Meet Our Team

Becky graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Dakota and has been in the dental field for over 15 years. She is proud to work at Smalltown Dental and enjoys listening to the patients' needs and concerns; which she makes a top priority. She also finds it rewarding to work with such an amazing staff that focuses on bringing happy, healthy smiles to all of their patients. Becky enjoys spending time with her family: Scott (Husband), Rachel & Nicole (Daughters), and son-in-law Jon. She also enjoys reading, dancing, gardening, traveling, and most importantly – meeting new people!

Candace has been practicing dental hygiene for 30 years in Central Illinois. She has experience working in a periodontal practice and has spent most of her career working in general dentistry. She enjoys helping people maintain beautiful, healthy smiles and loves making connections with her patients. Candace is happily married with two grown sons who live in the area. She loves spending time with her family, her dog and three cats. She is so happy to be part of Smalltown Dental team!

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Jade graduated from MTI as a dental assistant in 2022 certified in infection control, radiology, and CPR. Dreaming to work in the dental field, she left her 5 year position as a CNA to start fresh with Smalltown Dental. She cares about helping others any chance she gets and loves to help restore confidence in patients smiles!

Jade loves spending her free time with her husband Andy and their son Ryder camping, riding dirt-bikes and making memories with friends and family.

Aericka loves to build everlasting relationships with patients, and loves getting to know everyone by their first names! She feels that is the best way for us to build our foundation for these relationships with our patients that we consider family. She has been doing this throughout her entire career. Aericka loves making sure that everybody that comes into our office is greeted with a warm welcome and smile, and ensures that everyone leaves our office with a smile. In her spare time Aericka loves to spend time with her family, craft and put her photography skills to good use.

Taylor has worked in customer service for 11 years and health care for 4 years. Before coming to Smalltown she worked in administration at a hospital and is very happy to be back working with patients. When she is not at work, you can usually find Taylor creating one of a kind things in her sewing room. She learned to sew at a very young age and has been doing it for over 20 years. She loves spending time with her husband and 2 dogs.

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Susan earned her bachelor's degree from Bradley University in Peoria, IL, and puts her business skills to good use as Treatment Plan and Appointment Coordinator. She brings years of medical office experience to her position.  Susan enjoys the people she works with at Morton Dental Center, as well as our patients. Her friendly and helpful demeanor is evident in her communication with patients, in the office or on the phone. Susan and her husband have three daughters: Delanie, Natalie, and Gabby. She enjoys reading, shopping, and spending time with her family.

Stephanie graduated from Illinois Central College with a certificate in Dental Assisting. She has been a part of the dental field for over 30 years.  She has several years of experience as a Dental Assistant but loves her role on the Business Team. Stephanie and her husband Chad, have three kids: Mason, Alec, and Lydia. Stephanie’s time away from the office is spent with her family. Stephanie loves helping the wonderful patients at Morton Dental Center and looks forward to working with her great co-workers.

Rebecca has been a Dental Assistant for almost 7 years. She has 2 children and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also loves cooking and shopping. What Rebecca loves most about the dental field is educating patients and taking care of them.

Caitlin completed her Dental Assistant Certification at Midwest Technical Institute in 2020 and is CPR certified. What she loves most as a Dental Assistant is working alongside the doctors, as well as meeting and providing for the patients. In Caitlin’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and her two goldendoodles: Cash and June. At the office, Caitlin enjoys connecting with the patients every day and making sure each one of them leaves with a smile on their face!

Cassie completed her Dental Assistant Certification at Midwest Technical Institute and is certified in CPR. As a dental assistant, she works chairside with the doctors and provides great care for our patients. Cassie is married to her husband Ryan, and she has a dog, Ellie. In her spare time, she enjoys DIY projects fixing up their home, spending time outdoors, reading, and of course shopping! Making patients feel confident, comfortable, and happy with their smile is always her goal.

Ashley (AJ) has been a dental assistant at Morton Dental Center since the summer of 2018. She is thankful to be able to work at an office that’s patient-centered and has a friendly team. Ashley is married to her husband Brett, and they have two daughters, Jovie and Jayda. She enjoys the outdoors and spending time with family.

Lori is a registered dental hygienist that has been in dentistry for 20 years. She has 2 daughters & 1 fur baby Libby a golden doodle. Her happy place is being outdoors golfing, biking, walking, working in the yard. The most rewarding aspect of her job is building personal relationships. “It is a blessing to be on SD's team because they value each patient as an individual as well as taking pride in delivering the highest standard of care. I strive to inform/educate & empower patients to get involved in their well-being.”

Shay attended Illinois Central College from 2014-2019 where she earned an Associate's degree in Applied Science of Dental Hygiene as well as an Associate's degree in Science for Secondary Education. She has specialized training in laser bacterial reduction, local anesthetic, and in-house whitening. Her favorite part about her job is making patients smile! In her free time, Shay enjoys cooking, baking, and spending time with family and friends. She is currently engaged to her fiancé Chris. Together they share a daughter Maisie, two cats, and a dog. They are also expecting twins this coming October!

Ali has been working side by side with patients as a Dental Hygienist since 2013. What she loves most about her occupation is helping patients enjoy their dental experiences in a positive and fun environment. When Ali is not working at the dental office, she enjoys cheering on the Green Bay Packers, traveling to Vegas with her husband, and having snuggles sessions with her two boys (Bobby and JJ) and two cats (Monty and Moe). Ali’s goal as a Dental Hygienist is having patients leave with a smile on their face, feeling educated, and wanting to come back to their next appointment.

