For more than 30 years, Dr. Paul Bothun has provided his patients with exceptional comprehensive and cosmetic dental care. He earned both a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and his Doctorate of Dental Surgery degrees from the University of Minnesota.

He also keeps up to date by reading his favorite dental literature, including the Journal of American Dental Association, Compendium (advanced dentistry), Journal of the American Orthodontic Society, Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Products Report, Clinical Research Associates Newsletter, Inside Dentistry (cosmetic dentistry), ADA News, Chairside, Inclusive Restorative Driven Implant Solutions, and CEREC Doctors.

Dr. Bothun enjoys sharing his knowledge of dentistry with the community by lecturing in the Grand Forks area. He also participates in the high school job shadowing program. Dr. Bothun has volunteered his time and talents to Give Kids a Smile, Third Street Clinic, and provided dental exams at Head Start. He also talks to high school students about oral health and has given lectures to students at the University Of North Dakota School Of Medicine.

In his personal life, Dr. Bothun enjoys spending time with his family, which includes his wife Lori and their five children: Rachel, Chris, and triplet sons Ryan, Adam and Loren. He likes running, hunting, fishing, woodworking and water sports.

For more than 15 years, Dr. Heidi Stevens has been providing quality care to her patients at Dakota Dental Associates. In 1998, she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the University of North Dakota, and she received her Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 2002.

Throughout her career, Dr. Stevens has given presentations at the Grand Forks Senior Citizens Center, Grand Forks Public Schools, St. Michaels School, Head Start, and the University of North Dakota. She has volunteered her time providing dental care for Give Kids a Smile, Head Start and Third Street Clinic. She has also been a longtime supporter of the North Dakota Dental Foundation.

Dr. Stevens enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her husband, Brian, and their two children, Jack and Hayley. She also enjoys the lake, playing piano, traveling and keeping busy with her kids various activities.

Dr. Rachel Cummings is a Grand Forks native who graduated from Creighton University School of Dentistry in 2016. In 2011, she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Anthropology. She is excited to be back in her home state to practice dentistry with Dr. Heidi Stevens, her dad, Dr. Paul Bothun, and brother, Dr. Chris Bothun.

Away from the office Dr. Cummings can be found spending time with her husband Cody and their dogs Thor and Wanderlei. She likes to read, run, bike and play sports such as volleyball and golf. She often joins her family at the lake during the weekends. While she may have spent her college years in Nebraska (go Big Red!) she is a UND hockey fan who enjoys attending home games.

Dr. Christopher Bothun recently joined Dakota Dental Associates after graduating from University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 2017. He was born and raised in Grand Forks and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology at the University of North Dakota.

Dr. Bothun enjoys spending time with his wife, Rachel, who practices physical therapy in Grand Forks, and their dog, Vinci, a 2 year old Vizsla. Although he spent 4 years in gopher territory, he is still loyal to UND.

As office manager, Renee is at the hub of Dakota Dental. In the dentistry field for more than three decades, she nearly has done it all. A graduate from North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, she began her career as a dental assistant in 1980. She joined Dakota Dental in 1995 as a dental hygienist and became the office manager in 2000. A Red River Valley native, Renee, her husband and daughter call Grand Forks home. When it's time to relax, she likes to travel, spend time with her family and get knee-deep in scrapbooking.

Lori manages the vendor accounts, employee benefits, and the many charitable donations and activities Dakota Dental is involved with. She is a surgical technician by education, but has adapted nicely to her important role as the need grew. If you take a look at our Facebook page you will likely see one of the many gift baskets she has put together. She is married to Dr. Paul Bothun and together they raised five wonderful children. She is passionate about all styles of exercise and thoroughly enjoys spending time with her family engaging in many outdoor activities. She is very proud to be part of the wonderful team at Dakota Dental and the quality health care they provide.

Dakota Dentals hygiene coordinator is Miranda. Miranda earned a degree in early childhood education from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2009, and then volunteered with the Peace Corps for two years in Eastern Europe. She joined Dakota Dental in May of 2012 as an administrative assistant and became the hygiene coordinator in October 2020. She enjoys going to the lake and spending time with her husband, Shane, and their children, Luke and Maia.

Originally from the south, Jessicas hometown is Vero Beach, Florida. She graduated from Indian River Charter High School. The daughter of a dentist, Jessica has many years of experience working in the dental setting. Moving to North Dakota has been a great adventure for Jessica and her family.

