About Forest Hills Family Dental, Grand Rapids, Ada, Cascade, West Michigan

About Us.

Our mission is to provide you with personalized, high-quality care. We are a team dedicated to improving and maintaining your oral health. Whether you need preventative care, cosmetic dentistry, or oral surgery, you will love your teeth.

Established in 1974

Forest Hills Family Dental is a comprehensive practice providing dental care to patients of all ages. Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we are dedicated to helping our patients get the quality dental care that they need. Originally established in 1974, Dr. James Eldersveld owned & operated the practice for almost 40 years. Working along-side Dr. Eldersveld before his retirement, Dr. Stuart Pettijohn purchased the practice in 2017. Our practice continues to thrive and grow and as such, our team welcomed Dr. T. Jarred Ewert as an associate dentist in the fall of 2021. Our goal is to continue to uphold the excellent standard of care and service that has been provided to our patients throughout the years.

Meet Our Dentists

Stuart Pettijohn, DDS

Dr Stuart Pettijohn was born & raised in Grandville, MI. He attended Calvin Christian High School, Alma College and received his dental education from the University of Michigan (GO BLUE!). After dental school, he practiced in southeast Michigan & then Chicago for a number of years before returning to the Grand Rapids area in 2017. Dr Pettijohn is an active member of the American Dental Association, the Michigan Dental Association & the West Michigan District Dental Society. Dr Pettijohn prioritizes staying current with dental techniques & technologies by frequently attending local study clubs as well as continuing education courses around the country. With a heart for helping his patients, he enjoys collaborating with other dental specialists to help achieve optimal health. He volunteers his time locally at Baxter Clinic & is also involved in dental mission trips traveling abroad. Dr Pettijohn is married to his wife, Erin Pettijohn, MD who practices hematology & oncology locally. Together they have four beautiful daughters who love to join them on downhill skiing adventures. When time allows, Dr Pettijohn also enjoys golfing & traveling.

T Jarred Ewert, DDS

Dr. Ewert was born and raised in Beaverton, MI. His small town had one dentist who served the entire community. Dr. Ewert admired the care his dentist provided the community both in and out of the office, and decided to pursue the profession himself. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Spring Arbor University (2007) and obtained his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree (DDS) from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2012. Dr. Ewert looks forward to helping people achieve oral health in a comfortable and friendly environment. In his downtime he enjoys spending time with his wife and four children, playing golf, camping, and boating.
Since graduating in 2012, Dr. Ewert has remained an active member of the Michigan Dental Association (MDA) and American Dental Association (ADA). He has also served as a voting MDA Delegate since 2017. Dr. Ewert is accepting new patients and excited for the chance to meet you!

Meet the Team

We recognize that all of our patients are unique and deserve to receive dental care that reflects their individual needs. Our experienced and talented dental team is committed to working with you and your family to create a comfortable, stress-free, and rewarding dental experience every time you visit our practice. We are pleased to welcome you and your family, and we look forward to working with you.

CRYSTAL - RDH, OFFICE MANAGER

With over 20 years experience as a dental hygienist, Crystal is redirecting her dental knowledge towards dental office management. Although she still has a love for dental hygiene, maintains her education & license, and occasionally practices hygiene, she also finds the challenge of being office manager to be rewarding in an entirely different way.

Originally from Traverse City, Crystal came to the GR area as a student of Grand Rapids Community College’s Dental Hygiene program. After graduating with a degree in dental hygiene, she married her husband. They currently reside in Caledonia with their son, daughter, & a set of twin daughters. All four of Crystal’s kiddos are active in sports, extra-curricular activities, and church functions. When she is not attending to their busy schedule, she enjoys boating, camping, gardening & relaxing at their place up north.

CARLA – RDA, TREATMENT COORDINATOR

Carla has been a Registered Dental Assistant in our office for about 12 years & states that “dentistry never ceases to fascinate” her. “One of my passions for my job is the involvement in making people smile,” explains Carla. She had initially interned at our office (with Dr Eldersveld) before earning her certification at Grand Rapids Community College. Recently, she applied her dental knowledge to a new position as our front office Treatment Coordinator. Carla enjoys putting her “seasoned experience” to use by educating our patients & making sure that they have an adequate understanding of any treatment that may be needed.

Carla has volunteer experience with Missions of Mercy & will often assist alongside Dr Pettijohn at Baxter clinic.
Outside of the office, Carla is wife & a mother to three adventurous children. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors with my family, puzzling and napping.

ANDREA - PATIENT RELATIONS COORDINATOR

Andrea recently joined our practice & she’ll likely be one of the first friendly faces you will see when you come to visit us! While she is relatively new to dentistry, she does have 6 years of experience in the pharmacological field. As part of our front desk team, she says her favorite part about her job is meeting & getting to know our patients & their families.
Outside of work, Andrea enjoys cooking, swimming/the beach, 1900’s history (especially WW2) and travel. She is a wife, a mother of twins (boy & girl) & two dogs, a member of her local church, & a cherisher of her family. In fact, most of her family all attend the same church & typically gather for Sunday dinner at her parents afterwards. Andrea loves being adventurous, trying new things, and has plans to travel abroad with her husband in the future.

