Meet Our Team

Paul W. Jones, DDS

Dr. Paul Jones grew up in LaCrosse, Kansas. He graduated LaCrosse High School and Kansas State University earning a B.S. in Milling Science and Management. He started a career with ConAgra Flour Milling managing mills and elevators in New York, Pennsylvania and Oklahoma. Resigning from corporate America he moved back to Hays working as an ag loan officer and buying into the family farm and ranch. In 2002 he received admission to University of Missouri Kansas City School of Dentistry. Graduating in 2007, he moved to Hays and bought Cedar Lodge Dental. Since earning his degree, Dr. Paul has attended numerous courses in advanced general dentistry, implantology, orthodontics, oral surgery, and endodontics. Dr. Jones graduated from the Kois Center in Seattle, Washington, an advanced post-graduate program for practicing dentists with the latest advances in esthetic, implant and restorative dentistry. He has also earned his IV sedation permit for moderate sedation and is certified in advanced cardiac life support. Currently he is pursuing continuing education in craniofacial development and deficiencies, sleep disordered breathing and treatment for these debilitating diseases. Due to a growing practice, he retired from farming after a lifetime on the farm, cutting his last wheat crop in 2017. Although he misses the farm life, he is now able to focus on his patients and the management of the practice. His favorite cases involve interceptive ortho for craniofacial deficiencies, treatment for sleep apnea, full mouth reconstruction and utilizing cosmetic dentures and implant to recreate the look and feel of natural teeth. Additionally, revitalizing someone’s smile and increasing their self-confidence with cosmetic dentistry are exciting cases to complete as well.

Dr. Jones has been a pilot since 1997, earning his multi-engine and IFR ratings. He also enjoys scuba diving, becoming a rescue diver. His favorite places to dive are Belize and Florida. Learning to surf in 2009 was a blast and has led to him surfing in California, Hawaii, and Mexico. Dr. Paul can be seen around Hays riding his bright orange Harley. He and his wife Stephanie have four children, Madison, Avery, Miles, and Beckett. Stephanie is a CRNA and practices in the area in addition to providing all the sedation services for Cedar Lodge Dental Group. Madison is a practicing esthetician, while working on completing her bachelor’s degree. Avery, a freshman at Fort Hays State University, is majoring in Graphic Design. Miles, a senior at Hays High, plays football in addition to being an avid fisherman and hunter. Beckett is starting 4th grade at O’loughin Elementary and he is busy playing traveling tackle football and basketball.

AZ Molina

Azarel “Az” Molina is from Wichita and is a graduate from Wichita State University with a degree in Dental Hygiene and has been practicing in this dental office since 1997.

Az and his wife Jenny have three children, Abigail, Shelby, and Elijah. In his spare time, Az enjoys being physically active and playing golf.

AZ is currently in the process of becoming an Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist after completing the course and acquiring his credentials.

Karen Marintzer

Karen is blessed to be able to work from home figuring anesthesia estimates, billing, and sedation scheduling. She is a graduate of FHSU majoring in Marketing. Karen & her husband, Cody, are constantly on the move chasing after their seven children. They are active members of St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church. Karen enjoys spending time with family, reading, and attending her kids’ sporting events.

Morgan Kuhlmann

Morgan grew up in the small town of Greensburg, and now lives in Smith Center with her husband Taylor. They are expecting a baby girl in 2019! She graduated with honors from Wichita State University receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Hygiene. Her hobbies include enjoying the outdoors, playing golf, trying Pinterest recipes, watching movies, and spending time with her family. Morgan aims to brighten her patients’ day with her smile and gentle touch.

Megan Sanders

Megan “Mayo” Sanders is a familiar face as she was born and raised right here in Hays, KS. She attended FHSU then received her degree in Dental Hygiene from Colby Community College in 2016. She has been a part of our Cedar Lodge family since she graduated in the spring of 2016.

In November of 2017 Megan married her high school sweetheart, Jarrett Sanders, and together have two young sons. She and her family enjoy spending time outdoors, watching sports, and chasing after their two pups.

Megan strives to keep her mind fresh by taking continuing education courses. She’s attended a KOIS workshop in Seattle, WA where she’s had the privilege of learning about constricted chewing patterns, periodontal disease, and health/wellness. As well as broadening her marketing knowledge and responsibilities in Baltimore, MA. She enjoys getting to know each and every one of her patients both personally and professionally and looks forward to many more years on Cedar Lodge’s hygiene team

Amber Schippers

Amber attended Kansas State University, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science, with emphasis in psychology . She is certified to administer nitrous oxide, Amber is married to Nathan Schippers, and they have 2 wonderful boys, Michael and Collin. Amber enjoys anything outdoors! She loves camping, fishing, and hunting. Her favorite part of life is spending time with her family and friends.

