About Us
Smiles on Wheels is a non-profit mobile hygiene program comprised of Registered Dental Hygienists and coordinators, operating under Public Act 161 of 2005. The program is focused on providing preventive oral health care services in schools, and other nontraditional settings. In 2006, three hygienists had a vision to bring oral health care to those in underserved populations. Services include; dental cleanings, dental assessments, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, and oral health education.
In the first year of implementation, Smiles on Wheels served 334 children. To date, Smiles on Wheels has surpassed the mark of serving over 30,000 children in need. Currently, Smiles on Wheels services over 150 schools across Michigan, with 100 in the Lower Peninsula.
Smiles on Wheels partnered with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in 2007, under the SEAL Michigan Program. The objective of this collaboration was to bring preventive dental sealants to children, in their school setting, to reduce the occurrence of dental decay. Schools qualifying for the SEAL Michigan Program must have 50% or greater participation in the Free and Reduced Lunch Program, or they must be located in a dental health professional shortage area. The current grant program covers children in all grades K-12. As a courtesy, Smiles on Wheels serves all children in the elementary and middle school settings. Smiles on Wheels also has a clinic located at the Jackson County Health Department, where children who were absent from school can come to receive their dental sealants.
The Smiles on Wheels staff work diligently to establish a working relationship with local dental offices and clinics so that children will have the best chance of placement in a dental home. If a child is seen in the sealant program, and is in an emergency situation, Smiles on Wheels will follow-up with parents and school staff until that child has received care and is out of pain.
Smiles on Wheels has placed approximately 85,000 sealants on children in Michigan in efforts to prevent tooth decay. Throughout the years, Smiles on Wheels has grown and refined its school-based sealant program, and at the same time has earned the trust of parents, school staff, and all those they serve.
Smiles on Wheels Mission Statement: To improve the public’s total health, thereby increasing the awareness of and ensuring access to quality oral health care.
Vision Statement: To serve those in need.
Staff Bios
Kim Crabtree, RDH
Executive Director
Kim Crabtree is a co-founder and director of Smiles on Wheels. In 2006, Smiles on Wheels was established to help provide access to dental hygiene care in non-traditional settings. Kim graduated from the dental hygiene program at Lansing Community College and has 25+ years of experience.
- Kim has certification in Expanded Duties for the Dental Assistant- Washtenaw Community College,
- Local Anesthesia- Lansing Community College,
- and Nitrous Oxide Administration- Ferris State University.
Kim is a member of the Michigan Dental Hygiene Association and with her local South Central Dental Hygiene Society. Kim enjoys lake living and activities with her husband and son on Big Wolf Lake, in Jackson, Michigan.
Jan Lehman
Coordinator
Jan is a Jackson native, growing up, and coaching cross country and track in the Northwest School District.
Jan and her late husband Kerry raised and have 3 adult children.
Jan joined Smiles on Wheels as a coordinator in 2011. She loves and believes in what Smiles on Wheels does for people of all ages in the communities we serve.
Jan has 2 dogs of her own and 4 grand dogs, and recently welcomed a beautiful new grandbaby to the family.
Allison Hayward
Coordinator
Allison joined smiles in 2021 after looking for a career change.
Allison enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, and their two dogs Sadie and Mabel.
Missy Warren, RDH
Registered Dental Hygienist
Missy has been practicing dental hygiene since 1994. A graduate of Kellogg Community College, Missy also works in private practice. She joined the Smiles On Wheels team in 2013. Missy is a member of the American Dental Hygienists Association and loves working with patients of all ages. She is especially proud of the work she has done with Smiles On Wheels, helping hundreds of school children receive their dental sealants.
In her spare time Missy and her husband Matt enjoy fishing, their two chocolate labs, and being grandparents.
Kristi Sutton, RDH
Registered Dental Hygienist
Kristi graduated from Kalamazoo Valley Community College in 1995 with a degree in Applied Science-Dental Hygiene.
She has been working with Smiles on Wheels since 2019 and loves it!
She has one husband, one daughter, one dog, and two goldfish.
Alexis Futrell, RDH
Registered Dental Hygienist
Alexis, a dedicated hygienist spent five years in private practice before joining the Smiles on Wheels team in 2023.
Her passion for dental hygiene began during high school when she committed two years to the Jackson Area Career Center. After graduating, she pursued her academic prerequisites at Jackson College and earned her hygiene degree from Kellogg Community College.
Beyond her professional life, Alexis finds joy in her role as a wife and mother of two wonderful children. She loves exploring new destinations but Traverse City has her heart in her home state.
Kim Sperry
Office Manager
Kim joined Smiles on Wheels in 2011 as the Office Manager. Kim has several years experience in organization and management positions. She enjoys working in the Public Health Field with the senior population, kids, and underserved.
Kim is originally from the Jonesville area and now enjoys Lake living in Grass Lake with her husband.
Kim is a member of Crusades for Christ Ministries in Grass Lake. She enjoys Michigan adventures and spending quality time in the Great Up North with her close family.
Kim and her husband have a daughter, son-in-law and 2 grandchildren that they love to spoil as well as a very special fur baby, Benny.
Linda VanWagoner
Coordinator
Hello! Hope when you are reading this that all is well with you! Be glad for today!
Linda and her husband have been married for 36+ years. They have 3 grown children and many grandchildren between Michigan and North Dakota.
Love of dogs runs deep, as well as a love of sports and outdoor walks.
Make someone smile today - it will make you feel great!
Theresa Meyer
Coordinator
Theresa joined Smiles on Wheels in November of 2020.
Theresa as an extensive back ground in the dental field, specifically orthodontics.
