Get To Know Us

Meet Our Dental Professionals

Dr. Joann Kochikaran

Practice Owner / Dentist

I am a graduate from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry Class of 2005. I was fortunate to have been one of the few accepted into dental school directly after graduating high school through the Guaranteed Professional Program at UIC. I went through an accelerated two year undergraduate program to then enter dental school for the next four years. Albeit challenging, it was the best decision I ever made! This profession has allowed me the opportunity to be a professional; as well as enough time to be a wife and mother.

I was born and raised in the north Chicago suburb of Morton Grove and decided that I wanted to raise my own family in the area. The town of Skokie was the perfect fit for my practice location, especially since I am an alum of Niles West High School!

When I am not working in people's mouths, I enjoy cooking, exercising, and traveling to places on my bucket list. A few of my favorite travel memories would be riding on elephants in Bali, surfing in Costa Rica, and cliff diving in Maui.

Dr. Mansi Raina

Dentist

After a few years of practicing away from home, I am thrilled to return back to Skokie where I grew up and join Dr. Kochikaran and her team. I completed my undergraduate studies in Community Health at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I further pursued a master’s in Biotechnology at Rush University before moving to Boston to obtain my dental doctorate degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 2017. Since then, I have practiced in Illinois and California and recently became a new mom to the best baby girl!

I am so passionate about dentistry and I believe that a happy smile starts with a healthy smile. I enjoy getting to know each of my patients and their needs to create a personalized and comprehensive treatment plan to help them feel confident. I understand that going to a dentist can be a high anxiety event and prioritize that my patients feel at ease under my care.

To be the best dental healthcare provider, I strive to be a lifelong learner. I am always taking continuing education courses on various topics and particularly enjoy building on my cosmetic dentistry and oral surgery skills. I am an active member of the American Dental Association, Chicago Dental Society and Illinois State Dental Society which help me stay up to date with important advances and information in the field.

When I am not at the office, you can find me exploring the newest neighborhood restaurant or the most recently added Peloton workout. My husband and I love the outdoors; we are always on the go whether it's enjoying walks along the lake with our pup and baby girl or exploring outside of the city to find the best hiking spots. I feel so fortunate to return home again. I am looking forward to immersing myself in the community that raised me and serving the dental needs of the people in it.

Denise

Practice Manager

I graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. My friendship with Dr. Kochikaran started in kindergarten. In fact, she is the reason I am in the Dental field. I began my career in dentistry as a chairside assistant for Dr. Kochikaran and quickly transitioned into Office Manager with my finance background.

I’ve been a Practice Manager for over 15 years now. My extensive knowledge of dental insurance allows me to help our patients maximize their benefits. I also have training in OSHA, HIPAA, and CPR/BLS. I believe everyone deserves to have a smile they are proud of.

James

Treatment Coordinator

My experience in the dental field started in 2010 with Dr. Kochikaran at her first practice. Since then I have gained knowledge and skill to work both the clinical and administrative sides of the dental office. I have training in both OSHA and HIPAA. I strive to provide our patients with exceptional customer service in order to help them feel at ease. Most patients like to refer to me as “the voice” on my daily phone calls due to my calming tone.

I was born and raised in Chicago, but spent most of my summers in Belize. I enjoy cooking, playing chess, and gaming with Xbox1 & PS4.

Pamela

Dental Assistant

I received my dental assisting certificate from Illinois Dental Careers at Harwood Heights. I enjoy seeing patients and welcoming them into our office!

I truly love seeing patient's smiles transform with cosmetic procedures. It is truly a rewarding experience to see a patient happy with their new smile and confidence. I also try to make the patient as comfortable as possible, whether it be by conversation or offering a Netflix show with headphones! Outside of dentistry, I love to spend time with my family. I also enjoy gardening during the summer months!

Skyler, R.D.H.

I graduated from Illinois Central College in 2021. As a child, I did not receive the best oral care or have great dental experiences. As a hygienist, I want to make sure I provide a great experience for my patients. I understand that being in the dental chair can be a very vulnerable place and try to ease their anxiety- whether it be thru conversation or distraction of offering a Netflix movie with headphones!

I am originally from Peoria, IL and have always dreamed of moving to the city of Chicago. I look forward to finding new dinner spots, shopping, and going to the beach. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family.

Manuela, R.D.H.

I moved to Chicago in 2019 from St. Louis, Missouri. After graduating from Fox College, I began my dental career at Affinity Smiles. As a kid, I loved going to the dentist! I always had a great experience with the Dentist and team. Now I strive to provide that positive dental experience for others. In my spare time, I love to travel with my husband Tommy and our pup Ace. We love to be in nature and enjoy snowboarding, hiking, and fishing.