Who We Are
At the core of Sunshine Dentistry is a friendly team of professionals that are dedicated to your utmost comfort and optimal oral health. Building a foundation of trust by treating our patients as special individuals is vital to our success. We understand how uneasy some patients may feel about their dental visits, and how we can make a difference in providing a relaxing and positive experience. Our entire team is dedicated to providing you with excellent, personalized care and service to make your visits as comfortable and pleasant as possible.
Dr. Sunny Owens
Dr. Owens received her Bachelor of Science in Zoology from the University of Wyoming and received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Colorado. Each year she continues her education with some of the nations top clinicians.
She became a competitive ski racer and at age 15 attended The Lowell Whiteman School and pursued her skiing career with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. Sunny attended University of New Mexico where she was a member of the NCAA alpine ski team and an academic All-American for her accomplishments in athletics and academics.
Sunny Owens was born and raised in Jackson, Wyoming where she developed her love for the outdoors. She enjoys spending time with her two children as well as running, skiing, cycling, and yoga.
Dr. Dana Fujita
Dr. Dana grew up in Los Alamos, New Mexico, where she and her family spent their weekends hiking and skiing. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology as well as her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Missouri - Kansas City. Dana also completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at UMKC. She maintains active memberships in the American Dental Association and the Colorado Dental Association.
In 2003, Dr. Dana moved to Steamboat and fell in love with the Yampa Valley. For 10 years, she worked in private practice as well as in public health. In August 2013, she became part of the Sunshine Dentistry team.
Dana, her husband, JR, and their daughter, Lucy, spend their free time hiking, cross country skiing, biking and camping.
Dr. Aaron Van Wyk
Dr. Aaron Van Wyk grew up on Colorado’s Front Range and graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in International Studies and Spanish in 2006. After finishing his BA he decided to pursue dentistry and worked as a dental assistant in a high volume corporate practice for a year and then with a root canal specialist for another year. He graduated in 2014 from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. Following graduation, he worked at Salud Family Health Centers in Longmont, CO for 6 years. In this setting he was able to utilize the Spanish language skills from his undergrad. He also served as clinical faculty for the University of Colorado, University of Iowa, Texas A&M and the NYU Langone AEGD residency program.
At an early age, Aaron started snowboarding and competed in slopestyle and boardercross in high school. While in college, he worked as a bicycle mechanic for several years and started telemark skiing to venture into the backcountry. In dental school, he started playing the mandolin and also builds musical instruments as a hobby. You can see him around town playing with his band The Little Moon Travelers. He moved with his wife and three daughters to Steamboat Springs in 2020 and is excited for the opportunity to join Sunshine Dentistry in 2024.
Renee May
Renee May was born in Denver, Colorado and originally moved to Steamboat Springs in 1998. She lived in Steamboat until 2004 when her family moved back to the Front Range so she could continue her education and become a Registered Dental Hygienist. She graduated from the University of Colorado school of Dental Medicine in 2008 with a Bachelors of Science in Dental Hygiene. She practiced in Littleton, Colorado for the next 6 years.
In 2014, Renee and her husband decided that it was time to bring their family back to the Yampa Valley, and happily returned to Steamboat. They have 3 amazing daughters which she enjoys spending the majority of time with, as well as hunting, fishing, tending to the animals and whatever new adventure they can fall into.
Abby Stevens
Abby has been fascinated by dental health for as long as she can remember. Immediately after high school she started her dental career working as a dental assistant in general practice, pediatrics, periodontics and oral surgery. She gained vast experience and knowledge from her 10+ years of assisting and was excited to take everything she learned and move forward with her education and career. In 2012 she earned an Associate of Applied Science from Community College of Denver, and became a Registered Dental Hygienist.
Abby was born in Colorado, and moved to Steamboat when she was 2 years old. After experiencing life on the other side of the country, she realized her heart never left Steamboat and it was time to return home. Her and her husband, J.C., feel lucky to be raising their son, Coleman, in the same place she grew up.
Ashley Walden
Ashley grew up in Hayden and fell in love with dentistry at a young age. She became a dental assistant in 2005 and then later attended Colorado Northwestern Community College and graduated from the dental hygiene program in 2009. She loves connecting with patients and most of all, making them feel as comfortable as possible during their dental experiences. She has spent most of her life in the Yampa Valley and recently spent a few years in Bend, Oregon exploring the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Ashley has a passion for travel and loves spending time near the ocean whenever possible. She enjoys hiking, running and being outdoors. She also feels most at peace in a coffee shop or with a good book. Ashley has two teenage kids who are the light of her life. She moved back to Colorado in 2021 to be closer to her parents and sisters again. She originally joined Sunshine Dentistry as a part time hygienist in 2014 and was so excited and grateful to have the opportunity to join them again full time when returning to Steamboat. She feels so honored to be part of such a great team.
Melissa Laughlin
Melissa began her career at Sunshine Dentistry in July 2008 and has never looked back. She enjoys working with the best team and doctors and genuinely cares about the patients and their oral health. She received her Associates Degree in Resort Management from Colorado Mountain College. Her past work experience includes 20 years in retail sales and management with clothing, kitchen and furniture/design stores.
Melissa has lived in Steamboat since 1981. Her parents along with her siblings moved to Steamboat when she was in elementary school. She enjoyed growing up in Steamboat and now her husband and her are enjoying raising their son here.
In her free time she enjoys skiing, biking, hiking, boating, reading and gardening. Her passion is spending quality time with friends and family.