Our Practice

Paul Szmanda, DDS

Dr. Paul Szmanda has been a local dentist and practicing general family dentistry in Rib Mountain and the surrounding areas for over thirty years! Paul was born and raised in Antigo, Wisconsin.

After graduating high school, he attended the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. Paul received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree from Marquette University in January of 1984.

Paul and his wife Jeanne have four children. He enjoys spending time with his family, camping, hiking, and playing guitar.

Dr. Paul is a member of the Marathon County Dental Society, the Wisconsin Dental Association, and the American Dental Association. He also has the privilege of being affiliated with the Aspirus Hospital – Emergency Department.

Thomas Nichols, DMD

Dr. Thomas Nichols was born and raised in Central Wisconsin. He grew up in Wausau and he graduated from Edgar high school.

After graduating high school in 2010, he attended the University of Wisconsin La Crosse where he majored in BioMedical Sciences and minored in Chemistry. Dr. Nichols received his Doctorate of Medical Dentistry from Midwestern University in Chicago in May of 2018.

Tom and his wife, Jacqui, enjoy traveling together, spending time with family, fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, skiing, March Madness, football, and their golden retriever, Otto.

Dr. Nichols is a member of the American Dental Association, Wisconsin Dental Association, and Chicago Dental Society. He is constantly looking to improve himself and his skills to provide the best care possible to his patients.

Aaron Pavelski, DDS

Dr. Pavelski is a Stevens Point native and is excited to be back in central Wisconsin. Dr. Pavelski completed his undergraduate studies at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where he earned his degree in Biochemistry. He then went on to continue his education at Marquette University School of Dentistry where he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2019.

Dr. Pavelski is passionate about continuing education to develop his professional skills so he can provide his patients the best possible care. His professional affiliations include memberships in the Wisconsin Dental Association, the American Dental Association® and the Academy of General Dentistry.

In his free time he enjoys traveling, hiking, biking and playing table tennis. Dr. Pavelski is an avid Wisconsin sports fan and he enjoys watching the Packers, Badgers, Brewers and the Bucks.

Please call today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Pavelski!

Kate Collelo, DDS

Check back soon to meet Dr. Collelo! 

Jacob Baumgartner, DDS

Check back soon to meet Dr. Baumgartner! 

Meet Our Team
When you visit Szmanda Dental, our caring team put your interests first, providing quality care for you and your family in a warm, welcoming environment, and making sure that your treatments are efficient and tailored to meet your needs. We love being your dental advocates, and make sure that you are comfortable and have the knowledge you need to make decisions about your dental health. We invite you to call 715-845-3200 today to make your appointment with our dentists in Wausau, Wisconsin. We look forward to meeting you!

Administration

Patti B. – Administration/Finance
Patti has worked for Szmanda Dental Center for 25+ years. When she is not working she enjoys, walking, biking and relaxing around a campfire with a nice glass of wine.

David W. – COO
David has been a patient of Szmanda Dental Center for over 30 years. He moved to Wausau in 1986 after receiving his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He and his wife, Stacy, share a love of animals, the outdoors, comedy, and live music performances.

David is the proud father of three successful, happy, independent adult children and has two beautiful grandchildren.

Emilie F. – Administrative Assistant
Emilie, Dr. Paul’s daughter, recently moved back to the Wausau area with her husband, Nick, daughters, Isabelle and Amelia, and son, George! She loves spending time with her family, friends and pets, gardening and having fun up north at her family’s cabin.

Abby W. – Patient Services
Abby is trained in both clinical and patient services making her a versatile part of our team. She loves spending time outdoors or just curled up with a good book. Her true passion is her family. She and her husband have 4 children and 2 dogs. A die-hard Packers fan, she is a true Wisconsinite.

Kathy S. – Patient Services
Kathy has four daughters and eight grandchildren that she and her husband love spending time with. She was a professional photographer & still loves to take pictures of her family. She also loves gardening, watching the Packers & the Young & The Restless.

Kim R. – Patient Services
Kim is a Wausau native. She is married and has two sons. Kim has worked in the dental industry for 25 years. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and doing house and craft projects. She loves watching HGTV and DIY programs AND of course the Green Bay Packers.

