MEET THE TEAM
Joy
Registered Dental Hygienist
Joy earned her credentials and training in dental hygiene from Rock Valley College. As a registered dental hygienist, Joy spends her time accessing periodontal health, taking digital x-rays, achieving optimal oral health through regular cleanings and at-home instruction. Joy says being a dental hygienist is rewarding work, by helping patients achieve a healthy and confident smile. For the last 18 years, Joy has been forming life-long relationships with her fellow team members and patients. Joy is caring, friendly, helpful and respectful. When she is done helping patients, Joy enjoys taking care of her busy blended family, including her 3 children and her grandchildren. They enjoy swimming, camping and traveling with friends and family.
Jennifer
Registered Dental Hygienist
Jennifer has worked at West Gate Family Dentistry for approximately a year. She has been a hygienist for over 38 years. She grew up in Aurora, attended Elgin Community College for Dental Assisting and Parkland College for Dental Hygiene. She has 3 adult children, Aimee, Adam and Joey. She also has one precious granddaughter, Sophia. When jennifer is not working at West Gate, she loves to travel. She feels incredibly fortunate to work with such great staff and patients at West Gate Family Dentistry.
Eloisa
Certified Dental Assistant
Elo has been a loyal employee of West Gate Family Dentistry for 20 years. She started in 2004 and has grown significantly throughout the years with us. She graduated from Elgin Community College with an expanded functions dental assisting certificate. Elo is a mother of 2 and in her free time she likes to cook, travel, meet with her exercise group and spend time with her family and friends.
Karolina
Dental Assistant
Karolina is a dental assistant at West Gate Family Dentistry. She has been assisting for over 6 years and really enjoys what she does. One thing she loves about working in dentistry is seeing the impact that our work has on our patients. Being able to see how happy and confident patients are when they get handed a mirror to take a look at their new smile is something she will never get tired of. Initially she received her training on the job from her own childhood dentist. Once she got handed the opportunity to work in dentistry, she fell in love with it and knew right away that she wanted to work in the dental field and have a chance to change people’s lives. She has recently finished her degree in science at Malcolm X Community College and will be applying for the dental hygiene program. When Karolina is not assisting, she enjoys working out, spending time with her husband and friends, watching a good movie and traveling to new places around the world.
Melissa
Office Manager
Melissa’s long and illustrious career within dentistry started at the ripe age of 15 years ago. When she got her teeth cleaned, the dentist asked her if she was up to anything, and then offered her a job straight out of high school. Ever since then, dental work has consumed Melissa and everything about it continues to enamour her till this day. She can’t just pick one thing she favors, because she’s tried a little bit of everything! She started off as a dental assistant for 8 years, became a clinical manager, a 2nd periodontal assistant, a lead assistant, was cross trained with administration, was a supervisor, and then an office manager. You name it, she’s probably done it! Melissa’s all sugar and spice, dabbles in sarcasm, and admits she can be a bit of a workaholic. When she finally steps out of the office, she loves spending time outdoors, especially in the garden or out camping with her family.
Lynnette
Treatment Plan Coordinator
Lynnette studied graphic design at ECC, so she didn’t anticipate getting into dentistry! Ironically enough it was Melissa, our resident office manager, who pulled her in and now she doesn’t want to let go! She started off as a dental assistant and worked her way to the front desk, where she now specializes in insurance and treatment planning. Now, she’s 2 years in and counting in the dental health field, and can say for certainty she chose dentistry for the patients. Lynnette cares very much about helping other people, and keeping people healthy through dental, which is her favorite part about her work. During her free time, she loves spending time watching movies or TV with her pups, Kiara and Lobo, and her husband, Brian. You’ll also catch her playing Disney’s Dreamlight Valley on her switch or at a convention!
Stacey
Registered Dental Hygienist
Stacey’s dental journey started at College of Dupage where she went for hygiene school and attained her Bachelors in health care administration from Concordia University. After 7 years of practicing dental, she is happy to have found a dental home with West Gate Family Dentistry. Stacey chose the dentistry life because of the patients. It’s all about patient care for her! Whether it’s making sure her patients are as comfortable as possible or ensuring a positive relationship
with dentistry, Stacey prioritizes an extraordinary patient experience. She treasures the connection she makes with her patients and protecting their health with preventative care is her favorite thing about her work. When she isn’t busy creating brighter smiles, Stacey enjoys BMX racing and loves participating in pickle ball with her friends.
Michelle
Patient Concierge
Michelle is new to the world of dentistry, but feels like a sponge simply soaking up everything she can. Her education at New York University earned her two degrees in Psychology and Drama, as she’s extremely passionate about the human connection. Her favorite thing about working in dentistry is hearing the stories of everyone in this dental family and being able to see how life changing amazing dental care can be for patients. When she’s not at the practice, she loves spending her time reading or watching movies, as well as going on silly adventures with her friends, family, and the light of her life, her pup, Hershey. Overall, she is very lucky to have the support from her wonderful team at West Gate Family Dentistry as she continues to learn more about the art of a healthy smile.