Meet Dr. Pennino and his team in Barrington!

As Marketing Manager, I enjoy the challenge of finding new and creative ways to use my photography background and “spread the word” about Pennino Family Dentistry. I love what I do and I’m lucky to be part of such a friendly, caring, and customer-centric office. I’m also grateful to work not only with my husband Dr. Doug, but also with three of our sons, Dr. Chase, Dr. Connor, and Cameron! I’m proud that we all share the same patient care philosophy of treating patients like family.

I joined Dr. Pennino’s office as a receptionist in 2012, eventually moving into my current position. I enjoy our positive and friendly culture, and being part of a team that positively impacts people’s lives is a privilege. My dental philosophy is “prevention is always best!” When I’m not at the office, I enjoy traveling, cooking, hiking, and spending time with family and friends. I lived in Los Angeles, Greece (in Athens and a small village near Albania), and Virginia before moving to Woodstock in 1987.

After earning my associate degree in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene, I've never stopped learning. I’m always looking for ways to improve treatments and help patients, and I like to go above and beyond to ensure they’re comfortable. When I'm not at Pennino Family Dentistry, I enjoy cleaning and spending time with my husband, Jason, and our three cats. I never thought I was a cat person, but Muenster, Uh-Oh, and Boo give me reasons to laugh every day.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure … and that’s why I chose to work in dentistry. Oral health is a vital aspect of overall health, which is why I focus passionately on educating my patients about prevention. I chose PFD because our belief in ethics and conservative approaches to dental care align. When I’m not at the practice, I like to farm, work out, volunteer, hike, and boat. My claim to fame is trying anything twice! I chose to move here because PFD was what I was looking for in a dental home!

I began my career as a dental assistant before becoming a dental hygienist in 1999. I was one of the first dental hygienists in the state of Illinois certified to administer local anesthesia. I love connecting with patients both personally and professionally, providing the high-quality dental care they deserve while making visits as pleasant as possible. My husband Tony and I have three children, Olivia, Alex, and Emma. Outside of the office, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.

Growing up in a lower-income family where we would only visit the dentist when there was pain, I did not know much about preventative care. Earning my bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University opened my mind to so many opportunities when providing care. I strive to expand my knowledge with continuing education, and I’m dedicated to providing the best patient-centered care I can. Teaching is one of my favorite parts of being a hygienist. When I’m not working, I’m usually at the gym or cooking!

Connecting with patients and providing them with superior service brings me great joy. That’s why I make sure they know my dental philosophy: brush often, get cleanings every six months, and receive care from any of the doctors at PFD! I love that my job gives me the opportunity to learn every day, which is so important to me. Away from the office, I love spending time with my husband, Jerry, our three daughters, and two grandchildren. I enjoy being in Minocqua (where I hope to retire), playing tennis and golf, volunteering at church, and working out.

I’ve been in dentistry for 50 years, which makes me sound old but I’m really not! I started my dental career as a hygienist, practicing in AL, CA, and IL. I transitioned to the role of office manager in the mid-80s and enjoy it thoroughly! I love the special relationship I have with patients and the aspect of seeing their dental treatment through from start to finish. In my downtime, I’m a major sports fanatic and I love to entertain, travel, and spend time with my family.

Of my 17+ years in the dental field, I've always focused on giving the best of myself to patients and am dedicated to giving you a "WOW" experience. Working with the team at PFD and building relationships with our patients is a privilege – especially when I can help them avoid painful dental problems by setting up a proactive preventive care plan. Away from the office, I love spending time with my husband, Bryan, and our two beautiful kids!

Before joining the Pennino Family Dentistry team, I had more than 35 years of experience in dentistry and I knew what I wanted in a new dental home: a great location, friendly staff, and advanced software! I also did my research and I have to tell you that PFD met those needs and more!

My name is Erika and I have been working at Pennino Family Dentistry since 2019. I enjoy working here and taking excellent care of all our patients.

I joined the PFD team in 2021 with first-hand knowledge of dental phobia and how finding the right dentist for your individual needs can ease that fear. Along with my dedication to making sure you have the best experience possible, my knowledge of dental phobia is definitely a strong suit for my role. I love helping others and am committed to tending to your concerns and assisting you in any way I can! When I’m not helping patients, I enjoy spending time with family and friends and cooking.

I’ve been in the dental field since 2008 and joined the PFD family in 2017. Knowing that the best approach to dental care is a preventive one, my dental philosophy goes one step further when discussing treatment recommendations: it’s never going to hurt less or be less expensive to fix than it is today. Helping you get (and stay) out of pain is my first priority, and I’ll work hard to make that happen. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Tim, and our terrier mix, Tyson.

I never thought I’d work in a dental office because I suffered from dental anxiety like many of our patients, but the wonderful team at PFD has helped tremendously! Dental health is an integral part of your overall health and well-being, and I’ll do whatever I can to help you feel comfortable. I moved to the area in 1992 when I married my husband, Hennie. He’s from this area and knew it would be a great place for us to raise a family! I love to paint, garden, and cook – my Cowboy Caviar recipe is a family favorite!

I became part of the PFD team in the fall of 2021 and while I’m fairly new to dentistry, I have many years of experience in customer service! Providing a positive and welcoming experience as soon as you walk through our doors is one of my main focuses, as is making patients feel like they’re part of our family – and they are! Away from work, I love to spend time with my husband, Jackson, and our kitten, Murph. I enjoy being creative with art, trying new recipes, and I have a passion for travel!

I joined Pennino Family Dentistry in 2018 with nearly 20 years of experience as a chairside dental assistant (with expanded-function certification to apply sealants, polish teeth, and more). My focus is on helping patients optimize their dental health and fulfill their smile dreams. My husband Ryan and I have three beautiful daughters, and we love doing anything outdoors, including hiking, biking, camping, and backpacking. We adore traveling by car for vacations and seeing something different every year.

Having joined Pennino Family Dentistry in 2017, I’ve had the privilege of working with each of our doctors, though I primarily assist Dr. Chase. He is a fantastic dentist and I really enjoy working with him, helping our patients achieve and maintain beautiful and healthy smiles. I’m fluent in English and Spanish and love providing care that’s compassionate and quality focused. Outside the office, I enjoy the simple things in life, such as spending time with my husband and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Patient care and assisting our doctors chairside is my passion, and it's been fantastic working at PFD, where I'm collaborating with awesome people who believe preventive care is key to a lifetime of oral health. My dream is to be a Registered Dental Hygienist; one day, it'll be a reality! I've had cosmetic dentistry and invite you to talk to me about it. When you see me, guess what it was, and I'll let you in on the secret! I love hanging out with friends, my mini-golden doodle Nova, and going shopping.

I’ve been in the dental field for 20 years, with a solid background as a clinical oral surgery assistant. Pennino Family Dentistry consists of hard-working, highly skilled dental professionals working together to provide exceptional patient care. Working in the dental field has been very rewarding for me and I look forward to every day! In my spare time, I enjoy doing pyrography (the freehand art of decorating wood with burn marks) and hanging out with my doodle pups.

Bio to come

I have been most privileged to work with Dr. Doug since he purchased his practice, and was his chairside assistant for 27 years. Dr. Doug and his wife, Amy, have been wonderful friends and mentors. I currently manage the clinical section of the office, oversee instrument sterilization, and much more. I ensure everything runs smoothly, so the doctors and hygienists can focus on your care. I am the very lucky mom of two amazing children, Becky and Adam, and I have two awesome grandsons, Logan and Liam. When I’m home, I love spending time with my dog, Bean.