Our practice wouldn't be what it is without our dedicated and talented staff working each day to care for our patients. We come in daily determined to create a welcoming, personalized experience for each patient who walks through our doors. We are a small practice and prioritize individualized dental care.
Expect a Friendly, Patient-Centered Dental Experience in Wilmette
When you arrive at our comfortable dental office, expect a genuinely warm greeting from our friendly receptionists. From your first interaction, their goal is to take the edge off your nerves and treat you like a member of our family. Our dental assistants remember your name and your story and prepare you for procedures with the same care they would offer a friend.
You will find that our dental hygienists are passionate about healthy smiles and patient education that empowers you to take control of your oral health. Our dentist, Dr. Nolan Patel, will listen attentively to your concerns and explain your treatment options clearly. He will help you make informed choices that enhance your health and confidence.
Second-to-None Service with a Smile
Once you are comfortable in one of our treatment rooms, you can benefit from a wide range of dental services to fit your needs:
Cleanings and exams — We would like to see you twice a year for preventive cleanings and exams. This helps us keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.
Tooth-colored fillings—If we notice evidence of tooth decay, we can remove it and use tooth-colored composite resin to restore your tooth's beauty and functionality. No one will even know you have a filling!
Dental crowns — Whether you have a broken or damaged tooth or need to strengthen a tooth after root canal therapy, our porcelain dental crowns completely cover your compromised tooth. With dental crowns, you can both keep and protect your natural tooth.
Dental bridges — For patients with one or two missing teeth, we can "bridge the gap" with dental bridges. Using your adjacent teeth for support, we can place prosthetic teeth to give you the smile you deserve.
Dental implants —Dental implants can replace several or all of your teeth, giving you back your self-confidence and the ability to eat your favorite foods. We can even use dental implants to support full dentures, so you won't have to worry about slippage.
Periodontal disease treatment — If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from gum disease, we've got you covered. We can provide professional cleanings or scaling and root planing to help you manage your gingivitis or periodontitis.
Making a Difference, One Smile at a Time
Everyone on our team, from our owner, Dr. Nolan Patel, to each one of our amazing professionals, is driven by the desire to make a difference in our patients' lives. Please read through our bios to get to know us, then give us a call to start your journey to a healthier, brighter smile.
Dr. Nolan Patel, DDS
Introducing Dr. Nolan Patel, the practice owner at Wilmette Dental Institute. Dr. Nolan focuses on providing comprehensive patient care grounded in the strong educational foundation he received from the University of Michigan.
One of Dr. Nolan’s favorite aspects of his role is building lasting relationships with patients. He is honored to have the opportunity to serve generations of families, watching them grow and evolve through different life phases within his practice. These relationships are a testament to the close-knit community cultivated at our Wilmette, IL, dental office.
Inspired by his father, a small business owner, and his mother and sister, who work in the medical field, Dr. Nolan found dentistry to be the perfect combination of business and healthcare. This blend allows him to deliver superior dental care while also managing the day-to-day business operations of the practice.
When not creating beautiful smiles or running the office, Dr. Nolan has a variety of personal interests. He enjoys reading, meditating, attending concerts, and playing the guitar. His love for travel often takes him to exciting new places and adds to his world perspective. One unique hobby he truly values is journaling, an exercise that helps him reflect and capture his thoughts on paper.
A fun fact about Dr. Nolan? Growing up, his parents thought he might become a stand-up comedian. He maintains his sense of humor, drawing inspiration from favorite comedians Russell Peters and Bill Burr.
Dr. Donald Hohman, DDS
Dentist
Dr. Hohman graduated with honors from Loyola Dental School, then went on to complete a General Practice Residency after finishing dental school in 1986. Since then, he’s been proudly serving patients on the North Shore, building long-standing relationships and delivering quality care for decades.
Outside of the office, Dr. Hohman enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter. He’s also an avid golfer who’s played courses all over the world. Ask him about one of his golf trips—you might be there a while!
Cathy Cannon
Registered Dental Hygienist
Cathy received her education and training from Loyola University of Chicago. She has served in the dental field for an impressive 43 years and has dedicated almost a decade of her career to our practice.
Cathy's responsibilities include initial patient assessment, taking diagnostic x-rays, and educating patients about preventing oral diseases. She loves building relationships with patients, motivated by a genuine concern for everyone's optimum oral and physical health.
Her entrance into the dental field was largely thanks to her father, who suggested she help out a dentist who moved into his building. Starting as a receptionist and quickly transitioning to an assistant role, Cathy found her true calling and progressed into a fulfilling career in dental hygiene.
