About Us

HELPING THE COMMUNITY THRIVE

Grounded in experience and awareness, Dr. Aurora Fields and the team at Refresh Valley Dental have a mission to deliver personalized and exceptional patient service and professional treatment with tools that are the most advanced in dentistry. A supportive space for every diverse member of the community, and a provider of food security in the area, we focus on efficient oral rehabilitation in a shame-free, low-stress environment through continuous self-improvement in the dental field, and by eliminating as many barriers to care as we can.

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Refresh Valley Dental dentist

Sharing joy in Northampton

Each day we strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of our neighbors — both inside and outside of our dental practice. That’s why since day one we’ve partnered with the Northampton Survival Center, a local food pantry dedicated to improving the quality of life for low-income individuals and families throughout Hampshire County. For every new patient that comes to Refresh Valley Dental for a comprehensive exam, Northampton Survival Center will provide a month’s worth of nutritious food and other resources in an atmosphere of dignity and respect. We love to eat great food, and believe it’s important that our neighbors can share that vital joy.

DR. AURORA FIELDS (she/they)

MAKING A PERSONAL CONNECTION

Growing up in New York City, Dr. Aurora Fields decided to pursue dentistry while taking a medical diagnosis class in high school.

She knew then that she wanted a career in medicine, but also that she wanted to engage more personally and artistically to help keep people happy, healthy, and thriving. She left the big city for Smith College here in Northampton to work on her undergraduate studies and fell in love with the Pioneer Valley area.

After graduating with a degree in Chemistry, Dr. Aurora returned to New York State and went to the University of Buffalo, where she completed her doctorate of dental surgery degree, and met her wife, Erin. After moving in and out of the area for several years, Dr. Aurora and her wife settled back here in Northampton, and she started searching for the perfect space to host our practice. When Refresh Valley Dental finally opened in December 2021, we partnered with the Northampton Survival Center. Giving back to the community has been of paramount importance since day one, and Dr. Aurora says often that she considers herself extremely lucky to have found such a wonderful place to call home and such a great opportunity to give back to the community.

During her free time, Dr. Aurora enjoys baking, painting, biking, birdwatching, and relaxing on the couch with her wife and cats over a mellow Netflix show. She also loves video games and good music — you might even hear her sing while she’s working!

Aurora Fields - Refresh Valley Dental dentist

The Refresh Valley Dental team

We get it — there aren’t many people who look forward to dental appointments. At Refresh Valley Dental, we work hard every day to make your visit a little better by promising professional service and prioritizing genuine care for every person who walks through our door. With our team of experienced dental experts you’ll enjoy every step of the process.

Fran (she/her)

PATIENT COORDINATOR

Fran is our Patient Coordinator and #1 Beyoncé fan in the office. Although newer to the dental industry, she has gained a passion for making patients feel welcome and safe, in and out of the dental chair. With a background in Sociology and customer service, Fran strives to give patients the best experience possible.

You’ll often see her working in the front of the office, but Fran enjoys cooking, Dr. Pepper, and watching social documentaries in her free time.

Annie Bartlo - Treatment Coordinator (edit)

Annie (she/her)

TREATMENT COORDINATOR

Annie graduated from Hampshire College with a degree in Biology and Creative Writing. After a short time as a professional dog walker in Philadelphia, Annie moved back to Western Mass and learned to be a dental assistant at a local periodontal office. After a year of assisting Dr. Aurora, Annie switched to the administrative team and has been having fun learning the ins and outs of dental insurance. Cross-trained as dental assistant and treatment coordinator, Annie is always happy to discuss the nitty-gritty details of your treatment plan. She is also the official “Plant Manager” at RVD, and would love to talk to you about any of the plants thriving in our office!

Chris - Refresh Valley Dental team

Chris (she/her)

INSURANCE COORDINATOR

Originally from a tiny and frigid town in Northeastern Vermont, Chris fell in love with the Pioneer Valley while studying at Mount Holyoke College. She graduated with a BA in music in the early days of the pandemic, and is excited to help make her community smile at Refresh Valley. Chris never grew out of her “emo phase” in middle school, and still loves My Chemical Romance (ask her about her thesis). Outside of work, Chris can be found snuggling her cats Honey and Fig, and playing Dungeons n’ Dragons with the love of her life, Lauren.

Brittany - Refresh Valley Dental team

Brittany (she/her)

HYGIENIST

Brittany (Britt) is a graduate from Springfield Technical Community College Dental Hygiene program. She started as a dental hygienist assistant where she quickly became passionate about dentistry. Britt is quick to make patients feel at ease by building confidence, trust, and long-term friendships with every patient. Britt loves the color pink and is a diehard Swiftie. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, and traveling with her husband Dan as well as being a pet mom to her two cats, Luna and Oliver, and her corgi, Frank.

