Most people do not look forward to going to the dentist. For many, it is something to check off a list rather than an experience to enjoy, but when an appointment feels comfortable, when the environment is welcoming, and the people put you at ease, it can change the feeling entirely.
Drs. Kay and Amanda Henry have built a practice just like that in Crystal Lake. Their practice reflects both their shared history and their approach to patient care. As a mother and daughter team, their connection is evident, shaped by years of working alongside one another and a mutual respect that carries through the entire office.
Sitting down in the office with them, Amanda enters first, warm and easy in her manner. A few minutes later, her mother, Kay joins after finishing with a patient and her greeting is friendly and natural. The office itself is clean and modern, but more importantly, it feels comfortable with staff members greeting visitors with genuine smiles. It is the kind of place where people seem at ease.
Kay always knew she wanted to be a dentist. Her father was a dentist, and she remembers asking to go into the office with him as a child. Those early experiences left a lasting impression and eventually led her to open her own practice in 2004. Amanda’s path came into focus over time. She grew up around the office and worked as a dental assistant for her mom, getting a firsthand look at the profession. Those early experiences helped shape her decision to pursue dentistry. After graduating in 2012, she joined the practice right away, stepping into a role that already felt familiar.
Working together has added a new dimension to their relationship. Kay reflects on that shift with a smile, saying, “I thought I had a lot to teach Amanda, and as it turned out, she was the one that taught me.” It is a comment that speaks to how their roles have evolved. While Kay brings decades of experience, Amanda brings a fresh perspective, and the two balance each other in a way that feels natural rather than forced.
That sense of balance extends to their team as well. The practice is made up of seven women, something that was never planned but has become an important part of the office dynamic. Both Kay and Amanda are quick to credit their staff, joking that the team manages them, not the other way around. The comment is said with a laugh, but beneath it is a real appreciation for the people who keep the practice running day to day.
When asked about their specialty, Kay keeps the answer simple. For her, it comes down to taking care of people and providing the best care. Amanda agrees and adds that she has developed a particular interest in sleep apnea and the way it affects overall health. Through dental devices, the practice is able to offer an alternative to traditional CPAP machines, giving patients another option that can better fit their lives. The duo also shares a focus on continuing to grow. Both doctors speak about the importance of ongoing education, as well as the role of mentors and business coaches in shaping how they approach their work. It is clear they are intentional about not becoming stagnant, always looking for ways to improve both patient care and the overall experience in the office.
For Kay, one of the most meaningful lessons over time has been finding balance between her professional and personal life. She speaks about learning how to show up more fully in both, something that has come with experience. Even after many years in dentistry, her enthusiasm for the work remains steady. She still enjoys coming into the office and values the relationships she has built along the way. Some of her patients have been with her for more than 30 years, a fact she mentions with a sense of pride and a smile.
When asked about a proud moment, her answer comes quickly. Having Amanda join the practice stands out most. Being able to introduce her as her daughter is something she does not take for granted, and that sense of gratitude is reflected in a feature that stands out inside the office. Along one wall is what they call their “wall of fame,” a collection of photos representing the people who have supported them over the years. Mentors, family members, friends, and team members are all included. The display was a gift from Amanda to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Kay opening the practice, giving them a chance to reflect on the many people who helped them along the way.
They spend time reminiscing about the people on the wall and what they have contributed along the way. When asked to describe each other their responses came easily. Kay described Amanda as conscientious, kind, dependable, loyal, and funny. Amanda described her mom as fun, energetic, kindhearted, and funny. Their responses clearly shaped by years of knowing each other both inside and outside of the office.
In a field where many people feel uneasy, their practice offers something different. The space itself is inviting, but it is the people who make the difference. There is a consistency in how patients are treated, a sense that they are known and cared for rather than simply scheduled.
Their work also reflects a broader presence of women in dentistry without making it the focus. Their practice shows how collaboration, communication, and attention to patient comfort can shape the experience in meaningful ways. And most importantly, it is clear that the practice is built on relationships, between mother and daughter, among their team, and with the patients they have cared for over the years.
“I thought I had a lot to teach Amanda, and as it turned out, she was the one that taught me.”
In a field where many people feel uneasy, their practice offers something different. The space itself is inviting, but it is the people who make the difference.