Meet The Team in Manhattan, KS

Dr. Juliana Hall of Downtown Dental Group

Dr. Juliana Hall

Working at DDG since 2021 – From Sao Paulo, Brazil

Dr. Hall is from Sao Paulo, Brazil, and moved to the United States at the age of 14, where she resided in Dallas, TX. She received her bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Dallas and her dental degree from the Creighton School of Dentistry in Omaha, NE. After graduation, she married Omaha native John Hall and moved to Manhattan for John to attend Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Hall provided dental services at Salina Family Healthcare Center in Salina while John attended Veterinary School. Upon completion of his program, they moved to Woodbine, IA where Dr. Hall practiced with a general dentistry group. Dr. Hall offers patients caring dental services performed with the same degree of excellence you have come to expect from Downtown Dental Group.

Dr. Daniel M. Winter of Downtown Dental Group

Dr. Daniel M. Winter

Working at DDG since 1988- From Arvada, CO

Born and raised in Arvada, Colorado, Dr. Winter received his dental degree with honors from the University of Colorado. Dr. Winter completed a general practice residency at the Charity Hospital of New Orleans in conjunction with Louisiana State University School of Dentistry. He maintains active staff privileges at Mercy Regional Health Center. Additionally, he’s the founder and director of the Center for Dental Sleep Medicine in Manhattan, KS.

Dr. Winter has been awarded fellow status in The American Association of Hospital Dentists, The Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Dr. Winter is also a diplomat to the American Board of Forensic Odontology.

Kendra- team member at Downtown Dental Group

Kendra Metzger

Dental Hygienist

Working at DDG since 2008 – From Great Bend, KS

Kendra Metzger is a Dental Hygienist with 10 years of experience at Downtown Dental Group. After years of building relationships with patients, she looks forward to watching families grow and providing care for several multigenerational families.

She enjoys building relationships with her patients and has fond memories of a Christmas party murder mystery with her coworkers. Kendra was drawn to the healthcare profession in high school. Her family enjoys spending time at the library, zoo, Discovery Center, and skiing in the mountains and on the lake. Kendra has a sweet tooth and enjoys the nostalgia of local coffee shops and watching KU basketball.

Something Kendra would like her patients to know is that oral health is truly the gateway to an overall healthy body.

Michael - team member at Downtown Dental Group

Michael Gilliam

Dental Hygienist

Working at DDG since 2021 – From Council Grove, KS

Michael was drawn to healthcare from an early age when he discovered that dentistry was an excellent outlet to educate and serve others and improve their confidence by helping them achieve their perfect smile.

His favorite memory of the DDG Family is more of a daily occurrence. He loves that the team at DDG is committed to their patients, and provides them with the highest level of respect and care. When he isn’t working he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, they are his world. He also enjoys fishing, archery, golf, and carpentry. If you are trying to win Michael over, bring him an apple pie!

“I would like my patients to know that I get tremendous satisfaction interacting with them. I am always looking forward to seeing you again.”

Melissa Sears

Dental Hygienist

Working at DDG since 2022 – From Beattie, KS

Melissa was drawn to dentistry because she likes to work with her hands and complete detailed tasks, which makes her perfect for dental hygiene. She’s easy-going and down to earth.

Her favorite memory of the DDG Family was at the lake when the whole team got together. It gave her the chance to get to know her new coworkers and their families. When she isn’t at work she is flower gardening, taking photos of birds, and traveling! She loves spending time with her husband Philip, dog, Mortimer, and two cats, Schmidt and Gretchen Weiners. The best way to win her over is to tell her a story about a pet.

“It does not matter if it has been six months or 20 years since their last dental appointment because what matters is that they are here today. No judgment because no one is perfect!”

Jessica - team member at Downtown Dental Group

Jessica Vogelsberg

Dental Hygienist

Working at DDG since 2021 – From Kinsley, KS

After falling in love with dentistry in high school, Jessica developed a passion for creating a bond with her patients while getting to know their families better through proper oral healthcare.

Her favorite memory of the DDG Family is flying down Dr. Winter’s slide at the DDG family lake day! When she isn’t at work, she’s hanging out with her animals, riding 4-wheelers, fishing, or making crafts with her Cricut. The best way to win her over is through her dogs, or by telling her a funny story about dogs in general.

She wants her patients to know that their mouths are the gateway to their bodies, and their overall health needs to maintain good oral health.

