06/16/2026
Dr. Gilbert and Dr. Jones were featured in the June issue of Indiana University School of Dentistry Alumni updates. We are so proud of our fabulous doctors! ✨
🤝When potential and a pinky promise spark a partnership for patients
One afternoon after seeing patients, Dr. Lesley Gilbert (DDS ’86) and her dental hygienist Melanie Jones (AS DH ’07, DDS ’18), a former patient from Pendleton, Indiana, were chatting before calling it a day. Gilbert made a somewhat offhand suggestion: “Why don’t you go back to school and take over my practice?” Jones said yes, and they sealed it with a pinky promise. “That’s better than any contract you’ll ever find,” Gilbert said.
Originally from Detroit, Gilbert set her sights on dentistry at age 12 after her childhood orthodontist transformed her smile and, consequently, her confidence. At IU School of Dentistry, she studied under who she calls several “hard hitters,” including Drs. David Avery (DDS ’66, MSD ’71), Charles Goodacre (MSD ’74), the late Chris Miller, Ralph Phillips, Chuck Tomich (MSD ’68), and Susan Zunt. The strong dental education they provided still guides her today.
Before the pinky promise, Gilbert had been thinking about the future of her patients and the dental practice she’d spent years building. She knew Jones—smart, compassionate, and driven to learn—was the right person.
“The day of the now legendary pinky swear, I asked my parents if they thought I was crazy,” Jones shared. Her parents’ response? The thought of not taking the opportunity was the crazy part.
It was a leap of faith for Jones to leave a career and patients she loved to go back to school as a single mother and sole provider for her daughter. She noted that Gilbert remained one of her biggest champions—offering encouragement, new scrubs, part-time work, and even serving as one of her first patients during dental school.
“That felt like a huge endorsement coming from her,” Jones added. “She truly was my biggest cheerleader!”
After graduation, Jones returned full time to the practice, where Gilbert prioritized continuity and consistency of care between the two professionals.
“My goal was that if the patient closed their eyes, they would not know which one of us was working on them,” Gilbert said.
Their shared commitment continues to define the practice. Both strive for excellence and treat patients with kindness and respect—an approach Jones now carries forward as an extension of Gilbert’s legacy.
“Dentistry to me has always been about the patients as a whole,” Jones said. “I feel like one of the best things about our practice is the access that our patients have to us. Putting patients ahead of accounts and scheduling is always going to be a priority.”
Gilbert also models professional dental community engagement and advocates for oral healthcare access and excellence.
“I’m not really sure where my mentoring/volunteering mindset comes from,” Gilbert said, “but I always root for the underdog. It brings me joy to see someone succeed who others did not think could.”
After eight years of practice, Jones sometimes still can’t believe she’s a dentist. For those considering a similar career transition, she noted that though it isn’t easy, fast, or cheap, it’s worth it. A strong support system makes a difference.
“It is one of the most rewarding things you will ever do,” Jones said. “I am so glad the encouragement of a mentor like Dr. Gilbert allowed me to dream big and take that leap of faith.”
Years later, the pinky promise still holds thanks to mentoring, shared goals, and mutual respect—no paperwork or contract required.
