Dental has always come naturally to Dr. Lynne Schopper. As the third child in a family of five, she took advantage of the unique opportunity to spend time with her father, Dr. George F. Schopper, by helping out in his dental office. At age 14, she began working in her father’s practice as an assistant, receptionist, and lab tech – wherever she could be used.
The invaluable experience she gained while working in the office through high school and community college furthered her interest in dentistry and led her to attend Creighton University, where she received an undergraduate degree in chemistry. She graduated from the University of Missouri School of Dental, at which point she returned to the family practice, where she furthered her learning by working directly with her respected father. “He taught me the value of the work we do and to treat each person who walked into the office as a whole person with kindness, respect, and dignity.” This warm and compassionate style of care stuck with Dr. Schopper and has become the core of her practice to this day.
Being a woman in the field of dentistry has allowed Dr. Schopper the opportunity to inspire young ladies in the community to pursue their professional dreams. Her graduating class contained only 14 women and 146 men! Pursuing dentistry when women in the field were considered a novelty set Dr. Schopper apart and allowed her and her father together to offer the best of both worlds to the community. She cherishes her part as a role model in the community and encourages all young women to follow their own distinctive path.
Dr. Schopper is a member of several respected organizations. Throughout the years, she has volunteered to serve on committees for organized dentistry. In 1998, she became the first female president of the Fifth District Dental Society. She has served as a delegate to the Kansas Dental Association (KDA) and remains an active member. Dr. Schopper is also an active member of the Academy of General Dental (AGD), American Association for Functional Orthodontics (AAFO), American Academy of Implant Dental (AAID) and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI).
Dr. Schopper’s work and talents in the field of dentistry have gained recognition, and she’s been inducted into both the prestigious International College of Dentists and the American College of Dentists. She was married to the late Frank Theisen, D.D.S., M.S., an oral surgeon and Associate Professor at UMKC School of Dental. Together, they have two wonderful children, Danny and Katie. Dr. George F. Schopper’s motto was “treat each person as if they are your family.” Dr. Lynne Schopper invites you to experience the caring family and community atmosphere at Garnett Family Dental.
Dr. Sandi Otipoby has always loved helping people and her community. As one of seven children growing up, she learned helping others was her passion, and large families require everyone to look after one another. Dr. Otipoby's father served our country in the Air Force. Their family moved throughout the US growing up until settling in Diamond, Missouri, a small town located southeast of Joplin, where they lived on a farm.
Dr. Optioby started her dental career as a dental hygienist in Joplin, Missouri. While working as a dental hygienist, she fell in love with dentistry. It was her chance to help others, and she went on to become a dentist. Dr. Optioby graduated from UMKC School of Dentistry in 1993.
After dental school, she moved to Garnett, Kansas, and started practicing dentistry. General dentistry has always been Dr. Optioby's favorite because of the variety of dental procedures you can help patients with every day. Helping people smile gives her joy.
"Patients tell me I have a gentle touch. I want to help my patients and my community, and this is my chance."
Her love for helping people and animals started at a young age and continues to this day. She is active in the local 4-H and enjoys gardening and raising Lamancha dairy goats. Producing milk, goat cheese, and goat milk soap is a part of raising goats and takes a lot of hard work.
Dr. Optioby and her husband, Dwight Nelson, live on a farm in Garnett. They have two children; Amanda Nelson and Derrick Nelson. Amanda is a dental hygienist in Manhattan, Kansas, and Derrick works for a Wisconsin milling company. They are proud to call Garnett their home.
Dr. Diskin grew up in St. Paul, KS where he spent time on the family farm and enjoying sports. Dr. Diskin is the youngest of six children. God and family are the most important aspects of his life, including his wife Lauren, whom he met at Pittsburg State while attending college. Dr. Diskin enjoys getting outdoors to bow hunt, fish, hike, and playing golf. He also has started to use his creativity doing wood-working in his free time.
Dr. Anthony Diskin received his undergraduate degree at Pittsburg State University with a Bachelors of Science in Biology. He then went on to attend the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry to receive his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. Dr. Diskin enjoys expanding his skills and knowledge through continuing education and is committed to providing the highest quality of care to his patients through a comfortable environment.
Following graduation, Dr. Diskin moved to Oklahoma and practiced in Cleveland, OK. During his time, he also practiced at the Okmulgee Indian Health Center giving care to Native Americans of Muscogee Creek Nation. Dr. Diskin and his family moved back to Kansas in 2024 and are happy to be part of the community.
Dr. Diskin is committed to providing an environment for his patients to feel relaxed and comfortable. He strives to be a generational family dentist where he gets to know all of his patients and their family.
