Meet Our Caring & Skilled Pediatric Dentists
Dr. Jill Jenkins
- EducationAfter earning her undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), Dr. Jill Jenkins achieved her doctorate from the UMKC School of Dentistry and went on to complete her Pediatric Residency Program at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.
She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, a Diplomate of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a member of the American Dental Association, President-Elect of the Kansas Dental Association, and the Immediate Past President of the Fifth District Dental Association.
- Practice PhilosophyPassionate about toothless grins, a child’s joy and pride in a job well done, and princesses and superheroes in costume for their dental appointments, Dr. Jenkins counts it an honor and privilege to care for her patients’ beautiful smiles! She’s devoted to helping children and their parents understand the importance of great lifelong oral health, and she goes the extra mile to make every visit as fun, relaxed, and efficient as possible!
- Professional Accomplishments
Dr. Jenkins was Dentist of the Year for the Fifth District Dental Society in 2019, Chairperson of the Year for Fifth District Dental Society in 2017, Chairperson of the Year for the Kansas Dental Association in 2015 and 2019, and she won the Women Who Mean Business Award in 2017.
Dr. Dharti Gandhi
- Education
Dr. Dharti Gandhi earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia before achieving her doctorate at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. She then completed her Pediatric Residency Program at NYU Langone Hospital in Nashville, TN.
She is board-certified with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, a licensed pediatric dentist in Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado, and she’s a member of the American Dental Association, Colorado Dental Association, Kansas Dental Association, and Missouri District Dental Association.
- Practice Philosophy
Straight out of dental school, Dr. Gandhi worked for a private practice that only saw kids. And this is where everything fell into place as she discovered her love for working with children. Dr. Gandhi believes every child deserves a positive, comfortable, and enjoyable dental experience. What motivates her most is helping children reach a point where they feel comfortable enough to allow her to complete their treatment—because building trust is key.
Through gentle, compassionate, and evidence-based care tailored to each child’s unique needs, she strives to create a welcoming environment where children feel safe, parents feel informed, and trust is built through open communication and respect. By emphasizing prevention, education, and early intervention, she partners with families to build a foundation for lifelong oral health and healthy smiles that last a lifetime, while celebrating each child’s individuality every step of the way.
- Away from the Office
Outside the office, Dr. Gandhi enjoys exploring local farmers’ markets, running, and spending quality time with her favorite people—her husband, Kyle, their two children, Myles & Mira, and their beloved dog, Murphy.
Dr. Benjamin Olson
- Education
After earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dr. Benjamin Olson received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry.
He then completed his pediatric dental residency at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.
- Practice Philosophy
Growing up in a family of ten children, including brothers with special needs, shaped Dr. Olson’s passion for caring for children with patience, compassion, and dignity. He believes every child deserves to feel safe, respected, and genuinely cared for, treating each child as he would want his own children to be treated. His goal is to build trust, encourage healthy habits, and create an environment where children feel comfortable, parents feel heard, and every family knows they matter.
What drew Dr. Olson to Joyful Dentistry for Children was its commitment to creating a fun, welcoming environment while providing exceptional care. The team’s heart for serving families and helping children have positive dental experiences aligns closely with his own values, and he’s grateful to be part of a practice that genuinely lives up to its name.
- Away from the Office
Dr. Olson’s greatest joy is his family. When he’s not in the office, you’ll usually find him playing with his five children, exploring the outdoors, hiking, mountain biking, running, and making memories with his family.
Dr. Alex O'Connor
“I’ve always been young at heart and drawn to the joy and energy kids bring. Helping children build positive dental experiences and healthy habits from the very beginning is what motivates me every day.”
- Education
After earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Dentistry, Dr. O’Connor completed his Pediatric Dental Residency at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry.
Originally from Overland Park, Kansas, Dr. O’Connor’s connection to the practice began before dental school when he worked alongside Dr. Jill Jenkins as a dental assistant. That experience gave him valuable insight into the compassionate, patient-centered care the practice is known for and inspired him to return as a pediatric dentist to serve Kansas City families alongside the team.
- Practice Philosophy
Believing every child deserves a positive start to their dental journey, Dr. O’Connor’s goal is to create a fun, welcoming environment where children feel safe, build confidence, and develop healthy habits that last a lifetime. He is passionate about helping young patients have positive dental experiences from the very beginning, knowing those early moments can shape their lifelong oral health.
With an enthusiastic, compassionate, and family-centered approach, Dr. O’Connor strives to make every visit comfortable, encouraging, and even fun for both children and their families.
- Away from the Office
Outside the office, Dr. O’Connor enjoys spending quality time with his wife and son. Whether he’s on the golf course or exploring the outdoors with family and friends, he values making memories and staying active. He loves taking advantage of every opportunity to enjoy nature and spend time with the people who matter most.
Location: Olathe
Dr. Jaime Stinnett
- Education
Dr. Jaime received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Dentistry, where she graduated first in her class. She then completed her Pediatric Dental Residency at Children’s Mercy Kansas City.
