Dr. Denise Maniakouras (“Dr. Denise”), founder of Bite Size Pediatric Dentistry, is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Denise completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois, Chicago where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology with a minor in Psychology. She obtained her D.D.S. degree from the University of Illinois, Chicago. Dr. Denise was selected as Chief Resident of her pediatric dentistry residency at the University of Illinois, Chicago earning a certificate a Masters degree in Public Health.
In 2011-2012, Dr. Denise served the Chicago area as an Albert Schweitzer fellow. She developed and implemented an outreach program to educate and provide dental care for children in underserved areas. Dr. Denise has also traveled to Zacapa, Guatemala with Hearts In Motion (H.I.M) to provide oral health care to children and families in remote areas.
Dr. Denise is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, the Illinois State Dental Society, the Chicago Dental Society, the Illinois Society of Pediatric Dentistry, and is currently a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
Her true passion is working with children and building relationships with the families she cares for. Dr. Denise strives to provide quality dental care to children in a safe and relaxing environment. Dr. Denise understands that every child is unique and so are their dental needs. She takes pride in helping children build a healthy dental future. In her free time, Dr. Denise spends time with her husband, George, and her sons, Alex and Dean. She enjoys being a mom and spending time with her family. She sincerely looks forward to meeting you soon!
Dr. Marissa Dziepak (“Dr. Marissa”) is a board-eligible pediatric dentist and is very excited to have returned home to her native Chicagoland area and to have joined Bite Size Pediatric Dentistry to serve and advocate for our little patients!
She studied Neuroscience with a minor in Chemistry at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She obtained her D.M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine where she graduated with honors in serving patients with medical complexities and as a leader in community oral health programs, such as Penn Smiles. She completed her pediatric dentistry residency at Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora, CO where she was selected to serve as Chief Resident. Dr. Marissa is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the Chicago Dental Society.
From an early age, Dr. Marissa recognized her passion for working with children. She is committed to providing comfortable and positive dental experiences that support and address each of her patient’s individual needs, striving to create life-long healthy dental patients.
Dr. Marissa is very happy to be back home in Chicago. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, cooking, and traveling with her fiancé, Andrew.
Making the move back to the Midwest, Dr. Paulina went on to pursue her pediatric specialty training and Masters degree in Oral Sciences at the University of Illinois in Chicago. While in residency, her research was recognized nationally by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentist, earning the Graduate Student Research Award.
In her spare time, Dr. Paulina loves exploring the outdoors and travelling, and is always seeking her next adventure. She loves to stay active with hiking, rollerblading, and running along the lake shore. When not outdoors, you can find her checking out local live music and sporting events, or spending time with her dog, Rosie.
She is so excited to continue calling the Chicagoland area her home and to serve the needs of the surrounding community as a member of the Bite Size team!
Angela is excited to be part of the pediatric dentistry team at Bite Size! She truly has passion to learn about dentistry and loves working with kids. For Angela, there is nothing better than hearing patient’s funny jokes and seeing their smiley faces!
When Angela is not teaching brushing and flossing, she is busy spending time with her golden retrievers, AJ & Buehrle. She also enjoys going to Brookfield Zoo and baseball games! Go Sox Go!
Andrea began working in the field of Pediatric Dentistry in 2007. She has a deep passion and great understanding of what it takes to provide quality care to each and everyone of her “little” patients.She enjoys spending time at home with her husband, watching Netflix reruns of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, and can’t get enough of spending quality time with her adorable little daughter, Gianna. Andrea looks forward to meeting and providing a positive experience for your child soon!
Amber is very excited to join the Bite Size team! She loves getting to know each patient and making each visit enjoyable! Amber’s favorite part about pediatric dentistry is building trust with each child and watching them grow. When Amber is not working she loves having movie nights with her two children. Amber also loves getting creative and spending time with her family.
Elena has worked in dentistry for 5 years before starting at Bite Size! She loves helping kids realize the dentist can be a fun and exciting place. In Elena’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with her 2 children – Delaney and TJ, her chihuahua Pebbles and her fiance.
Missy joined Bite Size with 8 years of dental assisting experience. She loves getting to watch her patient’s grow up and learn to love the dentist! In Missy’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with her son, Xavier, and going to sports games – go Cubs!
Olivia joins the Bite Size team after being a patient of ours! Olivia found a passion for teeth after learning to love the dentist and orthodontist over the years. Olivia loves getting to help the little kids realize the dentist can be fun. In her spare time away from the office, Olivia enjoys dancing or spending time with friends.
Paige is so excited to be part of the Bite Size team! She loves helping our patients feel welcome and comfortable at their appointments and seeing them learn that the dentist can be a fun place! Paige hopes to continue her education and become a hygienist. In her spare time she loves taking her dog on walks and spending time with family and friends.
Lacey started at Bite Size in August of 2019 and is ecstatic to be a part of the team! In Lacey’s free time, she enjoys going to the park with her dogs, Hugo and Harper, as well as reading and watching movies with her boyfriend. She looks forward to meeting you!
Katie graduated from the Prairie State College Dental Hygiene program in 2014. One of the reasons she loves working with kids is seeing their smiley faces after they get their teeth sparkled! She enjoys discussing tips with parents to help children maintain healthy teeth. Katie likes to spend time with her husband and family and baking. She is looking forward to meeting you!
Areliz graduated from the Southern Illinois Dental Hygiene program in May of 2019. She enjoys working in a pediatric dental office because it is amazing to see how children are introduced to the dental setting at a young age and learn to love going to the dentist. Most importantly she loves seeing the big smile of every child after their cleaning! In her spare time, Areliz enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Johanna joined the Bite Size team in 2018. She is passionate about making every dental visit comfortable and enjoyable so that each child is excited to come see the dentist! Johanna enjoys spending time with her husband, son and two spoiled yorkies when not at the office. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, outdoor activities, the beach in the summer, and favorite television series Grey’s Anatomy.
Melissa joined our administrative team with previous experience in the dental field. She brings attention to detail, loves interacting with the kids, and helping parents! She enjoys our pediatric office since she is a mother of a 4 year old boy. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son camping. When she is not watching Paw Patrol she enjoys The Bachelor.
Jessica is excited to be part of the Bite Size team! When she’s not working, Jessica loves spending time with her husband, son and daughter. Jessica enjoys outdoors activities with her family like going to the zoo, swimming and taking bike rides.
Gaby started with Bite Size in April of 2019 with experience in a general dental office. Going into work and seeing all the kiddos smiles makes her day! Away from work, Gaby enjoys working out, shopping, and spending time with family.
