At Wausau Smiles, everything we do centers on meeting your individual dental needs. We will always work to educate you on the concerns we see, explain every option available for addressing these issues, and help you to make a thoroughly informed decision as to treatment planning. We will never pressure you into a service. We believe that dentistry should be pain free, regardless of the procedure, and our gentle practices ensure just that. Whether youre a new patient or have been visiting us for years, we treat you like family, with the personalized, attentive care that we would expect for ourselves and our own families. We know that transformed smiles transform lives.

Dr. Aaron Bushong completed his dental education at Marquette University, where he graduated with honors and received recognition for excellence in clinical restorative dentistry. Since graduating, Dr. Bushong has remained committed to providing the highest level of care and keeping up with the latest in dental technology. As a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, he regularly attends continuing education courses focusing primarily on cosmetic dentistry, full mouth reconstruction, CAD/CAM (CEREC) technology, and implantology, as well as endodontics, oral surgery, and Invisalign/short-term orthodontics.

Raised here in Wausau, Dr. Welles graduated from Wausau East High School and continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He graduated summa cum laude with a degree in biology. Staying true to his Wisconsin roots, Dr. Welles completed his dental education at Marquette University School of Dentistry. Serving four years as class president, he graduated summa cum laude with his DDS degree in 2015. He was awarded a four-year scholarship from the National Health Service Corps and completed his service in Madison, Wisconsin. Growing up as the son of a nurse, Dr. Welles was drawn to healthcare and dentistry, specifically, due to its unique combination of medicine and patient care. The ability to establish long-term relationships with people across generations is truly something he values. Dr. Welles enjoys working with his patients to help turn their dream smile into reality.

Dr. Lina Nguyen was born and raised in Garden Grove, California. After graduating from high school there, she went on to attend California State University-Long Beach, where she majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry and graduated Cum Laude. She then attended dental school and earned her DDS at the University of Iowa. From an early age, Dr. Lina wanted to choose a profession that would allow her to help people, especially in underserved communities. Wanting to give back to her community, coupled with her need for a hands-on profession, led her to dentistry. First and foremost, Dr. Lina believes in treating every patient with dignity, respect, and empathy, as if they were her own family. She believes in providing personalized care and is firmly opposed to a one-treatment-plan-fits-all approach or the over-treatment of patients. A quote from one of her mentors, The mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body, sticks with her to this day and summarizes her belief in a holistic approach to dentistry.

Dr. Eric Umhoefer is originally from Neenah, Wisconsin. After graduating from Neenah High School, he went on to graduate Magna Cum Laude from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Certificate of Excellence in Stem Cell Sciences. He then followed this by earning his DDS from Marquette University School of Dentistry. Dr. Eric always knew he wanted to do something to help people in the healthcare field, as his mother was a nurse and his father was an emergency room doctor. After shadowing his dad in the hospital, Dr. Eric appreciated the opportunity for providers to fix acute problems to help patients feel better, but it seemed to lack the opportunity to get to know and form long-lasting relationships with patients. He enjoys that dentistry allows him to form that close, long-term relationship he hoped for, as well as the chance to utilize his hands and to problem solve. Dr. Eric believes in building mutual trust, respect, communication, and understanding to properly treat patients with attentive and compassionate care.

Jackie has been with our team since October 2014. She works hard to help her patients, and loves being involved with delivering excellent care and being part of the Wausau, Wisconsin, community. Jackie takes pride in where she works and the care we give our patients, and strives to make each experience enjoyable, including making our patients feel like friends.

Ian has worked with Wausau Smiles as a marketing consultant since September of 2017. A year later, he became the newest member of our administrative team. Ians background is in the fields of English education, editing and web marketing. He enjoys the diversity of tasks he handles in his role, as well as the chance to highlight the great dental care that Dr. Aaron, Dr. Andrew, Dr. Lina, Dr. Eric, and the rest of our staff provide our patients every day. Getting the chance to meet patients and tell their stories through photo and video is one of his favorite things about working here.

When hes not in the office, Ian loves spending time with his family his wife, Andie; their three children, Laurel, Juniper, and Asher; and their dog, Lucy whether its watching a good movie, cooking something new, or spending time in the beautiful woods around their home.

