MEET THE TEAM
At the core of our practice is a friendly team of professionals who are dedicated to your utmost comfort and optimal oral health. We view each patient as a unique individual and we tailor each treatment to the specific needs of each patient. As part of our commitment to providing close, personalized attention to every patient, we encourage patient communication. We are here to provide outstanding patient care, because we value the trust you have placed in us.
At Village Periodontics & Dental Implant Center, we are a close-knit and family-like team who really enjoys working together to achieve our practice goals. We take pride in our family-like atmosphere, and we always look for team-building opportunities outside of the office.
Debra
Sr. Treatment Coordinator/Patient Liaison
While my first education was in Nursing studies, I have spent 20 years of my career providing concierge and management services in dentistry – 10 years in periodontal care and 10 years in Smile Design. I am thrilled to be on the Village Periodontics team, in an office that provides first-quality dental and periodontal care in a state-of-the-art environment with warmth and careful attention to detail … all of the things I was looking for in my new dental home!
When you visit, my main focus is on creating a positive and professional environment for our team so together we can provide the highest level of patient care. But my favorite part? That’s providing you with the knowledge you need to make informed and confident decisions that improve your oral and overall health. I believe that the foundation for better oral health is based on trust, understanding, communication, and respect. If we always display these abilities as a team, then we can make a positive difference in your life – and that’s the best part of working in dentistry!
I was born in Bushnell but spent most of my adult life in Wellington. Wanting to be closer to my family again, I made the move to Ocala with my husband James and our children in 2018 – and I love being back! I don’t have any formal pets – rather, we’ve created a wildlife oasis in our backyard. Hummingbird feeders, nesting tools, and watering sites bring nature to us, and we quite enjoy it! When I’m not serving others through dentistry or with James’ business of paying tribute and memorializing loved ones, I enjoy gardening, baking, painting, and photography.
Denease
New Patient Coordinator
Denease has 16 years of experience as a receptionist and patient care coordinator. In 2017, she joined our team at Village Periodontics.
Denease loves spending time with family and especially loves game night. She is a music and movie lover and collects movies as a hobby. Denease places utmost importance on spending quality time with her family.
Bucket list: Denease would love to travel to Switzerland and Ireland
Joann
Practice Administrator
Joann has over 25 years in the medical field and has demonstrated impeccable character, reliability and integrity which make her a vital member to the team. She brings a fresh outlook to an even greater organizational structure, with her relational skills and human resource management.
Joann has proven success when it comes to leading cross-functional teams to achieve greater goals, while also leading to process improvements and enhancing morale.
Joann came from Northern Indiana and joined our team in June of 2022. She has added warmth to the workspace with her new traditions, cozy seasonal decorations and her fun interactions with our patients. When Joann is not helping at the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 37 years, her two sons and her newly added daughters-in law. Her fur-baby, Marley is Joann's fun loving Bassador and her sweetest "home support".
Linda
Relations Director
Linda Rhoades CRDH, BS has been in the dental field for over 45 years. She began her career as a certified dental assistant trained in the United States Air Force, then went on to get her dental hygiene degree at Madonna University in Michigan. She was a dental hygienist for 39 years and has taught both dental assisting and dental hygiene. In January 2021, Linda retired her scalers and works in our office as the Public Relations Director. 2021 was a big year for Linda as she also received the ADHA Irene Newman award for Clinical Excellence! She does marketing for the office, social media, mentoring for the dental hygiene department, and is in charge of the dental hygiene study club. This club meets quarterly and is attended by many hygienists in the area who come to our education center for continuing education and camaraderie.
Linda loves gardening, crafts, reading, and writing. She has three children and five grandchildren and two mini dachshunds to help keep her active! She lives in The Villages with her husband Marc, who is a retired dentist.
Jennifer
Surgical Dental Assistant/Phlebotomist
I am a native Floridian and bring over 20 years of dental experience to our practice. I have an outgoing personality and a friendly smile that will help you feel comfortable and reassured at every appointment. I studied dental assisting at both Central Florida College and Gulf Coast and graduated in 1996.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family and friends, at the beach, camping, boating, and fishing.
