Diane, Registered Dental Hygienist
“I am a registered dental hygienist and have been a part of Dr. Dennis’s dental team in Portage, Michigan, since 1987. I am a graduate of Lansing Community College and have been practicing dental hygiene since 1981. When my husband and I moved to Kalamazoo in 1987, I was lucky to find a dental home with Dr. Susan Dennis. I was and still am impressed with her thoroughness and commitment to her patients. Working with Dr. Dennis has challenged me over the years, since we continually strive to keep up with current research and technology. We are big Western Michigan University Bronco fans in our home. My husband works in the athletic department at WMU and my daughter is currently a student there. My hobbies include reading and running, and I love to travel.”
Dr. Dennis says: “Diane is a very smart and wise woman and is well-read. She has a thorough, careful touch and is kind and sensitive. She is a beautiful person inside and out. Diane is excellent at listening to patients’ concerns and helping each patient to reach the highest level of oral health they can achieve.”
Chrissy, Registered Dental Hygienist,
Greeter, Voice of Practice, Community Outreach
“I’m originally from Portage and I grew up on Gourdneck Lake. After high school, I attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College and graduated with an associate’s degree in applied science. I have been a registered dental hygienist since 1999. I truly love what I do because I have always loved science and people, and I enjoy helping in any way I can. As a dental hygienist, I am able to educate people on how to care for their teeth, gums, and overall health. I am married and have three children: Kalynn, Austin, and Benjamin. I love spending time with my family and going to the UP as much as possible. That’s also one of the reasons I love Michigan, for its lakes, trails, and events. Running is also a passion for me, and I have run the Detroit and Grand Rapids marathons. It is truly a blessing to be working with Dr. Dennis and our team. I have never met such a positive and caring group of people. I have known Dr. Dennis for years and actually used to babysit her three boys. I admire what an amazing person she is. She is a talented dentist that prefers quality to quantity. She treats everyone like they are her family. Please come visit us and experience how enjoyable it can be to go to the dentist!”
Dr. Dennis says: “Chrissy is such an amazing asset to our team. She is smart, fun, and knowledgeable. She is a special friend to so many people! We do many charitable events in our community, and she coordinates them for our office. People from all over our community volunteer to help out at these events, just because they know her. Her hygiene skills are gentle and thorough. Thank you Chrissy for all that you do!”
Haley, Registered Dental Hygienist
“I am a registered dental hygienist and a graduate of the University of Michigan. I grew up on the east side of the state, just south of Detroit, and I recently moved to the Portage area. I was blessed to find Dr. Dennis and have the opportunity to join the team. Once I found out Dr. Dennis was a U of M grad also, I knew it was meant to be!”
“I enjoy the environment this office provides along with the exceptional care given to all patients. Dr. Dennis’s work and dedication to the needs of her patients are one of a kind. I love that Dr. Dennis is very involved with the community and charitable events. My family is very involved with animal rescue. My mom and dad foster rescued animals until they find their forever homes. On top of our fosters, we have five dogs and two cats of our own! I love outdoor activities like going to the beach, golfing, kayaking, camping, fishing, and more. I also love getting to spend time with my family and animals at home. We are very big University of Michigan Wolverine fans and love going to home games in the Big House — Go Blue!”
Jennifer, Registered Dental Hygienist
Jennifer moved to Michigan in 2000. Originally, she grew up in Philadephia, PA. Her schooling includes Manor College in Philadelphia and Kalamazoo Valley Community College with a degree in dental hygiene. She’s been a hygienist since 2009. Prior to that, she spent 11 years as an assistant. It’s the people she’s met in the Kalamazoo area who’ve influenced her and helped shape her career.
Jennifer is the mother of two daughters. Her oldest is currently a student at the University of Alabama and her youngest is a senior in High School at Portage Northern. She also has a Yorkie named Tammy. When she’s not working, she loves traveling, fitness, and exploring the outdoors. She loves the lake and beaches!
Katie, Registered Dental Hygienist
Katie grew up in Kalamazoo, MI. She graduated from Kalamzoo Valley Community College and has been in the dental field since 2010.
Her love of dentistry was a marriage of her passion for science with a desire to work with people. The most satisfying part of her job is when she gets an anxious person in the chair and can ease their fears. She completely relates to them because she herself is quite a baby in the chair.
In her private life, Katie is married and has a young daughter named Zoe, along with two fur babies, Boris and Ziggy. In her free time, she loves the outdoors. One of her favorite things about the Kalamazoo area is all the surrounding nature while still being in the city. She loves everything about football and even plays fantasy football. She also enjoys camping, gardening, and spending time with friends and family.
