Candy Riccardi – Administrative Assistant
Katianne Riccardi is the wife of Dr. Lou Riccardi and the mother of Dr. Alex Riccardi. Her nickname is Candy, and it’s always brought a smile to our patients who think about someone named Candy being married and employed by a Dentist!
Candy was born and raised in Americus. She graduated with honors from Georgia Southwestern with a B.S in Early Childhood Education. She has been with our dental team for over 35 years. Candy started as a Dental Assistant, but now is our fill-in receptionist, among other various jobs!
She is a member of First United Methodist Church where she sings in the Chancel Choir, and the quartet, Joyful Sounds. She was a Co-Director and Director of Children and Youth Choirs at FUMC for over 25 years.
Candy stays very busy in our community! She is currently the Chairman of Books for Sumter Children, a member of the Four Seasons Garden Club, The Pink Pals, The National Society of Colonial Dames of America, and an Honorary Member of the Junior Service League of Americus. Besides singing, her other hobbies are walking, biking, reading and watching Hallmark Movies. One of her greatest joys is being Grandmother of 10 wonderful, precious grandchildren who affectionally call her Nandy.
Cassie – Dental Assistant
Cassie joined the Riccardi dental family in April of 2015, and has had the privilege of working as a dental assistant for over 11 years. She truly enjoy getting to know our patients and helping them feel comfortable, cared for, and confident in their dental experience. Building relationships with our patients and being apart of such a wonderful team is one of the things she love most about her career. Outside of the office, she is a proud mom to a 15-year-old son. They enjoy spending time together and finding peace in the outdoors. They love a little hunting and fishing, and most of all, making memories and enjoying the simple things in life. She says she grateful to have a career she loves, a son who means the world to her, and the opportunity to be part of the Riccardi team for so many years.
Debbie – Bookkeeper/Record Keeping
Debbie has been a valued member of the Riccardi team since 1986. She served as Dr. Riccardi’s full-time receptionist for many years and now works part-time in our front office, where she truly wears many hats. Her responsibilities include answering phones, handling insurance claims, bookkeeping, and, when needed, stepping in to assist with dental procedures. Before moving to Americus, Debbie worked as a dental assistant for six years and spent 12 years working in accounting. Her diverse experience, knowledge, and dedication over the years have made her an invaluable part of our practice. Debbie says she feels truly blessed to have the opportunity to work alongside four wonderful dentists and such great co-workers. She is grateful for the relationships she has built throughout her many years with the practice and considers her Riccardi family a special part of her life. Outside of work, Debbie enjoys spending time with her wonderful family, caring for her many animals, and enjoying the great outdoors. Family, friends, and the simple joys of everyday life are what she treasures most.
Iris – Registered Dental Hygienist
Iris Berry is a 1990 graduate of the Darton College Dental Hygiene Program and began her career with Dr. Lou Riccardi over 30 years ago. Throughout her many years with the practice, Iris has developed special relationships with her co-workers, patients, and the Riccardi family. She says that Dr. Riccardi, Dr. Alex, her co-workers, and her patients have all become a very important part of her extended family. Known around the office for her energetic personality, Iris keeps everyone on their toes and brings plenty of enthusiasm and joy to the workplace! Outside of the office, Iris enjoys spending time with her husband, Mike, and their daughters and son-in-law, Kendal, Tyler, and Katie. Kendal and Tyler are the proud parents of two precious boys, Cason and Lane, who hold a very special place in Iris’s heart. She absolutely loves being “Lolli” and treasures every moment she gets to spend with her family.
Phyllis – Financial Manager & Insurance Coordinator
Phyllis Barfield has been a valued member of the Riccardi team for more than 30 years. Throughout her many years with the practice, she has loved meeting patients and building lasting relationships with them. Her genuine care for others and friendly personality have made her a familiar and welcoming face to so many patients over the years. Phyllis enjoys her work so much that she says she wouldn’t want to work anywhere else! She feels truly blessed to have spent so many years surrounded by wonderful patients and co-workers and takes great pride in being part of the Riccardi team. Phyllis is also an active member of Central Baptist Church, where her faith is an important part of her life. She has a strong relationship with God and is grateful for the many blessings He has given her throughout her life. Her faith, family, and relationships with others are a meaningful part of who she is. Outside of the office, Phyllis enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her family. But her favorite job of all is being “Honey” to her beautiful grandchildren—MaceLynn, Kullen, Noland, Charlee, and Emmy. She treasures every moment spent making memories with them and feels especially blessed to be their Honey.
Shelia – Registered Dental Hygienist
Sheila Bivins has been a Registered Dental Hygienist since 1993 and was blessed with the opportunity to join the Riccardi team in 2016. For Sheila, dentistry is about so much more than simply “fixing and cleaning” teeth—it’s about building relationships. She finds great joy in connecting with her patients, getting to know them and their families, and being a small part of their lives. Sheila married her best friend, Roger, in 1993, and together they have two children, Madison and Trent. Family is incredibly important to Sheila, and she treasures the time she gets to spend with her loved ones. When she is not caring for patients, Sheila enjoys spending time with her family and friends, serving at Ellaville Baptist Church, and working alongside her husband at Watson’s Christmas Tree Farm, which they proudly own and operate together. Sheila’s love for people, family, and community shines through in everything she does.
