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bluffside team april 22

Our Practice Philosophy

Bluffside Smiles is committed to keeping individualized patient care at the center of everything we do. Our staff always works to keep patients fully informed of all of their treatment options, and we will never pressure you into any service or procedure. Whenever possible, we will work to preserve your existing teeth. From the moment you enter our office, you will be welcomed and treated as a family member, and we will never deliver care or advice we wouldn’t give to our own families. We believe that dental decisions should be clear and transparent, and in every case, we endeavor to educate patients on everything we do, from procedures to billing. We believe that dentistry should be pain-free, and our skilled staff and gentle methods help to ensure that’s the case. We believe that healthy smiles lead to healthier, happier lives. Visit us today for a better experience.

Our Team

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Carolyn Giannelli, DDS

Dr. Carolyn Giannelli was born and raised in Chicago and is, unapologetically, a huge Cubs fan. Dr. G received her DDS in 1991 from Northwestern University Dental School after earning her B.S. from St. Mary’s University in Winona, MN, with a double major in Biology and Psychology and a minor in Chemistry. She practiced dentistry in the Chicago area in her own practice for 23 years, took on great adventures and in 2016 becoming a dental director for a community health center in Mankato, MN, overseeing 47 employees and providing services for well over 6,000 patients a year.

Administration & Customer Service

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Sheri – Office Manager

Sheri grew up in La Crosse and has called this city home for most of her life. She attended Logan Senior High School and later Western Wisconsin Technical College, where she earned her associate’s degree in business. She’s been a part of the Bluffside Smiles administrative team since early 2019 and has been working in the dental field for over five years. Some of the important things she brings to this practice are her knowledge of dental insurance and finances, as well as her love of working with patients. Sheri’s favorite part of this office is the amazing team of dental professionals she gets to work with, which she feels is just like a family. Outside of work, she enjoys camping, swimming, and spending time with her husband, their two children, and their dog.

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Monica – Administrative Assistant

Monica is one of the people who will greet you when you walk in our door and will be one of the voices you hear when you call. She has been working in an administrative capacity for many years, making sure all our patients are well cared for. Monica was born in La Crosse. She graduated from Aquinas High School and then from Western Technical College’s administrative assistant program. She has attended many continuing education courses over the years in both administrative and clinical work. She has a strong customer service background and loves working with patients to help them achieve their health and wellness goals. She feels very fortunate to work with some amazing professionals who share this philosophy of care. Outside of work, Monica loves spending time with her family. She and her husband, Steve, have been married for over 30 years and are blessed with a son, Kevin, and daughter-in-law, Jacque. Their dog, Pearl, is also an important member of their family. Some of Monica’s favorite activities include volunteering for a non-profit, traveling, boating, and motorcycling.

Dental Hygiene

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Trish – Dental Hygienist (RDH)

Trish grew up on a farm near Readstown and moved to the Minneapolis area, where she received a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from the University of Minnesota. She has been a dental hygienist for 20 years and was also an instructor for dental hygiene students. She joined Bluffside Smiles in July of 2017. She really enjoys working with Dr. Giannelli and the rest of the team. In addition to quality treatment, our very caring atmosphere is something that Trish appreciates. In her free time, she enjoys playing golf, spending time with her family, and experiencing local events.

Dental Assisting

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Melissa – Dental Assistant (CDA)

Melissa has been a part of our Bluffside Smiles team since the spring of 2016. She earned her degree from Western Wisconsin Technical College (now Western Technical College) in 2001, and she’s worked in the dental field since. What she likes best about being a part of this office is our team: she loves the staff and our two amazing dentists. She likes that our team is a fun and energetic one, and she knows that our patients appreciate that. Melissa thinks the most important things she brings to Bluffside Smiles Dental are her knowledge and almost 20 years of experience.

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Leann – Dental Assistant (CDA)

Leann is originally from Caledonia, Minnesota, and she graduated from Caledonia High School in 1993. After graduation, she attended Riverland Technical College in Rochester. She’s been working as a certified dental assistant since 1999. What made her want to enter the field of dental care is that she loves working with people and helping them to keep their smiles. Leann loves the fact that our office puts people first and focuses on a great patient experience for everyone who walks through our doors. She’s excited to bring her 20+ years of experience to this staff of professionals who all work together so well as a team. Outside of work, she loves spending time with friends and family, especially her husband, Jeff, and their two daughters, Alyssa and Brianna. Leann also enjoys scrapbooking, working with her flowers, and feeding the birds.