The brief descriptions below are designed to familiarize you with our staff's training, professional credentials and work experience.
Our friendly and highly trained staff is always focused on providing you with top quality dental care in a caring, comfortable environment.
Dentists: Robert M. Thies, DDS, FAGD, FADI, and Nathaniel Rood, DDS
Office Manager: Pam Janus
Hygienists: Becky Cruz, Sue Prokaski and Ann Clancy
Reception: Nadine Swierczewski
Dental Assistants: Jodie Condit, Carol Cossidente, Anna Lee, and Sandy Harte
Dr. Robert M. Thies, DDS, FAGD, FADI
Dr. Robert M. Thies completed his undergraduate education at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as a recipient of the Western Golf Association Chick Evans Scholarship. He earned his DDS at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry in Chicago, Illinois as a recipient of the Illinois Congressional Scholarship.
Dr. Thies then pursued post-graduate training in advanced general dentistry, hospital dental treatment and special needs care at the Loyola-Foster McGaw Hospital in Maywood, Illinois in the General Practice Residency program. He was appointed chief resident of the program prior to moving to Manhattan, Kansas where he received externship training at the original Dental Implant Centre.
Upon completion of these post-graduate programs, Dr. Thies returned to Chicago where h e accepted teaching postions at Loyola Dental School in the restorative dental department as well as the Loyola Hospital General Practice Residency program as the Dental Implant Consultant. After the closing of Loyola Dental School in 1993, Dr. Thies continued his teaching at the Michael Reese Hospital General Practice Residency (Chicago) and the Creighton University (Omaha, Nebraska) Department of Continuing Education.
Dr. Thies has taken numerous post-graduate courses in all phases of dentistry including cosmetics, dental implants, orthodontics, endodontics (root canal therapy), periodontal (gum treatment) pediatrics, infection control and sterilization.
Dr. Thies has also been honored by his peers by being named a Fellow in several organizations. These Fellowships show that Dr. Thies has achieved and continues to maintain the highest standards of his profession. In 1994, Dr. Thies was the recipient of a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry, and in 2008, Dr. Thies was awarded a Fellowship in the Academy of Dentistry International.
Dr. Thies is the co-author of numerous scholarly publications, (see the dental implant page for a listing of some samples of articles) including several in the field of interdisciplinary treatment and dental implants. He also produced a video teaching the surgical placement of dental implants.
Dr. Thies began practicing in his Oak Forest office in 1990, and moved to his Tinley Park location in 2004. The Homer Glen office was added in 2007.
Dr. Thies is a member of the Board of Directors for the Western Golf Association, and is also the secretary of the Midwest Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. He has served as a professional consultant for Altatech Biotechnologies (past distributor of the Camlog dental implant) as well as a Dental Claims Consultant for the MetLife Dental Insurance Company.
Dr. Nathaniel S. Rood, DDS
Dr. Nathaniel S. Rood completed his undergraduate degree in Chemistry with an emphasis in Biochemistry at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry in Chicago in 2003.
Since his graduation, Dr. Rood has taken an abundance of continuing education courses in aspects of dental treatment such as pediatrics, endodontics (root canal therapy), oral surgery, periodontics (treatment of the gums and supporting tissues), cosmetic treatment, and dental implants. He is an active member of the American Dental Association and the Chicago Dental Society. Dr. Rood will provide a relaxing, painless and professional environment for you and your family. He is not only concerned with the treatment of dental disease, but just as important, he focuses on preventive treatment. Dr. Rood has also visited grade schools in the area to inform children about the importance of good dental habits.
Dr. Rood joined Amazing Smiles Family Dental Care in 2007. He resides in Tinley Park with his wife and trusted family dog Zoe.
Rebecca Cruz, RDH
Becky started working as a dental assistant at 15 years old which required her to get a permit from school due to her age. Shortly after seeing the world of dentistry, she knew dental hygiene would be her calling and began the steps to achieve that goal as soon as possible.
While working part time as a dental assistant to help out with school costs, she graduated high school in the middle of her senior year, and began dental hygiene coursework at Prairie State 1 week later. Becky graduated from Prairie State College Dental Hygiene school in June of 2004 at age 21 (the youngest in her class) with an Associates degree in Applied Science, a Dental Hygiene certification, and certification in local anesthesia.
By July of 2004, Becky joined the staff of Amazing Smiles Family Dental Care and hasn't looked back since!
Becky continues her education through attendance at continuing education seminars and lectures, but does plan to return to school some day in the near future to complete her Bachelor's degree.
At Amazing Smiles, Becky has focused her energy over the past several years on patient care and retention and has helped patients maintain their dental health through effective maintenance scheduling.
Susan Prokaski, RDH
Sue graduated from Southern Illinois University with an Associate Degree in Applied Science - Dental Hygiene in 1982. That same year she was elected into the National Dental Hygiene Honor Society, Sigma Phi Alpha. Since then, Sue has completed more than 30 hours of additional college coursework focusing on public health. In addition, she has participated in numerous continuing education courses, including pediatric dentistry, nutrition, periodontics and oral pathology.
Sue joined the Amazing Smiles dental team in 1996. Besides working in the dental office as a dental hygienist, she has taught countless dental education programs, mostly at the grade school level and primarily in the local suburban school districts. She is a current member of the American Dental Association, Chicago Dental Society, and the Illinois State Dental Society. She resides in the Tinley Park area with her husband, 2 children and 2 cats.