Our Team
Dentists
Aaron Bushong, DDS
Dr. Aaron Bushong completed his dental education at Marquette University, where he graduated with honors and received recognition for excellence in clinical restorative dentistry. Since graduating, Dr. Bushong has remained committed to providing the highest level of care and keeping up with the latest in dental technology. As a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, he regularly attends continuing education courses focusing primarily on cosmetic dentistry, full mouth reconstruction, CAD/CAM (CEREC) technology, and implantology, as well as endodontics, oral surgery, and Invisalign®/short-term orthodontics.
Andrew Welles, DDS
Raised here in Wausau, Dr. Welles graduated from Wausau East High School and continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He graduated summa cum laude with a degree in biology. Staying true to his Wisconsin roots, Dr. Welles completed his dental education at Marquette University School of Dentistry. Serving four years as class president, he graduated summa cum laude with his DDS degree in 2015. He was awarded a four-year scholarship from the National Health Service Corps and completed his service in Madison, Wisconsin. Growing up as the son of a nurse, Dr. Welles was drawn to healthcare and dentistry, specifically, due to its unique combination of medicine and patient care. The ability to establish long-term relationships with people across generations is truly something he values. Dr. Welles enjoys working with his patients to help turn their dream smile into reality.
Lina Nguyen, DDS
Dr. Lina Nguyen was born and raised in Garden Grove, California. After graduating from high school there, she went on to attend California State University-Long Beach, where she majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry and graduated Cum Laude. She then attended dental school and earned her DDS at the University of Iowa. From an early age, Dr. Lina wanted to choose a profession that would allow her to help people, especially in underserved communities. Wanting to give back to her community, coupled with her need for a hands-on profession, led her to dentistry. First and foremost, Dr. Lina believes in treating every patient with dignity, respect, and empathy, as if they were her own family. She believes in providing personalized care and is firmly opposed to a one-treatment-plan-fits-all approach or the over-treatment of patients. A quote from one of her mentors, “The mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body,” sticks with her to this day and summarizes her belief in a holistic approach to dentistry.
Maddie Kasparek, DDS
Dr. Maddie Kasparek was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After graduating from Linn-Mar High School, she went on to graduate with high distinction from the University of Iowa with a BS in Human Physiology, a Chemistry minor, and an Entrepreneurial Management Certificate. She then graduated with her DDS from the University of Iowa, in the process earning the IADR Nutrition Research Group Award at the National IADR Research Conference. From her earliest memories, Dr. Maddie always wanted to be a dentist: She fondly remembers her parents giving her a Play-Doh dentist set when she was very young. What cemented her desire to enter dentistry was the ability to have a positive impact on patients, with an individualized and personable approach.
Administration
Jackie – Operations Manager
Jackie has been with our team since October 2014. She works hard to help her patients, and loves being involved with delivering excellent care and being part of the Wausau, Wisconsin, community. Jackie takes pride in where she works and the care we give our patients, and strives to make each experience enjoyable, including making our patients feel like friends.
Jackie has two sons, Hayden and Evan. She enjoys spending time with her children, being outdoors, traveling, and experiencing new places.
Tammy – Operations Manager of Accounts & Insurance
Tammy is a native of Elderon and has been practicing hygiene since graduating from the NTC Dental Hygiene Program in 1996. Her love of dental hygiene fuels her desire to provide an important service to our patients. She enjoys the opportunity to help our patients understand why complete oral care is so beneficial to their overall health. Tammy recently stepped into an administrative role overseeing all of insurance of accounts receivable.
In her spare time, if there is such a thing, Tammy spends time trying to keep up with her husband Duane and their three boys, Braxton, Stetson, and Pierson. She also loves photography and capturing life’s moments.