Jackie L. – Patient Services
Bio and photo coming soon!

Robyn K. – Patient Services
Bio and photo coming soon!

Justine G. – Patient Services
Bio and photo coming soon!

Jill H. – Patient Services
Bio and photo coming soon!

Hygienists

Jaime R. – Head of Hygiene/OSHA Coordinator
Jaime is married with two children, Dalton and Vivian. She spends her free time enjoying bowling, snowmobling, hunting, fishing and relaxing at their cottage.

Colette W. – Hygienist
Colette is a #1 hygienist and a #1 mom. She fully enjoys her family and in her ‘me time’ Colette is an avid runner. Not sure she will admit to loving running, but she’s got us convinced!

Dawn H. – Hygienist
Dawn has a great personality and is a real go-getter. She loves activities with her family – especially ones that involve the outdoors. She plays golf and enjoys watching football. #GOPACKGO

Olivia L. – Hygienist
Olivia likes spending time with her husband Colin and two kids Ezra and Ellie. She likes being outdoors, going on walks and taking a good nap (when she can). She also likes spending time with her sisters and nieces/ nephews.

Amy N. – Hygienist
Amy grew up in Rib Mountain and graduated with a Registered Dental Hygienist degree from NTC. She has 3 children and a Golden Retriever, which she enjoys spending her free time with. Amy has enjoyed working as a Dental Hygienist at Szmanda Dental for 23 years.

Claudette N. – Hygienist
Claudette lives in Mosinee with her husband Terry and her two daughters Halle and Hanna. Her favorite thing to do is travel all over to watch both her girls play volleyball all year round!!

Kathy L. – Hygienist
Kathy L. is a dental hygienist working with our Szmanda Dental Team since January 2018. She has been in the hygiene field for over 30 years and enjoys meeting and working with new people. She lives in Weston with her husband, Roy. They have one daughter that lives in the Twin Cities. In her free time Kathy enjoys sewing, hiking, golfing and gardening. She looks forward to meeting you in one of our offices soon.

Katie D. – Hygienist
Katie has lived in the Wausau area for her whole life. She is married to her husband, Mike, and has three adult kids. She enjoys any time spent at their cottage in Sayner, Wisconsin, or out on their boat fishing and tubing. She also enjoys the bowling league they have been on for several years.

Payton Y. – Hygienist
Payton grew up in Birnamwood, Wisconsin, and has been a hygienist with us since 2020. Her favorite thing to do is spending time with her husband, cat and two dogs. She also enjoys hunting with her dad and grandpa, crafting and spending time outdoors (when it is not winter!). Payton and her husband are excited to welcome their first child in September 2022!

Brianna B. – Hygienist
Brianna’s favorite thing to do is spend time with her husband, two pugs and three cats at their house in Hatley. When she isn’t just relaxing at home with her family, she also enjoys traveling. Her all-time favorite vacation spot is Disney World.

Riley W. – Hygienist
Riley grew up in Wittenberg and started by working as our clinical assistant in high school, where she realized her passion for dental hygiene. She enjoys spending time with her fiancé, Derek, and her one dog and two cats. She spends her free time going to dog shows and Green Bay Packers games and spending time with her family.

Clinical Assistants

Morgan M. – Clinical Assistant
Bio coming soon!

Dental Assistants

Hannah S. – Dental Assistant
Bio coming soon!

Erika G. – Dental Assistant
Erika enjoys running. During the weekend, she and her husband enjoy cooking new recipes. They love their dog, Jupiter. In the summer, they enjoy hiking and like to spend time with family and friends. Erika loves helping out our Spanish-speaking patients, and they love her!

Jess H. – Dental Assistant
Jess lives in Merrill. She is married and has two kids. Jess has worked in this field since 2006. Outside of work, Jess likes to hang out with family and friends.

Jane G. – Dental Assistant
Jane enjoys her time with her family and friends. Jane also loves spending as much time as possible in the “great outdoors”!

“CC” V. – Dental Assistant
Bio coming soon!

Val K. – Dental Assistant
Bio coming soon!