Ashley attended Illinois Central College where she received her Associate Degree in Applied Science – Dental Hygiene. She then continued her education by receiving special training in anesthetic treatment, soft tissue lasers, Zoom! whitening and nitrous oxide. She has been working in the dental field for 14 years and loves getting to know her patients on a personal level. She is also passionate about teaching patients about their oral health and how to maintain a beautiful smile. Ashley is married to her husband Tim, and they have 2 children, Reed and Reese. In her free time, Ashley enjoys baking, crafting, going to her children’s sporting events, canoeing, and spending time outdoors with family and friends.

Janelle is a graduate from Illinois Central College with an Associates Degree in Applied Science-dental hygiene.  She has been working as a hygienist for 13 years.  She has a passion for making each dental visit comfortable and educational for her patients.  She finds her job rewarding when patients walk away from an appointment, confident with their smiles, and properly educated on how to maintain healthy oral hygiene. When away from the office she enjoys life, in rural Tremont, with her husband Brent and four children, Londyn, Tyra, Cason, and Clay.  Some of her favorite family memories are centered around the outdoors, whether that be camping, boating, being at the beach, or hiking in the mountains.

Katie is a graduate of Illinois Central College with an Associate Degree in Applied Science – Dental Hygiene. Katie is married to Matt and together they have 3 children. Lexie is a nurse living in Bloomington and newly married.  Her younger 2 kids still live at home, Ellie is a full-time college student and Tate goes to Morton High School. She has a cute dog named Kit and a playful cat named Bitty. She spends most of her free time with friends and family, loves to be outside, loves baking and LOVES watching her son play baseball! Katie enjoys helping patients feel relaxed and comfortable while teaching them how to properly care for their teeth and gums. Her certifications and extended training include:

• Nitrous oxide sedation
• Local anesthesia
• OSHA

Jacquetta is a graduate of Illinois Central College with an Associate Degree in Applied Science ― Dental Hygiene. She regularly supplements her education by attending continuing education courses. She and her husband, Brad, have three children ― Kelsey, Whitney, and Noah ― and eight grandchildren. When away from the office, she enjoys spending time with her family, boating, reading, and traveling. Jacquetta loves the personal interactions with her patients. She loves the personal touch she adds to their experience while caring about and educating them during their visit.

Dr. Katie attended Millikin University for her bachelor’s degree in Biology. She enjoyed singing in the choir at Millikin. After her bachelor’s degree, she completed her Doctorate in Dental Medicine at SIUE Dental School. In her free time, Katie enjoys running, playing the piano, and spending time with family. Dr. Katie and her husband Bret enjoy walking their dog, hiking, and fishing.

Valerie has been in the dental field for over 6 years. She worked mostly as an orthodontist assistant, where she found her passion was working with children. She has three kids herself - two boys and a girl! When she's not working at Smalltown Dental, her husband and 3 kids keep her pretty busy. She loves her job here at Smalltown and says the best part is meeting all the new faces and making them smile.

Diya has been in the dental field for a few years as a dental assistant. She is from India, and has earned a Bachelor of Art, with a specialization in painting. She is a very hard worker, going above and beyond to help her patients and her amazing team. Her husband Tim and she are raising their two incredible daughters, Shara and Myra. She enjoys cooking, reading, music, art, traveling and most of all having spontaneous adventures with her little girls.

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Amanda graduated from MTI in 2013 as a Certified Dental Assistant. She is grateful for being apart of such a caring and dedicated team. She enjoys doing her part in helping patients achieve their desired dental transformations. In her free time, Amanda enjoys spending time with her family outdoors and going to sporting events.

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Erin is the Practice Manager at our Smalltown Dental Hopedale location. She is new to the dental field, but she was previously the office manager at an Orthodontic practice in the area. Erin is a central Illinois native and resides with her husband, Nate and cat, Winston, in Morton. She loves spending time with friends and family, visiting new restaurants, serving on her church’s worship team, and working out. Erin is grateful to be joining the Smalltown team and hopes to create a positive and enjoyable experiences for all our patients!

Lynn has spent her life in customer service and enjoys working with new people. She has spent the past several years in the dental world and is excited about her career with Smalltown Dental Kids! In her spare time you can find Lynn at some sort of sporting event or hanging out with her kids. She enjoys gardening and DIY projects around her home.

Cheryl has been working in the dental field for over the last twenty years. Her experiences in dental assisting, dental laboratory management, and business administration have made her well-rounded and knowledgeable in many aspects of the dental profession. Outside of work, Cheryl occupies her time watching her favorite movies, spending time with family and friends, and lounging around a bonfire on a nice night.

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Elizabeth has been in the health care field for over a year now. She enjoys meeting the patients and help the Smalltown Dental team succeed. In her free time, she enjoys photography, traveling, and being outside.

Prior to joining the Smalltown Dental Team, Brandi worked in recruiting for manufacturing, clerical, and professional positions for 5+ years and truly has a passion for matching candidates with their dream jobs. She enjoys being the first face new employees see when they start their journey with Smalltown and watching each individual grow within their role. In her free time, Brandi likes to go hiking and kayaking with her husband, Derek, cuddling with her black lab, Hudson, and spending time with family.