Tammy is a native of Elderon and has been practicing hygiene since graduating from the NTC Dental Hygiene Program in 1996. Her love of dental hygiene fuels her desire to provide an important service to our patients. She enjoys the opportunity to help our patients understand why complete oral care is so beneficial to their overall health. Tammy recently stepped into an administrative role overseeing all of insurance of accounts receivable.

In her spare time, if there is such a thing, Tammy spends time trying to keep up with her husband Duane and their three boys, Braxton, Stetson, and Pierson. She also loves photography and capturing lifes moments.

Jessica joined our team in 2003. She loves our patients, some of whom she has known for many years and who are like family to her. With so many years of experience in dentistry, Jessica has been flexible throughout the office, working in both customer service as well as with the dentist. She most recently moved into an administrative role as our office manager.

Jessica has been married for many years and has two wonderful children. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, hiking, camping, and spending time at their cabin. She also enjoys reading and relaxing with her family at home.

Eryn is one of the newest members of our team, joining Wausau Smiles in the fall of 2018. Shepreviously studied accounting before finding her way into the dental field. She loves the familyfeel of our practice, both in relation to her coworkers as well as our patients. From her very first day,Eryn has made our office a better place through her caring interactions with patients andher skillful coordination of referrals to outside specialists.

Outside of work, Eryn loves spending time with friends and family, especially her husband,Steve, and their two boys, Camden and Jaxon. Some of her favorite activities to take part inwith her family are hunting, fishing and playing video games.

Sammy is originally from Stratford, Wisconsin. After graduating from Stratford High School, she began pursuing a degree in biological sciences from ASU online, with the goal of eventually attending dental school. She joined the Wausau Smiles team in May of 2019, and she has had an immediate positive impact. Sammy was drawn to the dental field because she wanted the chance to help patients have healthier smiles and feel more confident about them. Her favorite thing about being part of our office is the caring, family-like environment.

Brittany joined our Wausau Smiles team in summer of 2020. She was born and raised in California. She graduated from high school there, and she earned her Dental Assisting certificate two years later. What initially drew her to the field of dentistry was her interest in the anatomy of teeth, and she later loved watching patients smile transformations. Since joining our team, Brittany has made an immediate impact through her warm, welcoming attitude and contagious positivity. What she enjoys most about our office is the welcoming atmosphere and the amazing skill of our doctors and staff.

When shes not working, Brittany loves camping, hiking, snowboarding, exercising, and being a mom. She married her high school sweetheart, and the two of them have a young daughter, Brooke, who is the light of their lives.

Marsha became a member of the Wausau Smiles administrative staff in the fall of 2020. A native of Wausau, she had previously worked as a dental assistant and in customer service roles. She brings to our office over 18 years of dental experience, a welcoming disposition, and wonderful interpersonal skills. Marsha enjoys helping patients and being a part of a Wausau Smiles team that is dedicated to delivering the highest quality patient-centered care.

Outside of work, Marsha loves spending time with her family. She and her husband, Kevin, met while in high school in the Wausau area and have two children, Kyle and Molly. Marsha enjoys watching her kids sporting events, camping, and fishing. She also loves family vacations to the beaches of Alabama and Florida.

Whitney joined our Wausau Smiles administrative team in the summer of 2021. Originally from Merrill, Wisconsin, she graduated with her degree in General Studies and Dental Assisting from Northcentral Technical College. She originally went to college for nursing, but Whitney was drawn to the dental field because it had a faster track to graduation and afforded better regulated hours to best support her family. She appreciates how dental care affects overall health, and she believes in treatment planning to address a patients whole life. Since joining our staff, Whitney has had a very positive impact, bringing high energy, eight years of dental experience, and over 20 years of customer service. Shes very knowledgeable in dental insurance and office operations. She is very passionate about taking care of patients and doing the right thing for the right reasons. She is excited to be a part of a team that offers the highest quality dental services.

Outside of the office, Whitney loves to spend time with friends and family, especially her two boys, Dominic and Noah. She enjoys being her kids loudest cheerleader. When theyre not at one of their sporting events, they like to travel, go to concerts, and have new adventures. Some other interesting things about Whitney: she officiates weddings, DJs, and dresses up like Disneys Elsa for birthday parties and events.

