Meet Your Flagstaff Orthodontists
Dr. Peppers, Dr. Zimbelman, and Dr. Long
Dr. Rob Caskey started this practice from scratch in a small office on Beaver St. in 1995. Later, his long-time friend, Dr. Eric Peterson, and his daughter, Dr. Emily Peppers, joined the practice.
Dr. Caskey and Dr. Peterson have since retired from NAZO. Today, Dr. Peppers, Dr. Zimbelman, and Dr. Long proudly carry on the legacy, leading the practice with the same warmth, expertise, and commitment to exceptional care. Together with their dedicated team, they’ve preserved the fun, welcoming atmosphere our community loves—while continuing to deliver cutting-edge treatment. That means you and your family can feel confident you’ll be smiling from start to finish.
Scroll down to learn more about Dr. Peppers, Dr. Zimbelman, and Dr. Long!
Dr. Emily Peppers
Education & Experience
Dr. Emily Caskey Peppers grew up in Flagstaff and attended the University of Arizona in Tucson for college. She obtained her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Colorado in 2009. In 2010, Dr. Peppers completed a general practice residency focusing on hospital dentistry at the University of Chicago.
In 2013, Dr. Peppers graduated from an orthodontic residency at Loma Linda University in California. There she earned a Master’s degree and a certificate in the specialty of orthodontics.
Dr. Peppers’ award-winning research has been published by the prestigious journal The Angle Orthodontist.
Outside the Office
Dr. Peppers and her husband, Eric Peppers, have three sons (the oldest is already out of the nest - the two youngest are still at home)! They all love the outdoors—especially hiking, backpacking, biking, and skiing—and they love Northern Arizona for all the outdoor adventures it offers.
Dr. Peppers has run 10 marathons, including races in Arizona, Utah, Illinois, Colorado, California, and Italy. Her proudest running accomplishment is that she’s completed the infamous Imogene Pass Run 10 times!
Professional Memberships
- American Association of Orthodontists
- American Dental Association
- Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists
- Northern Arizona Dental Society, President
- Northern Arizona Network for Dental Excellence, President
Dr. Megan Zimbelman
Education & Experience
Dr. Megan Makena Zimbelman is excited to care for patients alongside Dr. Peppers and the NAZO team. Her passion for orthodontics starts with the belief that creating beautiful smiles leads to a lifetime of improved oral health and confidence. She loves guiding patients through their treatment journeys with personalized care, making sure every patient feels seen, valued, and well cared for.
Dr. Zimbelman earned her Doctorate of Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania before trading the East Coast for the desert. She completed her orthodontic residency and earned a Master’s in Oral Biology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and went on to become a board certified orthodontist with a focus on thoughtful, high quality care.
Outside the Office
While in residency, Dr. Zimbelman made the most of her time in the Southwest including hiking Humphreys Peak, boating at Lake Powell, running rim-to-rim through the Grand Canyon, stargazing at Lowell Observatory, and sipping lattes from Matador Coffee. An outdoor enthusiast at heart, she’s on a mission to visit all 63 national parks. So far, she’s checked off 24.
Like Dr. Peppers, Dr. Zimbelman loves the challenge of long-distance running. She’s completed 2 marathons and 14 half-marathons. And yep, Dr. Peppers and Dr. Zimbelman have a few races lined up to race together!
Professional Memberships
- Diplomate of American Board of Orthodontics
- American Association of Orthodontist
- American Dental Association
- Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists
- Northern Arizona Dental Society
Outside the Office
Outside the office you can find her drag racing her 1968 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia she restored with her dad when she was sixteen, working out, crafting, hiking or spending time with her two dogs Penny and Dusty.
Dr. Rebecca Long
Education & Experience
Originally from Southern California, Dr. Long grew up an athlete playing volleyball, water polo, swimming, and track. She later played collegiate volleyball at Yavapai College and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University where she majored in Forensic Biology.
Before specializing in orthodontics, Dr. Long practiced as a general dentist in Chino Valley, where she developed a strong foundation in restorative and preventive care while building lasting relationships within the Tri-City community. During orthodontic training, she became Tweed trained and has advanced education in clear aligners, MARPE, TADs, and both lingual and self-ligating systems. This diverse training allows her to use a wide range of techniques to create beautiful, customized smiles for every patient.
Professional Memberships
A graduate of the University of Southern California she earned both her DDS and her Orthodontic Certificate from USC ~ Fight On~ where she was honored with the Harry Dougherty Clinical Achievement Award for Orthodontics. She also served as Director of the Student Professionalism and Ethics Association and is a Fellow of the American College of Dentists which reflects her long standing commitment to ethics and integrity in patient care