Dr. Melissa
Dr. Melissa Mullane Padgett is a graduate of Ursuline High School and a Boardman native. She received her bachelor’s degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, where she majored in Nutrition and minored in Sports Medicine. She continued her education at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry where she received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree (DDS). Dr. Melissa then completed a one-year general practice residency at the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo, where most of her patients were children or mentally handicapped. After her residency, she moved to Columbus and practiced both in private practice as well as in public health for over 5 years before returning to Youngstown to begin her own private practice in August of 2009.
Dr. Melissa is married to David and they have three children: Katie, Lauren and Andrew. She has a passion for treating children and strives to make her patients' visits as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
Dr. Andrea Browne
Dr. Andrea Browne is originally from Vineland, NJ. She was recruited to play softball at Brown University (yes, Ivy League!!!) in Providence, RI, where she earned an undergraduate degree in biology. She graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine where she earned her DMD degree. She then completed a General Practice Residency at the Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, CT. Knowing she wanted to specialize in pediatric dentistry, she continued her dental training at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital/Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
Dr. Browne finds it important for children to have positive experiences while visiting the dentist and enjoys interacting with children and families while promoting good oral health practices.
She and her wife Aviva live in Hudson with their daughter, Isla. In her free time, she enjoys watching the Cleveland Guardians, playing pickleball and attending live music events.
Dr. Megan Turk
Dr. Megan Turk is a graduate of Boardman High School. She received her undergraduate degree in Chemistry at Miami University. She graduated from Case Western Reserve School of Dental Medicine where she earned her DMD. She then completed a general practice residency at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown, Ohio. After residency, she moved to the Columbus area and spent 4 years practicing in Zanesville, Ohio. She lives in North Lima with her husband Jim and their two daughters, Gracyn and Clara.
Lauren DeSantis, RDH, EFDA
Clinical Manager
Lauren is a graduate of Poland Seminary High School and continued her studies at The Ohio State University where she graduated with a bachelors degree in Dental Hygiene. She has continued her studies and earned a Masters Degree in Dental Hygiene, also from OSU. As if that was not enough education, she also a certified as an EFDA through YSU. This allows her to place restorations after a dentist removes the cavity. ADDITIONALLY she teaches the dental hygiene students at YSU. She is married to her high school sweetheart, John, who is currently the Athletic Director at Ursuline High School. They reside in Poland with their daughter Mia. Lauren has been with the practice almost from the beginning and is a huge reason why patients love coming here!
Mandy Brownlie, RDH
Mandy is a graduate of Indian Lake High School after attending Cardinal Mooney for 3 years. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree from Youngstown State University. She is married to her husband Brian and has four children Alexis, Chandler, Camden and Dominic and they reside in New Middletown. She has always wanted to be a dental hygienist and loves the opportunity to make going to the dentist a fun and positive experience for children.
Ashley Werner, RDH
Ashley is a graduate of East Palestine High School and continued her education at Youngstown State University. She obtained a degree in Dental Hygiene in 2008. She worked for over 6 years in a pediatric practice in Pennsylvania before joining us. Ashley has always wanted to be a dental hygienist, as she was raised with a mom who was a dental assistant. She loves working with kids and brings a wealth of knowledge from her prior experience. She and her husband, Matt, have two small boys named Mason and Jayce.
Renee Louk, RDH
Renee is a lifetime resident of Columbiana County and is a graduate of Crestview High School. She began her dental career by earning her dental assistant certificate from the Dental Careers Foundation Center. She worked for over 15 years as a dental assistant for a local Edodontist's office before pursuing more dental education. She graduated from Youngstown State University with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene in the spring of 2019 and is excited to further her career in this new capacity. She is married to her husband, Shawn, and they have 2 daughters: Elaina and Madelyn. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors and reading a good book.
