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Our Team


  • 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 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.

  • 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.

  • Michael (Office Manager)

    Michael has been working at the Gentle Art of Dentistry 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.

  • Christopher (Patient Services/Technical Support)

    Christopher began his journey with the Gentle Art of Dentistry team in May of 2023.  He is a graduate of Richland Community College with a degree in computer science.  His skill set in all things computer related, along with his amazing people skills, have made him an indispensable asset to our office.  Christopher also brings with him 11 years worth of experience as a Navy Medic ranging from combat medicine, nursing, AEMT training and a passionately developed commitment to patient care.  The office regularly enjoys his animated and jovial personality, which is greatly uplifting for both patient and office morale.  Outside of the world of dentistry, Christopher entertains himself with the nerdier side of things all with the company of his energetic cat.

  • Mallory (Dental Hygenist)

    Mallory has been a welcome addition to the Gentle Art of Dentistry’s team as a dental hygienist since 2005.  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 is married and has a wonderful son and daughter.   She enjoys spending her free time with family and friends.

  • Brittany (Dental Hygenist)

    Brittany is a  southern belle and the newest addition to our team as a dental hygienist. She moved from Texas 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. She is an excellent educator and will share all her dental secrets to enable patients to keep their smiles looking amazing.  In her free time, Brittany enjoys playing pickle ball and spending time with her adorable kittens.

  • Hailee (Dental Assistant)

    Hailee has been working at the Gentle Art of Dentistry office since May of 2022.  She attended the 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 appreciated by all of us who have the pleasure to work with her. In her free time, she loves watching her siblings’ athletics. As a side hobby, Hailee has been known to track and wrangle the elusive serval cat.  

  • Bri (Dental Assistant)

    Bri graduated from Midwest Technical Institute in 2015 and has been a dental assistant since 2016.  She joined the Gentle Art of Dentistry team in August of 2023 with the dream of attending school to become a dental hygienist.  She has a gift for being able to relate and talk to patients, putting them at ease with procedures.  Somehow, she seems to know almost everyone in Decatur, and if she doesn't know them, she enjoys getting to make their acquaintance. Educating patients on the importance of good dental health is one the jobs she embraces the most enthusiastically .  

    Bri possesses a beautiful, contagious laugh we have all come to love.  While out of her dental assisting role, Bri loves time with her family and is the busy mom of beautiful twin girls and a handsome young boy.

  • Brianna (Dental Assistant)

    Brianna has been working at the Gentle Art of Dentistry since August of 2023.  She attended the Midwest Technical Institute in 2020. Her favorite aspect of dental assisting is helping patients achieve confidence in their smiles. With her positive attitude, dedication to enabling patients to receive quality care, and genuine desire to care for patients, Brianna is a very valued member of our team.

    In her free time, Brianna loves spending time with her beautiful daughter.  When she is not caring for her adorable daughter, she loves to curl up with a good book, play one of her favorite video games, or be entertained by her dog Peanut and her two cats.