Troy absolutely loves his job! He claims he has the best job at Smalltown Dental, because when he shows up he's there to fix things, and when he leaves everyone is happy! He is full of energy and always positive. Troy has one daughter and two amazing grandchildren that he can't get enough of. When he's not maintaining our offices, he loves to weightlift, golf and go to church.

Tera is a huge fan of hiking and spending time outdoors, always searching for her next adventure. She enjoys spending time with her family. Working in the dental field for almost 15 years, Tera enjoys building relationships with the parents and kids. Earning their trust and making them excited to return to our office.

Jenna has a degree in education from Eastern Illinois University. Seven years ago she found a passion in the dental field. She started building her dental career while working with patients and insurance companies as a billing specialist in an oral surgeons office. She joined Smalltown Dental in 2022 to further her career as the Insurance and Audit Manager. Jenna is married to her husband, Ryan, and is a stepmom to his three boys. In her spare time she enjoys being with her family and friends, doing home projects, spending time outdoors and binge watching her favorite shows.

Deidra graduated from MTI as a dental assistant certified in radiology and infection control in 2019. She loves to get to know her patients and gives it her all to go above and beyond for each individual to ensure they have a wonderful visit and leave with a smile on their face. She loves to help restore confidence in a patients smile! Deidra enjoys spending her time outside of the office with her family and friends. She enjoys hiking, going to concerts and traveling. She has 2 wild boys, Gavin and Wyatt who keep her busy and a Great Pyrenees, Charley Shea. She loves the outdoors and spontaneous adventures.

Lexi is a graduate of Illinois Central College with an Associates Degree in Applied Science-Dental Hygiene and also an Associates Degree in Arts and Sciences. Her favorite thing about being a Hygienist is getting to know her patients, making them feel good about their smiles, and creating a comfortable, fun, and educational Dental environment. Outside of work Lexi loves to spend time with her husband, 1 year old Daughter, and 4 year old pup. She is also a big Chicago White Sox fan and loves to cook, bake, and shop in her free time.

Rachel has been working for Smalltown Dental since September 2021. Before starting with the company, she was a barista for 3 years and loved it! She is currently attending ICC to graduate in 2022 with an associate degree in General Studies. In her free time, Rachel enjoys spending time with friends and family, gaming, and binge-watching television shows.

Kristen received her undergraduate degree from Bradley University. Prior to working for Smalltown Dental, she was a Graphic Designer for 10 years. Outside of work, she spends her free time with her husband and son. Kristen enjoys baking, anything involving coffee, and spending any extra time outdoors.

Kylie Graduated from MTI as a dental assistant certified in radiology and infection control. She understands going into the dental office can be overwhelming for so many patients and gives it her all to go above and beyond for each individual to ensure they have a wonderful visit with and leave with a smile on their face. Kylie enjoys spending her time outside of the office with family and friends. She enjoys cooking, baking and traveling. Her husband serves in the Air Force and they have 2 toddlers, Theodore and Charlotte and a golden retriever, Miley Sue. She loves the outdoors and spontaneous adventures!

Melissa has returned to the dental field after a 20 year break. She has enjoyed the transition to being a chair side assistant and loves learning new things. Her favorite part of her job is getting to know the patients and share stories with them. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Josh, they have 3 wonderful kids and 2 amazing grandchildren with a third on the way. In her free time she loves spending time with her family, cooking, entertaining, and anything Pioneer Woman. She also helps her husband on their farm where there is never a dull moment! Ask her about her peacock stories sometime.

Lexi is a Dental Assistant who is driven and passionate. She loves being able to help the doctors and meet new people through this profession. She also loves being a mom! She has a daughter, Emersyn, and a son, Zeke. They keep her busy outside of work where they enjoy spending time in nature swimming, hiking or camping. Lexi also loves to cook and read!

Jacki is a registered dental hygienist with a Bachelor of Science-Dental Hygiene degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Her extended trainings include nitrous oxide sedation and administering local anesthesia. She has two sons that keep her busy with several sports and activities. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her sons, working out, running and being outdoors. “I really enjoy working in the dental field and at this office in particular. I love educating the community on oral hygiene and developing close relationships with patients.”

Janelle graduated from Illinois Central College in 2015 with an associates degree in applied science. She is certified in nitrous oxide, local anesthetic, cpr, and dental whitening. Janelle is married to Tyson and they have one son, Owen and two dogs, Harley and Lilly. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors, and riding horses.

Dr. Kristie Mueller first attended the University of Illinois graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Biology while also competing for the women’s swim team. She then went on to receive her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry in Lexington, KY. She was excited to return to central IL and practice dentistry in a close knit family oriented community. She is a member of the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Association and the Peoria District Dental Association.

Dr. Mueller has been practicing family dentistry in Chillicothe for 20+ years where she has also enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and attending her two children’s sporting events. She travels whenever possible with her husband Steve and loves the ocean, hiking and visiting new places.

