Meet the Pediatric Dentists Behind LifeSmiles in Howell, MI
Every family who walks through our doors is trusting us with something big: their child's comfort, confidence, and health. That's not something we take lightly. LifeSmiles Pediatric Dentistry was built around one goal, to give kids in Howell and throughout Livingston County a dental experience that's gentle, unhurried, and genuinely reassuring, led by dentists who have devoted their entire careers to treating children.
Dr. Gail Czarnecki and Dr. Kelsey Wilkin bring complementary training, shared values, and a combined depth of pediatric-specific expertise, from infant oral health and tethered oral tissue release to full-mouth care under sedation for children with special healthcare needs. Whatever your child needs, you're in specialized hands.
Dr. Gail Czarnecki, DDS
Dr. Gail founded LifeSmiles with a simple belief: a child's early experiences at the dentist shape how they feel about their health for life. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Detroit Mercy and completed her pediatric dentistry residency at the Children's Hospital of Michigan. She's an active Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and her career has included faculty roles at the University of Detroit Mercy and the University of Michigan, where she served as Clinical Assistant Professor.
Her professional focus centers on the youngest patients, including infant oral health, early oral health education, and the release of tethered oral tissues (tongue-tie and lip-tie). She is also active in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the Academy of Laser Dentistry.
Outside the practice, Dr. Gail lives in nearby Brighton, MI with her husband, David, and enjoys reading, traveling, and biking.
Dr. Kelsey Wilkin, DDS
Dr. Kelsey grew up in Jackson, Michigan, and earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from Michigan State University, with minors in Cognitive Science and Health Promotion. She went on to earn her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the University of Michigan, where she continued her passion for caring for children by completing a residency in pediatric dentistry and earning a Master’s degree in Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Kelsey is a candidate for board certification in pediatric dentistry.
Dr. Kelsey is passionate about helping children build healthy smiles and positive relationships with dental care from an early age. She believes in the importance of preventative care and enjoys educating families on how to maintain their children’s oral health. Her goal is to create a welcoming, positive, and comfortable dental experience for every child while helping families feel confident in caring for their little ones’ smiles. She looks forward to serving the Howell community and helping children develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime.
Dr. Kelsey lives in Chelsea, Michigan, with her husband and their two dogs. Outside of the office, she enjoys reading, golfing, and traveling.
Questions About Our Doctors
Families throughout Howell, Brighton, Fowlerville, and the surrounding Livingston County communities trust LifeSmiles for one simple reason: we only do pediatric dentistry. It's the entire practice, built by dentists who trained specifically to care for children's developing teeth, comfort, and confidence at every age and stage.
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Yes. Dr. Gail is an active Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and Dr. Kelsey has a Master’s degree in Pediatric Dentistry from the University of Michigan.
Unlike a general dentist, a pediatric dentist completes 2 years of additional specialty training after dental school, focused only on infants, children, and teens. Both of our dentists completed that training, and our practice is active in the Michigan Dental Association (MDA) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
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Yes. Our doctors have specific training and experience in treating children with special healthcare needs, including hospital-based care and full-mouth rehabilitation under sedation or general anesthesia when appropriate.
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LifeSmiles is located at 2775 E Grand River Ave, Suite 3, Howell, MI 48843, serving families throughout Howell and Livingston County.