Our dedicated staff has one primary goal: to give you a comfortable and enjoyable dental experience. We feel it’s important that you understand the treatment you’ll be receiving, and our staff is ready to answer your dental care questions. Learn more about our team below, and please feel free to share any of your needs or concerns with us.
Dr. Sarah Freely was raised in Bloomfield Hills, MI. She attended Indiana University and was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry. Sarah attended Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine and graduated magna cum laude in 2006.
“When I started college, I had no idea what I planned to do, but the brother of a friend of mine started talking to me about dentistry. I quickly saw it was the perfect blend of medicine and creativity for me!”
Dr. Freely did her undergraduate work at Indiana University, achieving a Bachelor of Science in biology and a minor in chemistry and graduating with honors. She followed up her undergraduate with dental school, attending Boston University for her DMD and graduating magna cum laude in 2006 before completing her residency at Illinois Masonic Medical Center.
“There are two ‘best parts’ of my daily job,” Dr. Freely says. “The first is working with patients who call themselves ‘flight risks.’ They are so scared of the dentist that they literally want to jump out of the chair and run. When I am able to successfully treat them and they say to me, ‘Wow, I’m not scared anymore!’—well, that’s a great feeling. The second is working with patients who tell me they are embarrassed to smile because of the way their teeth look. When we do restorative work and they are able to smile again, you can see what a difference you’ve made in their life. It’s transformative.”
When she’s not guiding patients toward a happier, healthier approach to dentistry, Dr. Freely enjoys spending quality time with her husband Jake and their five children, Lily, Lucas, Nolan, Dylan and Beckett.
Dr. McKaila Santos grew up in Madison, Wisconsin. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences at Marquette University, where she was also a member of the Marquette University Wind Ensemble. After college, she moved to Illinois to attend Midwestern University in Downers Grove to obtain her DMD and graduated magna cum laude. Outside of dentistry, Dr. Santos loves to bake and spend time with her husband and two dogs.
Bridget has worked in the dental field since 2005. She has been both a dental assistant and a front desk coordinator. Bridget joined the Cary Dental Associates team in June 2021. As the scheduling coordinator, she oversees scheduling appointments, checks patients in and out of the office and keeps up with patient accounts. Bridget enjoys helping people find their way to a brighter smile.
Bridget was born and raised in Chicago and moved to McHenry in 1993 with her husband Rob. She has three children, twins Jimmy and Joey, a daughter Brianna and a beloved dog, Phebe. When Bridget is not working at the office, she loves to spend time with family and friends. She is always on the go and loves to be busy and active. She’s an avid sports fan and loves the Chicago Cubs, Blackhawks and the Bears.
As the insurance and scheduling coordinator, Terri is always willing to go the extra mile for our patients. Terri works directly with insurance companies to verify patients’ coverage and obtain detailed benefit information. When she’s not on the phone with insurance companies, she helps patients book appointments, checks them in and out and keeps up with patient relations. Terri has been working in the dental field on and off since 2000. She loves helping people and educating them on how to achieve their best smiles. Terri loves working at Cary Dental Associates and with everyone in the office.
When she is not working, Terri enjoys spending time with her family. She has been married for over 35 years and has three daughters. She loves spending time with her grandchildren, Simon and Winnie, who live in Holland, MI. Terri loves playing with her 2 grandpuppies, a golden retriever, Rudy, and a Bernedoodle, Riley. She also loves cooking, watching movies and seeing live shows.
Dental hygienist Bonnie’s priority is to work in tandem with the rest of the dental team to provide full oral health care. Her training lets her specialize in the treatment and prevention of oral diseases such as periodontal disease and dental decay. She evaluates potential risk factors for these diseases by taking a full medical history and performing an oral cancer exam, a dentition exam and a periodontal exam. She then follows up with treatment, which can include removal of plaque, calculus and biofilm, as well as any necessary radiographs, fluoride treatments and sealants.