Georgie Hepfner, RDH
Georgie is a graduate of McDonald High School and obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene from YSU. Additionally, she has an Associates Degree in Psychology and has a certificate to be an EFDA in the office. She has always enjoyed working with kids and was excited to learn that she could combine her love of dentistry and children in our office. Prior to starting at our office and while going to school, she worked with young children of various ages for over 6 years as a daycare/preschool teacher. She is very excited to continue working with children at our office! She loves being able to make every child's trip to the dentist both educational and fun and knows she can help our patients leave every visit with confidence and a healthy smile. In her free time, she enjoys painting, being outdoors, baking, watching Disney movies and spending time with her friends, family and silly dog, Bentley.
Kasey Valentini, RDH, EFDA
Kasey is a graduate of Poland Seminary High School and continued her education at YSU. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and has a certificate to be an EFDA in the office. Kasey chose to become a dental hygienist because of the wonderful experiences she had at her own dental visits growing up: she loved all her dental hygienists that cared for her own teeth. She wants all of her patients to love going to the dentist just as much as she did. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Amber, CDA, EFDA
Amber grew up in Niles, Ohio and is a graduate of Niles McKinley High School. She completed her Certified Dental Assistant training at Choffin Career Center. She worked for a few years as an orthodontic assistant. With that experience, she realized she loves working with kids so much that she wanted to work more closely with them in the dental fields. Amber has furthered her career and has received her certificate in EFDA. She and her husband Nate live in Niles with their daughter Vivian and their furbabies, Mellie and Binx.
Kristin, CDA
Kristin grew up in Youngstown, Ohio and is a graduate of Chaney High School. She completed her Certified Dental Assistant training from the Choffin Career Center in 2011. She absolutely loves working in the dental field with children! Kristin is married to Mike and they have 2 daughters, Leah and Alexa. When she is not working, Kristin enjoys spending time with family and loves the outdoors.
Christina, CDA, EFDA
Christina grew up in Edinburg, PA and graduated from Mohawk High School. She continued her education and graduated from The Choffin Dental Assisting School. Additionally, she received her certificate in EFDA from Case Western Reserve University. She and her husband David live in Poland, with their furbabies, Franco and Zeke. Working with kids was something she always wanted to do!
Cait, CDA
Cait is a native of Dallas, Texas and moved to Boardman with her family as a teenager. She graduated from Boardman High School and attended Youngstown State University where she played softball for the Penguins. Knowing that she wanted to work with kids in a health care field, she tried a few majors and decided that dentistry was for her. She transferred to Choffin Career Center to pursue dental assisting. She graduated during COVID19 and started at our office immediately! She loves working with kids and being super goofy with them and making them smile. She is a twin and has 2 younger brothers. When she isn't at work she enjoys hanging out with her family and playing softball.
Carrie
Carrie joined the practice in January 2011. She works as a chair side dental assistant. She has over 20 years of experience in the dental field and working with children has always been her favorite. She is married to Mike and they have three adult children: Stephen, Ryan and Nicole. She also has two grandchildren, Finley and Owen that she loves to spend time with.
Mickala
Mickala grew up in Columbiana, Ohio and is a graduate of Columbiana High School. She continued her education at Ohio Valley College of Technology where she received an associates degree in dental assisting. She loves working with children and plans to continue her dental career in the future, ultimately becoming a dental hygienist. When she is not working, she likes to spend time with her boyfriend, Aaron and her fur babies: Oliver and Bella.
Harley, CDA, EFDA
Harley is a graduate of Campbell Memorial High School and currently resides in Boardman. After graduating from high school, she continued her education at the Choffin Career Center where she obtained her CDA certificate in 2013. As someone who loves dentistry (it runs in her blood...her mom is a dental hygienist), she has gained more education by earning her EFDA certificate. She loves spending time with her children and her extended family. She has three children of her own: David, Cecelia and Bryson as well as a fur baby, Luna (aka, Luna Moona). She has worked in children's dentistry since she earned her CDA. Her favorite part of working with children is interacting with the kids and their parents in a fun manner and providing a comfortable and positive experience for both the children and their families.
