At Schall Family Dental, our entire team is dedicated to making every visit a great one. Whenever you walk through our doors, you'll be greeted by friendly, familiar faces who truly care about your comfort and well-being. We believe that great dental care goes beyond clinical excellence; it's about building real relationships with the people we serve.
Every experience you have with us reflects the standard we hold ourselves to: honest, compassionate, and personalized care for every patient, every time. We take the time to get to know you as a person, because we think that makes all the difference.
We're proud of the team we've built here at Schall Family Dental, and we love what we do. Take a moment to meet the people behind your smile!
Dr. Laura Schall
Dr. Laura Schall earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Biomedical Sciences from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, followed by her Doctorate of Dental Medicine from Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine.
Dr. Schall’s journey into dentistry began in the most unexpected of places—a preschool field trip to a local dental office, where she fell in love with the simple joy of riding up and down in the chair. As she grew older, that spark of curiosity evolved into something deeper. Her natural love of working with her hands, whether crafting or creating, combined with a strong pull toward the sciences, made dentistry the perfect calling. For Dr. Schall, it is the ideal blend of artistry and science.
At the heart of Dr. Schall’s practice is a genuine love for her patients. She finds deep fulfillment in witnessing the real-world impact that quality dental care can have on people’s lives. She also values the role of a strong, cohesive team, believing that great teamwork creates a seamless and less stressful experience for every patient who walks through the door.
Outside the office, Dr. Schall embraces life with the same enthusiasm she brings to her work. She loves spending time outdoors, baking, crocheting, and getting lost in a good suspense novel. She cherishes time with friends and family and is always up for an adventure. Traveling with her husband has become something of an unintentional festival tour. The two have a remarkable knack for stumbling upon local festivals wherever they go, turning every trip into a spontaneous celebration.
And if you ever want a truly unforgettable conversation starter, ask Dr. Schall about the time she found herself stranded in the middle of a thunderstorm, in a kayak, in the middle of a swamp. Lucky for us, she made it out!
Ally
Lead Assistant
Ally Shankel brings both skill and genuine compassion to her role as Lead Assistant at Schall Family Dental. Since joining the dental field in 2021, Ally has dedicated herself to ensuring every patient feels informed, comfortable, and at ease. Her approach is rooted in clear communication. She takes pride in walking patients through their treatment in a way that promotes understanding and helps ease anxiety. Alongside her colleague Morgan, Ally also keeps the practice running smoothly behind the scenes, helping maintain and troubleshoot the equipment the team relies on every day.
Ally's path into dentistry was a personal one. Watching people she cares about struggle with oral health challenges and dental anxiety inspired her to become a source of comfort and encouragement for others. She received her training under Dr. Bruce Wintersteen, DDS, and carries that foundation into every patient interaction. For Ally, the most rewarding part of her work is helping patients regain confidence through their smiles—because she believes everyone deserves to feel proud of theirs.
When she's not at the practice, you'll likely find Ally soaking up the sunshine at Clinton Lake, where she spends her summers camping, relaxing by the water, and making memories with family and friends. She and her little brother have also turned tubing behind boats into something of a personal sport. Years of practice, plenty of laughs, and a few spectacular wipeouts (and yes, three lost swimsuit bottoms) have made for some of her favorite summer stories.
Caitlyn
Front Office Coordinator
Caitlyn is the warm, welcoming face you'll see when you walk through our doors at Schall Family Dental. As our receptionist, she takes pride in creating a comfortable, friendly experience from the moment you arrive, checking you in, answering your questions, and making sure every visit gets off to a great start.
Caitlyn joined the dental field in 2025, drawn by a genuine belief in the power of a great smile. "I love seeing how much a good smile can boost anyone's confidence," she says, and that enthusiasm shows in the care she brings to every patient interaction. Her favorite part of the job is building real relationships with patients and being part of a team that truly shows up for one another.
Outside the office, Caitlyn channels her creativity into a variety of artistic pursuits, including makeup, nail art, and painting. She's even skilled in special effects makeup—a truly one-of-a-kind talent. She's also working on building her own business around her passions. When she's not creating, you might find her dreaming of her future animal rescue.
Chastity
Dental Hygienist
Chastity Koester, RDH, has been a dedicated member of the dental hygiene community since 1997, bringing nearly three decades of experience and a genuine passion for patient care to Schall Family Dental. She earned her dental hygiene degree from Lakeland College in Mattoon, IL, and has called this practice home since day one. First alongside Dr. Bruce Wintersteen and now with Dr. Schall.
As a dental hygienist, Chastity provides thorough cleanings, x-rays, and personalized patient education tailored to each individual's needs. She understands that dental visits can feel stressful, so she makes it a priority to create a calm, welcoming environment where every patient feels at ease. Her favorite part of the job? Building lasting relationships and helping patients feel more confident about their oral health.
Chastity's path into dentistry was inspired by her stepfather, Richard Merry, DDS, who encouraged her to pursue a career in the field, and it's a decision she has never looked back on. She brings that same spirit of encouragement and support to her teammates every day, fostering a positive, collaborative atmosphere focused on excellent patient care.
When she's not at the office, Chastity loves hiking, traveling, and taking her three dogs on walks. She also enjoys unwinding with a good word search puzzle.
January
Julie
Dental Hygienist
Julie Ellis has been a dedicated dental hygienist at Schall Family Dental since 1999, bringing more than 27 years of experience and genuine warmth to every patient appointment. She earned her training at Parkland Community College in Champaign, Illinois, and has spent her career doing what she loves most, helping people feel comfortable and cared for while keeping their smiles healthy.
For Julie, dentistry has always been about connection. Growing up, her own hygienist, Libby, made such a lasting impression with her caring, enthusiastic approach that Julie knew she wanted to do the same for others. That inspiration still drives her today. Whether she's providing a routine cleaning, sharing tips for better oral health, or simply catching up with a familiar face, Julie takes pride in building real relationships with her patients. After more than two decades, many of those patients feel like extended family, and she wouldn't have it any other way.
Outside the office, Julie enjoys relaxing weekends at her camper on a permanent site at a local sportsmen's club and loves going on cruises with her family. She's also a marathon finisher— yes, all 26.2 miles—a fact that tends to surprise people who don't know her competitive side.
Morgan
Stacy
Office Manager
Stacy Gadbury brings nearly three decades of dental experience to her role as office manager at Schall Family Dental. She began her career as a chairside dental assistant in 1997 and spent 14 years mastering the clinical side of dentistry before joining the Schall Family Dental team in 2011. Today, she leads the front office with a commitment to creating a positive, organized, and patient-centered environment that benefits both patients and the team.
Stacy earned her diploma in dental assisting from the Professional Career Development Institute, and her hands-on clinical background gives her a unique perspective when it comes to supporting patients. Whether she is helping someone understand their treatment, easing concerns about a procedure, or navigating insurance and financial questions, Stacy takes pride in making every visit a little easier. Building trust with patients and watching them leave with confidence is what makes her work meaningful.
Stacy's passion for dentistry began with her own orthodontic treatment as a teenager—a firsthand experience that gave her a deep appreciation for the impact a healthy smile can have on a person's confidence and quality of life.
Outside the office, Stacy loves getting creative with Cricut crafting and other hands-on projects. She finds that crafting rewards patience, attention to detail, and a personal touch. And if you ever want to test her knowledge of 80s music, she is confident she knows most of the lyrics.