Brittany Jo became a member of our administrative team in the spring of 2022. She was born and raised in Birnamwood, Wisconsin. After graduating from high school, she went to weekend Dental Assisting school, and she is currently enrolled in a college Business Operations program with a graduation date of 2023. After completing her dental assistant certificate, she knew that she wanted to work in the field of dentistry but not necessarily in the chair. When it comes to her approach to dental care, Brittany Jo always focuses on making patients feel comfortable and happy with their smiles. Some of the great attributes and skills she brings to our Wausau Smiles team are 15 years of customer service, a positive attitude, and a drive for the best patient experience. What she enjoys most about being part of our team is the wonderful family feeling, along with our primary focus on patients and their overall experience.

When she isnt at work, Brittany Jo loves spending time with her husband and their two little boys. Some of her favorite activities and hobbies include camping, hiking, ATV/dirk bike riding, and vacationing all over the United States. She has a real love for animals, and their family has a large mastiff mix that she feels is the best family dog.

Katie has been with our team since 2006, making her one of the most experienced staff members. Katie received her training at NTC, and she absolutely loves her patients! Over the years she has gotten to know many of her patients very well, and she firmly believes that Wausau Smiles has the best patients around.

Jen was born and raised in Wausau. She attended NTC, graduating in 2001, and has worked at Wausau Smiles since 2015. She works hard to help our patients feel comfortable while at our office so that they can have a thorough cleaning as well as a great experience. She loves that we are a fun dental office and work hard to provide the best comfort and care possible to our patients.

Jenny is a 1994 graduate of Northcentral Technical College, and recently received her certification in nitrous oxide. She is also trained in the use of Diode lasers for periodontal treatments. She joined our team in 2017. She enjoys the overall feel of our office and the teamwork of everyone who works here. She is proud to be part of such a professional and friendly environment. Jenny always strives to be kind and compassionate, treating her patients as she would hope that she and her family are treated.

Jenny grew up in the Wausau area, and recently returned here from Atlanta after 20 years. She is excited to be back! Jenny has one son; outside of work she enjoys spending time with him and the rest of her family and friends, as well as being outdoors.

Originally from the Detroit area, Kristin moved to Wausau at a young age and graduated from Wausau West High School. She earned her associates degree in general education at UW-Stevens Point. She then went on to graduate and receive her license in dental hygiene and administering local anesthetic from NTC in 2009. What originally drew her to the dental field is her love of working with people and love of everything to do with hygiene. In September of 2017, Kristin joined our Wausau Smiles team and made an immediate positive impact. She loves that our staff has great teamwork and always helps one another to make sure patients get the best care possible. She loves her job, her coworkers, being able to treat people like family, and knowing at the end of the work day that people are being treated the way they should be.

Outside of work, Kristin loves spending time with her husband of over ten years, Gavin, and their three young children, Madilyn, Lauryn, and Ethan. Some of her favorite activities include cooking, spin classes, and art projects with her kids. Kristin loves being active outdoors.

Melissa grew up in the Milwaukee area and attended UW-Milwaukee for her general studies before enrolling in Waukesha County Technical College to study dental hygiene. She graduated from WCTC in 2006. After working in other areas, she joined the Wausau Smiles team as a registered dental hygienist in March of 2017. Melissa enjoys working with patients of all ages and backgrounds, though she has a special fondness for working with children. Some of the things she enjoys most about Wausau Smiles are the camaraderie among the staff and everyones commitment to excellent patient care.

Melissa and her husband have four boys. The seventh member of their immediate family is their dog, Ollie. When Melissa isnt at work, she enjoys a number of hobbies, including running, gardening, working out and watching her kids sports.

Samantha began in the healthcare field as a nursing assistant. The last three of her 10 years in that field, she went to Northcentral Technical College for her degree in dental hygiene. She graduated in 2015 and went on to become certified in administering nitrous oxide and local anesthetic. Samantha got into the dental field because she loves patient care and educating people, and she loves learning new things. She feels a smile is the first thing people see, and she wants her patients to love their smiles. Along with her passion for patients and dental hygiene, Samantha brings to the office great organizational, communication, and collaborative skills.

Outside of the office, Samantha loves spending time with her family, including her amazing boyfriend, their young son, and their golden doodle who does everything with them. Some of the activities she enjoys most are traveling, hiking, mountain biking, watching Netflix, and taking inher sons sports.

