After working in both large and small dental practices, Dr. Bob realized that he liked the personal attention he was able to give his patients when working in the smaller office. He did not feel like he had to rush from room to room as he did in the larger practice. In the smaller office, he was able to give every patient his undivided attention and actually take time to get to know them. Building relationships is one of the most rewarding parts of providing dental care. We like to get to our know patients as people, not as dental problems.
When the opportunity presented itself in 1998, Dr. Bob purchased the small practice that he was working at, and he has been practicing in Palos Heights, Illinois ever since.
To this day, Dr. Bob and his staff have upheld the values of treating every patient as if they are the only patient that matters, and our staff strives to provide the best care available in a comfortable, friendly setting.
Robert C. Clay Jr., DDS
Dr. Bob grew up on the far southeast side of Chicago. After graduating from St. Francis de Sales High School, he attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, specializing in microbiology. Dr. Bob went on to attend the University of Illinois at Chicago Dental School where he received a second Bachelor’s Degree, a Bachelor of Science in Dentistry, followed by his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. Following graduation, he completed his state and national board exams and began practicing dentistry in 1997.
Dr. Bob is a member of the American Dental Association, the Illinois State Dental Society, and the South Suburban Branch of the Chicago Dental Society. His passion for his continually evolving dental profession drives him to continually expand his education and knowledge. Dr. Bob regularly attends educational seminars hosted by local dental study groups, as well as international dental communities. Healthcare is evolving so quickly and Dr. Bob is always excited to learn about the new techniques, technologies, and materials available. He always tries to implement them into our office to give his patients the best care available.
Dr. Bob is married to his wife Dana, our office manager, and they have one child, their son Christian. Dr. Bob and Dana are avid sports fans and are always ready to catch a game, whether in person or on TV. He is also a former high school basketball, and Babe Ruth League baseball coach. Their son, Christian, also shares their passion for sports as he loved watching basketball as early as 3 months old. There isn’t a sport that he doesn’t like, and Dr Bob will be the first to jump in and play with him whenever Christian wants to play. They love to spend time together playing sports, riding bikes, and going on excursions to explore new things whenever the opportunity arises.
Dana
Office Manager & Office Superstar
Dana is usually the first voice you hear on the phone, and the happy face you see when you first come to our practice.
Dana joined the practice in 2008 when Dr. Clay called her one day asking her to fill in and answer phones for a few days. At the time, Dana was Dr. Clay’s girlfriend, so he knew that he could count on her to help out. Luckily for us, Dana’s previous employer had downsized, and although she was going on interviews for a new job, she hadn’t accepted any positions yet. Timing is everything, and Dana fit seamlessly into the position of receptionist. With her history in the insurance field, as well as management, she was perfect for our office. In no time, she had learned everything about the front desk, our dental software, dental insurance, and quickly started improving the way things were done in our office. Today, Dana pretty much runs the show as our Office Manager, receptionist, and can even be found in the rooms assisting when she is needed.
Dana and Dr. Clay got married in May of 2013, and in 2016, they were blessed with the birth of their son. They cherish every day watching him grow up. In her free time, Dana enjoys going to sporting events, spending time with family, and likes to go on spontaneous adventures with Dr. Clay and their son. She has even stepped up to coach their son’s soccer team when the coach couldn’t complete the season. As great as she is in our office, she is an even better mom at home.
Jill
Supervisor of Suction
Jill is our Supervisor of Suction, Slayer of Saliva, and our Chairside Champion. We were happy to have her join the family in early 2023 after she finished up her dental assisting program at Moraine Valley Community College. Jill enrolled in the dental assisting program because she knew that she had an interest in dentistry, and her ultimate goal is to become a dental hygienist. She joined us eager to learn everything she can about the dental field so she could build on what she learned in her dental assisting program.
We are excited to have her as part of the team and be a stepping stone for her long term goal to become a dental hygienist. Whether she is suctioning during a procedure, taking an x-ray, or answering a phone, we always know that she will be doing it with a smile on her face. We love having Jill around and we know that you will too.
Christian
“Cruise Director”
If you come in on the right day, you may be greeted by a short blonde haired guy named Christian. He will greet you with his high pitched voice and welcome you into the office with a big smile. Christian is like the “Cruise Director” of the office as he only cares about making sure everyone is happy. He loves to hand out toothbrushes, and he will talk your ear off about airplanes or golf. This little guy is Dr. Bob and Dana’s son Christian. Christian makes his office appearances on some days when he is not in school, and even some days after school gets out. Now that he has started school, he isn’t in as often as he once was, but you never know when he will make an appearance. Now that Christian has gotten to know many of our patients, they are often sad when they are in on a day that he isn’t there. Christian is proof that we really are a “family practice.”