Meet The Doctors
Jonathan E. Backer DDS
Dr. Jonathan E. Backer was born in Korea and moved to the United States with his family at age 11, settling in Bakersfield, California. He excelled academically while developing strong leadership skills and a love for athletics.
During college, Dr. Backer worked as a dental laboratory technician, sparking his passion for dentistry. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in 2000 and soon after moved to Eugene, Oregon to begin practicing.
In 2002, Dr. Backer opened his practice in Cottage Grove, where he has been proudly serving the community with compassionate, patient-centered care ever since. In 2017, he expanded his services by opening a second practice in Eugene. His commitment to his patients and community has been the cornerstone of both practices for over two decades.
Dr. Backer and his wife, Soorin, have been married since 1991 and have four children and two granddaughters. Outside the office, he enjoys staying active and spending time outdoors. His hobbies include golfing, snowboarding, skiing and target shooting. He also has a love for music- you may even hear him quietly humming along to a favorite tune during your visit!
Jennifer Shields D.M.D
Dr. Jennifer Shields is excited to be a part of the amazing team at Backer Family Dental!
She was born and raised in Henderson, NV, a suburb of Las Vegas. After high school, she ventured north to Reno and received her undergraduate degree in biology and chemistry from the University of Nevada. She earned her dental degree from Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR, in 2004. Dr. Shields built and co-owned Shields Family Dentistry for 17 years following graduation, with two locations in the Las Vegas valley.
The goal was to finish raising the family in Oregon eventually, and in 2022 the practice sold and the dream came true! Dr. Shields worked at Lane Community College with hygiene and assisting students before finding Dr. Backer’s practice, which has incredible camaraderie, professionalism, family-oriented treatment of the team, and a fun, friendly environment which reminded her of the practice she helped build.
When not at the practice, Dr. Shields enjoys fun times with her family, relaxing with a good book or visiting the coast, and exciting adventures spending time with friends, snow skiing, hiking, and road trips.
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Krista Min DDS
Dr. Min was born and raised in Nashville, TN where she grew up surrounded by a tight knit church family and friends. She attended Southern Adventist University located in Chattanooga, TN. Her studies then took her across the country to Loma Linda, CA for dental school. While at dental school, she started to date a classmate from Eugene, OR—the first time she has ever heard of Eugene. She was told by her boyfriend that it’s a small town with a lot of charm. “Must be like Nashville!” she thought.
Fast forward a few years and she is now married to said classmate and has realized that while Eugene is not like Nashville, it does have a lot of charm. Dr. Min and her husband have been married since 2023 and welcomed a son in the fall of 2025. While the adjustment into parenthood has been tough, they are enjoying every minute of it.
Dr. Min started working for Backer Family Dental in April of 2023. She has found the town of Cottage Grove and Eugene to be so special and filled with the most warm and kind people. She enjoys serving her community by treating their dental needs. Her goal is to get her patients to a point where they not only love their smile but enjoy the health benefits of a clean mouth!