Kayla, CDA, EFDA
Kayla graduated from Poland Seminary High School and then continued her education at Choffin Career Center. There, she earned her certificate as a Certified Dental Assistant. After graduation, she started working as a pediatric CDA right away, as she knew this was the career path for her. Loving all things dental, Kayla decided to further her education at Case Western Reserve University and earned a certificate as an EFDA. She loves working with Children and creating positive memories at the dentist. She loves to teach children about teeth and dental care and has been teaching since she was a teenager! Before it was teeth, it was dance! She started dance at age 5 and became an instructor as a teen. In her free time she loves to travel, work out, and spend time with her family and friends. She lives in Canfield with her cat, Oscar!
Jamie
Jamie was born in East Liverpool and graduated from East Liverpool High School. After having great dental experiences growing up, she decided to start her career in the dental field. She graduated with an associates degree in Dental Assisting from East Ohio College. Working with children has been her passion since she was young. Recently, her husband Chad and her two boys, Brody and Aiden moved to Poland. Jamie also has a fur baby named Boomer. When she's not at work or chasing her kids around with their activities, she likes to be doing something active outside.
Lauren
Office Manager
Lauren was born in Lyndhurst, Ohio, just outside of Cleveland. She graduated from Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania where she met her husband, Jared. After getting married, they relocated to the Youngstown area. Lauren brings medical office experience with her to the business part of our practice and also helps out clinically when needed. She resides in Columbiana and she and Jared have two boys, Charlie and Jack. Lauren is very happy to be working in the dental field because she enjoys helping people...especially children!
Yahsminn
Yahsminn graduated from Boardman High School and always knew she wanted to work in the dental field, as her mom is in the field. She graduated from Choffin Career Center with a certificate in certified dental assisting. However, after working for many years as an assistant, she began to learn the administration side of dentistry and does that primary for our team (although she may work chair side as well!) Yahsminn loves children and spends a lot of time with her teenaged sister. She is engaged to Brandon and they have two children, Enzo and Estelle. They also have a fur-baby dog named Boo.
Kara
Kara graduated from Poland Seminary High School and worked for many years in the pharmacy world. She brings a wealth of clerical knowledge to our team. She lives in Poland with her husband, Joe. They have one furbaby named Oreo. In her spare time, she enjoys crafting, reading and traveling.
Tessa
Tessa is a graduate of Salem Senior High School and then earned her associates degree in preK education from YSU. She worked for many years as a teacher in a preK school. After 12 years, she decided to try something new, and began her career in the dental field. She was working in an adult practice as a hygiene assistant and really missed working with kids. She loves working with kids and really loves teeth! A perfect combination! You will see her doing some admin work as well as helping out with the hygienists from time to time.
Nicole
Nicole was born and raised on the West Side of Youngstown and graduated from Ursuline High School. After Ursuline, she attended and graduated from YSU with a bachelor's degree in fine arts. For a short period of time many years ago, she worked with us doing clerical work. She then moved closer to Lake Erie and recently moved back to town. Currently, she lives in Salem and enjoys gardening, renovating furniture, and visiting farmer's markets. Additionally, she has two fur babies. She looks forward to picking off where she left off years ago and helping us in the office.
Abby
Abby is from the Columbiana area and graduated from Crestview High School. After high school, she took the medical route and earned her Surgical Tech Certification from Choffin Career Center. Although her training was medical, she used her skills as a surgical tech in an Oral Surgeon's office. While there, she realized she loved dentistry! But she realized she really loved the pediatric aspect of patient care. She came to work for us in 2018, but then left to start a family. She's back and we are happy to have her! You will see her hanging around the front desk as well as the business office, always with a smile on her face. Abby and her husband, Michael, live in Columbiana with their daughter, Emilia.
Nancy
Nancy worked our front desk for over 11 years before retiring in 2022. But, for those of you who knew Nancy, she cannot sit still. Nancy rejoins our office as a hygiene assistant. She will be working in the back of the office helping us with our hygienists and sterilization department. Always smiling, she's enjoying this new/old career! She says coming back was in her bones. In her spare time, Nancy is a social butterfly. She loves to hang out with her friends in town as well as while traveling.