Our dental team is one of the most experienced and knowledgeable in the area. They work hard to make sure that your visit runs as smooth as possible and that you receive the utmost in care.The Friendly Smiles Team is trustworthy and reliably delivers friendly, professional care. They truly enjoy seeing a smile on your face as you leave our office!
Dr. Barfield, Dr.Althoff, and Dr. Miller have over 20 combined years of experience. The doctors at Friendly Smiles Cosmetic Dentistry are experienced and dedicated to take care of you and your familys dental health. Leave all your worries and embarrassment behind because here the culture is all about courtesy, respect, and constructive optimism.They are here to support you in restoring, protecting, and preserving your dental health. You will feel a sense of security and have peace of mind when you leave the office. Together the doctors at Friendly Smiles have the following credentials and memberships:
Dr. Brenda Barfieldfollowed her lifelong dream in 2003 by opening her own dental practice in Fargo, North Dakota. She had played an active role in her fathers practice for over 10 years in Moorhead, Minnesota. In 1992, she received an Associates of Science degree in Dental Hygiene and practiced in the Fargo-Moorhead area. After her fathers retirement, Brenda followed in his footsteps and received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Between graduating and opening her own practice, Dr. Barfield worked at the Family Health Care Dental Clinic in Fargo.
Dr. Barfield has studied with the leaders in the fields of chronic head and neck pain; neuroanatomy and neurology; temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD); and sleep disorders, including snoring and sleep apnea. She has certification in TMJ & Sleep Therapy Research along with her memberships in the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, North Dakota Dental Association, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, and Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders.
Dr. Susan Althoff (Obermiller) is ecstatic to get back to her hometown and provide excellent dental care in Fargo, North Dakota. She grew up in Fargo, attending North High School and Concordia College where she majored in biology and played soccer. She received her dental degree from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 2016.
After graduating from dental school, Dr. Althoff worked as a general dentist in Colorado Springs, Colorado, expanding her skills in fixed and removable prosthodontics and cosmetic dentistry. Upon her husbands completion of serving in the United States Army, Special Forces, Dr. Althoff and her husband moved to Minneapolis, MN. In Minneapolis she furthered her dental skills becoming proficient in endodontics, pediatric dentistry and oral surgery as well as staying current with the latest technology. Dr. Althoff is certified in Invisalign orthodontics and is actively involved in various professional study clubs.
Dr. Althoff is passionate about providing the highest quality care to her patients. Her focus is helping patients understand why treatment is recommended through intra-oral pictures and an open, honest dialogue so they can make an educated decision to improve their oral health. Dr Althoff is motivated to provide superior dental care and create genuine, life-long relationships with her patients.
Away from the practice, Dr. Althoff enjoys spending time with her husband, Cory, their two children, Oliver and Lily, and dog, Minnie. She and her family enjoy being outdoors, spending time at the lakes, watching and playing sports. Dr. Althoff and her family are very excited to live closer to both of their families and look forward to making many great memories in Fargo, ND.
Dr. Emily Miller was interested in medicine since a young age, and followed her pursuit of becoming a dentist while growing up in Florida. She attended the University of Florida for a bachelors in biology in 2012, then attended Nova Southeastern Universitys dental school near Miami, where she graduated in 2016. Dr. Miller decided she wished to escape the heat and humidity of Florida, and moved to Fargo soon after graduation. While many Floridians would be intimidated by the snow and wind, Dr. Miller loves Fargo for its small size and great community, and wishes to serve its population by bringing excellent dental care.
Dr. Miller believes that the most fundamental part of dentistry is patient education, and preventing disease before it happens. At the same time, Dr. Miller believes no patient should be too ashamed to come to the dentist, and is happy to help make custom treatment plans for patients who have complex issues in their mouths. Dr. Miller is proficient in both direct and implant restorations, is certified in SOLEA laser dentistry, and has a high level of experience with dental extractions and dentures.
When not in the dental office, Dr. Miller enjoys gardening, drawing, and spending time with her pet rabbits. She also enjoys traveling, especially to interesting cities and National Parks within the United States.
