Our team members are really what make the difference at Lancaster Pediatric Dentistry!
Meet Dr. Jonathan W. Draney!
Dr. Jonathan W. Draney, DDS, MS, is a Utah native who graduated from Utah State University before moving to Columbus, Ohio, to pursue his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. While at OSU, he also earned a certificate in Pediatric Dentistry and Master of Science.
Dr. Jon decided to specialize in pediatric dentistry after listening to his sister talk about her children’s positive experience at a dentist‘s office. “She couldn’t stop talking about how awesome the dentist was,” Dr. Jon recalls. “I decided then and there that I wanted to be a pediatric dentist and work with children myself.”
Dr. Jon chose Lancaster, Ohio, as the site for his new practice for several reasons. “I wanted to find a smaller town that I could call home, where I could raise my family and we could be part of the community,” he said. “I feel like I can really make a difference for the children in this area. It‘s important for kids to have a dentist trained in pediatrics, who can relate to them and make each visit amazing, easy and fun.”
Dr. Jon is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the Ohio Dental Association. He has served as a student interviewer for the OSU College of Dentistry Admissions, as group leader for the OSU College of Dentistry Comprehensive Care Clinic and also participated in a dental service mission to the Dominican Republic. Dr. Jon is the recipient of many awards and honors, is committed to continuing education, and is looking forward to having his practice be a benefit to his community.
When he’s not on his dentist’s stool, Dr. Jon enjoys spending time with his wife and six children outside, grilling and gardening at home. An Eagle Scout, Dr. Jon is an avid outdoorsman with a passion for camping, rappelling and hiking, and also enjoys golf, football and paint-balling. He devotes time to photography, wood and metal working, carpentry, being the household’s handyman and taking his son, Tyler, to Buckeye games.
"When I look at my practice, I see smiling kids who are excited to see me, and grateful parents who trust that their children are in good hands. That's how I know I'm a success."
Meet Dr. Cole Bryant!
Dr. Cole Bryant, DDS, was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. He played hockey and lacrosse in high school before going to The Ohio State University, where he graduated with a degree in mathematics. Dr. Cole then attended The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, where he and Dr. Jon were classmates.
Following dental school, Dr. Cole served as a postdoctoral fellow in pediatric dentistry at Ohio State and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. This experience included providing pediatric dental treatment to underserved areas in the Greater Columbus metropolitan area and rural regions of Ohio. Additionally, he supervised dental students from Ohio State on the Dental HOME Coach, a traveling dental bus that provides a “dental home” for elementary school children in Columbus.
Dr. Cole was then accepted into a specialty training program for pediatric dentistry that began in Maine and was completed in Arizona. Following residency, Dr. Cole worked for two years in a private practice treating children in Goodyear, AZ. After the birth of their second child, Dr. Cole and his wife decided it was time to return to Ohio to be closer to family. Dr. Cole and his family feel fortunate to have lived in two very different, unique and incredibly beautiful areas of the world, but are very happy to be back in Ohio.
Dr. Cole lives with his wife and children, along with one dog and one cat. He still plays hockey regularly and is looking forward to some colder weather after three years in Arizona. He is happy to be back in Ohio to continue his career as a pediatric dentist and is excited to be a part of Lancaster Pediatric Dentistry.
Meet Dr. Cynetha Henderson!
Dr. Nycole is a highly skilled and compassionate dentist who is dedicated to providing excellent dental care to her patients. Her passion for dentistry began at a young age, as she spent a lot of time in dental offices due to her love of sugary drinks and sweets. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Alabama A&M University before pursuing her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Howard University College of Dentistry.
Dr. Nycole loves practicing dentistry because she enjoys being able to make a positive impact on her patient's lives by helping them achieve healthy, beautiful smiles. She is committed to providing her patients with the highest level of care in a comfortable and welcoming environment. Dr. Nycole is also passionate about utilizing current and best practices to ease dental anxiety, so her patients can feel relaxed and at ease during their appointments.
As a new dentist, Dr. Nycole is excited to provide her patients with personalized care that addresses their individual needs and concerns. She looks forward to building long-lasting relationships with her patients and their families.
Dr. Nycole is also looking forward to being a part of the new community where she will be practicing. She is excited to meet new people and get involved in the community in meaningful ways.
In her personal life, Dr. Nycole is an aunt to 3 nieces and a proud dog mom to a mini Australian shepherd. When she's not practicing dentistry, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking, traveling, and watching soccer and basketball games.
Meet Dr. Mitchell Thai!
For Dr. Mitchell Thai, dentistry is the perfect blend of science, artistry, and service. From a young age, he loved creating with his hands. His curiosity and academic drive later led him to excel in science, where he discovered the same problem-solving and precision that drew him to art. Dentistry became a natural path, combining creativity with clinical skill while making a meaningful impact on people's health and confidence.