Ian – Marketing Director
Ian has worked with Wausau Smiles as a marketing consultant since September of 2017. A year later, he became the newest member of our administrative team. Ian’s background is in the fields of English education, editing and web marketing. He enjoys the diversity of tasks he handles in his role, as well as the chance to highlight the great dental care that Dr. Aaron, Dr. Andrew, Dr. Lina, Dr. Eric, Dr. Maddie, and the rest of our staff provide our patients every day. Getting the chance to meet patients and tell their stories through photo and video is one of his favorite things about working here.
When he’s not in the office, Ian loves spending time with his family – his wife, Andie, and their three children, Laurel, Juniper, and Asher – whether it’s watching a good movie, cooking something new, or spending time in the beautiful woods around their home.
Jen – Human Resources Director
Jen was born and raised in Wausau. She attended NTC, graduating in 2001, and worked as a dental hygienist at Wausau Smiles from 2015 to 2022. Her meticulousness, organization, compassion, and dedication to our team made her the perfect choice to head up our human resources department. While she misses working with patients in the chair, Jen is excited to be a part of supporting and equipping our team to deliver the best care possible for our whole patient family. One of the things she loves most about our office is that we know how to have fun while always maintaining the highest dental standards and professionalism.
Jen and her husband, Jon, have three children, Maggie, Davis, and Peter. Outside of the office, she enjoys watching her kids in sports and reading.
Jessica – Office Manager
Jessica joined our team in 2003. She loves our patients, some of whom she has known for many years and who are like family to her. With so many years of experience in dentistry, Jessica has been flexible throughout the office, working in both customer service as well as with the dentist. She most recently moved into an administrative role as our office manager.
Jessica has been married for many years and has two wonderful children. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, hiking, camping, and spending time at their cabin. She also enjoys reading and relaxing with her family at home.
Customer Service
Sammy – Administrative & Dental Assistant
Sammy is originally from Stratford, Wisconsin. After graduating from Stratford High School, she began pursuing a degree in biological sciences from ASU online, with the goal of eventually attending dental school. She joined the Wausau Smiles team in May of 2019, and she has had an immediate positive impact. Sammy was drawn to the dental field because she wanted the chance to help patients have healthier smiles and feel more confident about them. Her favorite thing about being part of our office is the caring, family-like environment.
When she’s not working, Sammy loves to shop, travel, and spend time up north boating and doing other activities on the water. She can also often be found with her two golden doodles, Goldi and Ivy.
Marsha – Patient Relations & Administrative Assistant
Marsha became a member of the Wausau Smiles administrative staff in the fall of 2020. A native of Wausau, she had previously worked as a dental assistant and in customer service roles. She brings to our office over 18 years of dental experience, a welcoming disposition, and wonderful interpersonal skills. Marsha enjoys helping patients and being a part of a Wausau Smiles team that is dedicated to delivering the highest quality patient-centered care.
Outside of work, Marsha loves spending time with her family. She and her husband, Kevin, met while in high school in the Wausau area and have two children, Kyle and Molly. Marsha enjoys watching her kids’ sporting events, camping, and fishing. She also loves family vacations to the beaches of Alabama and Florida.
Hailey – Patient Relations & Administrative Assistant
Hailey was born in the Lake Du Bay area and later moved to Wausau. She graduated from Mosinee High School and originally attended NTC for their criminal justice program. When she realized that field was not for her, she sought out a dental receptionist job that also allowed her to assist, and she fell in love with it. She joined our team in the summer of 2022. Hailey believes that a smile says a lot about an individual and that everyone deserves a great smile (and a second chance at a great smile). In addition to her four years of dental experience, she brings a welcoming and helpful personality to our Wausau Smiles front desk team. What she enjoys best about our office is that everyone is family here: Everyone helps one another out and appreciates what everyone does in their roles. She looks forward to building relationships with staff and our wonderful patients.
When she isn’t in the office, Hailey can often be found BMX riding, hiking, painting, growing succulent plants, paddle-boarding, modifying cars, and spending time with her friends, her two kittens (Mötley and Dino), and her husband, Nash. One interesting fact about her is that she collects Norwegian nisser—she has many of these gnomes for each season and holiday.
