Some dental practices focus on volume. Founded in 2007, Carroll Family & Cosmetic Dentistry was built around people and relationships and the concept that patients deserve a dentist who knows them, remembers them, and invests in their long-term health.
Over nearly two decades, that concept still shapes everything we do, from the way we treat our patients to how we help them make treatment decisions. Today, many of the patients Dr. Carroll saw when she first practiced are still here. Some even bring their own children in for their first appointments. That continuity is something she and her team are incredibly proud of.
Our Core Values
Everything we do reflects a set of values established by Dr. Carroll at the beginning:
- Creative — We bring artistry and innovation to every treatment plan, balancing function, beauty, and individuality. Cosmetic dentistry isn’t just clinical; it’s creative.
- Attentive — We listen deeply, anticipate concerns, and tailor our care, knowing that every patient deserves to feel heard, supported, and engaged in their own care.
- Relationship-Oriented — We build trust with our patients and each other through consistent follow-through, continuity of care, and personal connection.
- Reliable — We are dependable, accurate, ethical, consistent, and accountable for delivering excellent dental care.
- Outgoing — We foster a warm, friendly, approachable atmosphere where our team and patients feel welcome, conversations flow, and anxiety is replaced with ease.
- Leadership — We lead in technology, standards, patient care, and team culture. Our team inspires confidence and professionalism in every interaction.
- Legacy — For over 20 years, we have built strong, lasting relationships and contributed to the health and beauty of the families in our community to leave a positive, enduring mark.
If you are looking for a new dental home, we would love to welcome your family. Please call our Erie, CO, dental office at (303) 962-6400, and a team member will gladly help you schedule a convenient appointment.
Dr. Tara Carroll
Dr. Carroll knows firsthand what a transformed smile can do. At just seven years old, she began orthodontic treatment and spent more than five years in braces. The confidence she gained inspired a career dedicated to helping others feel that same joy.
Dr. Carroll completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Central Florida and earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine in 2005, beginning her career in a corporate practice before founding her own practice in 2007. After a decade of growth in the Larkridge Shopping Center, the practice relocated to a larger Erie office in 2017 and rebranded as Carroll Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in 2023.
With more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Carroll is passionate about prevention-focused care and treating the whole patient, believing oral health is deeply connected to overall wellness. She and her team proudly serve families across Erie, Broomfield, Lafayette, Westminster, Thornton, Brighton, Firestone, Frederick, Dacono, and Longmont, and are active supporters of local schools, sports teams, and community events.
Outside the office, Dr. Carroll is a fitness enthusiast who runs, walks, lifts, and trains her dogs, who are frequent office visitors. She loves photography, exploring new cities and countries, and has recently discovered a talent for designing custom cabinetry. A fun fact: she played rugby in college.
Chris
Registered Dental Hygienist
Dentistry is practically in Chris's DNA. Her mother worked as a dental assistant across multiple specialty practices for 50 years, and Chris was often right there alongside her. She took her first chairside assisting job in high school in 1987 and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from Marquette University in Milwaukee.
Chris has been with Dr. Carroll for more than five years, serving as a clinician and the practice's OSHA officer and equipment maintenance lead. She loves the relationships she builds with patients over time, watching periodontal health improve, and knowing her work made a real difference. The prevention side of dentistry holds a special place for her too, particularly sealants, fluoride treatments, and Curodont.
Outside the office, Chris is happiest outdoors, paddleboarding, camping, tubing down Clear Creek in Golden, hiking in the mountains, and cheering on her Green Bay Packers at Windfall Brewery on game days. She also loves to dance, sing, bowl, golf, and play pool and darts. At home, she gardens, cooks, bakes, and grills on her pellet grill. And her proudest hobby? Coaxing her orchids into long, beautiful blooms.
Michaela
Registered Dental Hygienist
Michaela joined Carroll Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in 2026, bringing eight years of dental hygiene experience and a genuine passion for patient-centered care. She earned her hygiene degree from Concorde Career College and has built her practice around two core beliefs: that patients deserve to feel comfortable and informed, and that a trusted hygienist can change someone's relationship with dental care entirely.
