About Us
Benjamin Coon, DDS
Reestablishing roots that run deep in the Roaring Fork Valley, along with a long-term aspiration to build his permanent practice amid family, lifelong friends and associates, Dr. Benjamin Coon and his wife Erica Brucker Coon relocated from Rapid City, South Dakota, in 2010 to purchase Glenwood Meadows Dental. While in South Dakota, Dr. Coon served as General Dentist and Dental Officer for the United States Air Force at Ellsworth Air Force Base.
A graduate of the University of Colorado at Denver School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Coon received a scholarship upon graduation with the United States Air Force Health Profession Scholarship Program and began his military service in 2005. During his service in the Air Force, he completed his Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) certificate at the David Grant Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base in Solano, California. While at David Grant Medical Center he became a credentialed provider in several dental sub-specialties including intravenous sedation, limited orthodontics, endodontics, periodontal surgery, and advanced exodontia. He brings this comprehensive and advanced training and experience with him to his permanent practice at Glenwood Meadows Dental.
He believes excellence in dentistry begins with a careful co-diagnosis and treatment plan to establish mutual patient-provider goals. In fact, consultations to assess treatment needs and plans are complimentary, and include a comprehensive estimate for services. Communication and a long-term patient relationship are important to Dr. Coon and the team at Glenwood Meadows Dental. Collaboratively, Glenwood Meadows Dental and Dr. Coon help patients realize an investment in dental health pays dividends for a lifetime.
Dr. Coon and his team are caring, skilled professionals, dedicated to simplifying what is often a complicated and confusing area of health care. He works to make sure that all his patients are informed and knowledgeable about their dental health care, from treatment plans and services to insurance coverage.
Meet Our Team
Welcome to Glenwood Meadows Dental! Our friendly dentist and team are excited to meet you. We take great care to provide treatment that is both professional and compassionate. Our team speaks both Spanish and English to accommodate our patients. Call our office today at (970) 947-1717 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Benjamin Coon and learn more about dental care in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
Suann Anderson
Suann Anderson, RDH, BSDH, the lead dental hygienist at Glenwood Meadows Dental, joined the practice in 2018. She received her associate degree in dental hygiene from Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC), then continued her education to earn her bachelor’s from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, where she graduated summa cum laude.
After receiving her bachelor’s degree, Suann taught clinical and didactic dental hygiene at her alma mater CNCC, before returning to private practice in 2018. Her professional background is in bite and function, with an emphasis on periodontal disease.
“I truly love what I do and helping patients lead healthier lives,” says Suann. “I’m very thankful to work in this valley with this amazing team.”
Suann grew up in Morrison, Colorado, and is a lifelong equestrian. In fact, she’s a former professional trick rider! When she isn’t caring for patients you’ll find her on the farm with her corgis, or exploring the Flat Tops Wilderness on horseback. If Suann could choose a superpower, it would be the ability to talk to animals.
When her busy schedule allows, she and her husband enjoy traveling the U.S. in search of adventure.
Lauren Clemons
Lauren Clemons, office manager at Glenwood Meadows Dental, joined the team in 2022. Her level-headed manner and remarkable ability to multi-task arguably make her the glue that holds the Meadows Dental team together.
Lauren earned her dental assistant certification and also completed business classes, at Mountainland Technical College (MTECH). She finds great satisfaction in getting patients’ insurance payments and reimbursements, which she pursues with her characteristic determination. “It makes me so happy when we receive payment from an insurance claim I’ve been fighting,” says Lauren.
Originally from Spring Lake, Michigan, Lauren moved to Colorado in 2008 and hasn’t looked back. She loves all things outdoors: volleyball, rafting, golf, and hiking.
What’s Lauren’s superpower? “I’m exceptionally good at finding things that have been lost,” she says.
Kiawa Miller
Kiawa Miller, dental hygienist at Glenwood Meadows Dental, joined the team in May 2023. She earned her associate degree in dental hygiene at Colorado Northwestern Community College in Rangely.
Born and raised in Grand Junction, she developed an affinity for summertime fun on the water. “I love all of it,” says Kiawa. “Rafting, floating, fishing and lake days.”
What’s one thing most people don’t know about her? “I talk in my sleep most nights,” she says. “And occasionally I sleepwalk!”
Samantha “Sam” Sandoval
Samantha “Sam” Sandoval, lead dental assistant at Glenwood Meadows Dental, joined the team in 2022. She earned her dental assistant certification from UEI College in San Diego. Sam is fully fluent in both English and Spanish.
What’s the best part of Sam’s workday at Glenwood Meadows Dental? In addition to working with Dr. Coon and helping her teammates, she loves her interaction with patients. “I like to help patients feel comfortable when they’re anxious,” says Sam. “And I enjoy getting to know each patient better.”
Sam is equally at home in the mountains and on the coast. She was born in Aspen and raised in both the Roaring Fork Valley and San Diego. Not surprisingly, she and her husband love to hike the mountain trails with their two fur-babies, Zorro and Nube. They also spend their leisure time with family who live in the area.
Sam has a deep faith that provides her with ballast and direction. “God is my superpower. I can do anything and everything with Him by my side.” And what’s one thing most people don’t know about her? “Details mean so much to me,” she says. “Especially the little things.”
Liz Olivas
Lizzeth Olivas, dental assistant, joined Glenwood Meadows Dental in 2023. She earned her certification from the National School of Dental Assisting. Well-suited to her career in dentistry, Liz’s favorite part of her day-to-day work is interacting with patients. She was born in Mexico and raised in Colorado and is fully fluent in both English and Spanish.
Her petite stature belies her nickname: Moose. “My grandmother used to call me her “musa”, which is “muse” in Spanish,” says Liz. “The name evolved, and it stuck.”
What’s Liz’s superpower? “My sister says I’m a great gift-giver.” Liz likes to give any-occasion presents, and they’re usually color-themed and somewhat elaborate.
When she’s not helping Dr. Coon and Glenwood Meadows Dental patients, Liz likes to spend time at the lake. Not surprisingly, she also treasures her time spent with family.
Betsy Lambe
Betsy Lambe, insurance and accounts coordinator at Glenwood Meadows Dental, joined the team in 2022. A genuine veteran of the dental health industry, Betsy has been working in some aspect of dental office management for more than three decades.
Even with her significant industry experience, she upholds that perhaps her favorite role has been working alongside Dr. Coon and the team and advocating for Glenwood Meadows Dental patients: she ensures that bills are accurate, understandable and transparent, and she does her part to help maximize the success of dental insurance claims.
Betsy originally started working with the practice while living in Glenwood and now works remotely from her home in Oklahoma. The best part of her day? “I text to let the team know I’m online and ready for the workday,” says Betsy. “I’m always greeted with a ‘Good morning!’ from the staff as though I was right there; it’s delightful to have such a great working relationship.”
Betsy draws from a life of service and faith in her work. The daughter of Christian missionaries, she grew up in Georgia and Florida and spent her senior year of high school in the Amazon in Brazil. Betsy met her husband of 48 years in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and the two graduated from bible college in Oklahoma. The couple worked as pastors until his retirement.
When Betsy isn’t supporting patients and team members at Glenwood Meadows Dental, she’s likely gardening, taking a long walk, engaging in her genealogy and crafting hobbies or creating a photo memory book for one of her four grandchildren.
What’s one thing most people don’t know about her? “One day I’d love to write a book,” she says. “And take piano lessons.”