Jody – Patient Relations & Administrative Assistant
Jody, one of our wonderful admins, was born in Illinois and raised here in Wausau. She graduated from Wausau West High School and went on to attend Northcentral Technical College. She always knew that she wanted to do something involving helping people. She was given the opportunity to work in the dental field and never looked back. She has enjoyed many aspects of this field, including assisting, ortho assisting, lab work, and front desk responsibilities. Jody believes in always putting the patient first and is willing to help them with whatever is needed. She is a great team player who is just as quick to help her coworkers as our patients. What she enjoys most about working at Wausau Smiles is this great sense of team and our ability to work so well together.
In her free time, Jody loves spending time with family. She and her husband, Tim, have two grown children and two grandchildren, all of whom live in the Wausau area. Some of her interests and pastimes include camping, boating, baseball, and hockey.
Riley – Patient Relations & Administrative Assistant
Bio coming soon.
Jaia – Patient Relations & Administrative Assistant
Bio coming soon.
Dental Hygienists
Katie – Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Katie has been with our team since 2006, making her one of the most experienced staff members. Katie received her training at NTC, and she absolutely loves her patients! Over the years she has gotten to know many of her patients very well, and she firmly believes that Wausau Smiles has the best patients around.
Katie’s husband, Mike, is a dairy farmer. Together they have six children. She loves spending time with her family and friends, traveling, cooking, and helping out on the family farm.
Melissa – Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Melissa grew up in the Milwaukee area and attended UW-Milwaukee for her general studies before enrolling in Waukesha County Technical College to study dental hygiene. She graduated from WCTC in 2006. After working in other areas, she joined the Wausau Smiles team as a registered dental hygienist in March of 2017. Melissa enjoys working with patients of all ages and backgrounds, though she has a special fondness for working with children. Some of the things she enjoys most about Wausau Smiles are the camaraderie among the staff and everyone’s commitment to excellent patient care.
Melissa and her husband have four boys. The seventh member of their immediate family is their dog, Ollie. When Melissa isn’t at work, she enjoys a number of hobbies, including running, gardening, working out and watching her kids’ sports.
Kristin – Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Originally from the Detroit area, Kristin moved to Wausau at a young age and graduated from Wausau West High School. She earned her associates degree in general education at UW-Stevens Point. She then went on to graduate and receive her license in dental hygiene and administering local anesthetic from NTC in 2009. What originally drew her to the dental field is her love of working with people and love of everything to do with hygiene. In September of 2017, Kristin joined our Wausau Smiles team and made an immediate positive impact. She loves that our staff has great teamwork and always helps one another to make sure patients get the best care possible. She loves her job, her coworkers, being able to treat people like family, and knowing at the end of the work day that people are being treated the way they should be.
Outside of work, Kristin loves spending time with her husband of over ten years, Gavin, and their three young children, Madilyn, Lauryn, and Ethan. Some of her favorite activities include cooking, spin classes, and art projects with her kids. Kristin loves being active outdoors.
Jenny – Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Jenny is a 1994 graduate of Northcentral Technical College, and recently received her certification in nitrous oxide. She is also trained in the use of Diode lasers for periodontal treatments. She joined our team in 2017. She enjoys the overall feel of our office and the teamwork of everyone who works here. She is proud to be part of such a professional and friendly environment. Jenny always strives to be kind and compassionate, treating her patients as she would hope that she and her family are treated.
Jenny grew up in the Wausau area, and recently returned here from Atlanta after 20 years. She is excited to be back! Jenny has one son; outside of work she enjoys spending time with him and the rest of her family and friends, as well as being outdoors.
Samantha – Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Samantha began in the healthcare field as a nursing assistant. The last three of her 10 years in that field, she went to Northcentral Technical College for her degree in dental hygiene. She graduated in 2015 and went on to become certified in administering nitrous oxide and local anesthetic. Samantha got into the dental field because she loves patient care and educating people, and she loves learning new things. She feels a smile is the first thing people see, and she wants her patients to love their smiles. Along with her passion for patients and dental hygiene, Samantha brings to the office great organizational, communication, and collaborative skills.
