Meet Your East Lansing Modern Dental Doctors

Dr. Scott Pelok – DDS, MS, FAGD

Well known and extremely talented, Dr. Scott Pelok comes from a family of dentists. While attending Ohio State Dental School, he developed a keen interest in Oral Surgery and spent much of his spare time and school breaks volunteering to gain experience in oral surgery, tooth extractions, and other dentistry techniques so he could gain more experience. He also worked with prisoners to gain experience with triaging issues so he could assess and treat problems quickly and effectively.

After dental school, Dr. Pelok worked as a mentor and trainer for other dentists at the University of Michigan Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) program. You’ll understand how much he loves to teach when you ask for more information about your dental care needs. With compassion and an innate ability to explain things in plain terms, Dr. Pelok is committed to helping you understand your options so you can make confident decisions.

Over the years, his past experiences at other dental practices left Dr. Pelok wanting more. Some practices were small and didn’t allow him to offer his patients the variety of services that he knew they wanted from a dental practice. Dr. Pelok had also spent time at some large multi-location assembly-line-style practices that didn’t offer the personal, friendly style of dental care that he believes in. Trust is very important to Dr. Pelok and his ethics, professionalism, and desire to offer the kind of dental experience he believes in kept driving him to find a different kind of practice. Eventually this led him to establish East Lansing Modern Dental. He prides himself in being able to offer his patients a one-stop dental practice and works with trusted specialists who share his ethics and compassion.

When he’s not helping people find their healthy, beautiful smiles, Dr. Pelok enjoys woodworking and carpentry and is an amateur nature and wildlife photographer who has been published in Ontario Outdoor Life! He enjoys spending time with his family and has visited a Northern Canada fishing camp for years. Dr. Pelok met his wife Geri at Bowling Green University when he was a Grad student. Married since New Year’s Eve, 1997, Dr. Pelok and Geri have a passion for animals – especially their beloved Rottweilers. In addition to helping to heal and raise injured and unwanted Rottweilers, Dr. Pelok and Geri raise Rottweilers for search and rescue training.

Dr. Aziza Askari – DMD, MBA, MAGD

Dr. Aziza Askari has known Dr. Pelok since 2003, where they met at the U of M AEGD program. Having kept in contact since then, when Dr. Pelok presented the idea of creating a dental practice that is dedicated to delivering a personal and friendly approach to dental care, Dr. Askari jumped at the opportunity.

She is dedicated to meeting your individual needs with warmth and compassion and is eager to help you love every aspect of your smile. Dr. Askari loves her work and is passionate about providing the services her patients want and need to stay healthy. She enjoys helping people with TMJ disorder solutions, sleep apnea treatments, and migraine relief. Getting you – and keeping you – out of pain is her greatest reward.

Dr. Askari was bestowed the Top Dentist Award by Hour Detroit Magazine and is a member of the American Association of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists, the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, and the American Academy of Facial Esthetics. She is a Master with the Academy of General dentistry, which represents her dedication to continuing education for the benefit of her patients.

Dr. Askari is certified as a sedation dentist by the Dental Organization of Conscious Sedation. She’s also a certified Invisalign, Fast Braces, Six Month Smiles, Botox, and facial fillers provider.

Dr. Bruce Bates – DDS

Dedicated to providing compassionate and comforting care for all of his patients, Dr. Bruce Bates has worked with a diverse population of people. From working as a dental hygienist focusing on gum disease prevention, to helping the underserved, to participating in a mobile dentistry setting providing care for geriatric and juvenile patients, he has thoroughly enjoyed providing multiple phases of dentistry. Managing his own dental practice for decades, Dr. Bates is well-versed in all aspects of general dentistry and in helping his family of patients achieve optimal oral health with a beautiful smile.

Dr. Richard Stilwill

Dr. Richard Stilwill has been in practice since 1994 in his hometown of East Lansing. He graduated from East Lansing High School and Albion College, where he received a BS in Biology. Dr. Stilwill earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of Detroit.

