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
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.
Dr. Giannelli has two wonderful children in college and a very large extended Italian family. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, biking, and taking in all the natural beauty around her. Though she’ll likely continue to cheer for her Cubs, she has found her forever home in the beautiful La Crosse area and is looking forward to meeting you and caring for your dental needs.
Administration & Customer Service
Ashlee – Administration
Ashlee is originally from La Farge, Wisconsin. Having worked in an administrative capacity for some time, she joined our Bluffside Smiles team at the beginning of 2023. Smiles and teeth are usually the first thing she notices in people, so being a part of patients’ journey to good oral healthcare and a beautiful smile was one of the reasons she entered the field of dental care. She is always working to ensure that all the patients who come through our door feel welcome and comfortable. She also loves showing them that getting a beautiful smile doesn’t have to be a scary process. Ashlee’s knowledge of insurance helps our patients understand their out-of-pocket costs and benefits, making their visits less stressful. She enjoys working in our office setting where coworkers feel more like family and patients all know us by name and consider us family. In her free time, Ashlee loves boating and fishing on the Mississippi with her boyfriend and friends. She can also often be found gardening — she has what she describes as an overabundance of indoor plants that leads her boyfriend to call her a “plant hoarder.”
Rachel – Administration
Bio coming soon.
Dental Hygiene
Barb – Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Barb is from West Salem, Wisconsin. After working in another field for a number of years, she earned her associate’s degree in Dental Hygiene from MATC in 1996. She joined our Bluffside Smiles team in the spring of 2023. What first drew Barb to the dental field is that she loved her dentist when she was younger, and he encouraged her to go into hygiene. Her main focus when it comes to patient care and education is encouraging them in the importance of good home care and how essential that is to overall health. In addition to her years of experience, she brings to our office a dedication to building trust and understanding patients’ needs. What she enjoys most about working at Bluffside Smiles is our great staff, particularly our helpfulness, teamwork, and commitment to our patients. When she isn’t in the office, Barb loves to golf and travel.
Dianne – Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Dianne, one of our talented dental hygienists, was born in Hawaii but grew up in Dubuque, Iowa. After graduating from high school, she made the decision to pursue her degree in Dental Hygiene because of her love of working with and caring for patients. In terms of her approach to dental care, she always prioritizes taking care of her patients’ needs, making sure they understand the importance of preventative care. In addition to her years of experience, she has enriched our practice with her ability to gain the trust of patients by helping them understand how to care for their teeth in a fun, loving manner. Some of the things she enjoys most about working at Bluffside Smiles is that her coworkers are wonderful to work with, and Dr. Giannelli is the best dentist she’s ever worked for. When she isn’t helping our patients, Dianne loves spending time with her family, including her husband, Bob; her two children, Ben and Michele; and her grandchild, Addie. Some of her favorite activities are playing pickleball and biking.
Amy – Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Amy joined our dental hygiene team in 2023 and became one of our full-time hygienists in the summer of 2024. Originally from Onalaska, she currently lives in West Salem. The reason she decided to enter into the dental hygiene profession was to help others: to improve patients’ oral health and overall quality of life. In term of her approach to dental care, Amy understands that prevention is most important. She brings to our team many years of experience and a commitment to providing personalized, responsive care to every patient. What she enjoys most about working at Bluffside Smiles is the fact that we have a high-tech, modern office with excellent coworkers.
Dental Assisting
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.
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.