Dr. Krupa Patel Bordatto was born and raised in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, IL. She graduated Cum Laude from Loyola University Chicago with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, and went on to receive her Doctorate in Dental Surgery at the University of Illinois Chicago. Her passion for dentistry started early; she worked as a dental assistant and office manager prior to dental school. During her studies, Dr. Bordatto developed a passion for educating patients on the importance of oral health and the links to systemic health. She enjoys pediatric dentistry, root canals, crowns, bridges, dentures, cosmetics, and orthodontic aligners. Dentistry is an art form and Krupa is honored to be a part of an advancing profession that not only improves health but strengthens confidence. Her favorite part of dentistry is the patient connection; Dr. Bordatto understands how intimidating a dental chair can be for some patients, whether it be a child’s first visit or an adult who’s recovering from a previous experience, she considers it a privilege to ensure all patients feel comfortable.

During her free time, Dr. Bordatto enjoys spending time with her wonderful family; her husband, Daniel Bordatto DMD, their son Zavier, running around with their canine Molar, and spending time with family and friends. She has a love for traveling and has had the privilege of visiting over 50 countries; experiencing the diversity of cultures, healing remedies of different cuisines and the special subtleties that make us all different, but the commonalities that make us all the same. Dr. Bordatto previously worked in Peoria, IL, then took some time away to fulfill a passion to serve the indigenous people through public health dentistry. She worked on Navajo Nation to help improve the conditions of the Diné community and assist on the front lines of the Covid 19 pandemic. This allowed her to move to the Four Corners where she was able to enjoy the outdoors, explore our nations amazing National Parks and take time for self-care through yoga and meditation.

Dr. Krupa Patel Bordatto is excited to return to central IL and join Smalltown Dental. She looks forward to welcoming you into our dental family and hopes to have the honor to serve your dental needs.

Dr. Daniel Bordatto was raised locally in Peoria, IL (born in Clearwater, FL) and attended Richwoods High School. He Graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Go Badgers!) with a degree in Biology. Prior to dental school he spent 6 months on a mission trip as a volunteer dental assistant in San Ignacio, Belize. Dr. Bordatto then earned a D.M.D. doctorate degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Here he received the Dr. Marshall W. Milnarik Award for clinical and academic excellence in his third year. He then received the Leo & Wanda Sabien Class of 1955 Award for exceptional commitment in the care of others in his fourth year. Dr. Bordatto completed rotations at the Peoria County Health Department, Salud Family Health Centers in CO, the Chicago Health Outreach, and volunteered at the Chicago Bears TeamSmile events. After working in private practice for 2 years, he settled here in Peoria. He and his wife (also a dentist) enjoy traveling the world. They have visited multiple countries on 6 continents while spreading the word about oral health education. During their time abroad, they experienced different cultures and remedies around the world. This led them to exploring public health dentistry by moving out west to the Four Corners where they worked with the Indian Health Service at the largest hospital on Navajo Nation, Northern Navajo Medical Center. After learning valuable lessons and providing high quality dentistry in both public health and private practice settings, Dr. Dan and Dr. Krupa Bordatto are excited to be back in central Illinois near family and raise their own family.

Dr. Bordatto enjoys most procedures in general dentistry: Comprehensive care, complex restorative, root canal therapy, surgical extractions, fixed, removable, implant restorations, esthetics, appliances etc. He loves interacting with people, improving smiles and self-confidence, practicing for the right reasons with a positive passionate dental team, and creating art with fine-tuned techniques and detail. He strives to take as much time as needed with each patient to make sure they are comfortable and have all questions answered. His wide range of experience working in various settings and witnessing a wide range of cases from corporate to private to public health gives him an understanding for which parts of dentistry he thrives in most. He is an ADA member, Invisalign certified and stays up to date with the newest techniques and yearly continuing education.

Outside of work, Dr. Bordatto enjoys anything to do with sports and travel. He has been to over 60 countries. He played baseball, football and basketball at Richwoods, and dabbles in table tennis, family time and hiking/playing fetch with the family dog, Molar!

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Born in India where she received her Bachelor of Engineering in Biotechnology, Raji has been working in the dental field for over three years. Her background and education have provided a unique set of skills beneficial to the dental field. When not at the office, she spends her time dancing and working out, but primarily enjoys entertaining and cooking large meals for all her family and friends.

Amie has been a dental assistant since 2016. She has enjoyed working as part of the business team at Smalltown Dental and getting to know all the patients and being able to assist when she is needed. In her free time you can find her hanging out with her young son spending time outside and hanging out with her family.

Amber has been a certified dental assistant for the past 10 years. She graduated from MTI and spent most of her years assisting in oral surgery. She has many certifications including: DANB Radiation Health and Safety, DANB Infection Control, CPR, First Aid, ADAA member, Anesthesia Sedation and Monitoring, Nitrous Oxide Analgesia: Administering and Monitoring. In her free time, Amber enjoys spending time with her two daughters and two fur babies! During all seasons, she keeps busy with her oldest daughter playing travel soccer. In the summer, you can most definitely find her poolside with her kiddos!

Prior to joining the Smalltown Dental Business Team in November 2021 Tami was an orthodontic assistant for 2 years and an orthodontic manager for 1 year. She is CPR certified, DANB Certified in Radiology and Infection Control. Her dental assisting certification came from Midwest Technical Institute, she as well has a bachelors degree from Eastern Illinois University. Tami looks forward to continuing her education in her dental career while being a support system to her Smalltown Team Members. When not working with Smalltown Dental she enjoys spending time with family and friends. She is a people person at heart and truly enjoys bringing joy to people helping making their smiles beautiful.

