Meet Dr. Burson

Your smile, my specialty

Hi! I’m Dr. Michelle Burson. I am Iowan through and through. I grew up in Red Oak, IA in the southwest corner of the state. I attended the University of Northern Iowa and majored in Biology. After considering a few other professions, I realized that I wanted to work with people and loved science, so I pursued a career in dentistry.

I attended the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and during this time found a love for treating complex dental issues. I also had my own implant complication where my original implant on my front tooth needed to be completely replaced. My dentist and surgeon taught me the importance of planning and attention to detail. I had a wonderful outcome, and I knew I wanted to do this for other people as well. All of these experiences lead me to Prosthodontics!

I did my residency at the University of Iowa in Prosthodontics and honed my skills to help those that have been struggling with their teeth. I’m excited to be in the Iowa City community and ready to serve you!

In my free time I like to play piano, exercise, watch tv and movies (I am always up for recommendations!), cook and more importantly eat! My husband and I enjoy traveling, walks, and trying new restaurants. We adopted our pup, Murphy, from the Muscatine Humane Society and we enjoy taking him on walks, hikes and swimming.

I can’t wait to get to know you!

Meet Lyn! As our Office Manager, Lyn is one of the friendly faces you will encounter at our practice. With 30 years of experience, Lyn specializes in making the administrative side of your visit as seamless as possible. She genuinely enjoys walking patients through their treatment plans, clarifying insurance coverage, outlining financial obligations, and managing scheduling—all to empower you to make the right dental choices for yourself. When she isn’t helping patients in the office, Lyn loves spending time outdoors, riding her bicycle, adventuring with her husband, Nick, playing with her grandkids, and making memories with friends and family.

Meet Chelsea! Chelsea is our Expanded Functions Dental Assistant. She enjoys working with patients and making their visits as comfortable as possible. She believes in quality care and her goal is for patients to look forward to their visits. Nothing beats the "Let me see how it looks" smile after a delivery appointment. She spends her time with her husband and pets relaxing at home and out on camping adventures.

Meet Karen! Bringing over 20 years of clinical dental assisting experience to the team, she is deeply passionate about helping patients feel comfortable and well-cared for during their visits. Having recently relocated to Iowa, she loves being part of a team dedicated to restoring smiles and providing top-notch patient care. Outside the clinic, she is an avid custom baker who loves creating elaborate cakes and sweet treats. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality moments with her husband and daughters, reading, and exploring everything what Iowa has to offer.

Meet Kirsten! Kirsten is our Front Desk Administrator and Lab Case Manager. She loves being one of the friendly faces and voices that welcomes patients, whether over the phone or in the office. Behind the scenes, she keeps lab cases organized and ensures everything is ready to help bring our patients' new smiles to life! She is also excited to continue learning and exploring the creative side of dental design. Outside of work, Kirsten enjoys getting lost in a good book, spending quality time with friends and family, and taking walks with her dog, Zola!

Meet Caterina! Caterina brings 13 years of experience as an Esthetician and 4 years as a Registered Dental Assistant to her new role as Front Desk Administrator. After moving to Iowa from Connecticut, she found a passion for combining her love of aesthetics and dentistry to help patients feel comfortable, confident, and excited about their smiles. Outside of work, she enjoys her plants, music, movies, taking walks, and spending time with her husband and their three kids. She’s excited to be part of the Vivid team and to welcome each patient with a smile!

Meet Maci! Serving as our Sterilization Technician, this Iowa native plays a crucial role behind the scenes keeping our clinic safe, smooth, and running seamlessly. Aspiring to become a dentist herself, she brings incredible enthusiasm and a strong passion for patient care to the practice every day. Outside of the clinic, she loves staying active on the pickleball court and spending quality time playing with her dogs.

Meet Christina! Christina is an Iowa native and a graduate of Kirkwood’s Dental Assisting Program. She brings an incredible amount of knowledge and experience to our team, with 15 years of assisting in advanced education programs and 9 years in private practice. As a part-time dental assistant, Christina is always ready to jump in and lend a helping hand whenever we need her! She plays an important role in training our team and sharing her expertise. We are so grateful for her willingness to help and the knowledge she brings to our office! Outside of work, Christina enjoys relaxing with vintage movies and spending quality time with her fur baby!

Meet Murphy! Our mascot and therapy dog in training. He was rescued by Dr. Michelle and her husband at the Muscatine Humane Society! He hangs out in the back, but loves meeting patients upon request. He is a great pyrenees mix and loves long naps, socks and any sticks he can find. You can ask Dr. Michelle for photos at any of your visits and she will be more than happy to show you the hundreds she has on her phone! Murphy is super excited to be a part of the Vivid team!