Our Staff

John K. Pontikes, D.M.D., F.A.G.D.

Born and raised in Chicago, Dr. Pontikes completed his undergraduate studies in Biochemistry and Engineering at the University of Illinois Honors College. He received his Doctorate from Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine where he was the youngest to graduate from his class. Dr. Pontikes’ dental school class achieved the distinction of being ranked fourth in the entire nation on their National Board Exams. Following dental school, he completed post-graduate studies in dentistry and medicine at Northwestern University Medical School and received advanced training in general and hospital dentistry during his residency at Evanston Hospital, teaching affiliate of The University of Chicago. In 2011, Dr. Pontikes took a leave of absence from his clinical responsibilities in order to go back to school and complete a Mini-MBA program at Harvard Business School.

Dr. Pontikes became a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry in 2013; 1 of only 7 dentists in the state of Illinois. To accomplish this goal, he completed 500 hours of advanced continuing dental education and passed a comprehensive board examination. He is also an active volunteer of the Chicago Dental Society Foundation Clinic which provides dental services to low income and uninsured residents. He has practiced dentistry for nearly 20 years, belongs to a number of study clubs and holds memberships in several dental organizations including the American Dental Association and Academy of General Dentistry.

In 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 Dr. Pontikes was nominated by his peers as a Top Doctor in an independent survey commissioned by Chicago Magazine. The independent survey (DataJoe Research and topDentists, LLC) contacted more than 2,000 individual dentists and 1,000 practices in the greater Chicago area to ask: Who in your field exemplifies true excellence in the dental profession, and who in your field would you trust to take care of your friends’ and families’ dental needs. Dr. Pontikes was featured in Chicago Magazine’s 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 Top Doctors Issues.

Dr. Pontikes remains current in the art & science of dental medicine by regularly attending advanced training sessions by world-renowned experts in all disciplines in dentistry. He has completed advanced dental continuums at the esteemed Spear® and Pankey® Institutes for Advanced Dental Education further underscoring his commitment of being a master dentist. In addition, Dr. Pontikes has completed extensive Invisalign® training and is considered by his peers to be a Top Invisalign® Dentist in the country. In a by invitation only competition, Dr. Pontikes was one of sixty-eight doctors (out of several hundred) that was chosen to have the best Invisalign® treatment outcome in 2017 in North America (United States and Canada).  In addition, in the same competition in 2019, three of his cases were chosen to be within the Top 100 cases in North America.  The competition judges the participant on quality of records, treatment execution, case difficulty, and results achieved. As a result of this honor, Dr. Pontikes’ case has been published in the Invisalign® Gallery Book featuring the world’s best treatment outcomes of which his peers from all over the world have access and has also been published on the Global Invisalign® Gallery website of which his peers from all over the world also have access.

Dr. Pontikes has been a guest lecturer and is on the advisory board committee at the Illinois School of Health Careers where he helps set curriculum standards for its dental assisting program. He has also been a guest lecturer at the College of Dupage’s dental assisting program. Dr. Pontikes is also an active participant of the Northwestern University Externship Program. As an alumnus of NU, Dr. Pontikes offers Externships to current NU students interested in pursuing careers in the oral health sciences. As an official host site, Seasons Dental Care is excited to support and mentor potential future leaders of our profession. Additionally, Dr. Pontikes is a member of the Alumni Admission Council of Northwestern where he assists the University in enrolling highly qualified undergraduate students.

Supporting students in the dental profession is very rewarding for Dr. Pontikes because it allows him to give back to the community, it further galvanizes himself within the dental profession and it helps build & maintain relationships among his peers. As an oral physician, his mission is to provide the highest level of care to his patients by constantly staying current in his field. He believes we owe it ourselves and society at large to continuously invest in ourselves through quality education and lifelong learning.

In his spare time, Dr. Pontikes enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, being outdoors, playing piano, cooking, playing tennis and golf.

Rauf A. Yousuf, D.M.D., M.S.D.

Dr. Yousuf is a graduate of the University of Louisville School of Dentistry where he received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree in 1995.  After completing a one-year hospital residency in general dentistry at Illinois Masonic Hospital, he received his specialty training in Periodontics and Implant Dentistry at the Indiana University School of Dentistry.  He holds a Master’s degree in Oral Biology from the same university.

Dr. Yousuf has been a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Dentistry and has had a limited private practice affiliated with the University of Chicago.  Dr. Yousuf lectures nationally on cutting-edge implant and soft tissue surgery techniques. He specializes in all aspects of Periodontics including implants, perioplastic surgery (gum recontouring), bone & soft tissue grafting, crown lengthening and reconstructive periodontal surgery.  Dr. Yousuf is a member of the American Academy of Periodontics, the Midwest Society of Periodontics, the American Dental Association, Chicago Dental Society and Illinois State Dental Society.