To ensure he is always at the leading edge of advances in dentistry, Dr. Stilwill is a member of the American Dental Association, the Michigan Dental Association, and the Central District Dental Society. He has served as President of the Central District Association, Chairman of the Delta Dental Fund, and Secretary and Treasurer of the Michigan Section of the American College of Dentistry.

Throughout his years of practice, Dr. Stilwill has placed his focus on creating a relaxed and caring environment for all of those under his care. His conservative approach to dentistry has earned him the trust and respect of generations of families. Focusing on prevention, he will work with you to give you the education you need to be actively involved in your dental health. He enjoys taking time to explain the various dental options available, so you make confident choices.

As Chairman of the Delta Dental Fund's continuing education committee for five years, Dr. Stilwill strongly believes in the importance of continuing education and professional growth. He has led a group of dentists teaching ethics to freshmen dentists at the University of Michigan Dental School since 2015. When he’s not helping others at the office or helping to groom the dentists of the future, Dr. Stilwill enjoys spending what time he can with his wife Cathy and their three grown boys. When he has time, bicycling, skiing, and Boy Scouts are his fun diversions.

Meet Dr. Stilwill

Dr. Edward R. Essayan – Board Certified Orthodontist

After earning his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree, Dr. Edward R. Essayan attended the University of Detroit Mercy, where he graduated at the top of his class with honors with his second dental degree – a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. Passionate about the benefits of a straight smile, Dr. Essayan then joined the graduate program at Detroit Mercy where he earned his specialty certification in orthodontics. He is a Michigan Board-Licensed Orthodontist.

Committed to helping others find their ideal smile, Dr. Essayan taught Graduate Orthodontics as an Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor for many years at Detroit Mercy. Helping general dentists to become licensed orthodontists helped him pass on his expertise so that other patients could enjoy the same level of care that his own do. He is highly specialized in all phases of orthodontic treatment, from early and two-phase treatment for kids, to orthodontics for teens and adults, to Invisalign clear aligner therapy and jaw surgery. Whatever your family’s orthodontic needs, Dr. Essayan is here to help you find your happiest smile.

Dr. Essayan’s personal philosophy is to provide comprehensive, gentle orthodontic care with an emphasis on function, prevention, and esthetics. Providing the highest level of quality and service is his goal for everything he does. He wants you to enjoy the experience of receiving a healthy smile that not only looks beautiful but also works the way it needs to so you can use it with confidence.

Dr. Hana Gadalla – Board Certified Periodontist

After earning her Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree in 2007 in Libya, Dr. Hana Gadalla pursued additional education in maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, and implant dentistry over the next 3 years before coming to Michigan. Knowing the critical importance of communication, Dr. Gadalla attended the American Language program at Ohio State University before pursuing her specialty education in periodontics: a Certificate of Fellowship in Periodontics and Implant Dentistry from the University of Florida. She completed her periodontics residency at the University of Detroit Mercy, has been a Board-Certified Periodontist since 2016, and is certified to provide IV sedation.

Dedicated to helping people overcome gum disease so they can have a healthy, complete smile, Dr. Gadalla has been in private practice as a periodontist since 2016. During this time, she has also worked as a part-time faculty member supervising 3rd and 4th year dental students and teaching phase 1 periodontal treatments and treatment planning.

Committed to the research that helps provide the highest level of care with predictable treatment outcomes, Dr. Gadalla has had her research published by the American Academy of Periodontology and the Academy of Osseointegration. She is a sought-after speaker and lecturer and has received numerous awards throughout her dental education and career as a periodontist.

About Our Team

Supporting our team of specialists and general dentists in East Lansing is a kind and compassionate team who is dedicated to your comfort and satisfaction at every visit. Whether you want a dental appointment that fits into your schedule, need a hand understanding your dental insurance, or could use a refresher on your oral health homecare routine, our team is here for you. Just give us a call and we’ll do everything we can to make your visits convenient, comfortable, and something you want to tell your friends about!

Meet Chris the Hygienist