Meet Our Team

Chantel

Registered Dental Hygienist

Chantel graduated from the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Dental Hygiene program with Honors. She is also certified in Local Anesthesia and Nitrous Oxide Administration.

Chantel joined our practice in 2010. Our patients appreciate her commitment and passion to improve and maintain their oral health. Her enthusiasm to help others is evident in the care she provides. Her positive attitude and smile is infectious to others.

When not taking care of her patients, Chantel loves spending time with her family and friends and enjoying the outdoors.

• Favorite Food: Mexican
• Favorite Movie: The Wizard of Oz
• Hobbies/Interests: The outdoor adventurer, racing, walking, my family
• Dream Vacation: Hawaii

Why I love dentistry

“Educating patients about their oral health and seeing the positive outcomes.”

Trina

Office Manager – FAADOM, CDBP

Trina is the office manager at Gentle Dentistry. She has a wealth of experience in the dental industry since 2002 with insurance, scheduling, and treatment plan coordination.

She is committed to making your experience in our office positive, comfortable, and informative. Trina is a Fellow of the American Academy of Office Managers and has received her Certified Dental Business Professional certification through the Michigan Dental Association.

• Favorite Food: Pizza
• Favorite Movie: Romancing the Stone
• Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, home improvement projects, spending time with family
• Dream Vacation: Spending a week on a secluded island, swimming with dolphins, snorkeling, eating and drinking all I want, and getting a massage

Why I love dentistry

“I love dentistry because I believe in it. I like to help people understand their dental benefits, educate them, and help them develop a plan to restore their teeth to keep them longer. I believe in Dr. SBA’s philosophy and that makes me love my job more.”

Amie

Registered Dental Assistant

Amie began her career in dentistry in 2010. She joined our practice in 2016 as a part-time certified dental assistant. She is now full-time and has earned her Registered Dental Assistant certification in February 2020. Amie has earned certifications with Digital Dentistry both scanning and design.

She enjoys making patients feel comfortable. Amie is known for her calm and warm nature. Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, as well as being outdoors.

• Favorite Food: Pizza
• Favorite Movie: 50 First Dates
• Hobbies/Interests: Running, hiking, outdoors
• Dream Vacation: Hawaii

Why I love dentistry

“I love to make people smile. I love easing the most anxious of patients to help them enjoy their dental experience.”

Cat

Insurance Coordinator

Cat is a 1997 graduate from Western Michigan University. She has had many roles throughout her career in dentistry. Starting in 2000, she contributed as an assistant and cross trained to aid the administration team.

After graduating with a degree in Dental Hygiene (2003) from Kalamazoo Valley Community College, she has practiced and educated many patients about oral hygiene and preventative care.

In 2017, she made a transition from hygiene to became an insurance coordinator. Her expertise and experience greatly assist our patients!

• Favorite Food: Pineapple
• Favorite Movie: Office Space
• Hobbies/Interests: Running, reading, going to concerts, spending time with her
  husband and cats
• Dream Vacation: A stay at the Kruger Shalati

Why I love dentistry

“Everybody deserves to have a healthy smile, and I love being part of a team that makes that happen for our patients.”

Carrie

Registered Dental Hygienist

Carrie graduated from the Kalamazoo Valley Community College dental hygiene program with honors. She is certified in local anesthesia and nitrous oxide administration.

Carrie joined the practice in 2020 right out of school and loves the dental field. She loves learning new things every day and is committed to providing the best care to her patients.

When not taking care of her patients, Carrie enjoys spending time with her 4 nieces. She is married and has a corgi named Gator!

• Favorite Food: Spaghetti
• Favorite Movie: Threat Level Midnight
• Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, being outdoors, and going to the beach
• Dream Vacation: Bahamas

Why I love dentistry

“I like being able to connect with people every day and help them achieve a great smile!”

Charity

Treatment Plan Coordinator

Charity was new to dental and joined our practice in 2022 as the scheduling coordinator. She has grown and learned so much in our dental home, she has taken the position as our treatment plan coordinator. She is committed in helping all of our patients schedule and finance all of their treatment needs. Whatever treatment questions you may have, Charity can help!

When not taking care of our patients, Charity spends most of her time with husband and kids, usually doing anything outdoors.

• Favorite Food: Mexican and Italian
• Favorite Movie: Footloose or Grease
• Hobbies/Interests: Going for walks, being outdoors, spending time with family and friends
• Dream Vacation: Bora Bora

Why I love dentistry

“I feel like I learn something new everyday and there is always new techniques.”

Jessie

Dental Assistant

Jessie began her career in 2021.  She graduated from Ross Medical with her certification in dental assisting.  Jessie joined our team in 2022.  She is continuing her education by studying for her Certified Dental Assisting certificate and will eventually complete her Registered Dental Assisting certification.

Outside of the office she likes to spend time with her family and friends.  Jessie loves to take her dog to the dog park.

• Favorite Food: Fresh spring rolls
• Favorite Movie: Raya and the last dragon
• Hobbies/Interests: Outdoors, playing board games, watching movies
• Dream Vacation: Laos

Why I love dentistry

“Enjoys making patients happy and feeling comfortable in the chair”

Stacy

Scheduling Coordinator

Stacy is new to the dental field, but strives to learn something new every day. She joined our practice in January of 2023. She loves meeting all of our patients and assists in scheduling the right appointment just for you. Stacy is committed to making you feel comfortable. From answering the phone, to walking into our dental home, she is sure to put a smile on your face with her sense of humor.

Stacy is married to her soul mate of 10 years. She has 2 daughters, 1 son, and 5 grandchildren. She is a homebody who loves to hang out with her husband and 2 dogs. When she is not working, she works on home improvement projects and enjoys floating in her pool.

• Favorite Food: Mexican, Pizza, and Oreo’s
• Favorite Movie: Sleeping with the Enemy or Top Gun
• Hobbies/Interests: Crafting, keeping things organized, and home improvement projects
• Dream Vacation: Dominican Republic

Why I love dentistry

“Being a part of changing people’s lives”

Caitlin

Registered Dental Hygienist

Caitlin graduated from Kalamazoo Valley Community Dental Hygiene program in 2015. She is certified in Local Anesthesia and Nitrous Oxide Administration.

Caitlin joined our practice in 2023. Our patients appreciate her calming demeanor and positive attitude. She influences our patients by educating and helping maintain their oral health.

When not taking care of her patients, Caitlin enjoys playing with her dogs, exercising, reading, spending time with her husband and bonus daughter.

• Favorite Food: Anything with peanut butter
• Favorite Movie: Step Brothers
• Hobbies/Interests: Yoga, reading, hanging with family
• Dream Vacation: Europe

Why I love dentistry

“I love educating and connecting with patients and helping them accomplish their best smile”

Clark

Registered Therapy Dog

Clark is a therapy dog and is a welcome addition to our team in 2016. He is here to alleviate anxiety about your dental visit or just to make you smile. Clark is a registered therapy dog and has completed a canine good citizen class.

He may visit you upon request and provides our patients comfort for all procedures. Clark is part-time and is generally available on Mondays and Wednesdays for patients of all ages.

You can check him out on our Facebook page as he loves to make appearances. After work, he enjoys being at home with Dr. Stephanie Busch-Abbate and her family!

• Favorite Food: Eggs and pizza
• Favorite Movie: Milo and Otis, Men in Black
• Hobbies/Interests: Going for walks, cuddling, napping, playing with my brother Cristian, and going to the dog park
• Dream Vacation: Going to Wrigley Field for a private tour (I was named after the street it is on!) Go Cubs!

Why I love dentistry

“I love people! I get to ease their anxiety and make people smile!”