Amanda, Registered Dental Assistant
“I moved from Virginia to join Dr. Dennis’s team. I have been in the dental field since 2002. I became a dental assistant in 2005, and I continued my education to become a registered dental assistant in 2013.”
“The best part of working for Dr. Dennis is that her team is very hard working and caring. I love that Dr. Dennis is always seeking new ways to help her patients achieve the best possible dental health. I got married in June 2010, I have a daughter named Ariyah, a dog named Cody, and I love gardening. I am very excited about living in Michigan.”
Danielle, Certified Dental Assistant
“I’m originally from Martin Township in Allegan County, Michigan, and I chose dentistry because the first thing I usually notice about a person is their smile. I want to make sure that everyone can show their best. One of the best things about my job is getting to work with a different person nearly every hour of the day and the development of great relationships with so many people. My husband and I have been together since 2001 and we married in 2008. We have two beautiful daughters. Our second child was born in 2017. We also have a young boxer. I like the Kalamazoo area because there are a lot of things to do and a lot of great people to work with. When I’m not busy with other things, I love running marathons, reading, camping, and being at the beach.”
Kara, Certified Dental Assistant
Kara was born in Phoenix, AZ, but grew up just outside of Philadelphia, PA. It’s there she attended Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, PA and passed her Board exam in 1998. Ever since she’s been working as a Certified Dental Assistant. In 2014, she made the move to Michigan and now has found a home with Dr. Dennis and her team.
Kara newly married in April of 2018 and has two daughters, one stepson, and three cats. She loves the lakes and change of seasons you get living in Michigan and is happy to call it her new home. In her spare time, she enjoys painting, karaoke, camping, and weekend trips to South Haven.
Deonna, Financial Manager, Dental Assistant
A graduate of Indiana University, Deonna said she chose the dental field because she wanted to help people, and she loves getting to see the incredible changes in people’s lives when they get the dental care they need. “Since 1999,” she said, “I’ve spent my dental career as an assistant and part of the front office team in the cosmetic field. My husband and I moved up here from Florida with our two amazing children to live closer to family. After I found Dr. Dennis, I felt right at home in her office and was amazed with her work. I am honored to work beside her with patients and witness all of the life-changing moments she creates!”
Originally from Vicksburg, Michigan, Deonna lived in Florida for 15 years before settling in Michigan. She says she and her family also have a dog and a crazy cat. In their leisure time, they enjoy doing anything outdoors, especially when it’s warm.
Jenni, Team Coordinator
Jenni is originally from the Ann Arbor area. She moved to Kalamazoo to go to Western Michigan. She has a bachelor’s in interdisciplinary health services and a minor in holistic health.
In fact, It was Dr. Dennis’s focus on holistic dentistry that first lit her passion for her career. “It’s a field that has so many avenues and ways to change people’s lives, impacting not only how people look but how they feel,” she said. “You get such a boost in confidence when you look and feel great.”
She loves living in Southwest Michigan because of the variation of seasons as well as being so close to Lake Michigan. When she’s not changing people’s lives in the dental field, she enjoys traveling both locally and internationally. At home, she loves spending time with her new husband and fur babies, as well as playing with her adorable niece and nephews.
Druann, Certified Dental Technician
“I moved back to Michigan in 2012 when I became a grandma and wanted to be a part of my grandson’s life and watch him grow. I worked for Dr. Dennis about 20 years ago, before I moved to Florida, and was very excited to be offered a job when I returned. When I was in Florida, I worked in a dental lab as a certified laboratory technician for more than 12 years, and I have been doing so ever since. Now, I have this great opportunity to work in a dental office with my favorite dentist along with a group of awesome women. Now that I am with my grandson, my family, in my new home, with a great job, and Dr. Dennis as my dentist, life is good!”
Dr. Dennis says, “Druann is such a sweet and kind person. She was our nanny when we were raising our sons 20 years ago. When I found out she was back in our area and had become a certified laboratory technician, I was excited! She heads up our dental laboratory and does so with delicate hands and great finesse.”
Jim, Human Resources and Accounting
Jim earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing and his master’s in education, and after spending the last 27 years as a teacher and administrator for the Portage Public Schools, he joins his wife, Dr. Dennis, in her practice. Together, they they have six grandchildren and a pet dog named Henrik. When he’s not working, he loves spending time with his family and taking in all that Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College have to offer. He also loves a good game of golf. When asked what drew him to dentistry as a second career, he said, “I had no choice!” And when asked what about it he finds particularly satisfying, he said he loves the fact that it is a service business engaged in helping people. And he concluded by saying he really likes helping people be successful and making the workplace more enjoyable for everyone.