In her appointments, Michaela focuses on preventive care and patient education, taking time to learn about each person and remember the details that make them feel seen. For her, the most rewarding part of the job is simply getting to know people.
Outside the office, Michaela loves to travel, hunt for hidden gems at secondhand stores, and spend time with her two dogs. A fun fact: she holds a black belt in Taekwondo.
Jess
Expanded Duties Dental Assistant (EDDA)
Jess has been part of the Carroll Family & Cosmetic Dentistry team since 2014, bringing more than a decade of dental assisting experience to her role. She trained at Pima Medical Institute and has grown into a position that keeps her busy on multiple fronts, assisting Dr. Carroll chairside, training new assistants, managing supply orders, and overseeing sterilization.
For Jess, the best part of the job is the conversation. She genuinely enjoys connecting with patients and making appointments feel a little less clinical.
Outside the office, Jess is happily a homebody. When she does venture out, it's for concerts, brunch with family, or time in the kitchen. A fun fact? She used to decorate cakes for fun, a creative outlet.
Maritza
Dental Assistant
Maritza joined Carroll Family & Cosmetic Dentistry with her sights set on a long-term career in dental hygiene, and every day in the practice is a step in that direction. She trained at Pima Medical Institute and has been with the team for nearly a year, quickly becoming someone colleagues know they can count on.
Chairside, Maritza assists with procedures, takes x-rays, prepares and sterilizes rooms, and pitches in wherever she's needed. She takes pride in helping patients feel comfortable and in being a steady, reliable presence for the team.
Outside the office, Maritza hits the gym, practices self-care, and loves exploring new restaurants, always on the lookout for a good food find. Those who know her well also know there's a fun, goofy side behind the calm, focused exterior.
Paula
Dental Assistant
Paula discovered her passion for dental care in 2014 while seeking to better understand oral health for her own children. That personal connection to patient well-being has guided her ever since, and she brings that same thoughtful, family-focused perspective to her role at Carroll Family & Cosmetic Dentistry.
What Paula loves most about her work is the relationships she builds with patients and teammates alike. She has a natural ability to tune into the people around her, creating a calm, comfortable experience for patients while keeping things running smoothly for the team.
When she's not in the office, Paula channels her creativity into home projects, from painting and building to trying her hand at gardening for the first time. For her, it's all about turning a house into a home. And if you really want to see Paula squirm, just put on "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak because she has a completely genuine fear of that song.
Staci
Practice Manager
Staci joined the Carroll Family & Cosmetic Dentistry team in 2020 and has been a calm, steady presence ever since. She is focused on making patients feel comfortable and keeping the hygiene team running smoothly. When she's not at the office, you'll likely find her reading a good book.
Jacque
Patient and Treatment Coordinator
Jacque brings more than two decades of dental experience to her role at Carroll Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, having entered the field in 2001 after seeking a career where she could genuinely make a difference. She joined the Carroll team in 2022, and her warmth and efficiency are often the first things patients encounter. From greeting them at the door, managing scheduling, presenting treatment plans, and verifying insurance, she helps keep the front office running smoothly.
Outside the office, Jacque loves spending time in the mountains and listening to music. Her very unique hobby is making wooden puzzles by hand.
Jennifer
Operations Manager
Jennifer came to dentistry in 2011 as a front desk receptionist. By her own account, the dental field found her. She has spent the years since building expertise that goes well beyond the front office. She holds an Associate of Science in pharmacology and, between 2018 and 2023, completed a series of case studies and leadership courses through Harvard focused on the strategies behind large-scale organizational success and failure.
At Carroll Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Jennifer serves as team leader and Dr. Carroll's operational right hand, managing insurance, coordinating business operations, and coaching the team wherever support is needed. She is equally invested in the people around her as the processes, and finds real satisfaction in helping both patients and colleagues reach their goals.
Outside the office, Jennifer is happiest near the water.
Wonderful staff and fantastic caring treatment from everyone on the team: hygienist, dentist, and front office team.
-Krista L.