At Gaslight Village Family Dentistry, everything we do is guided by core principles that put your comfort, health, and experience first. These are the values we live by every day, shaping patient interactions and ensuring a high standard of dental care at every level.
Our Guiding Principles
- Kindness — Genuine kindness transforms the dental experience from something to endure to something that feels supportive and caring. From a warm welcome when you arrive to the gentle way we explain procedures, this consideration helps even our most anxious patients feel at ease.
- Respect — You deserve to be heard, understood, and treated with dignity, regardless of your oral health history or concerns. We respect your time, your questions, your treatment preferences, and your individual circumstances and will ensure you always feel valued as a person and a partner in your dental care.
- Evidence-Based Care — We base treatment recommendations on the latest dental research and proven clinical techniques, not outdated methods or guesswork. This scientific approach gives you peace of mind, knowing that your treatment plan represents the most effective, predictable path based on current dental knowledge.
- Commitment to Innovation — We carefully select and invest in advanced technologies that genuinely improve your experience and treatment outcomes. Whether it's AI-enhanced diagnostics or same-day crown technology, every innovation serves a clear purpose in making your care better, more comfortable, or more convenient.
Dr. Joshua Wansten
Education and Experience
Dr. Wansten earned his Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology from the University of Michigan in 2004, followed by his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from U of M's School of Dentistry in 2009. He completed his General Practice Residency at Loyola University Chicago in 2010, providing him with advanced training in complex dental procedures. Dr. Wansten joined Gaslight Village Family Dentistry in 2022.
Patient Care Philosophy
Dr. Wansten was drawn to dentistry because it combines his fascination with science with the opportunity to help people. He appreciates the blend of scientific knowledge, compassion, artistic vision, problem-solving skills, and the commitment to excellence required for every procedure.
His favorite cases are those involving transformative journeys. Whether helping a patient overcome years of dental anxiety, restoring smiles through complex dentistry, or watching someone learn to value their health and themselves. Dr. Wansten finds great fulfillment in working alongside patients to achieve life-changing results.
Team Leadership
Dr. Wansten feels fortunate to be surrounded by an exceptional team who continuously support each other while sharing the common goal of helping patients achieve their healthiest, happiest smiles. He takes pride in leading a group of professionals who strive for excellence and regularly go the extra mile for both patients and colleagues.
Community Connection and Personal Interests
A true local, Dr. Wansten grew up in Kentwood and is thrilled to have returned to West Michigan after spending several years in Chicago. He and his wife have made East Grand Rapids their home, drawn by the strong sense of community and proximity to family and Lake Michigan's beautiful beaches.
Outside the office, Dr. Wansten enjoys an active lifestyle that includes tennis, pickleball, basketball, and mountain biking on local trails. He's also a devoted University of Michigan football season ticket holder. At home, he loves experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen and tending to his garden. Dr. Wansten enjoys music, whether listening to his growing vinyl record collection or attending live concerts. He's also an avid reader and lifelong learner, currently teaching himself guitar and harmonica.
Kaitlin
Registered Dental Hygienist
Kaitlin joined our team in 2024 after earning her degree from Ferris State University and practicing dental hygiene since 2017. Her path to dentistry was deeply personal; her own dental anxiety inspired her to help others overcome similar fears and find confidence in the dental chair.
What sets Kaitlin apart is her genuine empathy for anxious patients. Having experienced that fear herself, she understands exactly what patients are feeling and works to reassure them that even dental providers can feel nervous, and it's completely normal. She finds great joy in watching patients transform, becoming confident with their smiles and improving their overall health.
Kaitlin is passionate about patient education, helping people understand the vital connection between oral health and overall wellness. Outside the office, she embraces an active, self-sufficient lifestyle, tending to her garden and chickens, canning her harvest, and staying active through running and biking. In winter, you'll find her on the slopes, downhill skiing. A fun fact: despite her many talents, she can't whistle!
Katie
Registered Dental Hygienist
Katie joined our team in February 2024, after practicing dental hygiene since 2007 and earning her degree from Grand Rapids Community College. Her mission in dentistry centers on making a tangible difference in people's lives through improved oral health, community service, and meaningful relationships.
Katie's approach to patient care is built on three core principles: empathy to ensure patients feel truly understood, clear communication to keep everyone informed, and providing timely access to care when it's needed most. She finds deep fulfillment in fostering improvement, offering comfort during treatment, and forming lasting connections with both patients and team members.
Her dedication to serving her community extends beyond the dental chair—it's what initially drew her to the profession and continues to drive her passion for helping others achieve their healthiest smiles.
Outside the office, Katie enjoys an active lifestyle filled with golfing, camping, and vacationing in sunny destinations near the water. She has a special talent for finding unique gifts and creative ways to motivate her children.
Peggy Jane, "Grandma PJ"
Hygiene Coordinator
Grandma PJ is the heart of our front office, greeting every patient with a warm smile and her signature sense of humor. Her genuine care for people shines through as she catches up with patients about their latest family adventures and provides a listening ear during difficult times.
Drawn to dentistry by her love of working with her hands and helping others, Grandma PJ completed her training at Career Preparation Center. She views her role as much more than scheduling and is often the supportive voice patients need, celebrating their joys and offering comfort during challenges.
Outside the office, Grandma PJ serves as director of her church's women's ministry, where her natural leadership and caring nature shine. She enjoys taking day trips to explore new places and practices crocheting. When she's not busy with ministry work or needlework, you might find Grandma PJ fishing, one of her favorite pastimes that might surprise those who know her primarily as our office's wise and welcoming grandmotherly figure.
Amber
Dental Assistant
Amber joined our team in 2022 when she was ready for a career change from her work as a phlebotomist. She quickly discovered that dentistry was the perfect fit, and her patients are much happier to see her at the dental office than they were at the hospital!
What drives Amber is helping patients achieve their smile goals and objectives while bringing joy to their experience. She thrives in our practice's positive, supportive environment and feels blessed to work alongside a team that keeps her laughing every day. The genuine love and camaraderie among staff members create a healthy work atmosphere that makes each day great.
Outside the office, Amber is a devoted Detroit Lions fan who enjoys watching any sport on TV while hanging out with her dogs. She's known for her naturally loud, cheerful voice; if she's talking in one room, you can almost guarantee you'll hear her from anywhere else in the building. Despite her many talents, there's one that eludes her: she can't snap her fingers!
Stephanie
Dental Assistant
Stephanie joined Gaslight Village Family Dentistry in 2025 after 22 years in the dental field. Her journey began at dental laboratories, where a friend recognized that her artistic talents would be a perfect fit for dentistry. Through on-the-job training and years of experience, she developed her skills in patient care and chairside assistance.
What Stephanie loves most about her role is helping patients feel as relaxed as possible during their appointments. She genuinely enjoys meeting new people and finds fulfillment in making each patient's experience more comfortable. Her warm, welcoming personality helps put even anxious patients at ease.
Stephanie's artistic nature extends beyond dentistry into her personal life, where she enjoys painting and tackling home repair projects. She's also passionate about gardening, particularly tending to her collection of hostas, and caring for her chickens. A romantic at heart, Stephanie married her high school sweetheart, and they've been together for 21 years.
Love it here!! Super easy, staff is helpful, friendly and professional. Our family has gone here for many years. Dr Josh is great, love Kaitlyn our hygienist. Highly recommend!!
- Jen