Meet Doctor

Melissa

Melissa Connell, DDS

Family of five standing barefoot on a sandy beach with ocean and grass dunes in background.

Smiling man and woman wearing sunglasses standing outside a building with a High Tide Pediatric Dentistry sign.

Smiling woman with wavy brown hair in a pink and orange patterned dress standing with crossed arms outdoors.

As a teenager in my dad’s dental office, I watched him work and learned that dentistry is about so much more than teeth. My dad remembered the littlest things, like what mattered most to his patients, what made them laugh, and what made the feel truly cared for. I didn’t know it then, but I was learning the most important lesson of my career: Dentistry is truly about relationships, and that’s also the best part.

After an adventurous road to earning my DDS, I had the privilege of serving as a dentist on Navajo reservations in the Southwest. Great need and limited resources made the challenges very real, and more than two-thirds of my patients were children. Those years taught me that caring for kids means nurturing their whole self, and it’s where my passion for pediatric dentistry truly began. I learned that healthy smiles are possible only when you support the whole child, their family, and their place in the community.

I created High Tide Pediatric Dentistry to be a peaceful, fun, and welcoming space where every family is heard and valued. My vision is to help our Bluffton community thrive, starting with a smile. Here, we do things differently: I take time to get know your child, gently guide their dental journey, and share how health, habits, sunshine, and community all work together for lifelong wellness.

I am so grateful for the chance to serve your family and can’t wait to welcome you to High Tide!

Dr. Melissa Connell

An Adventurous background

Beginning her dental journey in her dad’s dental office, Dr. Melissa Connell felt a desire to continue in his footsteps. To get some unique experience, she went to Pakistan to participate in an archaeological dig while working on her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry. After graduating with her DDS in 1997, she began her career as an 0-3 Commissioned Corporal Officer with the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. She was stationed in Chinle, Arizona, on the Navajo reservation, and went on to serve on smaller reservations in New Mexico.

Advanced Pediatric Training

On the reservations, most of Dr. Melissa’s patients were children. She developed a passion for pediatric dentistry and returned to the Chicago College of Dentistry in 2003 to complete a pediatric dental residency. She achieved diplomate status with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry soon after, and in 2007 passed her final board exam to be come a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist. During this time, she contributed to the academic world of pediatric dentistry as a Clinical Assistant Professor, overseeing students managing pediatric patients.

Finding High Tide

Dr. Melissa started her first independent practice in Chicago in 2009. After working in public health, private practice, corporate dentistry, and academics, she found that she loved operating her own practice the most. She is excited to deliver the same level of care to the Bluffton community. High Tide is a family affair where people can come together in community while building healthy smiles for healthy lives.

Home Life

Family is everything. Dr. Melissa loves spending time with her husband (Bob), their three children (Stella, Zoe, and James), and their chocolate lab (Charlie). Her daughters came up with the name High Tide and have always been involved in their business ventures. With a love for fitness, she enjoys saltwater Pilates, cardio, walking and anything that gets her and her family moving. She also loves trying fun restaurants and cooking new recipes. You might find her catching a flight back to Costa Rica where she and her family lived for 2 years – their home away from home.