by siteadmin | Mar 26, 2025
Dr. Finney was born and raised in the great state of Texas. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Texas A&M University, where she studied Anthropology, Linguistics and Classical Civilizations. After college she had a brief career in sales, where she discovered a love for meeting new people, and using specialized knowledge to help them solve problems. This led to an unexpected turn into dentistry, which not only allows her to help people each day, but also to work with her hands. Dr. Finney received her dental training in San Antonio at the University of Texas Health Science, before pursuing a certificate in Advanced General Dentistry from University of Missouri, Kansas City.
Dr. Finney lives in Independence with her partner Tim and baby girl, Margaret. In her free time she loves working on various art projects, such as painting, cross stitching, and putting glitter on everything. She considers herself a lifelong learner and has been known to share tidbits of odd knowledge while delivering patient care. On weekends Dr. Finney spends her time visiting with friends and family and enjoying the wild ride that is being a new parent.
by siteadmin | Mar 26, 2025
Dr. John LaBarca says a love of working with his hands and a desire to cure people led to his career in the dental industry. As co-owner of Dental Excellence, he is able to do both.
Dr. LaBarca loves getting to know his patients and their families. He’s committed to continuing education and believes in utilizing the latest advancements in technology and treatment processes to improve the dental experience. The ability to provide painless dental care, and easier, faster treatments that result in dramatic changes in function and appearance make his work rewarding.
Dr. LaBarca attended Westminster College in Fulton, MO. And went on to UMKC Dental School, graduating in 1994. Since his graduation, he has continued to expand his knowledge and skill set through active participation in dental meetings, lectures, and conferences. He’s studied topics including CEREC, endodontics, dental implants, dentures, Invisalign, and aesthetic and cosmetic restorations. He has advanced training with Glidewell Dental Lab and the ability to mill and produce same day crowns using digital impressions.
With over 30 years of experience under his belt, he says the best part of being in a group practice is the unwavering support and camaraderie. “I work with great people who are all focused on helping patients,” he says. “It’s living the dream.”
Born in Philadelphia and raised in Delaware and Virginia, Dr. LaBarca has called the Independence, MO area home for over 30 years. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Michele, and his two daughters, Annemaria and Sophia at the family’s Brookside home in Kansas City, MO. They enjoy going downtown and eating pizza and love to visit family on the East Coast where they gather to cook and celebrate their Italian heritage.
Professional Memberships
by siteadmin | Mar 26, 2025
Dr. Sharky loves his profession, because it allows him to interact with people from all different walks of life on a daily basis. He loves that he can increase their self-confidence with a beautiful, healthy smile, which helps them to move through the world with ease. Equally important to Dr. Sharky is that he can rid his patients of dental pain, and restore them to excellent oral health. Working with children is especially rewarding, because he finds their excitement entertaining and loves how they are always talking about their adventures.
Dr. Sharky thrives on the relationships that he is able to build with his patients, establishing and nurturing open lines of communication so they feel safe coming to him with their concerns and questions. He is very good at talking with patients about their oral healthcare needs and how to get them to their goals in a painless manner.
Education and Continuing Education
Since his graduation, Dr. Sharky has pursued many avenues of continuing education in order to give his patients the best up-to-date dental care possible. He has completed courses for Invisalign® and CEREC® treatment modalities.
Professional Affiliations
Personal Life
Dr. Sharky was born in Independence, MO, and lived there for the first seven years of his life. He now resides in Blue Springs, where he shares his life with his son Ambrus, and a pet goldfish; and he’s thinking about a small pet shark, too. He and his son love sports, especially baseball, title boxing, and fishing. Dr. Sharky coaches baseball and occasionally plays on a local softball team.
by siteadmin | Mar 26, 2025
Dr. Matt Wiley is passionate about providing painless, effective dental care to his patients. He loves that he is able to help patients achieve exceptional oral health and a great smile, while getting to know them. Each patient has unique dental needs and goals, and Dr. Wiley takes the time to learn these before creating an individual treatment path and discussing the options for reaching those goals. At all times, he is focused on his patients: their comfort, their level of understanding about dentistry and dental practices, their concerns. Early in his relationship with a patient, Dr. Wiley will work to establish good communication, ensuring that the patient is comfortable talking with him and asking questions. He knows that dental care is based on teamwork between the patient and the dentist, and he does all he can to foster that dynamic.
Education and Continuing Education
Additionally, Dr. Wiley has made a commitment to pursuing continuing education opportunities. In 2007 he achieved fellowship status in the Academy of General Dentistry, which represents a significant commitment to lifelong learning. Dr. Wiley knows that incorporating proven materials and techniques into his practice allows him to provide the best treatment for his patients. He attends local as well as national meetings and conferences on a wide variety of subjects related to dentistry and the treatment of patients. He has attended national gatherings for the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and Invisalign®.
Professional Memberships
Personal Information and Involvement in the Community
Dr. Wiley grew up in Independence, MO, and still calls it home. He and his wife Heather have three children: two sons and a daughter. Away from work he is most often found with family and friends. Dr. Wiley and his wife are strong supporters of their children’s sports activities, including soccer and basketball, and active in church and school events, too. He keeps physically active with sports and fitness, and occasionally runs in local races.
by siteadmin | Mar 26, 2025
Dr. Amit Kumar is a Clinical Assistant Professor at UMKC School of Dentistry. He achieved his dental degree twice. First in India, he achieved a Bachelor of Dental Surgery and a Master of Dental Surgery in Oral Maxillofacial Surgery. The second time, he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from UMKC. While there, Dr. Kumar achieved further training with Oral Surgery, Implant and Sedation Dentistry.
Dr. Kumar has been practicing dentistry for over 23 years. He is actively involved in training dental students in oral surgery procedures and resident Oral Surgeons in Implant Dentistry.
Dr. Kumar has also been in private practice and is eager to serve his community in providing comprehensive care and more advanced dental procedures without the cost of a specialist. He is committed to the profession and is a life-long learner. He is always attending continuing education programs to better his skills to render the very best treatment for his patients by using scientific evidence based techniques and the latest procedures.
When not in the office, Dr. Kumar enjoys spending time with his family traveling, attending sporting events and enjoying time in nature. His has a keen interest in culinary arts and likes to cook. He serves an active role in our community and provides “stress buster workshops” for a healthy and balanced living.
