“We are expressly committed to protecting the dental health of children. We treat healthy children as well as children and young adults with special needs. Our mission is to develop patients who are fearlessly passionate about oral health care.”
Our Vision
Every Tooth Counts Pediatric Dental Center is dedicated to moving the oral health of children to the forefront of health care by providing comprehensive care in a child friendly, customer service oriented environment that is technologically astute and surpasses the standard of care.
Studies conducted by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry have shown that children with poor oral health have decreased school performance, because of their inability to concentrate on schoolwork. According to a report issued by the US Surgeon General, the number one reason for visiting the school nurse is dental pain.
Dr. Perry believes that dental education should begin at a young age. She believes that in order to ensure life-long good oral health parents need to start early with educating children on the importance of oral health. Dr. Perry has incorporated an oral health program into her dentistry work to help motivate children to learn that every tooth counts. The program will make children more aware of their teeth and their purpose and how to keep them for a very long time.
Our Dentists
Dr. Carmella Barrett Perry, DDS
Dr. Carmella Barrett Perry is a graduate of Oberlin College and the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Dentistry. Dr. Perry practiced general dentistry for five years and then returned to UIC to complete specialized training in Pediatric Dentistry in 1992.
Dr. Perry taught Pediatric Dentistry at UIC for four years in addition to maintaining a private practice in Chicago upon completion of the specialty program. The private practice moved to its current Flossmoor location in 1996.
Dr. Perry specializes in treating the special dental health care needs of infants, children, and adolescents. She is a former state dental board examiner and an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, the Illinois State Dental Society, and the Lincoln Dental Society. Dr. Perry is a current member of the Prairie State Dental Hygiene Board. She also holds the following licenses and certifications: Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, State of Illinois Dental License, State of Illinois Sedation Permit, Diplomate, Northeast Regional Board, and State of Illinois Pediatric Dental License. Dr. Perry is committed to excellence in business standards. She recently completed the Chicago Urban League’s Next One Entrepreneurial Business Leadership program in conjunction with Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
Carmella Barrett Perry is a strong advocate of preventative care and adheres to the mantra of her practice where Every Tooth Counts.
Dr. Leslee Rutherford, DDS
Dr. Leslee Rutherford is a native of the South Suburbs of Chicago. She received her dental training at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Immediately following her general dentistry training, she went on to complete her Pediatric Dental Residency training at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she received her specialty certificate in 2006.
Dr. Rutherford then continued to work with UIC in a community health clinic, and holds an adjunct faculty appointment in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry (UIC). She has developed a passion and skill for treating very young and special needs patients. She has been working with Dr. Perry throughout her entire dental career.
Dr. Rutherford is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Illinois Society of Pediatric Dentists, and American Dental Association.
She currently lives in Chicago with her husband and 2 daughters.
Dr. Linisha Mills, DDS
Dr. Linisha Mills is a home town girl returned! Her early education was completed in the Homewood-Flossmoor School District and she completed her undergraduate studies at Truman State University in Kirksville, MO. Dr. Mills received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Howard University College of Dentistry in Washington, DC.
Dr. Mills completed a two year General Practice Residency Program at Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center in Bronx, NY where she served as Chief Resident her second year. She also completed an externship in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, working with a team to provide free dental services to adults and children in need.
Dr. Mills is affiliated with the following organizations: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Dr. Mills has a passion for working with children and for giving back to the community. Over the past five years, she has worked diligently with organizations to provide dental services for underprivileged children in Illinois, New York, Maryland, and Washington DC.
