Steven M. Dater
Steven M. Dater, DDS, heads the team at Dater Dentistry in Rockford, Michigan. He brings over 25 years of experience in dentistry to his practice and has a varied history of service that drives his continued involvement in his Michigan community and beyond.
Dr. Dater and the rest of the team at Dater Dentistry provide a variety of dental services, including preventive, cosmetic, and restorative checkups and procedures. The team is committed to providing patients with comprehensive care in a comfortable, friendly setting.
Dr. Dater graduated from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. He has since served as a delegate to the American Dental Association and as chairperson of the State Association’s Special Committee on the Young Dentist. He was a director of the West Michigan District Dental Society, the chair of the Young Dentist Forum, and the legislative chair for West Michigan.
Dr. Dater is an active member of the Michigan Dental Association Board of Trustees and was president from 2007 to 2008. He’s also been on the adjunct faculty at Grand Rapids Community College and served as chair of the Dental Advisory Committee.
A member of the International College of Dentists, the American College of Dentists, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy, Dr. Dater was given the Michigan Dental Association’s Young Dentist Leadership Award in 2000.
In May 2013, Dr. Dater was commissioned as a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Reserves and was promoted to Commander in February of 2018, and was selected to the rank of Captain and will be promoted July 1, 2023.
Dr. Dater devotes time as a member of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce and has taken trips to Ukraine to perform dental procedures on orphans and works with Donated Dental Services to provide dental services to those in the community who may not have the means to pay for dental care. He and his wife Mary have three children: Stephanie and her husband Cole Waggener and their 4 grandchildren, his sons Scott, and Samuel, and in his free time, he enjoys bow hunting, golf, traveling with his family, and outdoor activities.
Ada
Registered Dental Assistant
Ada graduated from Grand Rapids Community College in 1999 and received her Registered Dental Assisting License. She has been working with Dr. Dater since 1999. She stays current by attending continuing education classes and dental seminars. Ada has extra training in orthodontics and assists with all the orthodontics in the office. Outside of work, Ada enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She likes to camp, fish, walk and ride bikes. Ada has one daughter.
Bonnie
Bonnie has been with our office since 2004. She is our insurance and financial coordinator. She enjoys attending continuing education courses that enable her to provide the best service to our patients and to improve her knowledge of all aspects of dentistry. Her most important and satisfying part of her job is the relationships she builds with our patients. When she is out of the office Bonnie enjoys spending time with family friends and especially her grandchildren! In her spare time Bonnie enjoys taking long walks, snowshoeing, and painting furniture!
Jessica
Registered Dental Hygienist
Jessica graduated from Ferris State University with a degree in Applied Arts and
Science of Dental Hygiene in the spring of 2016. She is also licensed to administer
local anesthesia and nitrous oxide. While in hygiene school she did her internship with
Dr. Dater’s office and loved the atmosphere, staff, and patients.
She is a full-time dental hygienist in our office, and is happy to be apart of such a hard-
working, dedicated office. When she is not working, she enjoys time with family and
friends, especially hanging out on the water. Playing with her two dogs, Maverick and
Roxie. Her hobbies include: camping, hiking, and listening to live music.
Jill
Registered Dental Assistant
Jill grew up in Grandville, MI and attended Calvin Christian High School. She graduated from Grand Rapids Community College Dental Assisting Program in 2016 as a Registered Dental Assistant and received an Associate’s degree in Applied Art and Science. She did her final externship with our office in June 2016 and joined our Team in July. Jill enjoys spending time with family and friends and especially golfing with her Grandpa. In her free time at home, Jill loves to read and play with her cat. Jill has been a great addition to our office.
Erica
Patient Coordinator
Erica joins our team starting a new career for herself in the dental field after 10 years as a manager and cosmetologist in a salon. Although she is new to dentistry, Erica brings an enthusiasm to our office, a positive attitude and a can do spirit, which will provide outstanding customer service to our patients as our Patient Coordinator. When Erica is not at work she enjoys reading, being a hair stylist (even though she says she can’t help Dr Dater) and spending time camping with her husband and two children.
Lisa
Registered Dental Hygienist
Lisa graduated from Grand Rapids Community College in 1998 with a degree in Applied Arts and Science for Dental Hygiene. Lisa received her license to administer local anesthesia in 2003. She stays current by attending continuing education classes and dental seminars. Outside of work, Lisa enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She is married and has two daughters. Lisa is involved with her church, volunteers at her children’s school and for Relay for Life. For Lisa, the relationships that develop with patients over time are the most rewarding part of being a dental hygienist.
Staci
Registered Dental Hygienist
We are proud to welcome back Staci Carroll to our office. Staci graduated from Grand Rapids Community College’s Dental Hygiene program in 2011. Before hygiene school, she worked for Dr. Dater as an assistant and loved the environment. The people were great, and both the patients and staff, motivated her to permanently be a part of the dental world. She rejoined Dr. Dater and his staff in November of 2015. Her favorite part about being a dental hygienist is building relationships with her patients and educating them on how to improve and maintain their oral health. It is important to Staci that she maintains these relationships with all her patients’ long term, and that she and her patients maintain a realistic goal for their oral health. At home, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Taylor, their two sons, Oliver and Theo and their dog, Izzo
Chloe
Registered Dental Hygienist
Chloe graduated from Kalamazoo Valley Community College with her Associate in Applied Science in 2019. She is licensed as a dental hygienist as well as licensed to administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide. She loves being a hygienist because it gives her the opportunity to educate patients about their oral health and make smiles brighter. Outside of work she loves to spend time with her family, fiance, and pets. Her hobbies include reading, hiking, and cooking. She is excited to be a part of such a rewarding profession and a great team.
Dr. Alexandra Timmerman
Alexandra (Allie) Timmerman, DDS, is originally from East Lansing, Michigan. She graduated from Michigan State University-Lyman Briggs College, where she met her husband, Zachary. Dr. Timmerman led dental outreach trips to the Dominican Republic while attending Michigan State University, where pre-dental students assisted local dentists in providing dental services to underserved areas. Dr. Timmerman graduated from dental school at Indiana University School of Dentistry in Indianapolis.
Dr. Timmerman is thrilled to be joining the greater Grand Rapids community. She looks forward to staying current through continuing education courses. Dr. Timmerman enjoys spending time with her husband, family, friends and her Golden Retriever puppy, Tootsie. In her free time, Dr. Timmerman enjoys golfing, wakeboarding, camping, painting, and traveling. Dr. Timmerman is excited to be joining Dr. Dater and his experienced and caring team!