Dental Clinic Staff
Dr. Mike, Betsey, Zaira, Jeremy, Chantell, Inessa, Jean Paul, Kathy
Mike Tadin, D.D.S., Dentist
Dr. Tadin did his undergraduate training at Loyola University in Chicago and graduated dental school at Northwestern University, also in Chicago. After a short stint in private practice in the Chicago area he changed course to provide dental care to underserved populations in the United States. He spent time with Indian Health Services in Arizona and acted as the Director of Community Health Programs at the University of Southern California. He then came back to the Chicago area where he worked the last 6 years as Associate Director of Chicago Health Outreach, Division of Homeless and HIV Clinics. He joined Milestone in June of 2009. He has also recently completed sedation training at Duquesne University in Pittsburg. Dr. Mike, as he has his patients call him, has a heartfelt passion for serving individuals with the greatest needs.
Roopa Purushothaman, Board Certified Pediatric DDS
Dr. Roopa, as she prefers to be called, is a pediatric dentist who has a special interest in treating special needs children. She completed her DDS Degree in Sydney, Australia and her Pediatric Residency at the University of Washington. She is currently completing a PhD in Biology, also at the University of Washington. She will also see some adults while at Milestone. When not in Seattle, she joins her new husband in Rockford, who is an internal medicine doctor at Crusader Clinic.
Inessa Tom, Hygienist
Inessa moved to the United States from Russia in 1999 when she married. She was a dentist in Novosibirsk, Russia before moving to the US. She joined Milestone Dental Clinic in July of 2003 after graduating from Lake County Community College's Dental Hygiene in May of the same year. She says she enjoys the diversity of the patients and finds that her job is never boring. In her spare time she enjoys travel, reading and cooking. She collects paperweights and volunteers at her local food pantry.
Jeremy Peterson, Hygienist
Jeremy is a graduate of the Rock Valley Dental Hygiene Program. He has worked at the Milestone Dental Clinic for three years. In his spare time Jeremy enjoys running.
Kathy Olson, Registered Dental Hygienist, Dental Clinic Administrator
Kathy Olson has worked with the developmentally disabled population for about 25 years. She is the creator and Clinic Administrator of the Milestone Dental Clinic that serves exclusively individuals with developmental disabilities. The clinic is currently in it’s tenth year and is thriving as a “Model that Works”, serving about 4000 patients.
Kathy has been a board member and president of the Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities (ADPD) for over 20 years and is currently a member of the (Special Care Dentistry Association) SCDA board. She has also served as one of the two hygiene representatives to the Illinois State Dental Society, House of Delegates. She was instrumental in passage of General Supervision for Dental Hygienists to improve access to care for underserved populations. In addition to her time spent at the clinic she works for legislative changes at both a State and National level to improve access to dental care for special needs patients. She recently was awarded the Harold Berk Award by the Pulpdent Corporation for leadership and contributions to advancements in oral health care for patients with disabilities and the Dr. Scott Erickson Memorial Caring Award by the Winnebago County Dental Society.
Expanded Function Dental Assistants
Betsey Bergstrom
Zaira Sanchez (bilingual)
Jean Paul DuFek
Brenda Ruiz (bilingual)
Chantell Wade, in addition Chantell is also the benefits and insurance coordinator.