Alongside academics, Dr. Mitchell developed a lifelong passion for tennis. Starting at age four, he became one of the nation's top junior players, ranking number three in Ohio, top fifteen in the Midwest, and top one hundred nationally while earning multiple sportsmanship awards. As a Four-Star Recruit, he went on to play Division III collegiate tennis at Denison University in Granville, Ohio, successfully balancing athletics with rigorous academic work.
Dr. Mitchell earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology, cum laude, from Denison University and his Doctor of Dental Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. He then completed a General Practice Residency at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, where he treated medically complex and high-risk patients, including those undergoing cancer therapy, organ transplants, and trauma care.
Dr. Mitchell is thrilled to be part of Lancaster Pediatric Dentistry, where he looks forward to helping children feel excited and comfortable about visiting the dentist. He enjoys bringing smiles to his patients' faces and fostering a positive, joyful experience that encourages lifelong oral health.
Outside the office, Dr. Mitchell volunteers with Buddy Up Tennis, Special Olympics Special Smiles, and Remote Area Medical Clinics, providing dental care and empowering others through service. Dr. Mitchell lives in Hilliard, Ohio, with his close-knit Vietnamese American family and enjoys tennis, scuba diving, travel, and spending time with family and friends.
Meet Dr. Kara!
Dr. Kara was born and raised in Fort Loramie, Ohio and graduated with honors from the University of Toledo. She then completed dental school and residencies in orthodontic and pediatric dentistry at The Ohio State University. She has practiced in Central Ohio for over 20 years and is board-certified in both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics. Her unique experience as a dual-trained specialist has shaped her practice philosophy – she cares deeply about the oral health and wellness of children and teenagers of all ages. She has extensive orthodontic experience treating patients with special needs and congenital facial and dental differences. Creating positive orthodontic experiences for patients and families is her passion.
Dr. Kara is a two-time past president of the Ohio Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She is active within multiple professional associations, including the Ohio Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association.
Dr. Kara lives in the Columbus area with her husband and two teenagers. When she isn’t participating in her faith community or a women’s group Bible study, she is probably driving her kids to and from practice or a game. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, fitness, faith, and trying to get everyone to sit down to the table for dinner!
Meet Dr. Morgan Fannon!
Dr. Morgan Fannon, DDS, was born and raised in Beavercreek, Ohio. She attended Capital University for her undergraduate studies before earning her dental degree from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry.
Following dental school, Dr. Morgan completed a one-year General Practice Residency with the University of Washington in Seattle. After completing her residency, she returned to Ohio and practiced general dentistry, where she enjoyed treating patients and families of all ages.
Through her experience in general dentistry, Dr. Morgan discovered that pediatric dentistry was the area of dentistry she was truly passionate about. She went on to complete her specialty training in pediatric dentistry through the Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals program. During her second year of residency, Dr. Morgan served as Chief Resident, taking on additional leadership responsibilities while continuing to develop her skills in caring for the unique dental needs of children.
Dr. Morgan is very excited to return to the Columbus area and join the team at Lancaster Pediatric Dentistry. She looks forward to building relationships with young patients and their families while helping children develop healthy smiles and positive experiences at the dentist.
Outside of work, Dr. Morgan enjoys spending time with family, traveling with friends, attending concerts, and relaxing with a good book.
Meet Dr. Bella Akkaya
Dr. Bella Akkaya is a compassionate and dedicated pediatric dentist who is passionate about creating positive dental experiences for children and their families. She grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, in a close-knit Turkish-American family, where she developed a strong appreciation for family, education, and caring for others. During her college years, her family put down roots in Columbus, a community that has since become an important part of her family’s story. These values continue to shape the way she approaches both her personal and professional life.
Dr. Bella earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry before pursuing advanced specialty training in pediatric dentistry at the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences. During her residency, she gained extensive experience providing comprehensive dental care to children of all ages, including children with special healthcare needs. Her training included behavior guidance, nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and treatment under general anesthesia.
Dr. Bella chose pediatric dentistry because she loves the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on children from an early age. She believes that a child’s experiences at the dentist can shape their relationship with oral health for years to come. She strives to create a welcoming environment where children feel comfortable, heard, and proud of their accomplishments. Whether helping a nervous child feel at ease, celebrating a first successful dental visit, or simply making a trip to the dentist a little more fun, she finds great joy in earning the trust of her young patients and their families.
Dr. Bella is especially excited to return to Columbus, a community that holds a special place in her heart and where her family built their lives and laid down roots. She is honored to have the opportunity to serve a community that has played such a meaningful role in her family’s journey and looks forward to building connections with the children and families she serves.
Outside of the office, Dr. Bella is an avid traveler who loves exploring new countries, discovering new cities, and experiencing different cultures. She also enjoys getting lost in a good book, spending time with family and friends, and indulging in one of her favorite simple pleasures: a late-night movie at the theater.