Susan
Lead Registered Dental Hygienist
Susan is a registered dental hygienist certified in administering local anesthesia. She graduated from Edison State College in Ft. Myers, FL and has been practicing in periodontal and general dentistry for the past 16 years. Susan has been working with the team at Village Periodontics since March 2019. She began her career as a periodontal assistant after being diagnosed and treated for advanced periodontitis. Her passion is to educate and provide empathetic, quality care to all of our patients.
Susan is originally from Ohio and has lived in central Florida for the past 29 years. She loves spending time with her family and friends as well as being outdoors enjoying the wild life that surrounds her.
Crystal
Surgical Dental Assistant/Phlebotomist
Ocala is Crystal’s hometown and she joined Village Periodontics in February 2020 and has enjoyed her unique dual position as a surgical dental assistant and as a phlebotomist. Her mission is to always ensure your comfort and ensure you leave our practice feeling happy and confident.
Crystal is married to Shane and together they have a young son named Bryan. They also have a chihuahua as well as a husky and a little turtle. With her family, she loves to go on adventures and loves being on the beach or just spending time on the water.
Jennifer
Surgical and Prosthodontist Dental Assistant
Jennifer has almost 11 years of experience in the Dental industry and has been with Village Periodontics since May of 2022. She attended Everest College and Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado. Jennifer hopes to continue her education in the dental field in the near future.
With Jennifer, there is never a dull moment and she always maintains a positive outlook. Jennifer loves to fish, workout, and spend time with her family, her fiancé Justin, their son Jordan, and their two pitbulls named Chaz & Sarge.
Jessica
Insurance Coordinator and Administrative Lead
Jessica attended the Career Care Institute of California and has four years of dental experience. She has been a part of the Village Periodontics team since November 2022!
Jessica enjoys spending time at the beach and loves to travel with her boyfriend and two children. Jessica would love to start her own farm one day and she is well on her way to that goal with four dogs and 1 cat.
Mercie
Surgical Dental Assistant
Mercie has worked in the dental industry for over five years and has been a part of the Village Periodontics team since June 2022 She moved here from Pennsylvania in 2016.
When she is not working at Village Periodontics, she enjoys cooking, baking, and traveling.
Kimmey
Treatment Coordinator/Public Relations
Kimmey has been a part of the team since July 2021 She has 30 years experience in the dental industry and attended Orlando Vocational Tech Center for her dental education. Kimmey was a flight attendant in Boston for a few years but we are glad she is with us here at Village Periodontics.
She loves the Braves and the Gators and enjoys going to the beach, boating, fishing, sewing, and painting. When she is not working or having fun with many of her hobbies, you can find her at church or at one of her son’s gigs.
Kimmey has been married to her husband Durham for 23 years and they have two children. Kimmey and Durham also have a dog named Freeman and two cats named Ozzie and Tebow.
Mariah
Lead Surgical Dental Assistant
Mariah attended the University of Florida where she studied Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) and Radiology. She has over 6 years of dental experience and started with us in April 2022. Mariah takes pride in helping patients understand how important it is to maintain a healthy mouth and smile. Helping patients feel comfortable and assure they receive the best treatment possible is her goal.
When she is not helping patients with their smiles, she enjoys being outside near the water so she can fish, boat, hike or just enjoy what nature has to offer.
Brianna
Surgical Dental Assistant
Brianna attended the Greater Orlando Dental Assisting School where she studied Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA). She has over 7 years of dental experience and started with us in July 2023. Brianna’s goal in helping our patients is to provide them with non-judgemental care by treating all clients the same and showing them nothing but respect.
When she is not helping patients with their smiles, and feeling as comfortable as possible, she enjoys singing, yoga, songwriting and pottery. When she isn’t at work, you can also count on Brianna’s dog Skye to be by her side!
Kevin
Registered Dental Hygienist
Kevin attended the College of Central Florida where he studied Expanded Dental Assisting and Santa Fe where he studied to be a Registered Dental Hygienist. He has over 5 years of dental experience and started with us in October 2023. Kevin’s goal is to build trust in the community by fulfilling his responsibility to mitigate dental care needs to his patients.
When he is not helping patients with their smiles, he enjoys getting exercise and playing paintball.