Our Team

team-photo

South Bend Dentists

Robert S. Austgen, DDS

Pediatric Dentist

University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI; Bachelor of Science, 1969 Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN; Doctor of Dental Science, 1973

Richard L. Cohen, DDS

Board-certified Pediatric Dental Specialist

New York University, New York, NY; Bachelor of Arts, 1976, and Doctor of Dental Science, 1979 U.S. Army, Walter Reed Army Medical Center; Specialty Training Pediatric Dentistry, 1991

University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN; Bachelor of Science Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, IN; Doctor of Dental Surgery University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; Residency Certificate

Lisa R. Dekker-Reed, DDS

General Dentist

Dr. Dekker-Reed earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree from the University of Washington, Seattle, WA in 1986. She continued her education at the University of Washington, Seattle, WA earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2001.

Lauren (Mummert) Alavanja, DDS, MSD

Board-certified Pediatric Dental Specialist

For Dr. Lauren (Mummert) Alavanja, Pediatric Dentistry is her passion in life. She strives to deliver the highest quality pediatric dental care to families. She likes to learn about patients and form professional relationships with the family. Her goal is to provide the best dental care to each individual patient. Dr. Alavanja is fluent in English and Spanish.

Patricia Gyasi, DDS

Board-certified Pediatric Dental Specialist

Dr. Gyasi specializes in Pediatric Dentistry, making dental experiences pleasurable for children and their parents by creating a fun and safe environment. She establishes goals and treatment plans for her small patients which makes building a rapport with parents a success.

Amanda Braun, DDS, MSD

Board-certified Pediatric Dental Specialist

The Pediatric Dentistry Department at The South Bend Dental Center provides Comfort Bears to their patients in need of that something extra during treatment.

Comfort Bears

These Comfort Bears are donated by the Delta Theta Tau sorority of New Carlisle, IN.

Jen Leonard, RDH, a long time employee and pediatric dental hygienist, partnered with her mom Steph Lloyd to provide these donated Bears.

Patients can take these Bears home with them after their appointment free of charge! This is the thanksgiving version! the christmas version will be coming soon!

So, if your child requires a “comfort bear” during their dental visit, or they just forget to bring their very own favorite comfort item to their appointment please ask a staff member for one of these Comfort Bears.

Thanks, again to the Delta Theta Tau sorority of New Carlisle, IN for donating their energies to assist children manage what can be stressful situation.

Bringing “miles and miles of Michiana smiles” every day to our community!
– The Dental Center, South Bend, IN

Not only was The South Bend Dental Clinic open on Saturday November 11th to serve Veterans and their family members. They used the occasion to honor one of their own. Dr. (Colonel, US ARMY Retired) Richard L. Cohen.

This spooktacular pumpkin head was created for the pumpkin decorating contest Dr. Harrington sponsors every year. Prizes are awarded in several categories, and following the contest the decorated pumpkins are donated to nursing homes in the Michiana area.

Major Cohen circa 1988 (Ft. Hood, TX) competing to earn the coveted Expert Field Medical Badge!

The Dental Center staff members honor his service with a special gift!

The Dental Center made a yummy cake with 24 Blueberries representing the number of years Dr. Cohen was on Active Duty.

The South Bend Dental Center: Serving our community and Our Country.

The Dental Center South Bend Pedo staff shared in an exciting adventure during their team building day at the Edge Adventures Park at Rum Village Park in South Bend this past weekend.

Read What Our Patients Say

Patient Reviews

So polite & friendly !

Lilly H.

Everyone is always friendly and appt time starts on time.

Zoe A.

My kids love going to this dentist! I appreciate how patient they are with my children and everyone is very nice. I am very happy with Smile Safari!

Lee W.

Staff always so kind and explains everything with details step by step of they are going or did to my child

Daniel A.

Everyone we came into contact with were very pleasant and friendly. I was very relaxed in Your environment and felt welcomed from the start to finish

Brooke G.

Doctor was very friendly,explained everything,staff was also very friendly!

Magaly G.

Very friendly and did excellent with my son.

Stanley V.

Dentist was extremely helpful.

Chelsea C.

Dr.Reed was so patient and caring while pulling my 3yr sons tooth along with her two assistants they talk to him and made sure he was relaxed and calmed him when he was anxious. I couldn’t have […]

Samii L.

Very Nice People!! Fast and effective!!

Sean L.

Everyone in the office is very personable!! Everyone smiled and talked with such ease and with a caring nature. The dentist was honest and gave me options for care. My appointment was at 9:15 and […]

Liliana G.

Every one was very respectful & polite & didn’t mind answering questions

Jaden K.

You guys were awesome and made my four year old feel at home. She went back and got two fillings without me and didn’t even get upset. The staff is amazing and so considerate.

Estellise B.

y son is autistic, and they were wonderful with him and very patient.

Payton M.

Great care this appointment

Aspen G.

Great drs

Jessica S.

Dr. Lauren was so nice and gentle with Terry, the dental assistant was so nice also. I can tell the dentist’s really take pride in their work and I love that.

Terry M.

Love how they talk to before they do anything to your child or ask questions about things you watching out for at home

Rihanna K.

Very professional and time efficient. Boys were both comfortable.

Aaron A.

Gerri was fantastic. Great experience!

Margaret S.

See what else our
patients are saying

Our Team

South Bend Dentists

Robert S. Austgen, DDS

Richard L. Cohen, DDS

Lisa M. Moore, DDS

Lisa R. Dekker-Reed, DDS

Lauren (Mummert) Alavanja, DDS, MSD

Patricia Gyasi, DDS

Amanda Braun, DDS, MSD

The Pediatric Dentistry Department at The South Bend Dental Center provides Comfort Bears to their patients in need of that something extra during treatment.

This spooktacular pumpkin head was created for the pumpkin decorating contest Dr. Harrington sponsors every year. Prizes are awarded in several categories, and following the contest the decorated pumpkins are donated to nursing homes in the Michiana area.

Major Cohen circa 1988 (Ft. Hood, TX) competing to earn the coveted Expert Field Medical Badge!

The Dental Center staff members honor his service with a special gift!

The Dental Center made a yummy cake with 24 Blueberries representing the number of years Dr. Cohen was on Active Duty.

The Dental Center South Bend Pedo staff shared in an exciting adventure during their team building day at the Edge Adventures Park at Rum Village Park in South Bend this past weekend.