Meet the Team

Dr. Robert N. Hanson grew up in Alamogordo, New Mexico, and is a graduate of the University of New Mexico and the Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas. In 1974, Dr. Hanson moved to Independence, Missouri, where he had the privilege of joining the dental practice of Dr. J. Donald Duensing. They practiced together until 1986, when Dr. Duensing retired.

Dr. Hanson has provided many years of dental service to the community of Independence and eastern Jackson County, Missouri. He is married and has three children. His hobbies include fly fishing, backpacking, traveling, gardening and dining out with his friends and family. He is a member of the following:

• American Dental Association®
• Missouri Dental Association
• Greater Kansas City Dental Society
• Eastern Jackson County Dental Health Association
• And more …

Dr. Hanson believes in providing his patients with the most comfortable and supportive atmosphere possible.

Whether you are visiting for a routine exam or are in need of a more complex procedure, he and his staff will take excellent care of you and your family. We guarantee a friendly atmosphere and our full attention to all your dental needs. Bring your children in for annual checkups and fluoride treatments. Feel free to ask about specialized cosmetic services and more.

We have the training, experience and technology to provide you with the best dental services available.

Dr. Steve Blum grew up in Sioux City, Iowa. He attended Iowa State University and graduated with a degree in exercise and sports science in 2000. From there, he attended the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and received his dental degree in 2004. Dr. Blum has one son, Christopher, who is currently attending Kansas State University. In October 2023, he will marry his fiance, Taylor, who has two children, Blake and Ryleigh. Dr. Blum’s hobbies include grilling, using his smoker, and watching or going to sporting events. He enjoys all different kinds of food and is always open to suggestions on different restaurants.

In 2005, Dr. Blum purchased a practice in Bonner Springs, Kansas, and eventually moved it to Lenexa, Kansas. In 2015, he sold his practice and helped treat patients in other offices on the Kansas side. In January 2023, he obtained his Missouri dental license and joined Dr. Hanson’s dental office. Dr. Blum believes in making his patients feel at ease and comfortable. He is a conservative dentist and believes in treating his patients the same way as he would his own family. His patients will be given all their options and explanations and, together, a treatment plan will be customized that works best for the patient.

Dr. Heye was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he grew up as the oldest of four brothers. He attended Missouri State University on a scholarship, competing on the Division I swim team. During his collegiate career, he was a conference champion, team captain, Academic All-American, and represented the university at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials.

He went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from The University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. During dental school, Dr. Heye developed a strong interest in restorative and oral surgery and graduated with top clinical honors in those areas.

Since graduating in 2022, he has completed extensive continuing education in dental implants, Invisalign®, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. His commitment to advanced training allows him to provide comprehensive treatment options tailored to each patient’s needs.

Dr. Heye married his wife, who is also a dentist, in the fall of 2025. They share their home with a cat and an Australian Shepherd who keep life entertaining. Outside the office, he enjoys CrossFit, following the NBA, staying active, and reading.

He loves connecting with his patients and looks forward to providing top level care to all of our patients!

Kaitlin is from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and has been working in the dental field since 2014. She is passionate about helping patients feel comfortable, confident, and cared for from the moment they walk through our doors. She believes that a great dental experience starts with genuine relationships and exceptional service.

As our office manager, Kaitlin oversees the day-to-day operations of the practice, helping ensure everything runs smoothly for both our team and our patients. She enjoys finding ways to improve efficiency behind the scenes while creating a welcoming, positive environment where patients truly feel like family.

One of Kaitlin’s favorite parts of her job is getting to know patients over the years and watching their confidence grow through healthy, beautiful smiles. She takes pride in supporting both patients and team members and believes that kindness, communication, and attention to detail make all the difference.

Outside of work, Kaitlin enjoys spending time with family, attending concerts, shopping, discovering a great local coffee shop, and making memories with the people she loves.

