Dr. Tanya L. DeSanto

A Northwestern University alumna and born in Chicago, IL, Dr. DeSanto has been creating beautiful smiles for adults and children for almost 20 years.

Dr. DeSanto is the author of “Three Steps to Choosing the Right Cosmetic Dentist” in "A Cup of Coffee with 10 of the Top Cosmetic Dentists in the United States." She is also on the national board of directors for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Dr. DeSanto was inducted into the International College of Dentists, the oldest and largest international honor society for dentists, in 2015. She continues to educate herself and upgrade her knowledge base. She believes that it is important to learn to use the latest technology to care for her patients. 

Although the state of Illinois requires dentists to complete a minimum of 16 hours of continuing education each year, Dr. DeSanto completes about 80 hours – five times what is mandated.

She enjoys other distinctions. She is the founder of the Prairie Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. She is one of the twenty dentists in Illinois with a license for IV sedation. She is also on track to become the first accredited cosmetic dentist in the Springfield area of Illinois.

She has also been elected to be on the national board of directors of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, which is a measure of the respect she enjoys among her colleagues and the dental professionals as a whole.

Reading through this website, you'll be impressed by the many services that Dr. DeSanto and her partner, Dr. Knoedler, deliver to their patients. Their reputation for providing quality care to their patients is far-reaching. 

Most of our new patients come to the office through referrals from existing happy clients. They attract patients from Chicago and St. Louis. These patients love the idea of receiving world-class dentistry from Springfield, Illinois. Look carefully, and you’ll understand why Prairie Dental Group is the best dental clinic for you and your family.

Dr. Elizabeth Knoedler

Dr. Elizabeth Knoedler has dedicated her professional career to providing her patients with the best that dentistry has to offer. She is continually educating herself and her team on the latest techniques and approaches to give her patients state-of-the-art, comfortable, and personalized dental care.

Dr. Knoedler is a diplomat in the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and loves helping her patients get healthier through better sleep.

Dr. Knoedler is an active member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and she is passionate about transforming smiles and lives through cosmetics. She is in the process of becoming an accredited member of the AACD and takes 25+ hours/year in specialized cosmetic dentistry continuing education.

Dr. Knoedler has done additional training to include clear aligner therapy and many different surgical procedures to provide her patients with comprehensive care. She is a past president of our local dental society G.V. Black District Dental Society and is a fellow in the International College of Dentists.

Dr. Knoedler was born and raised in Springfield, IL and is married to her high school sweetheart, Joe. They have two kids Brice and Camille.

Dr. Tulin P. Ozyurt, D.M.D.

Dr. Tulin Ozyurt is passionate about improving the oral health of her patients and increasing their confidence in their smiles by providing the highest quality of care. 

Dr. Ozyurt graduated from The University of Florida College of Dentistry. She is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society, and G.V. Black Dental Society. 

Dr. Ozyurt enjoys being outdoors, traveling, and spending time with her daughter, Mary Kate, and her family.

Dr. Allison J. Long, D.M.D.

Dr. Allison Long was born and raised in Springfield. She graduated from Glenwood High School and then attended Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. She played softball at Rhodes and majored in Biology. After graduating from Rhodes, Dr. Long went on to get her DMD from Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine in Alton, IL.

Dr. Long values the importance of staying current with the newest dental techniques and materials. She continues to take continuing education specializing in general and cosmetic dentistry.

She is an active member of the Illinois State Dental Society, the American Dental Association, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. During dental school, Dr. Long held multiple leadership positions in the American Student Dental Association and American Dental Education Association. She was also the recipient of the SIU Distinguished Student Service Award.

Aside from dentistry, Dr. Long is actively involved in the Springfield community. She volunteers weekly and is on multiple boards of organizations she cares about. She loves trying new restaurants, traveling, and spending time outdoors.