Hilary is originally from Merrill, Wisconsin. She began college at UW-Eau Claire with the intention of entering the nursing field. But while working as a CNA, she decided it wasnt for her. She took some dental assisting courses that really made her fall in love with the dental field and graduated from Northcentral Technical College with her degree in dental hygiene. Hilary temped in our office several times in 2019 and officially joined our staff in the fall of 2020. Hilary brings great teamwork and a welcoming disposition to Wausau Smiles. Some of the things she enjoys most about our office are our friendly, caring team and the great atmosphere we provide both patients and staff.

When shes not working, Hilary loves spending time with her husband, their son and daughter, and their enormous dog. She also enjoys being outdoors in all the beauty this area has to offer, as well as cooking.

Nicki grew up in the Antigo, Wisconsin, area. After high school, she became a dental assistant and quickly became passionate about dentistry, which inspired her to further her education. Nicki went on to graduate with her dental hygiene degree from Northcentral Technical College. After over 15 years of practicing hygiene, she joined our Wausau Smiles team in the fall of 2020. Her gentle yet thorough approach to hygiene have had an immediate positive impact on our office, as have her understanding and friendly nature. Apart from the great care we provide, Nicki really appreciates the welcoming atmosphere and teamwork.

When she isnt in the office, Nicki loves spending time with husband and son. She also enjoys being outdoors and baking up a storm in the kitchen. Some interesting facts: Nicki has completed two half-marathons and multiple Dirty Girl mud runs.

Jen Jen joined our hygiene team in the summer of 2021. Originally from Waukesha, Wisconsin, she earned her associate degree in Dental Hygiene from Waukesha County Technical College, her bachelors degree in Organizational Leadership from Carroll University, and her masters degree in Adult, Continuing, Higher Education & Administration from UW-Milwaukee. Jen Jen was drawn to the dental field because both of her parents lost their teeth at a young age, and she became interested in oral health and helping them. Her philosophy of care has always been to listen more and talk less when it comes to patients needs. She believes that every dental decision is centered around those needs, and she is passionate about education on oral health and disease prevention. The fact that she has worked in multiple positions in the dental field is a huge benefit to our office, as it helps her to better understand, respect, and help her teammates. What she loves about working at Wausau Smiles are the fact that our doctors believe in prevention and are avid educators and that our staff is a true team, with everyone working together in the best interest of patients.

Outside of work, Jen Jen enjoys spending time with her Chihuahua, Nala Bear. Shes new to the area, so shes taken up a number of new hobbies, including fishing and wandering the town. She also loves to travel: one of her favorites was a solo trip to Asia for a month, which she describes as an eat, pray, love adventure.

Brianna joined our team in May of 2018. Shes worked in the dental field for a number of years and is excited to be serving our wonderful Wausau Smiles patients here in our new facility. Her favorite part about being a dental assistant is getting to know her patients and coworkers, and she trusts that her attentive care will make this practice a better place for everyone.

Katie is originally from the Wausau area and received her dental assisting training here before joining our team in 2017. She moved away for a short time, but were thrilled that she returned to work in our office in 2019. Katie brings experience, skill, and a warm and welcoming personality to our staff. She loves watching and being part of our patients smile transformations, including seeing how much these procedures can change their day-to-day lives. Katie always goes the extra mile to make sure her patients experiences in our office go from good to great!

When shes not at work, Katie loves spending time with her friends and family, including her daughter, her boyfriend, and her extended family living in the Wausau area. She enjoys being outdoors, on the lake, and with her dogs. Shes happy to call Wausau home and glad shes back living in this area.

Kelly became the newest member of our team in May of 2019. A native of Antigo, she has worked as a dental assistant for over 18 years. In that time of assisting, she has undergone extensive training in orthodontics and Invisalign. Along with her wealth of experience, Kelly brings to our office a joy for helping patients in need and seeing them achieve the smiles theyve always wanted. She loves our patients and serving the Wausau community, and shes excited to be working as part of an outstanding staff.

Kimberly joined our team in the beginning of 2018, bringing 13 years of dental assisting experience to our office. She enjoys the variety each day brings as she helps our patients, and she truly appreciates the opportunity to give our patients their smiles back. Kimberly accomplishes this focusing her time and talents on giving every patient the best possible care.

She is married to her wonderful husband, Jon, and loves her dog, Max. When she isnt in the office caring for our clients, Kimberly can be found outside, fishing, playing volleyball or just relaxing by the pool.

