The Comfort Team

Patients tell us they feel understood from the moment they walk in. Our team takes the time to listen, explain, and make sure you feel at ease. Because great dentistry isn’t just about teeth. It’s about people.

A man with dark hair smiling, wearing a black medical uniform, standing beside a countertop and with a plain wall background.

Dr. Mat’s story with dentistry began long before dental school. He grew up watching his father care for patients with a steady hand and a genuine heart. One day, his dad looked at him and said, “You’re built for this. Your artistic eye and your mechanical mind make you a natural.” He was right. Dentistry became the perfect blend of everything Mat loved: craftsmanship, creativity, and the chance to make a real difference in someone’s life.

Today, that same mix of skill and heart defines the way he practices. Patients describe him as kind, thoughtful, and an absolute perfectionist in the best possible way. He loves the precision of modern technology and the way it allows him to give patients the most advanced care. But what he values even more is the connection. He listens. He explains. He takes his time. Because for him, dentistry is personal.

What drives him most is the belief that a restored smile can change the way someone moves through the world. He loves the moment a patient sees their reflection and feels different, lighter, more confident. That is where his craftsmanship shines brightest.

Outside the office, Mat is happiest anywhere near the beach. He traded snow for sunshine and never looked back. If it has wheels, he’s interested. From childhood toys to grown-up adventures, anything that rolls or roars has his attention.

At Maris Dental Studio, his mission is simple. He wants every person who walks into the practice to feel heard, understood, and completely confident that they are in good hands. His goal is not just to fix teeth. It is to give people a place where trust and care come first.

DR. MAT MOURITSEN

A woman with gray hair, smiling, wearing a white lab coat over a black top, standing in a room with a textured green wall and a granite countertop.

With forty one years of experience, Dr. Deborah Ruddell has spent her career creating beautiful, functional restorations that change people’s lives. She loves the blend of artistry and precision behind dentistry, and nothing brings her more joy than watching a patient see their new smile for the first time. That moment of transformation never gets old.

What Dr. Ruddell appreciates most about Maris Dental Studio is the way the team works together. It feels like family. Everyone supports one another, communicates openly, and shows up for the shared goal of caring for patients at the highest level. That unity creates an atmosphere where patients can relax, trust, and feel completely taken care of.

One of Dr. Ruddell’s favorite parts of dentistry is knowing she helped someone feel confident again. Giving a patient a beautiful smile is more than a procedure. It is restoring dignity, comfort, and joy. And she considers it an honor to be part of that journey.

Outside the office, Dr. Ruddell loves vacation days, time outdoors, and canoeing the creek behind her home. She is an avid golfer and is currently learning to play the drums and enjoying every minute of the challenge. Her drink of choice is iced tea, always.

Steady, skilled, and deeply caring, Dr. Ruddell brings decades of experience to every patient she meets. And her passion remains the same. Use her craft to make life better, one smile at a time.

DR. DEBORAH RUDDELL

Meet the Team

ALBERTO

Appointment Coordinator

JENNIFER

Financial & Treatment Coordinator

A woman in black scrubs smiling and standing indoors near a curved countertop, with a textured beige wall behind her.

Dental Hygienist

ABBY

A woman with blonde hair smiling, sitting at a counter, wearing a black shirt and watch, posed with her hands resting on the counter in a room with beige wall and wood accents.

LISA

Dental Hygienist

A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a black jacket and a watch, standing in front of a beige wall and leaning on a granite countertop.

CRYSTAL

Dental Assistant

A woman in black scrubs standing indoors, smiling and looking at the camera. She is wearing a smartwatch and has long, wavy brown hair.

KAYLA

Dental Assistant

A woman with long dark brown hair, wearing a black scrub top, standing in a room with beige walls and a dark countertop, smiling at the camera.

SHERRY

Dental Assistant

  • Appointment Coordinator

    Alberto loves meeting patients, hearing their stories, and creating genuine connections that make each day meaningful. He takes pride in keeping the schedule running smoothly, but his favorite part of the job is when a patient relationship naturally turns into a friendship.

