Kaaren Vargas DDS, PhD
Kaaren Vargas
Dr. Kaaren Vargas was born in Lima, Peru and moved to the US at a very young age.
She completed her pediatric dental specialty training in 1992 at Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, NY and a PhD in 1998 at the University of Iowa. She became a full time faculty member at the University of Iowa Department of Pediatric Dentistry that same year. She became a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist in 2000.
During her 10 years on staff, she was graduate program director, directed the program in sedation and taught numerous classes on cosmetic dentistry in children and interceptive orthodontics. She has also lectured extensively both nationally and internationally.
Dr Vargas is also very active in organized Pediatric Dentistry. She is past-president of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, she sits on numerous committees of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and is currently one of the board members of the Iowa State Dental Board.
When she is not with her wonderful patients and staff, Dr. Vargas enjoys spending time with her husband, Drew, her children Sebastian and Cecilia and her step children, Schyler and Shawn.
"Caring for children and their needs is what is most important to me."
—Dr. Kaaren Vargas
Kaaren Vargas DDS, PhD, Board Certified Pediatric Dentist
- Board Certified, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
- Member, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- Pediatric Residency and DDS, Eastman Dental Center, Rochester, NY
- GPR, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Iowa City, IA
- PhD University of Iowa
Professional Affiliations
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- American Dental Association
- Iowa Society of Pediatric Dentistry
- Iowa Dental Association
Professional Experience
- 1998–2007 Associate Professor Pediatric Dentistry, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
- 1994–1998 PhD Oral Sciences University of Iowa
- 1990–1992 Pediatric Dentistry Residency, Rochester, NY
- 1988–1990 Private Practice Limited to Pediatric Dentistry, Lima, Peru
Kathryn
Kathryn
Office Manager
I currently reside in Coralville and enjoy spending free time visiting family and friends, both near and far. I am honored to have been a part of Corridor Kids Pediatric Dentistry from the beginning and look forward to being a part of the future success of such a warm, friendly and fun practice!
Tanya
Tanya
Dental Assistant/Front Office
My name is Tanya, I live in West Branch. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I'm always up for an adventure and I love to try new things. I am a dental assistant as well as an office assistant. I've been at Corridor Kids since the beginning and wouldn't change it for anything!
Amanda
Amanda
Front Office
I recently relocated from Kansas City to the Iowa City area with my husband Neil and our son Max. I grew up on a farm in southeastern Iowa. I'm glad to be back in my home state. I enjoy reading, baking, and spending as much time as possible with my family. Im excited to be a part of the Corridor Kids team!
Taylor
Taylor
Front Office
Hi! My name Taylor, I live in Riverside with my fiancé Zach and our 3 dogs. In my free time I love to workout, ride four wheelers and help on the farm. I love coming to work everyday with the great team of co-workers and patients we have here at CKPD.
Gabby
Gabby
Spa/Support Staff
Hi, my name is Gabby. I reside in Louisa County IA with my family. I recently starting working at CKPD. I enjoy reading, traveling and spending time with my family. I love having the opportunity to work in the spa and at the front desk. I greatly enjoy seeing the smiles of everyone when the CKPD Spa services are offered to them.
Kyleigh
Kyleigh
Dental Assistant
Hey guys! My name is Kyleigh. I grew up in the Solon and Tipton areas, but currently live in Iowa City with my two hedgehogs! I love spending time with my family and friends, boating, shopping, going on crazy adventures, the Hawkeyes, and of course the Chicago Cubs! The reason I chose to work in pediatrics is because each kiddo has their own fun unique personality and hearing them tell me about the things they love and are passionate about makes my day 10x better. They keep me on my toes and I wouldn't have it any other way!
Claudia
Claudia
Dental Assistant/Front Office
Hello! My name is Claudia. I currently live in Cedar Rapids but am originally from Ottumwa IA. My family is from Costa Rica, therefore I really enjoy warm weather and the beach and I speak spanish! Summertime is my favorite season! During my free time I enjoy traveling, kickboxing, hanging out with family and friends, and attending Hawkeye Football games! I chose pediatric dentistry because I am always on my toes, every kiddo has an awesome story to tell me, and it always put a huge CKPD smile on my face!! :)
Tiffany
Tiffany
Dental Assistant
Hi, my name is Tiffany. I live in Cedar Rapids with my husband and 4 kiddos. I love spending time with my family and friends. My favorite time of the year is the summer time, I enjoy being outside boating, skiing, going on walks with my kids, going to hawkeye games, and shopping! Working at CKPD is great. The kids have so much energy and each kiddo has a new fun story to tell!
Aysia
Aysia
Dental Assistant
Hi, my name is Aysia. I've lived in Cedar Rapids my whole life. I currently live with my boyfriend Austin and my fur baby O.D. Things I like to do outside of work are going to the beach, tubing and taking my dog the dog park. I worked with kiddos through out college & am excited that I get to work with them as a career now, I love it!
Stephanie
Stephanie
Dental Assistant
Hi, my name is Stephanie. I am from Clarence, IA. but currently reside in Cedar Rapids. In my free time I enjoy traveling and spending time with friends & family. I enjoy the upbeat pace kids have and that they always keep me on my toes. I chose CKPD to see kids leave with a huge smile on their face from seeing the dentist!
Ally
Ally
Dental Assistant
Hi, my name is Ally. I currently live in North Liberty with my boyfriend Cody, but I'm originally from southeast Iowa. In my free time I like to scrapbook, paint, and walk my mini schnauzer Bella. I like to spend a lot of time with my family and friends too. I worked with kiddos throughout high school and college, so I knew pediatric dentistry would be a great fit for me! I'm very excited to be a part of the CKPD team!
Nuvia
Nuvia
Dental Assistant
Hi I'm Nuvia, I'm originally from Texas but moved to Iowa at 16. I have three children at home. I enjoy spending my free time with my family. I started as a student with CKPD and fell in love with the office and staff! I enjoy seeing all the smiling faces everyday!
Maddy
Maddy
Dental Assistant
Hi my name is Maddy short for Madison. I currently live in Cedar Rapids but am originally from Lowden IA. Things I love to do outside of work are going to the beach, traveling with my friends, hanging out with my family and staying super active with running and lifting. I have always loved to be around kids because there is never a dull moment with their big imaginations. I'm super excited to have a career with the wonderful CKPD Team!
Barbara
Barbara
Dental Hygienist
Hi my name is Barbara. I was born, raised and went to Dental Hygiene school in New York. I moved to Iowa about in 2011 and now live in West Branch with my fiancé and our two dogs. In my free time I love spending time at the beach, trail walking and time with friends and family. While in New York I started working with pediatrics and that is where I developed my love for working with kids. I am now beyond excited to be a part of the CKPD team!
Maggie & Nix
Maggie
I'm Maggie and I work at Corridor Kids also! I'm a 7 year old lemon Beagle. I love to mingle around the office and visit with patients. If your looking for me, I have a tendency to follow my Mom Dr Vargas around. Make sure you stop by and say hello next time you are in for a visit!
Nix
My name is Nix, I am a 4 year old Bichon. I have really soft fur and would love to let you pet me with assistance from one of our staff. I like to nap frequently and chew on bones in my Mom's office.