She and her husband, Jim, have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
In her spare time, Theresa enjoys gardening, caring for her farm animals, and spending time with her fur baby Reese.
Kaci Howard, RDH
Registered Dental Hygienist
Kaci has been a Registered Dental Hygienist since 2006. She graduated Summa Cume Laude from Lansing Community College, is certified in local anesthesia and nitrous oxide. She served as Class President and is also a member of the American Dental Hygiene Association.
She transitioned from clinical practice to public health when she joined Smiles on Wheels in June, 2021. Public Health has been a very rewarding career change, she enjoys serving the Jackson community.
Kaci and her husband, Brian enjoy Michigan sports and everything lake life has to offer. They enjoy spending time at Purdue University and Western Michigan University with their two grown daughters. In her free time she enjoys hosting get-togethers with friends and family, cooking, gardening, traveling and spoiling her two dogs, Rocky and Remi.
Jenna Sheets, RDH
Registered Dental Hygienist
Jenna bio coming soon .....
Lisa Taylor
Office Administrator
Lisa has been in the dental field since 2006. A native of Canada, Lisa graduated with her Associates in Early Childhood Education at St. Clair College and later completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Management from Spring Arbor University. Lisa is a previous member of the American Association of Dental Office Managers. Lisa joined Smiles on Wheels officially in 2013 and enjoys working in the public health arena as an advocate for children and the underserved population.
Lisa and her husband, Larry, are supporters of small business in Jackson and relish in giving back to their community.
They also enjoy hosting weekend BBQ’s with friends and family and supporting their 3 children and 5 grandchildren in their extracurricular activities. They have 2 fur babies that they spend their days with Tucker and Daisy Doodle.
Melanie Farmer
Coordinator
Melanie is a graduate of Napoleon High School. She joined Smiles on Wheels in 2022.
Melanie loves to travel and explore new places with her boyfriend and their two children.
In her free time, Melanie enjoys spending time outdoors, gardening, reading, and crafting.
Ashleigh Lane, RDH
Registered Dental Hygienist
Ashleigh joined Smiles on Wheels in 2015. She graduated dental hygiene school from Lansing Community College in 2011.
Ashleigh prefers working in the public health side of dental hygiene and enjoys being an advocate for those in need.
Ashleigh and her husband Andy, have a son and daughter at home as well as a miniature dachshund named Cooper. Ashleigh enjoys crafting, traveling, and spending time with family and friends in her free time.
Terra Wiseley, RDH
Registered Dental Hygienist
Hello, my name is Terra and I have been a dental hygienist since 1997.
I am originally from Jonesville. I attended the University of Michigan for my degree in dental hygiene.
I enjoy spending time with my husband and our 3 grown children.
We have had 6 foreign exchange students over the years and love keeping in touch with them.
In my free time I can be found reading, hiking, travelling, volunteering at my church youth group, and watching UofM athletics. Go Blue!!
Kelsey Thompson, RDH
Registered Dental Hygienist
Kelsey has been a registered dental hygienist since 2016 when she graduated from Kellogg Community College. After 7 years in private practice she decided to dedicate her skills to public health and has a passion for working with children. She joined the Smiles on Wheels team in 2023.
Outside of work Kelsey and her husband enjoy spending time with their daughter. Together they enjoy camping, fishing, and spending time with friends and family. Kelsey also likes reading and listening to music.
Upper Penninsula Teams
Maria Arnold
Coordinator
Maria joined Smiles on Wheels in 2013. She takes great pleasure in working with the schools and children served by Smiles on Wheels.
Maria and her husband enjoy camping, fishing, traveling, and golfing - all the splendors of living in the beautiful Upper Peninsula!
Kailee Nisonger, RDH
Registered Dental Hygienist
Kailee joined Smiles On Wheels in January of 2020. She earned a bachelors degree in Dental Hygiene from Ferris State University in 2015. Her passion is working with children, and she loves being able to provide services across the UP.
Kailee enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons, and her golden doodle. They love doing outdoor activities in all the Michigan seasons.
Diversity and Cultural Competency
Smiles on Wheels prides itself on being an organization that is sensitive to, and aware of, the need for improving quality of care to diverse populations. Our employees have completed the Cultural Competency Program for Oral Health Providers. The program is intended to support the delivery of culturally and linguistically competent services and the implementation of the National CLAS Standards. Our learning is ongoing and important to the integrity of our program.
Traci Lenten, RDH
Registered Dental Hygienist
Traci graduated from Apollo College in Boise Idaho with an Associate's Degree in Dental Hygiene. She is licensed in Nitrous Oxide as well as Local Anesthesia administration. Prior to dental hygiene she worked as a dental assistant for four years in Bozeman, MT. She has been working in the dental field for 17 years. After nearly ten years of working in private practice she made the transition to working in public health. Traci has three children of her own and is very happy to be working for an organization that is making a positive impact on the health of children in the community.
She enjoys spending time with her husband and three boys. They love to go to camp where they spend time fishing, swimming, boating, hunting and being outdoors.
All of our employees are trained annually on infection control and HIPAA.
Chloe Deno
Coordinator
Chloe joined Smiles on Wheels in 2023 as coordinator for the UP Teams.
Chloe went to Kaplan University in Vista, CA where to graduated in 2015 as a Certified Dental Assistant. Over the years she has worked in private practice.
Chloe resides in Gladstone, MI with her significant other Ryan. Together they have four kids and two dogs. Chloe enjoys being with her family, boating, and enjoying everything the Upper Peninsula has to offer.
All of our employees are screened and checked through IdentoGo. Their primary service is the secure capture and transmission of electronic fingerprints for employment, certification, licensing and other verification purposes.