Shelbie – Dental Assistant
Shelbie Brannen joined Dr. Riccardi in February 1999 as a full-time dental assistant. She received a diploma from South Georgia Technical College and certification from the AAMA in Medical Assisting. Understanding the overall health of patients gave her the necessary skills to understand the importance of good dental health care. Shelbie is a native of Schley County where she enjoys spending time with her husband, JR and her niece, Destinee Green. When she is not working, she enjoys listening to good music and dancing with her granddaughter, Madison.
Ali – Registered Dental Hygienist
Ali was born in Americus, Georgia, and graduated from Schley County High School in 2019. She went on to attend Central Georgia Technical College, where she completed her core curriculum before beginning the dental hygiene program in August 2021. Ali completed her hygiene curriculum in 2023 and is now a registered dental hygienist. Ali has been a lifelong patient of Dr. Riccardi and is the fifth generation of her family to receive care at the practice. Her experiences as a patient played an important role in inspiring her career path. Ali says, “The excellent care and dedication that I have received here throughout the years inspired me to become a dental hygienist.” She also says she has learned so much from assisting Dr. Alex and Dr. Lou throughout her time at the practice. Becoming a dental hygienist has been a dream of Ali’s, and she is excited to see that dream become a reality. Outside of dentistry, she enjoys English riding and spending time with her family and friends. Ali married her best friend in October 2026 and is excited to continue growing both personally and professionally as a dental hygienist.
Raena – Dental Assistant
Raena brings seven years of experience in dentistry and is passionate about helping every patient feel comfortable, confident, and well cared for. She enjoys getting to know her patients and takes pride in creating a warm, welcoming environment where everyone feels at ease. Raena is dedicated to providing compassionate, quality care and strives to make each patient’s experience a positive one. She truly enjoys being part of a team that cares about its patients and their overall experience in the office. Her friendly personality and genuine compassion help make each visit a little more comfortable and enjoyable. Outside of the office, Raena loves spending time with her loved ones and her corgi, Forrest. She enjoys curling up with a good book, spending time outdoors, and making memories with the people—and furry friend—she loves most.
Fredia – Front Office
Fredia joined our office in 2023 and brings with her many years of experience in customer service. She enjoys welcoming each patient with a warm smile and helping create a friendly, comfortable atmosphere from the moment they walk through the door. Her kind personality and genuine care for others make her a wonderful addition to our team. Fredia is happily married to her husband, Anthony, and family is a very important part of her life. When she is not at the office, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and being active in her church. She also enjoys going to the gym and staying active. Fredia feels blessed to be part of our office family and looks forward to getting to know each of our patients and making their visits a positive experience.
Taylor – Dental Assistant
With over eight years of comprehensive clinical and administrative experience in the dental field, Taylor is dedicated to creating a comfortable, seamless, and stress-free experience for every patient who walks through the door. Certified and highly proficient in modern digital dentistry workflows —including Dentrix, Dentrix Ascend, DS Core, and Primescan scanning systems-she combines technical precision with a warm, compassionate chairside manner. Outside the dental office, Taylor is an active, dedicated mom to her almost-two-year-old son, Kingston, who keeps her endlessly busy and smiling. When she isn’t working or chasing a toddler, you can find her in the gym focusing on weightlifting and fitness, bringing the same energy, discipline, and dedication to her personal wellness goals as she does to patient care.
Burton – Dental Assistant
Burton is a lifelong Americus, Georgia, native and a proud graduate of Southland Academy. She has been a dental assistant at Riccardi General Dentistry since 2022 and loves getting to know her patients and making them feel comfortable and cared for. Building genuine relationships with her patients is one of her favorite parts of being a dental assistant. Outside of the office, Burton enjoys spending time with her family and friends, relaxing at the lake, and listening to music. She is an active member of First United Methodist Church and a die-hard Ole Miss fan. With her outgoing personality and love for people, Burton is a true social butterfly who never meets a stranger!
Katelyn – Dental Assistant
She is a dedicated dental assistant with 4 years of experience and a passion for helping patients feel comfortable and confident in their dental care. Outside of work, she is a proud mom of two boys who keep her busy and constantly smiling. She is a big Kansas City Chiefs fan and enjoys going to the gym, trying good food, spending quality time with family, and cheering on her sons while they play baseball. When she not working or at the ball field, you can usually find her enjoying time with her family and her dog. She is grateful for a career that allows her to make a difference in the lives of others while doing something she truly enjoys.
Chloe – Office Manager
Chloe joined our office in June 2026, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in insurance and customer service. Before joining Riccardi General Dentistry, she spent 10 years working in the medical field, giving her a strong background in patient care and healthcare administration. Originally from Americus, Chloe now lives in Ellaville with her family. She married her high school sweetheart in 2015, and together they have two children, Wyatt and Rae Ansleigh. Family is very important to Chloe, and she loves making the most of the time they have together. Much of their free time is spent at the ball field supporting their children! Outside of the office, Chloe enjoys reading, baking, and preservation canning. Above all, she treasures spending time with her family and creating memories together.
Mikki – Scheduling Coordinator
Mikki has been part of the dental industry since 1976, dedicating nearly five decades to caring for patients and making a difference in their dental experience. She worked as a dental hygienist until 2025, when she transitioned into her current role as our Scheduling Coordinator. Her years of experience in dentistry give her a unique understanding of both our patients and the care they receive. Family is very important to Mikki. She has three sons and two grandchildren, and she treasures every opportunity to spend time with them and make memories together. Outside of the office, Mikki enjoys working in her yard and giving back to her community. She especially enjoys volunteering at the Rylander Theatre with the Sumter Players. Her love for family, community, and helping others continues to be an important part of who she is.