Debra A. Peters, DDS A Role Model for Service

Dr. Deb Peters founded Peters Family Dentistry with her husband, Dan, in 1993. She worked as the co-owner of the practice for 28 years. Since earning her DDS from the University of Michigan in 1993, Deb has spent countless hours volunteering in the community and serving in professional organizations.

Deb grew up in the small town of Leslie, Michigan with her sister, Carol. She knew or was related to “about half” of the 2,100 residents. Deb’s father, Ron, ran and managed the family grocery store—which was locally famous for Schmit’s Quality Meats. Ron was also, at one time, the mayor of Leslie. Deb’s mother, Barb, was the vice president of a bank in nearby Jackson. Deb’s parents provided daily examples of service and volunteerism. They volunteered in their church and the VFW, and Deb’s dad was active as a lane inspector at the American Bowling Congress.

Deb has fond childhood memories of toy shopping at Circus World with her mother. She also remembers benefitting from her dad’s butcher shop, recalling that they had steak more frequently than most in her childhood home. Deb remembers her mom as a supporter of her athletic pursuits and active in cheering for Deb and her teams. When traveling as a family, Ron, Barb, Carol, and Deb would sometimes sing songs in four-part harmony.

Deb was a marvelous athlete. She starred in three sports while living in Leslie. Basketball, volleyball, and softball opponents were all aware of her presence in the game. Deb also enjoyed swimming at the community pool, biking, and being active in Girl Scout activities, including camping. Beyond athletics, Deb was a serious crafter. Making presents for family members was another of her youthful joys.

While Deb was active in high school athletics, she also worked. She braved the ever-present milk snakes while mowing yards for her grandfather’s rental property (even though she has a grass allergy), and she worked as a bank receptionist, where she learned about responsibility.

Deb’s role models as she grew up were, first and foremost, her parents.

However, her maternal grandmother also played a significant role in her life. Her grandmother was a banker, entrepreneur, musician, scholar, and professional athlete. Clearly, the apple didn’t fall far from the generational tree.

Deb’s education beyond high school continued at Ferris State University. Before she became a Bulldog alum, she gained both an RDH and a bachelor’s degree. Her work as a hygienist created an income base for her next great academic adventure: dental school. She attended the dental program at the University of Michigan. The adventure became more than just academic when she met her future partner, Dan Peters, while harassing him to contribute dues to ASDA. Dan, a graduate of Clarkston High, sat in the same row as Deb in pre-clinic. Deb and Dan were self-described dental nerds and initially decide not to date.

The decision not to date didn’t last long. Deb and Dan were married in Ann Arbor after their second year of dental school, just two weeks before the NERB exams. In 1991, Team Peters was forged, and their union remains rock solid today. In the early days of their marriage, they lived in Ann Arbor and later moved to Ypsilanti. They worked hard for money, with Dan working at a pizza shop and Deb working in dental hygiene. They shared textbooks and, on several occasions, had squash as their principal meal. Deb welcomed their first pet cat into the household even though she was allergic to cats. Mutual help and sacrifice were, and remain, the cornerstone of their loving relationship.

The family dynamic changed when Deb and Dan had their daughter Maddie, now 26, and their son Kyle, now 23. Team Peters became Family Peters as well. Maddie is a passionate and gifted musician. Kyle shares Dan’s love of the outdoors and achieved Eagle Scout status in the Boy Scouts. Maddie went to all of the preplanning meetings for the construction of the Peters Family Dentistry office, and both Kyle and Maddie have been to countless dental functions over the years. Maddie knew the meaning of “diastema” as a toddler. Family is still the focal point of all four.

The dental practice that Deb and Dan built together opened in 1993. Peters Family Dentistry became a fixture in the fabric of Kentwood when Deb and Dan purchased a practice from Steve Lyzenga. Together, they grew their practice into the vibrant, successful one it is today. During all the years they owned the dental practice, they never practiced clinical dentistry together. They shared clinical and family obligations in an alternate fashion, allowing them to truly devote quality time to both of these important aspects of their lives. Even in retirement from clinical practice, Deb and Dan maintain that quality balance.

In what little free time Deb has, she involves herself in several hobbies. She is an avid paddleboarder and she enjoys yoga and sewing. Every year she makes flannel pajamas for the whole family. Today, the flannel tradition is ingrained in the family.

A litany of professional, community, and church activities are listed in Deb’s CV. This record of service is second to none, and a paragraph to describe this service would dramatically understate the nature of Deb’s service. Deb’s husband, Dan says that it is abundantly obvious to him (as it is to all) that Deb lives to serve and set an example for those who follow in her footsteps. Deb is currently the incoming vice chair of the American Dental Association’s Council on Ethics, Bylaws, and Judicial Affairs. Her most meaningful activity is providing a vision and a role model for kids, which she has done in many ways, including her eight years as a Junior Achievement volunteer in 3rd and 4th-grade classrooms.

Rest assured that Deb Peters isn’t done serving. Resting on her laurels is simply not part of her DNA. We can expect to see her continue to speak out on leadership and on women’s leadership in particular. Deb’s service exemplifies the spirit of the West Michigan District Dental Society’s highest award, the Distinguished Service Award. The Distinguished Service Award or Silent Bell finds a most deserving recipient in Dr. Deb Peters!