Dental Team – Warsaw, IN

Karlei, Team Leader/Office Manager

Karlei’s 16+ years in the field of dentistry have been spent here at East Center Dental. She truly takes pride in her job and loves working with an amazing team to take great care of our patients!  As an active member of the American Academy of Dental Office Managers, she keeps up with new developments to provide better administrative support and enhance the care of our patients. 

Karlei and her husband, Dan, have been married since 2001, and they welcomed their son Oliver in 2015. When Karlei isn’t at work, she enjoys going on cruises, visiting tropical beaches, crafting, going to karaoke, cooking, and dancing – she even took swing dancing lessons when she was younger.

Chris, Dental Hygienist

Chris has an impressive 40+ years of experience in the dental field, and she has been at East Center Dental for nearly 30 years. She says that the best thing about her job is the people—the patients, her coworkers, and the doctor—and she considers them all to be her extended family. Before going to school for dental hygiene at IUSB, Chris was an Expanded Duties Dental Assistant that trained at IUPUI.

Life outside of the dental office is all about family for Chris. She is married and has three grown children, one stepdaughter, and five adorable grandchildren in total. When she isn’t spending quality time with her loved ones, she and her husband love to visit Lake Michigan and walk around the beaches and piers, taking in the sights while enjoying the local eateries. She also likes to paint pottery, particularly alongside her granddaughters.

Courtney, Dental Hygienist

For over a decade, Courtney has dedicated herself to helping patients who are anxious about the dentist feel comfortable and relaxed. Her goal is for each of her patients to eventually enjoy having their teeth cleaned! She earned her bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from Indiana University South Bend where she also served as adjunct faculty.

When Courtney isn’t busy with her husband and their two daughters, you’ll usually find her playing/watching all types of sports (she played basketball in college), running, or serving in the kids’ ministry at her church.

Kelli, Dental Hygienist

Born in California and raised in Medford, Oregon, Kelli has been working in the dental field for well over a decade. After graduating from North Medford High School, she went on to study at Youngstown State University. She has extensive training in various subjects and is certified to administer local anesthesia. As a dental hygienist, she truly enjoys helping patients achieve a healthy and beautiful smile that they can enjoy in the long run.

At home, Kelli loves spending quality time with her husband and their two teenagers. She also enjoys playing with her Boston Terrier, George, and drinking a nice warm cup of coffee, especially during the winter season!

Rosy, Dental Hygienist

Born and raised in South Bend, Rosy has been working in the dental field for over a decade. She attended Ivy Tech Community College for her degree in dental hygiene. She’s also nitrous oxide certified and obtained her local anesthesia permit. Her favorite part of her job is helping patients feel comfortable while helping them feel happy about their smiles.

Outside of the dental office, Rosy loves spending time with her husband and their beautiful daughter. Her hobbies involve reading, doing puzzles, and traveling to new places whenever she can.

Aylin, Expanded Functions Dental Assistant

Aylin has been in the dental field for several years and counting. Originally from Plymouth, she studied at Ivy Tech Community College, earning her technical certificate and Associate degree in Applied Science, and later receiving her certification as an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant. Her favorite part of her job is being able to help patients feel comfortable and confident about their smiles.

Outside of the office, Aylin enjoys spending time with her family and loved ones. She also loves reading and playing tennis whenever she gets the chance. Being bilingual, she likes having the chance to help our Spanish-speaking patients get the care they deserve.

Gabby, Dental Assistant

Gabby completed her dental assistant training at Ross Medical Education Center. She adores being able to form genuine bonds with our patients while helping them work toward their dental goals. She’s incredibly humorous and loves to make people laugh and smile.

When she’s away from the dental office, Gabby spends her free time traveling, shopping, and hanging out with the people she loves most, including her two amazing parents, an older brother, and her Golden Retriever named Cooper.

Yessica, Dental Assistant

Yessica says making a positive impact on people’s lives through her work is always satisfying, even if it’s very small. A graduate of South Bend Dental Assistant School, she also has certifications in coronal polishing, caries prevention, and is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Away from the office, Yessica loves to travel and enjoy the outdoors. Nothing makes her happier than camping or kayaking with her husband or being at home and playing with their three beloved dogs.

Nicole, Appointment Coordinator

Nicole has spent the entirety of her 30+ years in the dental field right here at our dental office. She attended Indiana University at South Bend and is an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant. She loves having the opportunity to care for our patients each and every day.

Nicole and her family are fifth and sixth generation farmers. She has two daughters – the eldest of whom works on the farm alongside her father – one son, and one grandchild. Nicole and her husband have been married for 28+ years, and they actually met on a blind date! Her hobbies include reading (historical fiction is her favorite genre) and music; you’ll often find her humming along to the music playing in the dental office.

Jenn, Treatment Coordinator

A Warsaw native, Jenn has been part of our dental team for 17 years and counting. What she finds most rewarding about her job is getting to work one-on-one with patients, helping them fit the treatments they need into their lifestyles and budgets.

When Jenn isn’t at our dental office, she can usually be found hiking, traveling, or spending time on the lake with her family. She has been married to her husband, Brandon, since 2006. They have two children: 16-year-old Mason and 12-year-old Maddie.

Zachary, Sterile Tech

A native of Plymouth, Zachary enjoys being part of a passionate team that’s dedicated to providing the highest quality of care for our patients. He enjoys maintaining a clean and sterile environment that can give others a feeling of confidence and safety while undergoing their treatments.

Aside from helping around the office, Zachary enjoys various hobbies at home, including composing music, reading science fiction, and writing screenplays. One fun fact about him is that he can solve the Rubik’s cube in under 30 seconds!