Jess joined our team in early 2025 and has quickly become an essential part of our office. With over eight years of experience in the dental field, she brings a calm, solution-focused approach to everything she does. Her strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to communicate clearly make her a go-to resource for both patients and team members alike. Jess’s reliability and professionalism help keep our daily operations running smoothly.

Originally from California, Jess now calls Kansas City, Missouri, home, where she and her husband, Mike, are raising their three children — Jalene, Mila and Valentino. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and winding down with her favorite TV shows.

Sarah joined our dental team in February 2026, bringing extensive dental knowledge and a strong commitment to patient care. She is a seasoned Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) with 17 years of clinical experience and transitioned into an administrative role in 2024.

Her deep understanding of dentistry is especially valuable in patient education. Sarah takes pride in explaining treatments clearly, answering questions with patience, and helping patients feel informed and confident about their oral health.

Originally from Independence, Missouri, Sarah enjoys staying connected to her hometown and visiting her parents there. Outside the office, she values time with her husband and two children. She also enjoys traveling, spending time with close friends, and cheering on the Kansas City Royals.

Sarah plays an important role on the team, supporting patients with scheduling, care coordination, and guidance throughout their dental experience. She is known for her professionalism, kindness, and dedication to making each visit as smooth and positive as possible.

Verenise is the Treatment Coordinator at Hanson Dentistry, bringing nearly seven years of experience in the dental field. She was born in California and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. In her role, she helps patients navigate their treatment plans with clarity and confidence, putting together personalized options that are both effective and affordable.

Known for her warm personality and attention to detail, Verenise is dedicated to making every patient’s experience as smooth and stress-free as possible. Her approachable nature and commitment to patient care make her an essential member of the Hanson Dentistry team.

Outside the office, Verenise is a proud mom to two energetic boys who bring endless joy to her life. She enjoys spending quality time with her family and relaxing on Sundays — especially when she’s cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs.

Angela began her career in dentistry after earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, initially working as a dental lab technician crafting crowns and bridges for various dental offices across the city. After starting a family, she was inspired to further her education and become a dental hygienist.

Though an uncommon path, this unique combination of artistic, technical and clinical experience allows Angela to connect with patients on a deeper level and support them through a wide range of oral health concerns. She is dedicated to delivering high-quality preventive care, including personalized home care instruction and nutritional counseling, with a special focus on serving individuals who face barriers to accessing care.

Angela’s goal is to ensure every patient feels truly cared for — just as she would want for her own family.

Erika is an active member of the American Dental Hygiene Association who graduated from Johnson County Community College in 2024 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in dental hygiene. She was presented with the Tenacity Award upon graduation for demonstrating an exceptional drive for progression in clinical skills, academic achievement and professionalism while displaying extraordinary self-direction in reaching planned goals. Erika began her career in the dental field in 2008 as a sterilizing technician later obtaining licensure as an expanded functions dental assistant which propelled her to continue her education and shift her focus to the preventative side of the dental field as a hygienist.

Erika said, “I absolutely love what I do, and patients will most definitely see that come through when they are in the chair with me! I have a tremendous appreciation for dentistry as it gives me the chance to change lives and bring people back to their best, healthy selves. Being fluent in English and Spanish allows me the opportunity to share my passion for oral health to a wider variety of patients and increase patient compliance as I am able to accurately inform patients of their treatment needs and recommendations in the language they understand. My goal as a hygienist is to always provide exceptional patient-focused care so that my patients mouths stay healthy not only today, but for years to come.”

Tayvia has been a dental assistant since 2021 and is passionate about providing exceptional patient care. She enjoys the hands-on nature of dentistry and values the opportunity to help patients improve their oral health and confidence.

Tayvia takes pride in building strong, trusting relationships with patients and being a familiar, reassuring presence in the dental office.

Outside of work, she enjoys DIY projects, listening to music, staying active through sports, and spending time with her daughter, family, pets, and loved ones. She is also continuing her education to further her growth in the dental field.