Dr. Pontikes’ and Dr. Yousuf’s interdisciplinary alliance began over a decade ago when their vision for the highest standard of quality care and innovation intersected. Dr. Yousuf joined Seasons Dental Care in 2008 as a consultant where he was instrumental in assisting in the development and implementation of Seasons Dental Care’s implant surgical protocols. He continues to remain instrumental as the industry continuously evolves.

In 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020, Dr. Yousuf was nominated by his peers as a Top Doctor in an independent survey commissioned by Chicago Magazine. The independent survey (DataJoe Research) contacted more than 2,000 individual dentists and 850 practices in the greater Chicago area to ask: Who in your field exemplifies true excellence in the dental profession, and who in your field would you trust to take care of your friends’ and families’ dental needs. Dr. Yousuf was listed in Chicago Magazine’s 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021 Top Doctors Issues.

In his spare time, Dr. Yousuf enjoys spending time with his wife & family, traveling, playing tennis and golf.

Julie Rodriguez, R.D.H.

Julie heads our dental hygiene department. She received her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from the University of Minnesota. During her training, she was given the opportunity to treat patients in various dental settings; dental offices, mobile dental units and nursing homes. Julie’s real world experience, while at UMN, has been invaluable because she was given the opportunity to work in fast-paced environments with patients of different cultures, ages and oral health backgrounds. In addition, her education has taught her the importance of working with other oral health professionals underscoring her commitment to providing a high level of care in a team-based approach. Julie is looking forward to bringing her vast knowledge, clinical skills and evidence based dentistry training to our patients.

Julie’s evolution began over a decade ago as our assistant manager and certified dental assistant. In these roles, in addition to being a dental assistant, she was responsible for handling the office’s day-to-day administrative duties. Since Julie is cross-trained, she is an invaluable member of our team. She enjoys working in a very relaxing, clean and high-tech office. Julie has been on the Seasons Dental Care team since its inception.

Julie is fluent in English and Spanish. When not seeing patients, in addition to playing & watching most sports, she enjoys reading, going out with friends and trying different restaurants around the city.

Rebecca

Rebecca is our office manager and treatment/financial coordinator. She is head of the business office and oversees our day-to-day operations including scheduling, insurance and accounts receivable.  Rebecca is also integral in our patient communications, public relations and clinical operations.

Rebecca enjoys working in a busy, clean, serene and modern dental office. When she is out of the office, she enjoys spending quality time with family & friends and traveling.

Lucy

Lucy is our lead dental assistant. She has been a dental assistant for several years and is very experienced in all aspects of clinical dentistry. In addition to her clinical obligations, Lucy has many important administrative responsibilities as she works closely with senior office management.

Lucy enjoys working in a modern and clean dental office. Her goal is to continue to grow in the dental field by honing her skills and furthering her dental education.

Lucy is fluent in English and Spanish. When she is not working, Lucy enjoys spending time with friends & family.

Sarah

Sarah is our newest staff member and we are very excited to have her on the team.  She is an early career dental assistant and will soon be certified in coronal polishing.  In addition to her dental assisting responsibilities, Sarah is cross trained and, therefore, able to assist us at the front desk when needed.

Sarah has a pleasant personality with a thirst for knowledge.  She aspires to further her dental studies in the coming years and her ultimate goal is to become a dental hygienist.

Sarah enjoys working in our state-of-the-art facility and continues to get proficient in our technologies and best practices.

When not in the office, Sarah enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Paulina

Paulina is currently on a leave of absence as she is currently a full-time dental student at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine. We are very proud of her and look forward to her dental school graduation.

Previously, Paulina was one of our floating dental assistants and an administrative assistant.

Paulina enjoyed working in our active, tranquil and modern dental office. When not in school or working, Paulina enjoys spending time with friends & family, traveling and spending time outdoors.

Georgia Hoidas, M.B.A

Georgia Hoidas is our General Manager/VP of Business Operations including marketing, human resources & recruiting and communications.  She is responsible for Seasons Dental Care’s people strategy including growing, developing and retaining the Seasons Dental Care team.

Georgia has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry where she has held multiple managerial and leadership roles in finance, operations, marketing and sales.  Georgia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and International Business from Loyola University Chicago and an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.

In her spare time, Georgia enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, snowboarding, playing golf and reading.