MOLLY - REGISTERED DENTAL HYGIENIST

Even though Molly is a newer addition to our office, she came to us with almost 20 years dental experience. She specializes in the treatment of gum inflammation, periodontal disease, and the connection between the health of the body and your mouth &/or airway (Oral Systemic Dentistry). She received her dental hygiene degree from Ferris State University, is Vivos Institute trained (Denver, CO), and has been a member of the American Academy of Oral & Systemic Health since 2017.

Molly explains that she “loves getting to know new people and forging strong, caring relationships with my patients. I genuinely care about others' well being, both mentally and physically. Helping people find ways to improve their oral care and health is a true passion of mine.”

Outside of the office, she loves on her adorable 6lb Yorkie named Roxie. While her family is spread all over Michigan & she is often traveling to visit them, Grand Rapids has been her home since 2006. “My home is my ‘castle’ and I always have a project going, whether it's repainting, redecorating, or working in my yard,” states Molly.

LAURIE - REGISTERED DENTAL HYGIENIST

Originally beginning her dental career as a Certified Dental Assistant, Laurie has a vast knowledge of all things dental. She had advanced her dental career by attending Grand Rapids Community College’s Dental Hygiene program & has now practiced as a Registered Dental Hygienist for over 20 years. Laurie enjoys expanding her dental knowledge by attending many continuing education seminars & classes. She is dedicated to getting to know her patients, passing along her learned dental knowledge & enjoys helping her patients achieve their dental goals.

Laurie loves living on the “Westside” of Grand Rapids with her husband of 19 years, their son & daughter, and their German/Australian Shepherd mix puppy (Kira). She also enjoys GNO’s with her girlfriends, cooking, flower gardening, & long walks with Kira (to burn off that puppy energy)!

TERESA - REGISTERED DENTAL HYGIENIST

Our office has been fortunate to have Teresa as a part of our dental hygiene team for over 13 years. She is a graduate from Grand Rapids Community College & she initially started her hygiene career by accepting a full-time position in Zurich, Switzerland. Teresa describes her time in Switzerland as an “unforgettable experience that has not only strengthened my skills as a hygienist, but allowed me to grow as an independent individual as well.” Once her working VISA expired, Teresa moved back to her hometown of Grand Rapids and was hired into our office by Dr. James Eldersveld, DDS. “Hygiene has been a passion of mine and I enjoy having the opportunity each week to work alongside this practice. I love spending time with patients of all ages, educating them on their oral hygiene, and teaching them the importance of it,” explains Teresa.

Teresa is blessed as a wife & mother of four incredible kids (two girls and two boys). Outside of work she is involved in BSF, is a member of a local book club, and loves to play her oboe in her church’s praise band. Teresa also thoroughly enjoys making memories by taking camping trips, random day excursions with her kids & family vacations.

SHAY - CERTIFIED DENTAL ASSISTANT

Shay came to us all the way from North Dakota just over a year ago. She has over 6 years of experience as a certified dental assistant. Shay’s favorite part of assisting is helping and getting to know our wonderful patients.

Originally from the western Michigan area, Shay is glad to be back closer to home. She loves to spend her time with family, friends & her five-year-old kitty, Charles Monty. She also enjoys traveling, camping, the beaches of West Michigan & rock collecting.

HILLARY - DENTAL ASSISTANT

With a total of over 6 years experience as a dental assistant, Hillary has been an amazing asset to our team for 4 of those years. She is a graduate of Ferris State University, has a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology, and also works for Trinity Health part time.

After graduating from Ferris State, Hillary returned to her hometown of Sparta to establish her family. She has a supportive husband, two young daughters, two kitties, one dog, and one very large garden that keeps her busy! She also loves to relax & sip a good wine while catching up with family & friends.

“My favorite part about my job is seeing patients excited about their smile! It is my goal to help patients feel comfortable and have a positive experience while in the dental chair,” states Hillary.

AMANDA – REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT

Amanda is the third member of our outstanding doctor assisting trio! As a seasoned Registered Dental Assistant, she brought her expertise to our dental team about two years ago. She received her training & certification at Grand Rapids Community College & has been practicing for over 15 years. Amanda truly enjoys getting to know her patients & has an amazing ability to put her patients at ease.

Amanda is from & still lives in Lowell, is married to her high school sweetheart & is blessed with three active children. When she is not at work, she enjoys watching & cheering for her tribe at their numerous sporting & 4H events. Her family is also busy with chores on their small hobby farm that raises goats & beef cattle. Amanda also enjoys all things in the out-of-doors…beaches, camping, & farm work.