Tori has been assisting for 4 1/2 years. She is CPR Certified and completed her Dental Assistant Certification at Midwest Technical Institute. She really enjoys building relationships and getting to know each patient on a professional and personal level. Tori’s expanded functions include: -Nitrous Oxide Sedation-E4D Technologies-ZOOM!TM WhiteningShe is married to her high school sweetheart Seth, and together they have a daughter, Skylar. Tori loves spending her free time with family, friends, being outside, and shopping.

Angie was a 20-year business owner in the service industry where customer satisfaction was her top priority. She is dedicated to making our young patients have the best experience coming to the dentist and wanting to come back! Angie began her career with Smalltown Dental at Morton Dental Center business team and is so excited to now be leading the Kids team as practice manager. She is always eager to learn new things, and loves taking on new challenges in the dental world. In her free time, Angie loves traveling to new places. A few of her favorite attractions are: Mexico, Jamaica, Niagara Falls, and Lake Tahoe. Her daughters are her greatest joy and she spends most of her free time at their sporting events or with friends.

Available at the Following Locations:   Smalltown Dental Kids

Born in India where she received her Bachelor of Engineering in Biotechnology, Raji has been working in the dental field for over three years. Her background and education have provided a unique set of skills beneficial to the dental field. When not at the office, she spends her time dancing and working out, but primarily enjoys entertaining and cooking large meals for all her family and friends.

Alysa graduated from Midwest Technical Institute as a Dental Assistant. She then worked as a dental assistant and a receptionist for 5 years before coming on with Smalltown Dental. Driven by her own dental experiences, Alysa strives to make patients feel more comfortable and at ease in the dental office. Alysa loves hunting, fishing, and spending time with her husband, son and 2 dogs.

Jessica is a graduate of Illinois Central College in Applied Science-Dental Hygiene. She worked as a hygienist for the past 9 years and is currently working on a bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene Education and Management. Jessica is married and has a daughter. She enjoys time with family, camping, and being outdoors.

Vanessa Buchheit is the Chief Operations Officer for Smalltown Dental and has devoted nearly 20 years to the dental industry. Before becoming a COO, Vanessa spent years developing dental teams by working side-by-side with them in a national consulting role. Using her real-world professional experience coupled with her mastery of the business, Vanessa can ensure that our operations at Smalltown Dental support superior patient care and maintain employee satisfaction. In her free time, she loves traveling and spending time with her family.

Tess graduated as a Global Scholar from Bradley University with a degree in Advertising and Marketing. She enjoyed playing soccer at Bradley and studying abroad in England and Italy. Smalltown Dental - Her experience lies in branding, content creation and graphic design. Her professional life has taken her all over the country from working in CGI Illustration for Caterpillar in Peoria to on-mountain marketing for Vail Resorts in Colorado. She also remote-built a design campaign for a series of restaurants in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii. In her free time, she loves coffee tasting and traveling with her husband, Stephen and son, Cash.

Luke graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Bradley University and has been in the medical field serving as a manager for 13 years. He is also the president of the 7309 Knoxville Condo Association. In his free time, Luke is the Morton Potters Boys Varsity Assistant Basketball Coach and has been in that role since 2006. Luke is a member of Morton Rotary and a chairman on the Gameball Run committee. Luke is married to his wife Erin and they have 2 children, Briggs and Kenzie. He enjoys hunting and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Haylie graduated from Illinois Central College with an Associate Degree in Arts and Science. She has many years of experience in customer service and also taught preschool previously for several years. Haylie enjoys spending time with her family and watching sports. Smalltown Dental - She also loves to travel and volunteers for various organizations. Haylie has completed a handful of mission trips to Guatemala since 2015 and even led a trip with friends and family.

Vanessa started with Smalltown Dental as Business Team in Tremont, IL then transitioned to practice manager at Smalltown Morton. She then grew to be the practice manager at Smalltown Kids as well and is now the Regional Manager. Vanessa has enjoyed the opportunity to meet all the teams, build relationships with so many team members and grow within the company. Prior to that she has experience as an office manager in a chiropractic office and an orthodontic office. She was also the co-founder and CFO at Aerial Athletics for 6 years. Vanessa is married to her husband Mark and his 2 kids keep them busy with basketball, baseball, and softball. Vanessa and Mark volunteer frequently with community events and St. Jude. In her small amount of free time Vanessa also loves to travel and spend time with family & friends.

Macy is currently attending Western Illinois University where she is studying sociology and business administration. Smalltown Dental - She is engaged and enjoys spending time with her 2 sisters and 2 nieces. She is proud to be from Mackinaw and loves attending sporting events. Macy is excited to help all of our patients add a smile to their day!

Alaina went to MTI in East Peoria. She completed her externship in November 2021 at Smalltown Dental Kids and now works there as a Dental Assistant. Alaina loves working with kids and being able to make them feel as comfortable as possible. She is CPR certified. Prior to MTI, Alaina attended Washington Community High School and was on the Dance Team.

Kalli completed her dental assistant training at Illinois Valley Community College and is certified in CPR.As a dental assistant, she works chair side with the doctors and provides great care for our patients. Her certifications and training include:-Certified in Sealants and Coronal Polishing-Scanning for In house CrownsKalli enjoys the outdoors, cooking and baking, traveling as often as she can, and spending time with family and friends.  What she loves about dentistry is meeting all of the new people every day and putting smiles on their faces!

