell is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family.
Jamaka W - Dental Hygienist
Jamaka graduated from the University of Manitoba in 2013 with a diploma in Dental Hygiene, along with the local anesthetic module. Jamaka was awarded the Margaret E. Miller award for excellence in community health. She has been with Grand Smiles since 2016.
Jamaka is a proud hockey and dance Mom to 3 kids. She likes spending time with her family, watching the Jets and playing hockey.
Dana V - Dental Hygienist
Dana, a North Dakota native, Graduated from MNSCTC in Moorhead MN with a degree in Dental Assisting (1997) and Dental Hygiene (2002). She holds dental hygiene licenses in North Dakota, Minnesota and Manitoba. Dana joined our practice in 2014. She is committed to educating her patients on their oral health in a stress-free and comfortable environment.
Dana and her husband Travis have three boys that keep them busy.
When not running around with her boys to activities - she enjoys working out, relaxing with family and friends and traveling.
Shannon B - Dental Assistant
Shannon has been practising in the dental field since 1998 and graduated from Red River College with the orthodontic module. In March of 2014, she joined Grand Smiles assisting both Dr. Gradt and Dr. Zayac and loves every day she spends with her work family. Shannon is annually recertified with Level 3 CPR and First Aid. When she is not at work, Shannon enjoys travelling, spending time with her kids and family and binge-watching Netflix.
Whitney C - Dental Assistant
Whitney graduated with honours from Red River College in 2017, she has been working with us right out of school as a dental assistant. She also has taken the orthodontic module from RRC. Likes to play with video games, chill out watching movies and loves spending time with her daughter on her spare time.
Tyra W - Dental Assistant
Tyra W graduated from CDI College in 2019, joined our team shortly after she got her certificate in dental assisting. In her spare time she likes working out, hiking and walk her dogs.
Larissa S - Dental Assistant
Larissa is one of our registered dental assistants who has been with us since 2016. She graduated from Red River College and also completed orthodontic module in 2014. She loves to spend time with her family.
Michelle C - Office Manager Grand Smiles Kenaston
Michelle is our office manager. She has started out as a dental
assistant and receptionist at our office and has been with us since
2004. Michelle graduated in 1995 from Concorde College in San Diego, California. A mother of two young men, was born and raised in the Philippines and speaks Tagalog fluently. She loves to travel and spend time with her family and friends.
Lana H - Office Manager Grand Smiles Roblin
Lana is our office manager at our Roblin Boulevard location. Her journey here began when she moved to Winnipeg from The Pas in 2006 and joined our team in 2008. Lana is huge on communication, and patient care is always number one. When Lana is not in the office, she likes spending time with her family and friends as well as the golf course.
Wanda E - Receptionist
Wanda is our friendly and cheerful receptionist at Kenaston. She is also a registered dental assistant, graduated in 2004 from University College of the North. She has joined our office in 2016.
Laura-Lynn S - Receptionist
Laura-Lynn has been a receptionist at Grand Smiles on Roblin Blvd since 2013 and prior to that was a stay-at-home Mom after leaving MTS, having spent many years there in an administrative role.
Laura-Lynn is a lifelong Charleswood resident and enjoys seeing many familiar faces at our clinic. When not at work, you can find her enjoying time with her family, playing the piano, listening to music on Spotify, watching movies, reading up on history and travelling when she can. Laura-Lynn is a bit of a computer geek and is especially proud of her Viking heritage. You'll always find her in Gimli at the lslendingadagurinn every August long weekend, as well as other times throughout the year.