Dr. Carol A. Cunningham
Dr. Cunningham received her dental degree from
Loyola University
Dental School, where she graduated with clinical honors and did a residency
in hospital dentistry. She is a member of the
American Dental Association
, the
Illinois State Dental Society
, the
Chicago Dental Society
and the
Decatur District Dental Society
, where she served as president from 1994 to 1995. She is a member of
the
Academy of General Dentistry
and has her fellowship degree.
She is also a member of the
American Equilibration Society
, the American Society of Osseointegration, the
International Congress of Oral Implantologists
, and the American College of Oral Implantology. She has received
further advanced education at the Pankey Institute, where she has studied
myofascial pain, the temporomandibular joint, and occlusion. For
further information on the Pankey Institute, please
click here
.
Dentistry is not only a profession but also a passion for Dr. Cunningham. She feels dentistry is a wonderful combination of both art and science that allows her to care for her patients so that they may experience a lifetime of beautiful smiles and function. She is committed to practice with the latest techniques and scientific advances in dentistry.
Dr. Cunningham is married and has five grown children. She enjoys photography, gardening, reading, and spending time with her family, friends, and pets.
Dr. Daniel Jurgens
Dr. Daniel Jurgens is a native of Decatur, IL. He attended Holy Family Catholic School and St. Teresa High School. During his summer vacations throughout grade school, high school, and into college, he worked in various capacities for Dr. Carol Cunningham in the dental practice. He swam competitively for the Decatur Swim Club since age 5. He attended Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, and received his undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology. Dr. Jurgens went on to train at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine , where he completed his dental degree in 2020. In his free time, he enjoys drawing, cooking, reading, hiking, and resistance training.
Dr. Jurgens has a passion for providing comprehensive dental care to his patients. He is particularly interested in the management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and keeping up with the most current advances in cosmetic and digital dentistry. He is excited to join Dr. Cunningham and her team, where he will demonstrate his enthusiasm for the profession and dedication to patient care.
Mallory
Mallory has been a welcome addition to Dr. Cunningham’s team as a dental hygienist for 15 years. She received her associate’s degree from Parkland College and is certified in CPR, Zoom Bleaching, dental sealants, and Trios 3shape Scanning. Her favorite parts of her job are working with people and enhancing their lives through their smiles. An educator at heart, she loves to use her teaching skills to help patients understand how to best keep their smiles for a lifetime.
Mallory’s bubbly personality and gentle touch combine to create a wonderful experience for our patients where they receive the attention and care they deserve. Mallory has been married for 12 years and has a son and daughter. She enjoys spending her free time with her family and friends.
Nicole
.As our front office receptionist, Nicole is always ready to greet patients with a smile and warm welcome. She has been in the dental field since 1991 and was a dental assistant for the first 23 years. She is certified in CPR, and her favorite part of working here is helping patients feel at home in the dental office.
Nicole is very adept at answering questions about treatment plans, cost, and financing options. She is knowledgeable in insurance claim filing reimbursement policy limits and coverage. She helps patients understand their explanation of benefits and pre-treatment estimates. Nicole has been married for 24 years and has 3 beautiful children and 1 wonderful grandchild. She enjoys spending her free time with her family and two dogs.
Michael
Michael has been working at Dr. Cunningham’s office since 2015. He is a graduate of St. Louis University with a degree in biology and is trained in CPR, coronal polishing, dental sealants, Zoom Bleaching, and Trios 3shape scanning. Michael has an amazing knowledge of science and technology and has been an integral part of our team, helping us to stay current with constantly changing advancements in computer technology and software.
His calm and reassuring manner helps to put patients at ease and make their visits more pleasant. He enjoys being in an environment where he can really get to know each patient and see the transition of their smiles from start to finish. When he changes out of his scrubs, Michael enjoys working out, running, and spending time with friends, family, and his own dogs and cats.
Brittany
Brittany is a southern belle and the newest addition to our team as a dental hygienist. She moved from Texas to marry the love of her life in 2020 and is excited to be able to go sledding during winters. She received an associate's degree from Tyler Junior College and is certified in CPR and dental sealants. She has a great sense of humor, loves meeting new people, and will put a smile on your face. With a calm and friendly demeanor, she knows how to take care of her patients well and make them comfortable in a dental chair. In her free time, she enjoys playing pickleball and spending time with her husband, in-laws, and kitty.
Hailee
Hailee has been working at the Gentle Art of Dentistry office since May of 2022. She attended Midwest Technical Institute followed by an externship at our office. Her favorite part of being in the dental field is that every patient and every case is different and very rewarding in its own way. She loves that there is never an end to new knowledge, technologies and techniques in the dental field. It is very gratifying to her to help give patients a better smile.
Hailee’s work ethic, energy and enthusiasm is contagious to all of us who have the pleasure to work with her. In her free time, she loves watching men’s fast pitch softball and her siblings’ athletics.
Ashlyn
Ashlyn is one of the newer faces on our team and has been a welcomed addition to the office. She graduated from Midwest Technical Institute in May of 2022 as a dental assistant. She enjoys the level of patient care we provide to every patient at our office – as well as the teamwork that exists with her co-workers. During treatments, Ashlyn provides assistance for our dentists in all aspects of four-handed dentistry. She has an innate ability to put patients at ease and make their appoints a more comfortable experience. At the Gentle Art of Dentistry, Ashlyn works to make sure that every patient receives the highest level of patient care possible throughout consultations and procedures.
Ashlyn has been a dedicated member of the Army Reserves since 2014. We are all very proud of the service and dedication she has shown for our country and are thankful for her commitment to protecting our freedom. In her free time, Ashlyn is a busy mom to two adorable boys.