Justine has been a dental assistant for 8 years, graduating from MTI. Throughout those years, she became certified in coronal polishing and sealant application, as well as nitrous oxide sedation. She and her husband are raising three kids that keep them busy. In her free time, she enjoys playing on her softball league with friends. “My goal is to make all patients I encounter feel calm, comfortable, and satisfied with each visit made at Smalltown Dental.”

Madeline has been a dental assistant since 2015 when she graduated from Midwest Technical Institute in East Peoria, IL. Madeline’s expanded functions include CPR certification, coronal polishing certification, sealant certification, and PRP certification. In her spare time, Madeline enjoys spending as much time as possible with her daughter, whether it be fun adventures around town or just cuddling up watching a movie at home. - Smalltown Dental

Jenny provides over 40 years of professional dental experience and personal life skills. Much like the spirit of Smalltown dental, Jenny has provided a sense of community with patients over the years. As she’s transitioned throughout her career, her community of patients has followed. When she’s not assisting doctors, she enjoys hunting, raising whitetail deer, water sports, working on their veneer tree farm, and enjoys various timber projects on her family’s timber acreages.

Drew was born and raised in central Illinois. He has been in the dental field for over 12 years. Drew is certified in Oral Conscious Sedation. When he is not in the dental office, Drew enjoys spending time with his daughter camping, fishing and canoeing. He loves music and enjoys collecting vinyl records, cooking, and playing the harmonica in his spare time. Drew looks forward to coming into work at Smalltown Dental every day. He says he has been lucky enough to make lifelong friends with his coworkers!

Lynn is the first person you may see when coming into the Tremont, IL office. She is also an assistant at the Atlanta office. Born and raised in San Jose, Lynn went to Robert Morris College in Carthage, IL graduating in 1984. She has one son, Austin, who graduated from the University of Illinois in 2015. She has a Doberman Pinscher named Hazel that is spoiled rotten. In her free time, Lynn enjoys riding her motorcycle and traveling. Two of her favorite travel destinations include New Orleans and visiting her best friend in Florida.

Kia has been a dental assistant since graduating MTI in 2013. She has had additional training in placing sealants and has CPR certification. She lives in East Peoria with her significant other, Lamont and her German Shepherd, Luna. Kia enjoys running 5K’s with Luna and fashion and beauty. “I enjoy helping patients become healthier and restore confidence through their smile.”

Amanda is a registered dental hygienist. She graduated in 2009 with an Associates in the Applied Sciences of Dental Hygiene. She enjoys creating long term relationships with her patients and making them feel comfortable. Amanda also loves spending time with her husband and 3 sons. In her free time she enjoys reading, bike riding, hiking, and playing games with her family.

Ashlee graduated from Illinois Central College in 2008 with a Degree in Applied Science-Dental Hygiene. She loves getting to know her dental patients on a personal level and strives to put them at ease. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband and their three active boys. Her hobbies include shopping, decorating their 1800’s Farm House and watching the boys at their sporting events.  She also loves boating and spending time outdoors.

Lauren is a 2015 graduate of ICC Dental Hygiene with an associates degree in Applied Science. Nitrous oxide, CPR and local anesthetic certified. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family & friends, traveling, watching sports & binging TV. Lauren has an English Bulldog puppy named Marv who keeps her busy. She loves her job, building trusting relationships & creating a good experience for patients!

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Christine graduated from Illinois Central College with an Associate Degree in Applied Science – Dental Hygiene. Her certifications and trainings include:-Local anesthesia-Nitrous oxide sedation-Nutrition-Team BuildingChristine and her husband, Corey, have a son, Jason. When away from work, she enjoys watching her son play baseball, hiking, and being with family, friends, and her dog – Sawyer. Christine loves working with a great team that makes her job easier to address patients’ concerns and dental health. She enjoys helping her patients keep a healthy mouth and smile.

Mary Beth received her Associates Degree in Applied Science - Dental Hygiene in 1980. She is certified in CPR and continues to learn through continuing education. She has made life-long relationships with her patients and truly values them. Outside of work, Mary Beth loves spending time with friends, going to concerts, dining out, spending time with her four dogs and of course, shopping!

Kristie is an Illinois Central College graduate with an Associate Degree in Applied Science – Dental Hygiene and is certified in CPR. She has also been a part of the dental field for 18 years. Kristie is married to Jason and together they have 3 children – Sylvie, Cal, & Scarlett. She enjoys spending time with family, traveling, exercising, cooking and shopping. Kristie loves the constant flow of new people, conversation and patient interactions. She also loves working for doctors who value their staff and encourage them. She especially loves and respects each patient and looks forward to caring for them with kindness, respect and education.

Kinsey graduated from Illinois Central College receiving an Associate in Science Degree in 2015. In addition, she received an Associate in Applied Science Degree for Dental Hygiene in 2017. Her passion is to work with children, and she has worked solely in Pediatrics since graduating. In her free time, Kinsey enjoys coaching a swim team in Dunlap, spending time with friends and family and her two cats, Smokey and Ollie. She is focused on working with children to help them overcome their dental fears and wishes to instill good oral hygiene habits at a young age.