Megan Calvery

Megan was born and raised in Hays, KS. She attended Fort Hays State University, graduating in 2012 with an Associates degree in Radiologic Technology and a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Diagnostic Imaging. After working as an X-ray tech for 6 years, she was ready to take on a new adventure and found her calling as a Dental Assistant. Megan has 3 daughters, Kassidy, Mila and Presley, who constantly keep her on her toes! In her very little free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, relaxing outdoors and exploring new places.

Stephanie Jones

Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I am married to Dr. Paul. Together we have four children. “His” two daughters; Madison 24, Avery 17, and “Mine” two boys, Miles 16 and Beckett. And we do have two “ours”, Aspyn (yellow lab) and Piper (chocolate lab), each just over two years old. Our children and dogs keep us busy and on our toes at all times! If I do have any spare time, I enjoy running, baking and mostly just hanging out at home with my husband and kids.

I grew up in (Northeast) Seneca, Kansas, a town much smaller than Hays, born oldest daughter and number two, in a family of seven children. Family, service to others and community and ‘God at the center’, are the values that are deeply engraved in who I am.

I graduated from Baker University school of Nursing with a RN, BSN in May 1998. I had accepted a Kansas board of Regents Scholarship with the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in my hometown and I went back to Seneca, Ks to fulfill my 2 years of service. While working only 3 nights per week there, I decide I needed something else. I took a second job in the operating room at St. Francis hospital in Topeka, Ks. I worked two jobs until I completed my contract requirements with the Seneca hospital. Shortly after that, I decided that I would like to further my nursing education. I loved working in the OR, so moving onto Nurse Anesthesia was a natural choice for educational advancement for me. St. Francis hospital sponsored my education 100%, and in return I was obligated to two years of service to them upon passing my boards. I graduated from Kansas University School of Nurse Anesthesia in December of 2004, CRNA, MSN. I have been practicing as a board Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) since taking my boards in February of 2005. Two years after I graduated, the KU program upgraded to a Doctorate Program (DNP), which most programs have adopted today as well. I love being an advanced practice nurse, and I love providing anesthesia! My anesthesia background is broad and yet very specialized. As anesthesia providers, we work in a team setting with other nurse anesthetists (CRNA), or Anesthesiologists, or per our Kansas State law, we can practice independently. I have 14 years of general surgery experience with pediatrics and adults, as well as extensive background in cardiac and dental anesthesia. Which ultimately lead me to Hays, Kansas in 2016, where I practice dental anesthesia exclusively for Cedar Lodge Dental Group. I continue to provide anesthesia at many surrounding hospitals and surgery centers, and I enjoy all settings due to the variety of patients and cases that keep my skills sharp and learning from others in my profession.

Sedation Services

Kaitlyn Beniot

Kaitlyn grew up in Colby, Kansas where she spent much of her time on a farm and playing sports. She attended FHSU for two years to complete her pre-requisite classes before transferring to Wichita State University where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Hygiene. After graduating with honors and gaining experience in multiple clinical settings, such as the VA and underprivileged children’s clinics, she has worked as a fill in Hygienist all over NW Kansas before landing at Cedar Lodge. She now lives in Damar with her husband Alex on their farm and enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She loves playing recreational sports in her spare time and her other hobbies include painting, baking, and loving up on her pup, Mya, and the baby cows! She has a passion for working with children but loves working with all age groups and aims to care for all her patients with the highest level of care using her knowledge, experience, and collaboration with her colleagues.

Claudia Wright

Claudia Wright is a familiar face as she was raised in Hays, Kansas. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Claudia is the proud dog mom of Hera, a Boxer Pitbull mix. She has been with Cedar Lodge as the front desk coordinator for a year and a half. Claudia enjoys being able to learn something new every day and also being able to help people in the community.

Jena Leiker

Jena Leiker grew up in the small town of Schoenchen, Kansas. She now resides in Hays, Kansas, with her husband Nathan, four beautiful children, and two dogs. Jena’s hobbies include working on the farm, baking, shopping, and staying active with her kids. She has a passion for helping others and making them smile.