Samantha - Refresh Valley Dental team

Samantha (she/her)

HYGIENIST

Sam is an enthusiastic and caring soul with a love for education. She graduated from both Springfield Technical Community College with an Associate’s in Dental Hygiene and American International College with a Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies. Sam is dedicated to making patients feel at ease and informed about their oral health. She loves and encourages all questions with the hopes of helping everyone feel confident in their smiles. When Sam isn’t working you can find her exploring trails or on the beach with her partner, Nick. Otherwise she’s enjoying her time at home with her two cats, Buster and Munchie.

Shelby Ceccarini - Hygienist

Shelby (she/her)

HYGIENIST

Shelby joins the practice with fifteen years of experience after graduating from Springfield Technical Community College in 2009. Through a combination of compassion, empathy, and a passion for promoting oral health, she values building lasting relationships with patients.” I have learned over the years that everyone wants to feel cared for”.

Shelby resides in Easthampton, Ma . In her free time she enjoys many things including home projects, outdoor activities, travel, music, dance, and spending time with her partner, family, and friends.

Ashley (she/her)

HYGIENIST

Ashley graduated from Springfield Technical Community College in May of 2024. Before going back to school for dental hygiene, she was a dental assistant for 11 years. She has a passion for dentistry and loves being able to help people love their smiles! She is compassionate and understanding and strives to be the best she can be at her profession. Ashley is great at providing a judgement free zone in which patients are able to feel comfortable and confident.

She is a mom of 3 children and a wife. She values family. Her favorite thing to do in her free time is read, typically getting through 2-3 books a week. Her favorite genre is thrillers and mystery. She is also a true crime fanatic. When she is not reading, she loves exploring the outdoors! Ashley and her husband have a love of food and enjoy traveling to find new restaurants to try!

Priya (she/her)

HYGIENIST

Priya graduated two years ago from the Dental Hygiene Assistant program at Carrington College in California.  She has returned to the East Coast after a 5-year stint in the Bay Area and is very happy to be back. She loves being a team player, has a positive attitude toward everyone, and a very strong work ethic.

Her passions include travel and animals. She loves all animals, but has two lovely cat siblings, Haku and FeiFei who she dotes on (spoils).

Kiarah (she/her)

DENTAL ASSISTANT

Kiarah grew up in Springfield with her mom and siblings (she is the middle child of 12). She graduated from the Porter and Chester dental assisting program in Chicopee, and especially loves assisting during oral surgery procedure. She does everything she can to make our patients feel safe and comfortable, and does her best to create calm vibes in her room.

Outside of work, Kiarah loves time by herself, and finding new things to do. Her all-time favorite activity is going to the movie theaters, and has gone so often that she’s started her own movie reviews on Instagram. One of her goals over the 2 years is to see 1000 movies in theatre. She hopes the filmmakers are ready!

Mandy (she/they)

DENTAL ASSISTANT

Mandy lives in Easthampton with her partner of 6 years, but is originally from a small town in New Hampshire. Like Dr. Aurora, Mandy is a Smith College graduate and can also often be found singing somewhere in the office. (You can hold Mandy responsible for the many K-pop songs on Refresh Valley Dental’s work playlist.) Mandy loves the team at RVD and is a jack of all trades, thriving as a Dental Assistant, Office Administrator, and Billing Coordinator. She was thrilled to join RVD in its very early stages and be given the opportunity to contribute her talents and enthusiasm to such a generous, warm, and community-minded organization. Outside of work, Mandy loves listening to records, reading queer fiction, watching queer media with her partner, and eating almost anything that involves chocolate.

Refresh Valley Dental waiting room

What to expect

While you are at Refresh Valley Dental, it is our goal to make sure you feel confident, comfortable, and fully informed. When you come into our warm and welcoming practice, you’ll be greeted by a member of our friendly staff, who will show you around the office and answer any questions you may have. Our Northampton location features a paperless check in, making every visit with us a hurry-free delight. You’ll feel at home with Dr. Aurora and the team, as we provide transparent dental assessments and ongoing communication from the very beginning.

Amenities that keep you comfortable

Refresh Valley Dental is a modern practice, with advanced technical capabilities that can do it all. We keep your comfort top of mind when you’re visiting, and that’s why we’ve outfitted our operatories with TVs, comforting warm towels, and a wide variety of music to choose from. Get ready to come in, relax and enjoy.

white folded towels
dental technology

Cutting edge tools

Our contemporary space uses top of the line CBCT imaging tools and intraoral scanners to get the best comprehensive look at your mouth. From custom confidence boosting makeovers to judgment-free restorative care, we can take care of your smile, no matter what brings you in.

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