Outside of the office, Samantha loves spending time with her family, including her amazing boyfriend, their young son, and their golden doodle who does everything with them. Some of the activities she enjoys most are traveling, hiking, mountain biking, watching Netflix, and taking in her son’s sports.
Hilary – Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Hilary is originally from Merrill, Wisconsin. She began college at UW-Eau Claire with the intention of entering the nursing field. But while working as a CNA, she decided it wasn’t for her. She took some dental assisting courses that really made her fall in love with the dental field and graduated from Northcentral Technical College with her degree in dental hygiene. Hilary temped in our office several times in 2019 and officially joined our staff in the fall of 2020. Hilary brings great teamwork and a welcoming disposition to Wausau Smiles. Some of the things she enjoys most about our office are our friendly, caring team and the great atmosphere we provide both patients and staff.
When she’s not working, Hilary loves spending time with her husband, their son and daughter, and their enormous dog. She also enjoys being outdoors in all the beauty this area has to offer, as well as cooking.
Nicki – Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Nicki grew up in the Antigo, Wisconsin, area. After high school, she became a dental assistant and quickly became passionate about dentistry, which inspired her to further her education. Nicki went on to graduate with her dental hygiene degree from Northcentral Technical College. After over 15 years of practicing hygiene, she joined our Wausau Smiles team in the fall of 2020. Her gentle yet thorough approach to hygiene have had an immediate positive impact on our office, as have her understanding and friendly nature. Apart from the great care we provide, Nicki really appreciates the welcoming atmosphere and teamwork.
When she isn’t in the office, Nicki loves spending time with husband and son. She also enjoys being outdoors and baking up a storm in the kitchen. Some interesting facts: Nicki has completed two half-marathons and multiple “Dirty Girl” mud runs.
Alena – Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Alena originally joined our front desk team in the spring of 2022 and immediately had a positive impact with our patients and the rest of our team. After completing her Dental Hygiene program at NTC, she became the latest member of our amazing hygiene team. Originally from Mosinee, Wisconsin, she graduated from D.C. Everest High School and went on to study Dental Assisting at Northcentral Technical College. Alena was first drawn to the dental field as a young child: She used to hate brushing her teeth, but she loved going to see her dentist and her hygienist, who always remembered their conversations from prior visits. Alena also was drawn to the friendly and cooperative work environment of that office. In addition to her welcoming attitude and willingness to help her Wausau Smiles teammates, she aspires to leave a lasting impression on our patients, just like her old hygienist left on her. What she enjoys most about our office is being a part of a positive and talented dental team with great energy and teamwork.
When she isn’t working, Alena sings in a band called Urban Rhode, spends time with friends, enjoys camping and hiking in the summer, and taking in all the great outdoor beauty our area has to offer. Some of her other interests include playing music (trumpet and saxophone), painting, and watching Netflix.
Lindsey – Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Bio coming soon.
Alex – Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Bio coming soon.
Dental Assistants
Kimberly – Dental Assistant
Kimberly joined our team in the beginning of 2018, bringing 13 years of dental assisting experience to our office. She enjoys the variety each day brings as she helps our patients, and she truly appreciates the opportunity to give our patients their smiles back. Kim accomplishes this focusing her time and talents on giving every patient the best possible care.
She is married to her wonderful husband, Jon, and loves her dog, Max. When she isn’t in the office caring for our clients, Kim can be found outside, fishing, playing volleyball or just relaxing by the pool.