Bonnie lives in Ringwood, IL, and has resided in McHenry County her whole life. In 1988, she obtained her Associate of Applied Science from Harper College in Palatine, IL, and holds local anesthesia and diode laser certifications. She maintains 36 hours of continuing education every three years for licensure. Originally an oral surgery assistant, Bonnie realized she had a very real desire to learn more about other forms of dentistry and decided to turn her attention toward the prevention of oral diseases.
When she isn’t keeping patients’ mouths healthy and shining, Bonnie is spending time with her husband Derek and their three children, Grace, Gretchen and Griffin. She enjoys coffee on the porch, swimming and boating on the lake.
Debbie has been part of our dental hygiene team since 2007. She obtained her Associate of Applied Science in dental hygiene from Harper College. She has been practicing dental hygiene since 1983 and has years of experience in both periodontal and orthodontic offices. She is thrilled to be part of such a great team with incredibly wonderful patients.
When not at work, Debbie’s favorite thing to do is spend time with her husband, their three daughters and four grandchildren. She also volunteers at her church with the PADS program.
As an assistant to Dr. Brewer, Marisa focuses on helping patients achieve brighter smiles along with utilizing her certificate for sealants and coronal polishing to help keep patients’ teeth healthy. Marisa is always smiling because she’s able to help patients feel confident in their own smiles. She’s been working in the dental field since 2006 and recalls getting so excited to go to the dentist as a child.
When she isn’t working, Marisa enjoys traveling, boating or simply spending time outside in the sun with her children, Brayden and McKenzie. If Marisa could spend a year doing anything, she would spend as much time as possible traveling with family and friends.
Tracy is our social media and marketing coordinator. You may see her in and out of the office throughout the week. Tracy enjoys working out of her home creating content for Cary Dental Associates’ Facebook and Instagram pages.
Tracy has lived in the Crystal Lake area for over 40 years, and she and her husband, Dr. Skleba, currently reside in Prairie Grove where they raised their family. In her free time, she enjoys anything that has to do with being outside and spending time with family, especially playing with her grandchildren. Tracy loves to travel to new and exciting places where she can play golf and hike.
Renae joined the exciting world of dentistry in 2004, and it wasn’t long before she realized this was the career path she would follow. Renae joined the Cary Dental Associates Team in August of 2016.
As our office manager, insurance coordinator and implant coordinator, Renae has her hands full, but you’ll always see her smiling and she wouldn’t have it any other way. She enjoys educating patients about their dental benefits to help them make decisions to receive the best possible care. She oversees the submission of insurance claims along with the processing of insurance payments. She is always up for a challenge when it comes to appealing claims that may have been denied by an insurance company. Renae also enjoys working with patients and our specialists when it comes to implant treatment. She makes sure patients understand their treatment from start to finish and thoroughly explains the financial aspect of the implant process along with any applicable insurance benefits. Renae will happily go the extra mile to help any and all patients in the practice.
Renae grew up in Crystal Lake and still calls it home. Renae enjoys spending time outside with her two sons, Cameron and Christian. She loves watching Cameron play baseball and considers herself his biggest fan.
Dental hygienist Trisha believes in educating each patient about their oral health and individualizing treatment to cater to every patient’s current needs. She does this by gathering a full medical history and performing an oral cancer screening, periodontal measurements and a full oral exam. With this information, she makes a unique, personalized treatment for each patient. Skills she performs in the office include detailed cleanings, sealants, fluoride, periodontal deep cleanings, and impressions for whitening.
Trisha attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene and a minor in biomedical sciences. She holds a certification for local anesthesia and has been trained using Biolase lasers. She completes at least 36 hours of continuing education every three years. Trisha also has experience as a dental assistant starting at the age of 15. She assisted for three years in general dentistry prior to attending Marquette University and assisted as a periodontal surgical assistant and pathology assistant while attending Marquette.
