Welcome to the dental office of Dr. Mark E. Richardson, where passion meets dentistry, and every smile tells a unique story. Our dedicated team, led by Dr. Mark, has served the Kalamazoo community with exceptional dental care for over three decades. As a family-focused practice, we take pride in creating a warm and welcoming environment beyond the dental chair.
Our Story
Founded in 1962 by Dr. Mark's father and relocated to its current site in 1977, our practice has been a cornerstone of dental excellence for decades. Dr. Mark further expanded this legacy in 1992 by acquiring and merging Dr. Brown's practice and later purchasing his father's practice, reinforcing our long-standing family tradition in providing exceptional dental care. We are located in Dr. Mark's father's childhood home, lovingly remodeled into a dental office, which provides a unique and inviting backdrop for our practice.
Commitment to Our Community
We are deeply involved in community service. Dr. Mark and our team volunteer with Taste of Heaven, Family Health Center Dental Day of Caring, medical/dental brigades, and various educational initiatives. Our commitment to charitable causes reflects our dedication to making a positive impact beyond the dental office.
Ready to Meet Our Team?
Get to know the faces behind your dental care! Each member of our team plays a crucial role in creating beautiful smiles and building lasting connections. Contact us today to book your appointment with Dr. Mark!
Dr. Mark Richardson
Dr. Mark Richardson leads our team, bringing a wealth of knowledge and commitment to exceptional patient care. Holding a Bachelor of Science degree from Hope College in 1988 and graduating from Northwestern University Dental School in 1992, Dr. Mark's educational journey laid the foundation for his distinguished career. A passionate and dedicated dentist, Dr. Mark has been serving patients of all ages since the 1990s.
Collaborating seamlessly with his team, Dr. Mark ensures the delivery of quality dental care within a professional yet enjoyable environment. His favorite aspect of the profession is building relationships with patients and their families, sharing their life experiences.
Dr. Mark's journey into dentistry began as a summer assistant in his dad's dental office, where he witnessed the transformative power of creating beautiful smiles. His dedication to continuing the legacy of quality care led him to purchase his dad's practice after buying another local practice, establishing our dental office in the same building.
Beyond the dental office, Dr. Mark is a man of diverse interests. Whether golfing, participating in CrossFit, volunteering locally or abroad, or traveling with his wife, Dr. Mark embraces life enthusiastically. A unique hobby includes his longstanding collection of sports cards and memorabilia, a passion cultivated since his youth.
A fun fact about Dr. Mark reveals his athletic prowess—he played hockey in KOHA's youth program and at Kalamazoo Central High School. Today, he channels that same energy into mission trips to Honduras, where he leads dental teams to provide essential care to needy communities.
Tina
Office Manager - FAADOM
Meet Tina, our dedicated office manager and the wife of Dr. Mark. With a background in nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Hope College, Tina combines her medical expertise with her passion for making the business side of the practice run smoothly.
As the office manager, Tina is the backbone of our business operations, handling everything from bill payments and patient scheduling to liaising with insurance companies and marketing. But her role extends beyond these tasks. Tina recently graduated with her FAADOM, a credential offered by AADOM to recognize outstanding dental office managers who meet high professional standards. Tina is deeply committed to fostering a positive and cohesive work environment, investing in team building, education, and training for our staff.
Tina's journey in dentistry began in 1992 when her husband, Dr. Mark, started the practice. Over the years, she has worn different hats, managing accounts, working as a dental assistant, and taking on marketing responsibilities.
One of the aspects Tina loves most about her job is the opportunity to make both our team and patients feel special and appreciated. She is dedicated to creating a welcoming atmosphere where patients feel like part of our dental family, helping to ease any anxieties they may have about dental visits.
Outside the dental office, Tina's passion for community service shines through her volunteer work for various organizations, including Taste of Heaven and Kids Food Basket. She currently serves as the President of a local P.E.O. chapter, supporting women's education. Tina's diverse interests include gardening, reading, and traveling, with a unique flair for researching and planning trips. She is also a flautist and enjoys the art of calligraphy.