Keri is a Registered Dental Hygienist with an associates degree in applied science from Illinois Central College. She is passionate about her job and her patients. Her favorite part is helping her patients through any dental anxiety they may have and seeing how their fears of dental offices change. When Keri isn't working, she enjoys baking, binging true crime podcasts and keeping her three crazy cats out of trouble. She says her biggest accomplishment is being the proud momma bear to a wise 17-year-old son, and a strong 19 year old daughter in the U.S. Army. “I love what I do, and I do what I love.”

Erinn has been in the dental field for 20 years. She graduated from the dental hygiene program at ICC in 2004 and was a dental assistant for 3 years prior to that. Erinn has loved meeting patients and getting to know them and their families. She has also been blessed to work with 2 of her best buds for the last 17 years. In her spare time, Erinn enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also loves working out and running, and raising money for St Jude.

Kelly has spent the last 24 years working for Dr. McMurray as a dental hygieniest.  What she enjoys most are all of the lasting relationships she has built with her patients over the years.  She also feels fortunate to work with two of her best friends so coming to work has never felt like work.  In her downtime, she enjoys being outdoors, hanging with friends and family, or relaxing with a good book.  Kelly is married to Charlie and has 2 sons, Nick and Nolan and her daughter Samantha.  And we can't forget Moocher her kitty cat!

Barb is the dental hygienist.  She has lived in rural Hopedale for 37 years with her husband Alan and raised their four children.  She enjoys gardening and canning.  Barb has worked with Dr. Dutz for 39 years.  She received her degree from Illinois Central College in 1980.  Barb enjoys the bonds that she has made with her patients on a dental level as well as a personal level.

Lori is a registered dental hygienist that has been in dentistry for 20 years. She has 2 daughters & 1 fur baby Libby a golden doodle. Her happy place is being outdoors golfing, biking, walking, working in the yard. The most rewarding aspect of her job is building personal relationships. “It is a blessing to be on SD's team because they value each patient as an individual as well as taking pride in delivering the highest standard of care. I strive to inform/educate & empower patients to get involved in their well-being.”

Jean is a registered dental hygienist with an Associate Degree in Applied Science and Associate Degree in Education from Illinois Central College. She also attended the University of Michigan for 2 years before moving to Illinois.  She supplements her education by attending continuing education courses.  Her training also includes local anesthesia and nitrous oxide sedation. Jean has 3 sons and 6 grandchildren. In her free time she enjoys Tai Chi, hiking, vegetable gardening, canning and also traveling. “I look forward to each day seeing patients and helping them continue and improve their dental health.  I enjoy working with my co-workers and especially the kind and caring dentists in our office.”

Donna has been a dental hygienist for 25 years. She earned her Associates in Applied Science degree at ICC. She has a son that keeps her busy going to football and basketball games, which she loves. She also loves reading, travel, fitness, sporting events, fantasy football, Sunday Fundays and hanging out with friends. She is passionate about St. Jude and has committed to another year of running in the Mackinaw to Peoria run. “I love my position as a dental hygienist because of the amazing people that I have come to know on a personal and professional level. The special friendships that I have made in the past 25 years have been a joy in my life. I am passionate about the patients and the care that I give them, and I’m dedicated to making their dental experience a great one!”

Joanna is a registered dental hygienist. She graduated from Illinois Central College in 2018 with an Associates Degree in the Applied Sciences of Dental Hygiene. She grew up with two brothers and a sister. She has a love for animals, and currently has a pet cat named Flynn and a new kitten Pepper. In her free time, she loves to run, bake desserts, and spend time with her family. She has been a dental professional for a little over a year  and is enjoying it so far. “I like working in the dental field, because I enjoy educating our community on how to achieve great oral hygiene.  And I also love helping people to feel more comfortable and confident with their smiles.”

Nikki is a graduate of Illinois Central College with an Associates in Applied Science-Dental Hygiene.She had Her extended trainings include:-Nitrous oxide sedation-OSHA-Soft Tissue Laser-Local Anesthesia

Dr. Seth Braker is finishing up his fourth year of dental school at the University of Illinois at Chicago and recently completed a rotation at the Peoria County Health Department. He was born and raised in Morton and went to Illinois State University where he graduated with a degree in Biology.  Seth met his wife, Brittany, on a mission trip to Jamaica and they are nearing their fifth year of marriage. Seth enjoys spending time with his dog, biking, camping, and mountain climbing.

As a Peoria-area native, Dr. Jim Horst is happy to be providing his community with exceptional dental care. Dr. Jim completed his pre-dental course work at Illinois Central College and the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana before earning his doctorate of dental surgery degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Jim enjoys all aspects of general dentistry including root canal therapy, extractions and crowns/bridges.Dr. Horst is a member of the:-American Dental Association-Illinois State Dental Society-Peoria District Dental SocietyDr. Jim and his wife, Michelle (who is also a practicing dentist) have a son, Joshua and daughter, Nora. In his free time he enjoys visiting with his very big family (including 15 nieces and nephews most of whom reside in the Peoria area), cooking, trail running, wood working, watching old movies, and following the 2016 World Champion Chicago Cubs.

Dr. John Perisin was born and raised in Peoria, IL. He attended Illinois State University graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He then attended Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine where he completed his Doctorate.

