About Us | Tooth Pain Specialists

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 Dr. Bala will be seeing patients at both our Kokomo and Peru locations, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome him to the LADD Dental Group family.

Dr. Bala brings an impressive academic background and a passion for excellence in dentistry. Before earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Indiana University School of Dentistry, he completed a Master of Public Health at The University of Texas at Arlington. His dedication to advancing dental care and improving patient outcomes has earned him numerous prestigious honors throughout his education.

While at the Indiana University School of Dentistry, Dr. Bala received:

• The Dean's Award for Research Excellence
• The International College of Dentists USA Section Student Leadership Award

These achievements reflect not only his commitment to clinical excellence but also his passion for research, leadership, and lifelong learning.

What truly sets Dr. Bala apart, however, is his genuine desire to build lasting relationships with his patients. He believes every patient deserves to be treated with compassion, respect, and personalized care. Whether you're visiting for a routine cleaning, restorative treatment, or to improve your smile, Dr. Bala is dedicated to helping you feel comfortable and confident every step of the way.

As a family-centered practice, we are thrilled to have Dr. Bala caring for patients throughout the Kokomo and Peru communities. His expertise, warmth, and commitment to excellence align perfectly with our mission of serving Indiana families with the highest level of dental care.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Bala Sankurati to LADD Dental Group! He looks forward to meeting you and your family and providing the exceptional dental care you deserve for years to come.

We can't wait for you to meet him! 

Dr. Derek Hammelman, DDS graduated from University of Evansville in 2019, and Creighton University School of Dentistry in 2023. Dr. Hammelman was born and raised  in Evansville Indiana and is a huge Indiana Hoosier sports team fan!! Dr. Hammelman is really excited to partner with the Peru and Wabash dental teams, and he prides himself on giving his patients a reason to smile!

 Dr. Dugan LaBarge earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the Indiana University School of Dentistry in 2026 and is excited to begin serving patients at LADD Dental Group of Peru. He is committed to taking the time to listen to each patient's needs, helping them feel comfortable and informed, and building lasting relationships based on trust. Outside of the office, Dr. LaBarge enjoys playing pickleball and chess. He looks forward to meeting you and helping you achieve a lifetime of healthy, confident smiles. 

We are incredibly grateful to welcome Dr. Greg Velligan to the LADD Dental Group family as our new Chief Clinical Officer!

Dr. Velligan brings an impressive 36 years of experience in the dental profession, with a career that includes clinical practice, practice ownership, dental education, multi-site dental operations, and clinical leadership. We couldn't be more excited to have someone with his experience, passion, and perspective joining our team.

What excites us most about Dr. Velligan joining LADD is his commitment to supporting and mentoring dentists and clinical teams.

We believe that great dentistry starts with great people. Our doctors and clinical team members are the heart of everything we do, and having strong clinical leadership is incredibly important as we continue to grow. Dr. Velligan will help provide our providers with another valuable resource, advocate for our clinical teams, and help us continue to elevate the standard of care we provide to our patients.

Throughout his career, Dr. Velligan has experienced dentistry from virtually every angle. He has practiced clinically, owned a dental practice, worked in multi-location dental organizations, served in clinical leadership, and been involved in dental education. Most recently, he served as an Adjunct Clinical Instructor at Indiana University School of Dentistry and as an Enterprise Dental Director for CareSource, providing clinical oversight and utilization management leadership for dental programs across multiple states.

That diverse experience gives Dr. Velligan a unique understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing dentists today.

At LADD, we don't believe clinical leadership should simply be about policies and procedures. We believe it should be about people, relationships, mentorship, communication, and supporting our providers.

 Dr. Patricia Flores is a Huntington, Indiana native and has recently joined Ladd Dental Group team in Peru and Wabash. After graduating from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, she went on to receive a technical certificate in Dental Assisting. Soon after, Patricia returned to school to become a hygienist and subsequently a dentist. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family listening to live music, reading, and gardening. She is excited to return to the area as a practicing dentist and to be able to serve this remarkable community. 

   Dr. DeaKyne grew up in Fortville, IN where he followed in his grandfather’s footsteps to become a dentist. Dr. Deakyne received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University and received his doctor of dental surgery degree from Indiana University School of Dentistry. After 30 years of practicing dentistry, the most important things to him are still the relationship with the patient and educating them about their dental needs as well as giving them high quality care.

Dr. DeaKyne enjoys all aspects of general dentistry, including root canals and extractions. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Indiana Dental Association, and the North Central Indiana Dental Association.

Dr. DeaKyne and his wife Shelbia have four grown children and six grandchildren. They attend the Warren United Church of Christ. In his spare time, Kevin enjoys golfing, car shows, attending I.U. football and basketball games, and traveling. His wife Shelbia has a life-long passion for horses and enjoys reading and civil war history.