Aliyah – Dental Assistant
Aliyah was born and raised in Wausau, and after graduating from Wausau West High School, she attended and graduated from the Northcentral Technical College Dental Assisting Program. She joined our Wausau Smiles team in the summer of 2021. Aliyah first knew she wanted to enter the dental field after having braces and dental work done that made her much more self-confident: from then on, she wanted to give that same feeling to others. She was also encouraged greatly by her father, who passed away in 2019 but taught her about the importance of perseverance. Aliyah’s friendly disposition, educational background, and experience in customer service has had a very positive impact on our office. Some of the things she likes most about working at Wausau Smiles are being able to work with a talented dental team and to be able to build relationships with all our patients and the Wausau community.
Outside of work, Aliyah loves being outdoors, camping, fishing, snowmobiling, skiing, shopping, and spending time with her friends and family. She also enjoys going to country concerts, traveling up north with family, and seeing new places. One interesting fact about Aliyah: she and her boyfriend have a growing maple syrup operation that involves tapping over 700 trees.
Michele – Dental Assistant (CDA)
Our dental assistant Michele is originally from Marinette, Wisconsin. She graduated from Coleman High School with a vocational endorsement in Art. After working as an assistant for some time, she decided to take classes at Northcentral Technical College, as she feels there is never an end to learning and there is always something you can improve. She is a certified dental assistant and maintains her board certification through the Dental Assisting National Board. Michele loves dentistry because she enjoys making a difference: she loves giving patients their confidence back and knows giving them a new smile does that. She always strives to have patients leave the office with a smile, and she always does her best to make them feel welcome and well cared for. She brings to our office 25 years of experience in patient care, along with great communication skills and a readiness to help others on our team. What she enjoys most about working at Wausau Smiles is the family atmosphere and the spirit of teamwork: she’s found that no matter how busy things may be, someone is always willing to help when needed.
When she isn’t at work, Michele loves to spend time with friends and family, especially her two adult sons and high school-aged twin daughters. Some of her favorite activities are hiking, kayaking, snowmobiling, camping, photography, crafting, and learning. She loves doing research, working with her hands, and repairing things—from cars to washers & dryers.
Natalie – Dental Assistant
Natalie is originally from Wisconsin Rapids. After graduating from high school, she went on to graduate from Northcentral Technical College with her degree in Dental Assisting. She was drawn to the field of dentistry at a young age: her hygienist growing up was amazing and made appointments fun, and Natalie has since wanted to have that kind of impact on the patients she works with. In our office, she is always willing to help out, and her warmth and sense of humor are always great to be around. She is truly focused on providing a great experience for all our Wausau Smiles patients. What she enjoys most about our office is that everyone is so nice and welcoming. She likes that we can be professional but still have fun at work, which makes being here better for everyone.
Outside of the office, Natalie loves spending time with friends and family, including her two sisters who are identical twins. Some of her favorite activities are watching crime shows, shopping with friends, and hanging out with her dog, Noodle. One interesting fact about Natalie: she was in dance for 17 years with a main focus on ballet and pointe.
Aubrey – Dental Assistant
Aubrey joined the Wausau Smiles team as a dental assistant in the fall of 2023. Calling Wausau home for the last 7 years, she had previously worked as a dental assistant and as a graphic designer after graduating from Northcentral Technical College with a degree in Graphic Communications. Aubrey has loved getting to transition back into the dental world because of her love of people and getting to help others. Dental assisting has a special place in her heart because of how tangible the impact quality dental care can have on a person’s life. She loves Wausau Smiles and the way the team combines high-quality care with high-quality fun.
Outside of the office, Aubrey loves making coffee, having deep conversations, and taking long walks outside. She equally loves having a lot of family in the area as they are her #1 support system. Some other things she enjoys are running, getting to share life with her Church community, playing the piano, and watching old mystery movies. One interesting fact about Aubrey: she spent 2 years living and working on a ship that sailed around South America.
Sabrina – Dental Assistant
Bio coming soon.
Genyan – Dental Assistant
Bio coming soon.
Morgan – Dental Assistant
Bio coming soon.
Stephanie – Dental Assistant
Bio coming soon.
Lily – Dental Assistant
Bio coming soon.