McKinley was born in Mosinee, Wisconsin. She was drawn to the dental health field at a young age. After graduating high school, she earned her certification from a dental assisting program and worked for three years as a dental assistant in Wausau before joining our team in June of 2020. She brings to us a passion for helping to improve patients oral health, as well as comforting interpersonal and communication skills. McKinley likes working at Wausau Smiles because it enables her to provide flawless treatment in a top-notch facility alongside coworkers with great energy and positivity.

When shes not working, McKinley enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, family, and friends. Some of the activities she loves are kayaking, camping, watching sports, shopping, and experiencing new adventures.

Aliyah was born and raised in Wausau, and after graduating from Wausau West High School, she attended and graduated from the Northcentral Technical College Dental Assisting Program. She joined our Wausau Smiles team in the summer of 2021. Aliyah first knew she wanted to enter the dental field after having braces and dental work done that made her much more self-confident: from then on, she wanted to give that same feeling to others. She was also encouraged greatly by her father, who passed away in 2019 but taught her about the importance of perseverance. Aliyahs friendly disposition, educational background, and experience in customer service has had a very positive impact on our office. Some of the things she likes most about working at Wausau Smiles are being able to work with a talented dental team and to be able to build relationships with all our patients and the Wausau community.

Outside of work, Aliyah loves being outdoors, camping, fishing, snowmobiling, skiing, shopping, and spending time with her friends and family. She also enjoys going to country concerts, traveling up north with family, and seeing new places. One interesting fact about Aliyah: she and her boyfriend have a growing maple syrup operation that involves tapping over 700 trees.

In the recent past, I have had several bad experiences at a few different corporate and/or chain type dental care providers. The care that the Wausau Smiles team provides is second to none. I have several issues that need attention, and they provided me with a realistic treatment plan that has allowed me to address my dental issues at a pace that is affordable.

I have been a patient of Dr. Aaron since he took over the practice and have always been very happy with him and his staff. Last night my 15-month-old fell and chipped her two front teeth. I had no idea what to do for her. I called the clinic and got Dr. Aarons emergency number. I left him a message and he called me back within 15-20 minutes. He was so calm and comforting. I was able to text him a picture and he told me that we would be fine to wait until morning to have her seen. I called the office this morning and they were able to get us in right away. He and his staff were so great with my daughter and they were able to grind down the sharp edges so she doesnt hurt herself. I really appreciate the quick response and the time he took to talk with me after hours! I also appreciate the flexibility to get her in right away to help her out! I would highly recommend Dr. Aaron and his team to anyone looking for a dentist!

I hadnt been to a dentist for a while and was a little anxious to do so. Once I stepped into Wausau Smiles, I we greeted warmly and everyone was so friendly. Jenny (the hygienist) was the star of the show. She made me feel very comfortable and relaxed. She explained everything she was doing (very knowledgeable) and was always concerned about my comfort. Before I knew it, the visit was over and my teeth are feeling/looking better than they have in a long time! Dr. Aaron was very pleasant and personable. It looks like I found my new dentist! Thanks Wausau Smiles!

Great team! They really take the time with their patients and make sure you are comfortable. Tammy was awesome and made sure my problem tooth was completely numb and did her best to get me out of pain fast. She gave me suggestions of different things I could try if I had any further problems.

Thank you Wausau Smiles for a great experience. The staff was friendly upon my arrival and I was taken back on time. My hygienist, Melissa, and Dr. Bushong were awesome!! I will definitely refer friends to your office!!

I have been to numerous dentist over the course of my life time and I can honestly say that Wausau Smiles is the best of the best of the best! Extremely professional and courteous staff to say the least. The word perfection best describes Dr. Aaron and his awesome staff!

I spent years going to different dentist offices until finally finding the one that made me feel comfortable and had the staff I could trust with my dental work. Dr. Aaron and his staff have been nothing short of amazing with my oral care and I am forever grateful I was referred to their office.

I am a newer patient at Wausau Smiles but each experience has been up to my expectations & beyond. All of the staff is extremely friendly & make you feel more at ease sitting in a dentist chair. I am also impressed that Dr. Bushong personally called me on one of his days off to talk through a procedure with me. He had also taken the time to research my pre-existing health conditions & how these might impact any dental procedures. I was very impressed.