Kari
Patient Care Coordinator
In her role as a patient care coordinator, Kari handles a wide array of responsibilities crucial to the seamless functioning of the front desk. Kari completed two years of college education, and her training primarily occurred on the job, providing her with valuable hands-on experience in the dental field.
What she finds most rewarding about her role is getting to know them, hearing their stories, and witnessing their happiness when they receive dental treatments. Kari also appreciates the strong bond within her team, where members consistently support each other. Their teamwork truly helps each other smile!
Kari has three years of experience in the dental field and has had the privilege of working at Dr. Mark's practice since 2021. Her decision to pursue a career in the dental field stemmed from her passion for meeting new people, helping others, and being an integral part of a team focused on patient care.
Beyond her professional life, Kari enjoys reading and shopping with friends. Kari's two high-school-aged children keep her busy with various activities and commitments. One fun fact people may not know about Kari is that she has volunteered in the jungles of Ecuador with the Cofan Indians and in China, where she volunteered at an orphanage.
Holly
Dental Assistant
Holly has been working in the dental field since 1995 and alongside Dr. Mark since then as well. She lived out-of-state for a little while, then rejoined our team in 2004. Holly plays a crucial role in various procedures, from dental emergencies to crowns and fillings.
Holly's journey into dentistry began with on-the-job training under Dr. Mark's guidance, supplemented by x-ray courses at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. What she loves most about her role is creating a comfortable environment for patients, helping them achieve confident smiles. Holly's team spirit shines through as she collaborates with coworkers to ensure a smooth workflow and an enjoyable work environment.
Outside the dental office, Holly finds joy in tending to her flower beds, bird feeding, and playing with her grandsons.
Nancy
Dental Hygienist
With nearly 30 years of experience as a licensed dental hygienist, Nancy brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to her role at Dr. Richardson's office. She earned her associate's degree in Applied Science from Kalamazoo Valley Community College in 1996 and has been dedicated to helping patients achieve healthier smiles ever since. Nancy is passionate about creating a welcoming environment to ease dental anxiety and values the teamwork that drives exceptional patient care.
Outside of work, she enjoys embroidery, the intricate Ukrainian art of Pysanky egg writing, and tending to the shared backyard garden she maintains with her two sisters.
Valerie
Dental Hygienist
With over 37 years of experience in dentistry, Valerie brings a deep commitment to patient care and oral health to Mark E. Richardson DDS. As a registered dental hygienist, she helps patients achieve and maintain their healthiest smiles through routine hygiene visits, always practicing with compassion, respect, and positivity.
Valerie earned her training from Kellogg Community College and recently joined Dr. Mark’s team, where she's excited to build meaningful relationships with both patients and colleagues. Her passion for dentistry started at a young age—she loved visiting the dentist growing up and knew early on she wanted to be part of the field.
Outside the office, Valerie enjoys staying active and exploring the outdoors. You’ll often find her camping, running, kayaking, biking, hiking, or planning her next travel adventure. She’s also an avid reader and has a creative side—she loves spray painting treasures she finds at garage sales. And if you're looking for a thrill-seeker, look no further: Valerie is a big fan of ziplining, even after a wild (and questionably safe!) experience in Jamaica.
Valerie looks forward to getting to know you and helping you feel comfortable and cared for during every visit!
I recently visited Dr. Richardson after avoiding the dentist for several years due to anxiety and cost. From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed and at ease. The receptionist greeted me with a warm smile and made the process smooth and stress-free.
Dr. Richardson and his team were incredibly professional, kind, and understanding of my situation. They took the time to explain every step of the procedure and made sure I was comfortable throughout. The dental hygienists were gentle and thorough, ensuring a pain-free cleaning that left my teeth feeling fresh and healthy.
Dr. Richardson's expertise and calm demeanor truly stood out. He addressed all my concerns and provided an affordable and comprehensive treatment plan without any pressure. The use of modern technology and techniques made the entire experience efficient and surprisingly easy.
I am beyond grateful for the exceptional care I received. Dr. Richardson and his team have restored my confidence in dental visits. If you're looking for a compassionate, skilled, and pain-free dental experience, I highly recommend Dr. Richardson's Dental Clinic. I'll definitely be back for my regular check-ups!