Lydia DeJonge, DDS, MS, MPH

I grew up in the Grand Rapids/West Michigan area and love being able to take care of kids’ smiles right here in my community. I joined Little Red earlier this year and feel so lucky to be part of such a compassionate, all-female team.

I decided to become a pediatric dentist because I’ve always loved working with kids and I enjoy the fast-paced, fun environment that comes with it! As a child, I had many cavities myself, but my dentist made every visit a positive one—I hope to be that same kind of dentist for my patients.

My education took me from Grand Rapids Christian High School to Calvin University, then to the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, where I graduated with honors. From there, I completed a 3-year pediatric dental residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago. During that time, I earned two master’s degrees (in Oral Health and in Public Health/Health Policy), published research, and trained extensively in caring for children of all ages and needs, including those with special healthcare or sensory needs. I also became board-certified in pediatric dentistry, something not all pediatric dentists pursue.

Some of my professional interests include working with children with cleft lip and palate, supporting families who speak English as a second language, and advancing children’s oral health policy. I’m also SOLEA-certified, which allows me to provide comfortable, gentle dental care using laser dentistry.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing pickleball, riding my bike, and spending time with my husband. I also love playing flute, reading (I’m in three book clubs!), and heading to the beach after work. A fun fact about me is that I speak some Spanish, which I’ve learned through both mission trips to Guatemala and working with Spanish-speaking families in Chicago.

What I love most about Little Red is the way our team truly supports each other while doing everything we can to make families feel comfortable and cared for.

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