Michaela- team member at Downtown Dental Group

Michaela Closson

Business Administration

Working at DDG since 2003 – From Elkhart, KS

Michaela loves her relationships with her patients. During her time at our practice, she has developed strong relationships with patients, many of whom are like family now.

She loves getting to know her coworkers and their families to build true and lasting friendships with each person. When she isn’t at work, she’s chasing after her son who is active in sports, which she loves to watch! Her parents retired in Manhattan, KS, so she also gets to see them all the time. If you want to win her over, bring her some chocolate or donuts!

“My patients are my sunshine! I love them to the moon and back!”

Niki - team member at Downtown Dental Group

Niki Modean

Business Administrator

Working at DDG since 2016 – From Nebraska

Niki Modean, the Insurance Coordinator with Downtown Dental Group, was drawn to working in dentistry after being a patient at the practice for many years. Once given the opportunity to work in the front office, she found her perfect place. Her favorite memory at DDG was the Christmas party bus ride. Ask her about it the next time you’re in the office. Something you might not know about Niki is that she and her husband have built– not subcontracted– multiple homes for themselves. When Niki isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her family and pets and completing projects around the house. Something Niki wants patients to know is at the Downtown Dental Group, we treat our patients like family!

If you want to win her over, bring in donuts or cheesecake!

Sarah Bessmer

Business Administrator

Working at DDG since 2021 – From Sandhills of Nebraska

Sarah has worked with oral surgeons for the past 10 years, so working with us is a great next step!

She is new to the team but loves the “family” atmosphere with both her co-workers and her patients. We call this the DDG Family effect! When she isn’t at work, she loves spending time with her husband and kids, who are all grown. She has one delightful grandson, whom she tries to see as often as possible. She also loves being outside and walking my dogs. She’s easy to win over, as she just needs a smile and a kind word!

“I am happy to help in any way I can…just ask!”

Tracy - team member at Downtown Dental Group

Tracy Akin

Dental Assistant

Working at DDG since 2019 – From Henderson, Kentucky

Tracy always wanted to help make people smile, so dentistry was the obvious career choice!

Her favorite DDG memory is when she lost her pants in the OR, which is a long story and you should ask her about it next time you see her! When she isn’t at work she is hanging out with her family of three boys and hubs or with her friends either camping, fishing, or shopping. The best way to win her over is to make her laugh!

“Nobody cries in my presence alone”

Ana Salazar

Dental Assistant

Working at DDG since 2023 – From Mexico

Ana is from Mexico and was drawn to working in dentistry because she loves helping people achieve beautiful smiles. Her favorite memory at Downtown Dental Group is the Christmas party. When Ana is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family and her two dogs, Chewy and Poppy. To win Ana over, making her laugh and offering good food is the best approach. Ana wants her patients to know that everyone is welcome and their feelings matter in the dental chair at DDG.

Maria Massett

Dental Assistant

Working at DDG since 2023 – From Syracuse, NY

Maria was drawn to dentistry due to her passion for helping people feel confident in their smiles, as well as her love for learning and staying busy. Her favorite memory at DDG was the time she and fellow dental assistant Briana had to run the office while everyone else was on break in Mexico.

Outside of work, Maria enjoys cooking, playing volleyball, and spending time with friends. If you want to win her over, music and sushi are the best ways to do it. She wants her patients to know that they’re in good hands at Downtown Dental Group.

Briana Sack

Dental Assistant

Working at DDG since 2022 – From St. Mary’s, KS

Briana discovered her passion for dentistry and enjoys seeing patients leave with a smile. Originally from St. Mary’s, Kansas, Briana was drawn to the field of dentistry because of her lifelong desire to work in healthcare.

One of Briana’s favorite memories at DDG is spending a week with one of the other assistants, holding down the office together, and learning so much while having many laughs. When she’s not at work, Briana likes to spend time with her friends and family, going to the lake or on trips.

To win Briana over, snacks are always the way to go. And one thing she wants her patients to know is that they are more than just patients – they are family to her.

Sophia Rethman

Shadowing Doctor Candidate at K State

Working at DDG since 2022 – From Emporia, KS

Sophia thinks the first thing people see when they look at you is your smile, and a healthy smile adds confidence. So she wants to help your smile shine a little brighter!

Her favorite memory of the DDG Family is when a coworker told her about a funny work experience. We love to laugh here at DDG. She’s a student at K-State who helps us keep the practice running smoothly. So when she isn’t at the office, she’s studying to get into dental school one day. She loves chocolate, so don’t forget to bring some in the next time you come to see us.

She wants her patients to know she can’t whistle!

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