Meet Your Team in Auburn, IN
The Team at Smiles for Life
It’s always been about you, my patient. When you are in my chair, there’s one focal point: your well-being.
Dr. Nate Heffelfinger
DDS, FAGD, KOIS Certified
Dr. Heffelfinger is the owner of Smiles for Life in Auburn, Ind. Over the last fifteen years, he has worked hard to brighten smiles around the community in more ways than one. He and his lovely wife Kelly are Auburn residents, along with their two children Alexis and Jarin. They are also the proud owners of two rambunctious Viszlas.
While being a devoted husband and father come first for Dr. Heffelfinger, he has also invested heavily in continuing education, accumulating more than 750+ hours since his graduation from IUSD in 2005.
A graduate of the prestigious Kois Center in Seattle, Wash., through his study Dr. Heffelfinger has refined his knowledge of occlusion and his philosophy on managing the most complex treatment plans to restore his patients’ natural bite patterns, which leads to higher patient satisfaction and comfort, as well as overall well-being.
Dr. Heffelfinger received his Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry in the summer of 2017 and occasionally speaks about the skills he has developed through his advanced training. He served three years on the IKDDS board of directors and was a founding member of the Young Dentist Committee in IKDDS. He recently completed eight years on the leadership board at County Line Church of God, is a member of the Fort Study Club and is a member of the club’s advisory board.
Specialized Training and Expertise
Dr. Heffelfinger has a wealth of clinical knowledge and hands-on experience in many areas of digital dentistry. Given his unwavering dedication, Dr. Heffelfinger is considered an expert in the leading edge of dental technology and techniques. Some of which include intraoral scanning, CAD/CAM equipment, 3D printing, and digital planning for implant surgery.
Dr. Heffelfinger is recognized as the technology adviser for the Fort Study Club, known as a component of the Seattle Study Club. He’s also a key opinion leader for several professional associations, including Carestream Dental, Benco Dental, and NT Trading.
These days, Dr. Heffelfinger is a highly respected lecturer among his colleagues and frequently lectures on using digital dentistry to help patients. He also takes the time to individually consult with dentists on how to integrate this cutting edge technology into their practice.
Cindy Farrell – EXPANDED FUNCTIONS DENTAL ASSISTANT
Cindy has worked in dentistry for 35 years, the past eleven of which have been at Smiles for Life. Cindy had worked in the dental field since completing the dental assisting program at IPFW and becoming a CDA in 1990. In 1995 she advanced to become an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant. Cindy has experience with orthodontics and aligner therapy, custom stain and glaze, CAD/CAM, and most recently the Bioclear Method – where she gets to help eliminate those black triangles that people dislike so much in their smile.
Throughout her career Cindy has focused on the joy she feels when she is able to restore unhealthy smiles not only to top health but also to beauty and to full function. Other activities that bring her joy are reading, dancing, making a joyful noise with her singing, and trying new restaurants. In her time off, if you can’t find Cindy on the biggest roller coaster at the closest amusement park, she’s probably off dancing or getting a massage instead.
What Cindy appreciates most about the Smiles for Life team is the determination to provide the best for people in our care, not only because each team member has pride in his or her work, but also because each and every teammate truly cares for every patient.
Hayley Sipe — EXPANDED FUNCTIONS DENTAL ASSISTANT
Hayley was fortunate to find her passion for dentistry early in life. She began working in the dental field in high school and continued on to graduate in 2001 from IPFW’s Dental Assisting Program. Since graduation she has obtained her Expanded Functions Certification (2007), Fluoride Placement & Coronal Polishing (2014), Nitrous Oxide Certification (2022), and has also become a certified Bioclear provider (2023).
Hayley was born and raised in Angola where she still resides with her husband Shane, daughter Korey, and two yorkie mix dogs Zeus and Artimis. Shane and Hayley are high school sweethearts who have been married since 2002. Korey is now a high schooler at Angola High School.
In her spare time Hayley really enjoys watching her daughter perform in musicals and theatre productions, reading, refinishing furniture, camping in their StarCraft RV, and any type of travel.
Shelly Hunter — DENTAL HYGIENIST
Shelly is our full-time dental hygienist. She earned her degree in Dental Hygiene from IU Fort Wayne and has made a wonderful career in the dental field for herself since. When asked to provide a bio Shelly said “I chose my profession wisely and love what I do! I really enjoy helping people achieve healthy bright smiles!” Shelly is passionate about walking alongside our patients with periodontal disease on their journey to a healthier smile. Along with Kristin and Dr. Nate, Shelly has completed an accredited course in local anesthesia administration and is permitted to administer local anesthesia in our office
Shelly is married to her husband Jason who share one wonderful daughter and three amazing sons who keep them very busy. In her spare time Shelly loves spending time with family and friends. She especially loves cheering on her kids in all their adventures from lacrosse games to band concerts and everything in between. Shelly loves all things pink and enjoys spending time outdoors. If you can’t find her on lunch break, she is probably out back at the picnic table soaking up the sun with a good book!
