Dr. Amy Gentner
Ever since writing a paper in eighth grade about how a dentist is a physician who specializes in the mouth, head, and neck before going to school, I have felt a calling to be a dentist. After graduating as valedictorian from Lapeer West High School in 1992, I went to Albion College (a small Christian liberal arts college). In 1996, I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology- Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa, Mortar Board, and Sigma Xi with Albion College Honors including Thesis. After school in high school and on breaks through college, I also worked as a dental assistant and lab tech in several offices in my hometown, confirming my interest in the field.
I then attended the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. During my time there, I earned the Delta Dental Scholarship, the Hubert Phillips Scholarship, the Lucille Conger Alumnae Group Scholarship for business women, and the James Rachor, DDS Scholarship. I was employed by the school to do dental lab work, and I worked for a professor, performing assisting and front end duties at her private practice. Upon graduating fifth in my class, I was voted by the faculty as the best general dentist of my class (Academy of General Dentist’s Award), and earned the Orthodontics Award, the Periodontics Award, and a position in the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honors Fraternity.
After dental school, I worked as an associate at Lapeer Dental Centre for 5 years before venturing out on my own. I bought the practice in St. Johns from Dr. Henry Burkhardt and practiced on State Street for 2 years. We have now been in St. Johns for 12 years and at our current location for 10 years.
Currently, I am an active member of the American Dental Association, Michigan Dental Association, Central District Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, Michigan Academy of General Dentistry, National Association of Professional Women, and the Christian Medical and Dental Association. I frequently speak to local classes and groups such as 4H about dentistry and dental care. We participate in Donated Dental Services and the MDA’s Mission of Mercy, and we donate dental supplies to many local charities. We love supporting our patients in the mission field.
My husband Kevin is the Business Manager for the office, and he does our facility management. We have a teenaged son, Jimmy, who is the joy of our lives. I am an avid scrapbooker, crafter, and reader, and I teach sword for Master Collins Sr Kendo. Kevin and I are active with Pilgrim United Methodist Church, the Lansing Area Emmaus Community, Keryx (prison ministry), karate (Professional Karate Schools of America), and PAPAs (missions serving Jamaica). We have now earned our Second Degree Black Belts in Tang Soo Do as a family, along with our 6th degree Samurai with their Kendo group.