Meet the Team

Leila

Benefits and Scheduling Coordinator

I’ve been with Gentle Dental Associates since 2003 and my duties include answering phone calls, helping patients with their insurance benefits, and insurance coordinating. Specifically, I gather requested information that’s requested by insurance companies, send monthly statements to patients, and also help as a dental assistant when I’m needed. My favorite thing about dentistry is seeing our patients walk away with a smile. It makes me happy when our patients are happy!

I’m a native of Algeria in North Africa and speak French, Arabic, and English. My husband, Wahab, and I have four beautiful and energetic children: three daughters and one son. In my free time, I like to take my kids to the park and work in my yard.

Tamika

Benefits and Scheduling Coordinator

I’ve been working with Gentle Dental Associates since March 2019. Prior to being hired, I was a patient for over 12 years and was excited to join as a member of the team. I really enjoy the warm, caring, and family environment in this office. I enjoy interacting with people and love to see them walk away smiling.

I am blessed to be married to my wonderful husband, with two beautiful children and our cat! We enjoy family time, attending Church, and being with friends!

Nicole

Clinical Team, Certified Dental Assistant

I like to make sure everything is running nice and smooth in our community, and help out wherever I'm needed. I am still chairside some of the days of the week assisting our doctors in many procedures, but when I am not, I am completing multiple other tasks to keep things flowing for the office as a whole.

One of my favorite tasks is designing Same Day Crowns, so that I can mill, stain and glaze, and fire your crown, and have you out the door within a few hours! if you are interested in brightening your smile, I perform the Zoom whitening procedure in our office as well.

I began working with my family here in February of 2007, though I have been in the dental field since 2002. I love to help all my patients achieve their goals with their smile, and develop a great relationship with them in doing so. If my patients are happy, I'm happy!

I have a son who was born in 2008, Daunte, he is my everything, my heart and soul. I also have a dog, who my son calls his brother. We have a great time together, the three of us!!

Doreen

Certified Dental Assistant

I’ve been working with Gentle Dental Associates since 2000. I enjoy working with our doctors, especially when I see them change patients’ demeanor by giving them beautiful new smiles. My favorite thing about dentistry is watching people transform when they finish treatment.

I am married and have two daughters and three adorable granddaughters. When I’m not at work I enjoy hanging out with my family and my church family. I love to write music and dance, especially ballroom and line dancing. We do the annual zoo walk as a family to allow the grandchildren to be aware of the less fortunate. I enjoy helping to feed and house the homeless in Oakland County and volunteer my spare time at the Hope Clinic.

Renee

Lead Registered Dental Hygienist

I graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Dental Hygiene in 2009. I love to work with people, and I love to educate my patients about the importance of oral health. My favorite thing about being a hygienist is forming a relationship with my patients, allowing me to get to know them as a person, educate them about aspects of dental health that relate to them, and personalize treatment to suit their needs. I love working at Gentle Dental because I love the team we have; we are all very different but we get along so well, and work together.

I recently had a son, Griffin—he is my world! I enjoy spending time with my husband and my son doing anything we can think of: swimming, walking, shopping, zoos, etc. I really enjoy playing board games, scrapbooking, and cross stitching. I also enjoy time with my German shepherd named Miranda, and my cat named Mishka. I love life and try to fill my time doing the things I love with the people who I love.

Barb

Registered Dental Hygienist

I love to help people maintain good oral health by providing preventive care. I have been with Gentle Dental Associates since 2005, but I have been in dentistry since 1976, including practicing pediatric dentistry in my home country of Poland for seven years and two years in Nigeria before settling in America. I love working with the people and making them feel relaxed and good about their smile.

I live with husband, Janusz, and our extremely friendly orange cat, Toby. I love gardening, snow skiing, and sailing. I am involved with a Polish church, working mostly with children to organize our Christmas pageant and the children’s choir.

Jaime

Registered Dental Hygienist

I have been working at GDA for more than five years. I have an associate’s degree in dental hygiene from Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Michigan. My goal is to provide my patients with highest quality of care. If you are looking for a dentist that truly cares about you and your health, come and see us!

When I am not at work I enjoy spending time with family and friends. My spare time is usually filled with various projects such as renovations, or work that needs to done on the farm.

Debra

Registered Dental Hygienist

I graduated in 2008 from Mott Community College in Flint with an Associate’s Degree in Dental Hygiene and have been practicing in the hygiene field ever since. I love dentistry because even though I do the same thing every day, no day is the same around here. I work with a great group of diverse individuals who make my work day enjoyable. I get to meet new people on a daily basis and see long-term patients and their families that we have built relationships with. I love to educate my patients on their overall health in relation to their oral health to help keep their smiles happy and healthy!

On my off time, I spend time with my husband, two children, and our two dogs. In the summer, we enjoy hanging by the pool, grilling out, and working in our vegetable/flower gardens. In the winter, we enjoy sledding and four-wheeling on our ATV course. No matter the season, we enjoy working in our garage restoring project cars.