Dr. Perisin is a member of the:

• American Dental Association
• Illinois State Dental Society
• Peoria District Dental Society

Dr. Perisin is committed to furthering his education in dental surgery, implants, and orthodontics. He has advanced certification in Invisaglin and completed implant training at the Q-Implant Marathon practical course. Dr. Perisin and his wife Kelly have one daughter Brianna and a Goldendoodle named Molly. In his spare time, Dr. Perisin enjoys riding motorcycles, home improvement projects, working out, and spending time with his family.

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A native of Morton, Dr. Roth graduated from MHS in 1999.  She attended Augustana college and graduated in 2003 with a major in biology and a minor in biochemistry.  Dr. Roth then went on to earn her Doctorate of Dental Medicine from Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine in 2007.  While completing her undergraduate degree, she was awarded a scholarship under the Navy's Health Professions Scholarship Program and was commissioned to the United Stated Navy Dental Corps upon graduating from dental school. During her two year residency at Children’s Hospital Colorado, Dr. Roth was awarded a NuSmile resident research award for her research project "The impact of chemotherapy, radiation and bone marrow transplantation on the developing dentition."  Little did she know that her topic would directly impact her own child's life.  Dr. Roth completed her commitment to the US Navy after serving for ten years in Naples, Italy.  Dr. Roth is actively involved in organized dentistry, a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Roth and her husband have two boys; Graham and Jude.  In her spare time she enjoys hiking, running, painting, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Dr. Susan Ola-John graduated from the University of Lagos in Nigeria with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery Degree (BDS), after which she completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree (DDS) at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. She recently obtained her master’s in business administration (MBA) from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. She finds it truly rewarding seeing her patients go from being fearful to being comfortable in the dental chair. Dr. Susan is certified in Invisalign and enjoys doing smile makeovers. In her spare time, she enjoys attending sporting events with her 2 teenage sons, traveling, listening to music and watching comedyDr. Ola-John is a member of the following organizations:-The American Dental Association-Illinois State Dental Society-Peoria District Dental Society-Academy of General Dentistry

Dr. Chechang attended the University of Iowa for his Bachelor’s Degree in Human Physiology before earning his Doctor in Dental Medicine degree at Midwestern University. He has volunteered in events with TeamSmile and has completed a dental mission trip in the Dominican Republic.  Dr. Chechang looks forward to building relationships and getting to know patients.Dr. Chechang is a member of the:-American Dental Association-Chicago Dental SocietyHe is the youngest of three siblings with two wonderful hard-working immigrant parents. In his free time, Dr. Chechang likes staying active by being outside hiking, fishing, biking, and doing some photography.

Dr. Flynn was born and raised in Mackinaw, IL. He graduated from Bradley University with a degree in biology before earning his DMD from Midwestern University. He also completed a dental mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Dr. Fynn is a member of the:-Illinois State Dental Society (ISDS)-American Dental Association (ADA)-Chicago Dental Society (CDS)Dr. Flynn and his wife, Lexi, have two daughters Adelyn and Ava. In his free time, Dr. Flynn enjoys hunting and fishing, exploring nature, attending sporting events, and completing home improvements and DIY projects.

Dr. Hutchison attended Northwestern Dental School and did her General Practice Residency at the University of Chicago and has been practicing for 38 years. Dr. Hutchison is a member of the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society and Peoria District Dental Society. She enjoys meeting different people from many walks of life and turning a fearful dental patient into one who is no longer afraid to come to the dentist! She also enjoys educating patients about their dental health and options available to meet their dental needs. She and her husband Mark have a son Jonathan and daughter-in-law Peyton living in northern California and a son Joel that works at OSF as Physical Therapy Rehab technician while working on MBA degree. Dr. Hutchison has had the privilege of going on several mission trips to provide dental care in the Dominican Republic and Ecuador. She also enjoys teaching a Ladies’ Bible Study, reading, and baking.

Dr. Molly Kutkat grew up in Morton, IL and feels blessed to be treating patients in her hometown. She attended Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville where she studied biochemistry before graduating Cum Laude from Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine to fulfill her dream of becoming a dentist. Dr. Kutkat loves the long-term relationships she builds with her patients. She is a member of the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society, and Peoria Dental Society. In her free time, Molly and her husband Drake, and their daughter Mila love to travel to National Parks, spend time with their two black labs, work out, and go to concerts.

Dr. Peter Smidt graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with a degree in biology and chemistry before earning his doctorate of dental surgery from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. He completed rotations at the Peoria County Health Department, the Lawndale Christian Center in Chicago, as well as a dental mission trip to Jamaica.

Dr. Smidt is a member of the:

• American Dental Association
• Illinois State Dental Society
• Chicago Dental Society
• Peoria District Dental Society
• Illinois Academy of General Dentistry
• Tazewell County Dental Clinic
• International Affiliation of Tongue-Tie Professionals

Dr. Smidt is committed to furthering his education in dental surgery, dental implants, and root canal therapy through regular continuing education courses, including:

• E4D Technologies
• Engle Institute
• The Pankey Institute
• Spear Education

Dr. Smidt has a daughter, Cambria, and a son, Lofton. In his free time, Dr. Smidt enjoys dental mission trips, playing and coaching athletics, hunting, playing the piano, and passionately following the St. Louis Cardina

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