    He appreciates how Maris Dental Studio goes above and beyond for every patient, whether it’s coordinating visits or easing concerns. A compliment, a good joke, or a grateful patient always makes his day.

    Outside the office, Alberto enjoys the white sands of Captiva and looks forward to October every year so he can dive into all things Halloween. Friendly, dedicated, and easy to talk to, Alberto helps make the office feel welcoming from the moment patients call.

  • Financial and Treatment Coordinator

    With fourteen years in dentistry, Jennifer has a gift for making patients feel understood and supported from the moment they walk in. She loves working in a smaller office because it allows her to build genuine relationships and really get to know the people she helps. One on one conversations are her favorite part of the job, especially when she can guide someone through their treatment plan with clarity and confidence.

    When she isn’t taking care of patients, Jennifer is all about her boys. They are her biggest joy. She also loves the beach and expresses her creative side through painting. Steady, warm, and easy to talk to, Jennifer is often one of the first friendly voices patients meet and one of the reasons they feel right at home at Maris Dental Studio.

  • Dental Assistant

    A proud Florida native born and raised in Lee County, Sherry brings warmth and compassion to every patient she meets. After working in child care, Sherry discovered her true calling in dentistry and has spent the last eight years enjoying her role as a Dental Assistant. She takes pride in helping patients feel at ease and loves being part of a team that restores confidence through beautiful, healthy smiles.

    When she's not in the office, Sherry enjoys bike rides, long walks, and spending time with her beloved French Bulldog. Her caring nature and upbeat personality make her a wonderful addition to the practice.

  • Dental Assistant

    With seven years of experience, Kayla loves that every day brings new opportunities to help patients feel comfortable and truly cared for. She enjoys building real connections and believes dentistry is about more than clinical care. It is about making people feel at home. Her favorite part of the job is seeing the transformation in a patient’s smile and knowing she played a part in that moment of confidence.

    Nothing brightens her day more than spending time with her family. Kayla loves any place by the water and finds peace and joy wherever there are waves, sunlight, or a shoreline to explore. Kind, steady, and naturally encouraging, she brings warmth to every visit and helps patients feel supported from the moment they walk in.

  • Dental Assistant

    Crystal has spent thirty eight years helping people rediscover their confidence through their smiles. She loves the personal side of dentistry the most. The conversations, the laughter, and the moment a patient realizes they’re not just being treated but genuinely cared for. Her favorite part of clinical work is helping patients with implants and seeing the life changing impact they can have.

    Outside the office, Crystal enjoys time with her family and friends, baking and candy making, and any day spent near the water whether it is a beach day or a cruise ship adventure. Crystal brings warmth, experience, and heart to every patient she meets.

  • Dental Hygienist

    Abby has thirteen years of experience and a genuine love for the people she serves. She appreciates that Maris Dental Studio feels non corporate and personal, where patients value quality care and the team truly feels like family. Her favorite part of hygiene is educating patients and hearing that sincere “thank you” that lets her know she made a difference.

    Outside the office, Abby’s heart belongs to her three cats; Reggie, Penelope, and Tiki, as well as her faith. She loves mornings on Anna Maria Island, beach runs, and trips to the Smoky Mountains. And, she can surprise you with a spot on British accent. Abby brings positivity, compassion, and a calming presence to every appointment.

  • Dental Hygienist

    With forty two years in dentistry, Lisa still has the same enthusiasm for patient care she had on day one. She loves getting to know her patients, helping them protect their dental health, and making each visit feel comfortable and personal. She appreciates that we treat every patient like family and values the genuine connections she builds over time.

    Outside the office, Lisa finds joy in simple things. Seeing someone else smile, spending time in the Smoky Mountains, and slowing down to enjoy the beauty around her. Her gentle approach and decades of experience help patients feel relaxed, understood, and truly cared for.