Jessica loves spending time with her husband, Heath, and their two children, Korbin and Sadie. Her favorite thing is watching her children learn and grow. Jessica also enjoys being outdoors, and coming from Florida, she loves going to the beach. In North Dakota, she loves gardening, four-wheeling, and boating. Jessica also enjoys cooking and baking

The first face you see when you enter our office is likely Sam. She is part of our administrative team, giving patients a warm welcome when they arrive. She is originally from Seattle, Washington. Sam enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, swimming, and running.

Dental hygienist Rachel is a 2013 North Dakota State College of Science graduate. She is originally from Michigan, N.D. and returns home often to spend time with family. She likes gardening, baking, cooking and doing projects around her new house with her husband, Cody. They enjoy going on vacations together and watching Netflix.

Lindsay is a Grand Forks native and returned to the area after graduating from the dental hygiene program at Minnesota State Community and Technical College in 2011. Lindsay and her husband, Bryan, enjoy going to the lake, cross country skiing, watching sports and playing with their daughter, Karlie.

Originally from Fordville, ND, dental hygienist Lexi graduated from MSCTC in Moorhead, MN in 2015 with a degree in dental hygiene. Growing up she loved her hygienist and getting her teeth clean which inspired her to work in the dental field. She likes being able to give advice and educate patients on how to help improve their oral health. Lexi likes to stay active in her free time by playing basketball, softball, working out and spending time with her dog, Baylor. When not at work, she enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends and watching the Minnesota Vikings & Duke basketball.

Brittany is a McVille, ND native who graduated from Dakota Prairie High School and Argosy University in the Twin Cities. She has always envisioned herself in the healthcare field and feels dental hygiene is the perfect fit. Outside the office Brittany enjoys time at the lake, walking her dog Charlie and cheering on the Green Bay Packers.

Kait is originally from Gerry, New York. She earned her dental hygiene degree at the Fortis Institute in Erie, PA. She is passionate about helping people, which led her to a career in dentistry. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, baking, and spending time with her husband and dog Remi.

Hygienist Sherry grew up in northern Minnesota in her hometown of Crookston. She graduated in 2006 from Lake Superior College in Duluth, MN. Sherry has had an interest in dentistry since her teenage years when having braces straighten her own teeth amazed her.

Sherry enjoys traveling with her husband Shawn. While at home, she enjoys watching movies, couponing, walking her dog Molly, writing to her California pen pal of over 20 years, and spending time with her son.

Registered Dental Assistant Robyn, is an East Grand Forks native who joined Dakota Dental in 2005 after graduating from Moorhead State Technical College in 2004. When she's not working shes juggling children. Her and her husband, Jason, have a daughter, Bailee, twins, Max and Miley and a black lab named Jazzy. Robyn enjoys baking, going to UND hockey games, spending time with family and going to the lake in the summertime.

Rachael grew up in Thief River Falls, MN and graduated from NCTC in Bemidji, MN with a degree in Dental Assisting. She enjoys assisting the doctors with whatever the day brings and especially loves working in our high tech environment. When not at work, Rachael enjoys spending time with her dog, Rayn, roller blading, cooking/baking, sports, and binge watching Netflix!

Raychel is from Ronan, Montana and graduated with a certificate in Dental Assisting from Salish Kootenai College. She always dreamed working in the dental field and loves helping patients feel comfortable and confident in their smiles. When shes not assisting Dr. Bothun she can be found exploring Eastern North Dakota or watching Netflix.

Hope,anorthern Minnesota native, grew up in Crookston, Minnesota. She recently completed her dental assisting education at the Northwest Technical College in Bemidji in 2020. Hope enjoys dental assisting because she loves to help patients feel confident in their smile. Hope enjoys spending time with her family and friends at the lake and doing outdoor activities. When shes not outside, she enjoys staying in and watching movies.

Erika is our sterilization tech who makes sure our team has what they need to take great care of our patients. She can be found helping sterilizing instruments, ordering dental supplies, and coordinating service visits. Outside of the office she enjoys spending time with her family and following her three kids in their many activities.

Permanent teeth will begin to grow about age 6, and except for wisdom teeth, are all present between ages 12 and 14. The next teeth to erupt are the 12-year molars and, finally, the wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth typically begin breaking through from age 17 and on. The total number of permanent teeth is 32, though few people have room for all 32 teeth. This is why wisdom teeth usually are removed.

Your front teeth are called incisors. The sharp fang-like teeth are canines. The next side teeth are referred to as pre-molars or bicuspids, and the back teeth are molars. Your permanent teeth are the ones you keep for life, so it is vital that they are brushed and flossed regularly and that periodic checkups by a dentist are followed.