When not in the dental office, Cathy enjoys spending time at home and entertaining friends and family. A fun fact about Cathy that many people may not know is that she is a part-time clinical dental hygiene instructor at the College of Lake County. She loves working with students, sharing their enthusiasm, and imparting her extensive knowledge of dentistry
Berta Powers
Registered Dental Hygienist
Berta has provided her patients with excellent dental care and preventative education since 2008 and joined our practice in 2021. Her journey in dentistry began at Kennedy King College, where she studied at the University of Illinois dental school
Berta's path to dentistry was inspired by a former colleague, a hygienist who deeply impacted her career choice. Inspired by the phrase, "I don’t just touch people’s teeth, I touch their lives," Berta chose to follow in her mentor's footsteps. She now embraces the reverse sentiment, believing her patients touch her life just as much.
As a hygienist, Berta's responsibilities encompass everything from oral cleanings and periodontal screenings to maintaining our state-of-the-art dental equipment. She reviews patients' medical histories, assesses oral health, and records findings for our dentists. Berta's other duties include fluoride treatments, administering local anesthetic, and assisting in sterilizing and preparing patient rooms.
What Berta treasures most about her role is the connection she forms with her patients, hearing their life stories and experiences. She values the ego-free environment at our Wilmette dental office, where every team member steps up to help one another.
Beyond her professional life, Berta embraces a holistic approach to health and wellness. She loves weight lifting, stretching, and mobility exercises. Additionally, she enjoys listening to health and wellness podcasts and keeps connected to her cultural roots by tuning into Persian radio news. Berta's unique hobby is crafting beautiful charcuterie boards.
Michelle Browder
Registered Dental Hygienist
Michelle has been dedicated to providing top-quality oral care since 1991. She was educated at William Rainey Harper College and began her professional journey as a dental assistant. The combination of patient care and the fascinating aspects of dentistry inspired her to further her education in dental hygiene.
At Wilmette Dental Institute, Michelle values the rapport she builds with each patient. For her, dentistry is more than just a job; it's an opportunity to connect with people from various walks of life and hear their unique stories. Her commitment to her profession is evident. Even during her hiatus to focus on family, she consistently attended conferences to stay updated in the field.
Away from the dental chair, Michelle is a busy wife and mom of three with a passion for staying active. She's an enthusiast of CrossFit, a hobby that challenges her physically and offers a sense of community she greatly values. Besides this, she enjoys playing pickleball and walking her dog, Emma.
A fun fact about Michelle is that she is a St. Patrick's Day baby! If your appointment is around mid-March, be sure to say Happy Birthday!
Swati Hingu
Registered Dental Assistant
Swati trained at Pima Medical Institute in Houston, Texas, and has honed her skills in dentistry since 2013. Although she is new to Wilmette Dental Institute, her dedication to patient care has quickly made her a valued team member.
As she engages in four-handed dentistry alongside Dr. Patel, Swati's priority is ensuring patients' comfort throughout their visit. With an eye for detail, she maintains the cleanliness and sterility of our treatment rooms so patients can be at ease knowing their safety is our priority.
For Swati, every day presents a new learning opportunity, but her passion for dental health isn't just professional. Until 2015, Swati had crooked teeth that kept her from confidently sharing her smile. After her transformative braces experience, she discovered the joy of smiling without hesitation. This personal journey gave her a unique perspective on the profound impact of dental health on an individual's self-esteem.
Away from the dental chair, Swati is a devoted mom to her two-year-old daughter and enjoys numerous hobbies, including crafting, cooking, and baking. A fun fact is that her vibrant personality comes through in conversations, and once she starts talking, she finds it hard to stop!
Diana McGinn
Receptionist
As our dedicated receptionist, Diana is one of the first friendly faces you’ll see at Wilmette Dental Institute. She handles numerous responsibilities, from answering phones and greeting patients to maintaining the office schedule and handling collections. She also manages the submission of insurance claim forms. Diana's contribution ensures our practice runs smoothly and our patients have a positive experience from the moment they step through our doors.
Diana graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign, and has worked in the dental field for 33 years, six of which have been with our practice. Her interest in dentistry began when her friend's husband, a dentist, needed a dental assistant. She was hesitant but took the position and received on-the-job training. The rewarding nature of the work quickly convinced her that dentistry was the field for her, and she has remained ever since, loving every minute of it.
When it comes to working with patients and our team, Diana especially enjoys making our patients feel welcome and comfortable. She enjoys engaging with patients, offering a warm welcome that sets the tone for the quality care our patients can expect.
Diana enjoys reading, watching scary movies, and playing with her cat in her free time. Her unique hobby is visiting open houses for inspiration. A fun fact people might not know about Diana: she can play the clarinet and taiko drums!
Great dental experience! In from Florida broke a tooth and was given outstanding service and and care from Dr Nolan and his staff. Will continue to fly here for regular dental work. Just can’t find this kind of dentistry in Florida