Additionally, she is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, the Kansas Dental Association, and the Fifth District Dental Society. She was also inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society and has been recognized with both the Richard C. Pugh Achievement Award and the Arthur J. Nowak Award of Excellence for exceptional performance on the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry examinations.
- Practice PhilosophyDr. Stinnett believes every child deserves compassionate care, patience, and encouragement from someone who truly enjoys working with them. Her philosophy is rooted in prevention, education, and minimally invasive care, with the belief that the best dental treatment is often the treatment that can be avoided through early intervention, healthy habits, and strong partnerships with families.
She strives to provide individualized care in a calm, positive environment where children feel safe, respected, and empowered to build a lifetime of healthy smiles, while giving parents the knowledge and confidence to support their child’s oral health every step of the way.
- Away from the Office
Outside of caring for patients, Dr. Stinnett enjoys making memories with her husband, Dustin, and their two sons, Luke and Kellan. Whether she’s cheering from the sidelines at a sporting event, exploring the outdoors through camping and hiking, enjoying live music, or relaxing with the family’s dogs, she values quality time with the people she loves most.
Location: Overland Park
Anna
“Hi! I’m Anna, and I’m so excited to be back at Joyful Dentistry for Kids as a Registered Dental Hygienist. I’m incredibly grateful to work with this team and can’t wait to meet your family. I look forward to helping every child have a positive, fun dental experience!”
- EducationMy educational journey started at Park University, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. I then attended Flint Hills Technical College and graduated with my Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene. Before hygiene school, I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Jenkins as a dental assistant. That experience confirmed my passion for pediatric dentistry, so returning as a hygienist truly feels like coming home.
- Practice PhilosophyWhat I love most about working with kids is helping them build confidence at the dentist. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a child who starts the appointment feeling nervous leave with a smile, excited to come back. I believe positive early dental experiences create healthy habits that last a lifetime.
My pediatric philosophy is simple: every child deserves to feel safe, heard, and celebrated. I strive to make each visit fun, encouraging, and comfortable while helping children and parents feel empowered to care for their smiles.
- Away from the Office
Outside of the office, my husband and I stay busy with our two young children, ages 2 and 4. We love spending time together as a family, staying active, and enjoying the outdoors. I’m also passionate about health and fitness, and I enjoy running and challenging myself through endurance events.
My friends and family would describe me as positive, gentle, driven, and goal-oriented. I love encouraging others, whether it’s helping a child overcome their fear of the dentist or cheering someone on toward their personal goals.
Robyn
- Education
I received my associate’s degree in dental hygiene from Johnson County Community College in 2019. I am currently working on obtaining my bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from Wichita State University. Originally from Lawrence, the positive atmosphere and values of Joyful Dentistry for Kids brought me to live in the Kansas City area.
- Practice Philosophy
My mission is to provide kids with a positive dental experience from a young age to encourage lifelong oral health. I enjoy adapting to the needs of each child and providing individualized care, and I have always enjoyed working with kids and love the variety each child brings to their appointment. My kind, patient, compassionate, and understanding nature helps me create a comfortable experience for every child.
- Away from the Office
Outside the office, I enjoy cooking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Erica
- Education
I graduated from UMKC with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. I have been working in the dental field since 2016, when I started as a Hygiene Assistant. After graduating from dental hygiene school, I spent the first four years of my career working in general dentistry.
- Practice PhilosophyAfter filling in at Dr. Stinnett’s office, I immediately knew pediatric dentistry was for me. Working with kids truly brings me joy, and joining Joyful Dentistry for Kids has been incredibly gratifying.
My favorite part of pediatric dentistry is making going to the dentist fun! My goal is to make sure every visit is a positive experience for both my patients and their parents.
My philosophy is to care not only for my patients’ teeth, but also for their overall well-being. I want every patient to feel safe, comfortable, and understood. I’m an empathetic person, which helps me see things from my patients’ perspective and educate them about their oral health in a kind and caring way.
- Away from the OfficeOutside of the office, I love traveling with my husband and spending time with our dog, Leo. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family. They would describe me as kindhearted, diligent, and attentive.
Location: Overland Park
Our Community Involvement
At Joyful Dentistry for Kids, we believe in giving back to the communities that have supported us. That’s why we’re actively involved in a variety of local causes and events throughout the year. From organizing school supply drives and supporting sports teams and camps to participating in impactful initiatives like Make-A-Wish, RunFASD, and Lucy’s Peace for Kids, we’re proud to play a role in making a positive difference. In addition, our dental team travels to daycares and preschools across the area, helping young children get excited about their oral health from an early age! Whether it’s donating supplies, volunteering our time, or helping out at our local Trunk-or-Treat, we love to engage with our neighbors and spread joy. Together, we’re building stronger, healthier communities, one smile at a time!
Our Locations
Friday: 7:30am - 3:30pm
Saturday–Sunday: Closed
Friday: 7:30am - 3:30pm
Saturday–Sunday: Closed
Monday–Thursday: 8 AM–4PM
Friday–Sunday: Closed