Trisha grew up in Crystal Lake, IL. She now lives in Huntley with her husband Ryan and their two boys, Mason and Chase. Trisha enjoys hiking with her dogs, fishing, going on adventures and spending time watching her boys play football and baseball. She is very involved with her boys’ school, holding the position of president of the home and school association and running the school lunchroom. When it’s time to unwind she loves spending time with friends and family.
Before becoming a registered dental hygienist, Katelyn worked as a dental assistant starting in 2016. She earned her Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene from the College of Lake County in 2022 and is certified in nitrous oxide, local anesthesia, and CPR, ensuring patients receive a safe and comfortable experience.
Katelyn is dedicated to educating patients on improving their oral hygiene, nutritional habits, and periodontal health. She has a special ability to work with diverse populations, including pediatric, special needs, geriatric, and periodontally involved patients, and is skilled at crafting individualized treatment plans based on each patient’s unique needs and risk factors for cavities and periodontal disease.
Outside of the office, Katelyn enjoys long walks, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Born and raised in McHenry County, she now resides in Mount Prospect with her fiancé, Jeremy.
Katy has been a licensed dental hygienist since 2021 after graduating from Harper College. Her interest in dentistry began in high school when she worked her first job in a dental office, sparking her passion for helping others to feel confident in their smiles.
Outside of the office, Katy enjoys an active and family-centered life. She and her husband Scott have been married since June 2013 and have known each other since middle school. Together, they share a son, Izayah, who plays high school basketball and they have a baby girl on the way. In her free time, Katy loves fitness, DIY home renovation projects, and spending time with family and friends.
A fun fact about Katy is that she used to compete as an amateur kickboxing fighter, earning four title belts—including Illinois State Champion, Bantamweight Champion, and two-time WAKO Champion.
Marlene brings over 12 years of dental assisting experience and a genuine passion for helping patients feel relaxed, supported, and truly cared for. Her calm presence and friendly smile instantly puts people at ease, making every visit just a little bit brighter.
Originally from Island Lake, Marlene loves life at home with her family, especially the time she spends with her two teens, Anthony and Aundrea. Whether they’re sharing a meal, laughing over something funny, or just enjoying a quiet evening together, those moments are her favorite.
Outside the office, Marlene is always up for an adventure—exploring new restaurants in Chicago, trying out fun activities, and hunting for the city’s coziest coffee shops (even though she knows her wallet would appreciate it if she brewed at home!). Creative at heart, she enjoys capturing everyday memories through videos and photos. And when she finally gets a moment to relax, you’ll probably find her curled up with a great series on Netflix.
Esli is our dedicated Clinical and Administrative Assistant, bringing a blend of compassion, professionalism, and enthusiasm to every part of the patient experience. She has been in the dental field since 2015, beginning her journey in pediatric dentistry, where she quickly discovered how much she enjoyed helping patients feel comfortable and understood. Growing up in Wheeling and Buffalo Grove, Esli has always been drawn to healthcare, which now fuels her continued education as she completes her prerequisites at the College of Lake County to further her career in the dental field.
A true traveler at heart, Esli loves immersing herself in different cultures, foods, and breathtaking places. In 2024, she took her dream trip to Greece—a highlight of her life so far—where she island-hopped through Mykonos, Paros, and Milos. She still lights up talking about the unforgettable meals, the warmth of the people, and the stunning crystal-blue waters she could’ve stared at for hours.
Esli’s adventurous spirit doesn’t end with travel. She’s also passionate about the outdoors, and one of her proudest moments was completing a challenging 10-hour hike in Washington. The scenery, the quiet, and the sense of accomplishment sparked an even deeper love for exploring nature.
When she’s not traveling or tackling a new trail, you’ll probably find Esli enjoying life’s quieter comforts—catching a good series on Netflix, heading to the movies, or curling up with a book. She believes in creating balance, embracing adventure, and appreciating the simple joys in between.
