Meet the Doctors
Joanne Oppenheim, D.D.S.
Dr. Joanne Oppenheim has been practicing pediatric dentistry since 1994. Dr. Oppenheim has donated many hours volunteering for children’s needs nationally and internationally. She has been on mission trips, involved with educating pediatricians, groups of parents, preschool and elementary students about dental health. She is involved with the Special Olympics, dentistry on mobile dental vans, school fairs, and class room education for teachers, caregivers and children. Dr. Oppenheim had fundraisers Dental Lifeline and Smile Train. As a delegate for the Illinois State Dental Society and with the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Oppenheim has lobbied in the state capital to help keep the funding for children’s needs.
Many pediatricians and lactation consultants refer new moms to Dr. Joanne when they are having difficulty with nursing their newborns.
Dr. Oppenheim lives in Chicago with her husband and children. She loves to fly the W when there is a Cub win!
Education and Specialty Training
- Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, 2010
- Received Specialty License in Pediatric Dentistry from the University of Illinois at Chicago, 1994
- Completed Residency in Pediatric Dentistry at University of Illinois at Chicago, 1992-1994
- Completed General Practice Residency at Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago, 1990-1991. Special focus on medically compromised patients and those suffering from trauma.
- Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from University of Illinois College of Dentistry, 1989
- Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois University, 1985
Hospital Affiliations
- Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Attending
Professional Associations
- Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics ‘Bright Smiles from Birth’ Program Lecturer, 2007-present
- Fellow, American College of Dentist, 2018
- Fellow, International College of Dentists, 2018
- Delegate, Chicago Dental Society 2017-present
- Communication committee, Chicago Dental Society 2018-present
- Dinner Chair, North Side Branch of CDS 2018
- Treasurer, North Side Branch of CDS 2019
- Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics Oral Health
- AAP, committee of school health, injury prevention.
- Chair, Senator Martinez Health Fair 2014-present
- Special Care Dentistry Association, 1994-present
- Past President, Illinois Society of Pediatric Dentists, 2000-2001
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Member in Good Standing, 1998-2008
- Fellow, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry1994-current
- Chicago Dental Society, Member in Good Standing, 1989-current
- Mentor to Dental and pre-dental Students, 2007-current
- American Dental Association, Member in Good Standing, 1989-current
- Secretary of Dental Life Line, Donated Dental Services 2014-present
In the News
- Oppenheim, Joanne R. “Stem Cells: How Baby Teeth Can Save Your Life,” Woman Dentists’ Journal, January 10, 2009.
Marilia Montero, D.D.S.
Dr Montero has been practicing Pediatric Dentistry since 2000. She lectures nationally and internationally on topics including early childhood caries and infant oral health. Dr. Montero is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, and lives in Chicago with her husband and three children.
Education and Special Training
- Fellow, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, 2006
- Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, 2006
- Completed a Fellowship in Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Illinois at Chicago, 2001
- Received Pediatric Dental Specialty License, 2000
- Completed Pediatric Residency at the University of Connecticut in Farmington, Connecticut, 1998-2000
- Completed General Practice Residency in General Dentistry at Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester, New York, 1997-1998
- Completed Residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry at Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, New York, 1995-1997
- Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Federal University of Ceara in Fortaleza, Brazil, 1992
Professional Associations
- Recipient, Distinguished Teaching Award by Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University and Ann and Robert Lurie Children's hospital of Chicago, Department of Pediatrics
- Recipient of UIC/Chicago Dental Society Foundation Grant, 2010
- Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics ‘Bright Smiles from Birth’ Program Lecturer, 2006
- Special Care Dentistry Association, Member in Good Standing, 2008-current
- Greater Chicago Chapter of Hispanic Dental Association, Member in Good Standing, 2006-current, and President for term running 2009-2010
- Illinois Society of Pediatric Dentists, Member in Good Standing, 2000-current, and Director for term running 2009-2011, President 2015
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Member in Good Standing, 1998-current
- Chicago Dental Society, Member in Good Standing, 2000-current
- Illinois State Dental Society, Member in Good Standing, 2000-current,
- American Dental Education Association, Member in Good Standing, 2006-current
- American Dental Association, Member in Good Standing, 1995-current
Hospital Affiliations
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Attending
In the News
- Montero, Marilia, presentation at the American Academy of Pediatrics, Illinois Chapter Annual Meeting, “Infant Oral Health: A Practical Guide to the Pediatrician,” January 2008.
- Montero, Marilia, “Bridging the Gap: Crest Smile Shoppe Brings Oral Care to the Underserved,” Chicago Dental Society Review Journal, December 2005.
Mary J. Hayes, D.D.S., M.S.
Dr. Hayes is a nationally recognized authority in pediatric dentistry, and has spoken all over the world to professional groups about pediatric dentistry and dental education. She has been the recipient of many professional honors, including in 2000 the Cushing Award from the Chicago Dental Society in honor of her trailblazing leadership in oral health education.
Education and Specialty Training
- Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, 1988
- Fellow, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, 1988
- M.S. and Post-graduate Residency and Certificate of Advanced Study in Pediatric Dentistry, University of Illinois, College of Dentistry, 1978
- Doctor of Dental Surgery from University of Illinois, College of Dentistry, 1976
- M.A., Medical Library Science, University of Chicago, Graduate Library School, 1974
- B.A., Magna Cum Laude with Distinction, Rosary College, River Forest , Illinois, 1970; Chemistry and French majors. Honors research at Argonne National Laboratory.
- Special interests include the prevention of dental disease as a means of achieving oral health; dental treatment of children with physical, mental, emotional and behavioral issues; the interface of dentistry and the law.
Hospital and Academic Appointments
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Attending
- Rush Medical Center and Hospital, Attending
- Member of the Clinical Team, Rush Hemophilia & Thrombophilia Center
- Rush Medical School, Department of Surgery, Division of Dentistry, General Practice Residency; Clinical Instructor, 1980-present
- University of Illinois College of Dentistry, Clinical Lecturer
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Adjunct Instructor, 2000-present
Professional Associations
- Vice President, Illinois Dental Lifeline Network, 2010-2011
- Secretary-Treasurer, College of Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, 2009-current. Served as President, 2007-2008
- Board Member, Chicago Dental Society Foundation, 2008–present
- Member of Illinois State Dental Board, 1990-1998. Served as Chairman, 1993-1994
- Active Volunteer of Tuesday’s Child, 1988-present
- Special Care Dentistry Association, Member in Good Standing, 1980-current
- Illinois Society of Pediatric Dentists, 1980-present; Liaison to American Academy of Pediatrics
- Chicago Dental Society, Communication Committee, 1995-present; Member in Good Standing, 1976-current; Mentor to Current Dental Students, 2007-current
- American Dental Association, Member in Good Standing, 1976-current
In the News
- 2009, Named as one of top 5 Pediatric Dentists by Chicago Consumers’ Checkbook (checkbook.org)
- Hayes, Mary J., “Infant Teeth and Oral Health: Facts Changing Myths”, Bright Smiles From Birth, Pediatric Oral Health News and Information, Fall 2008.
- Hayes, Mary J., “Are You Using Fluoride Varnish?” Woman Dentists’ E-Journal, March 6, 2008.
- http://www.dentistry.com/articles/Women_and_Smoking_A_Weighty_Issue.aspx
- Spokeswoman to the media for American Dental Association (since 1995), American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (since 1990) and Chicago Dental Society (since 2006).
- Dr. Hayes has provided numerous interviews for print, radio and television media including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Fox TV, CBS, NBC, WLIT-FM, B96/WBBM-FM, The Chicago Sun Times, Working Woman, Parents, Parenting.