Kristin Schrock – DENTAL HYGIENIST/MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPIST
Kristin has been practicing dental hygiene since graduating from Indiana-Purdue University in 1999. She has a Bachelors Degree in Dental Hygiene with a Minor in Business. Kristin has completed an accredited course in local anesthesia administration and is one of our two hygienists that in addition to Dr. Nate are permitted to administer local anesthesia in our office. In addition to her work as a dental hygienist, Kristin is a practicing myofunctional therapist for the state of Indiana.
Kristin works with all ages but especially enjoys her time with her littlest patients. Not only does she have significant experience with kids in the dental chair but has also donated her time and dental knowledge to serve in orphanages on multiple overseas mission trips.
When she is not at work Kristin enjoys spending free time with her husband Mike as well as her nieces and nephews. Kristin is an avid gardener and active in her church.
A little about Myofacial Therapy:
As a Certified Orofacial Myologist, Kristin Schrock helps people use the muscles in their face and mouth to breathe, chew, and swallow in a functionally correct and healthy way. These muscles help influence the growth and development of our jaws, airway, and oral cavity. We are lucky enough to have Kristin offer these services right here in our office!
Lexi Burns — FRONT OFFICE COORDINATOR
Upon college graduation in 2021, Lexi began her full-time position as the Front Office Coordinator for Smiles for Life. Lexi graduated from the University of Saint Francis with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Minor in Psychology.
Prior to working at Smiles for Life, Lexi’s dental experience consists of clinical shadowing and chair-side internships with oral surgeons and endodontists. While Lexi was fond of the dental space, she found that her perfect fit was not chairside but in management instead. Lexi now serves Smiles for Life as the front office lead focusing specifically on insurance and treatment coordinating.
Lexi married her husband Braden in August of 2021. They have since been blessed with two beautiful little girls, Sunny and Sterling, who you may see around the office from time to time. Fun Fact: Sunny and Sterling share the same birthday, born exactly 2 years apart! Lexi and Braden have a Pit-Terrier named Sapphire and a revolving door of rescue farm animals they help rehabilitate. In her free time Lexi enjoys spending time with family, reading, exercising, and shopping!
Lexi loves Smiles for Life because of its commitment to cutting edge care while still maintaining the comfort of your traditional hometown office.
Sam Bluhm — FRONT OFFICE RECEPTIONIST
Shortly after graduating college in 2024, Sam started her full-time position as Front Desk Receptionist at Smiles for Life. Sam graduated from Purdue University West Lafayette with her Bachelor’s in Human Resource Development as well as a minor in Human Resource Management. Currently, Sam is actively pursuing her Masters of Business Administration.
At Smiles for Life, Sam uses her interpersonal skills to help patients feel welcome when they first walk through the door. Most of the office would agree that Sam will talk to you about almost anything, making her the perfect fit for the office’s first face you will see! Day to day Sam manages scheduling, check-in/check-out, answering phones, and more.
Originally from Valparaiso, Sam is the youngest of four with two brothers and one sister. While at Purdue, Sam met her boyfriend Quenton and they both moved back to his hometown, Fort Wayne. Due to the move Sam sadly had to leave her dog Betsy home with her parents but has two very special cats that live with her and Quenton. In her time off, you’ll most likely find Sam at home with her two cats, Marvin and Mabel, reading while they cuddle up with her. If she’s not at home, you’ll find Sam doing what she does best, shopping!
Kelly Heffelfinger — OFFICE MANAGER
Kelly is the Office Manager at Smiles for Life. She has been an employee of Smiles for Life since 2007. After a hiatus from full-time work, taking time to raise her two, now fully grown, children she reentered the workforce to begin her second career. Kelly now oversees all that goes on in the office from a management perspective. She wears many hats from HR, to accounting and marketing directors. The office often jokes that she is like the glue which holds everything together because of the diverse role she plays — truly making her the whole staff’s “go to” employee!
When Kelly isn’t working, she enjoys spending her summer weekends on the lake and vacationing to somewhere warm when the Indiana winters hit! She loves the warm weather but is still a sucker for a good Hallmark Christmas movie.
Dr. Nate and Kelly have been blessed to share a beautiful marriage for over 25 years and have welcomed two beautiful granddaughters to their family in recent years. Kelly appreciates working alongside not only family but coworkers who have become like family, making up the small business that is Smiles for Life.