At the core of our dental practice is a friendly team of professionals that are dedicated to your utmost comfort and optimal oral health. We view each patient as a unique individual, and tailor each treatment to your specific needs. As part of our commitment to providing close, personalized attention to every patient, we want to encourage patient communication. Please know that we are here to provide outstanding patient care, and that we value the trust you have placed in us.
Jodi Rurup graduated from North Dakota State College of Science in 2000 with an Associates degree in Dental Hygiene and Liberal Arts. She has been part of the Friendly Smiles Team since October 2010 and enjoys working with Dr. Barfield and Associates help patients achieve healthy smiles. She enjoys patient care with focus on patient education and technology. Jodi loves being part of the Friendly Smiles team and helping patients realize and maintain oral health so they can smile proudly!
I have been a Dental Hygienist since 2000. I graduated from North Dakota State College of Science. I joined Friendly Smiles the summer of 2008. I really enjoy working with such a great team. Hygiene is very rewarding career for me. I feel so lucky to be working in an office that is so advanced in technology.
I graduated from M State in Moorhead with a degree in Dental Hygiene in 2008 and have been with Friendly Smiles since 2012. I am lucky to be a part of the best work family and love getting to know my patients and their families, too!
I graduated from M State Moorhead in 2009 with a degree in dental hygiene. I love what I do and find my career very rewarding knowing we are working together to make a difference in your oral health and to achieve a bright, beautiful smile. I am so grateful to be part of such a wonderful team to provide the best care possible to all of our patients using the latest technology.
I graduated from MState for dental hygiene in 2021 and assisting in 2019. I will be completing my Bachelor's of Dental Hygiene winter of 2021. I absolutely love my job and enjoy getting to meet everyone in my chair while helping them achieve the smile they want and deserve! I also love getting to spend my weekdays with the best coworkers around.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my friends, boyfriend, and my puppy, Stark. I also enjoy finding new eateries and breweries around the area, listening to podcasts, and traveling when I can!
I graduated from MSCTC-Moorhead in 2008. I then joined the Friendly Smiles team. I really enjoy working with such a great team and to provide the best dental care possible. I really enjoy Dental Assisting and helping people to enhance their smile.
I graduated from Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Moorhead, MN with a diploma in dental assisting in May, 2012. I joined the Friendly Smiles team in October, 2012. I love working with such a wonderful staff and enjoy meeting new and existing patients and helping them achieve a beautiful smile.
I graduated from Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, Wisconsin with a diploma in dental assisting in December 2012. I began assisting with Friendly Smiles Cosmetic Dentistry in March 2014. I am thrilled to be working as a dental assistant while bringing smiles to our patients faces!
My husband and I just welcomed a baby girl this fall 2019 and enjoy being parents! Our dog Waldo was unsure at first of his new little sister, but is now getting used to sharing Mom and Dad with her! In our spare time, I enjoy summers at the lake, long distance running, and making memories with friends and family.
I grew up in Fingal, ND. I graduated from North Dakota State College of Science in 2016 with an Associate's degree in Dental Assisting. I have been with Friendly Smiles since I was done with school, and I have absolutely enjoyed it ever since. I love working with all my coworkers and seeing patients walk out of here with a smile on their face.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. In the summer, I try to spend as much time at the lake with my family as possible, and enjoy doing just about every water sport possible. My husband and I love to travel in the winter to a new place each year if possible.
I graduated from Minnesota State Community and Technical College in 2021 with my Associate's degree in Dental Assisting. I will complete my Bachelors of Biological Sciences in May of 2022. I've been with Friendly Smiles since June of 2020 and I absolutely love it! I truly have the best coworkers around!
I graduated from Eastern College of Health Vacations in Little Rock, AR. My roots are in Arkansas but my husband stole me away to North Dakota four years ago. It didn't take me long to fall in love with Fargo and the sweet sense of community here. Friendly Smiles added me to their team a short time ago and for this I feel very fortunate. I love working with a team that is positive and encouraging with a goal of doing their best for their patients.
I have worked in the dental field since 1994. I am so thrilled to work with Dr. Barfield and the Friendly Smiles Dental Team. Our team provides the latest technology in dentistry and it is so exciting and rewarding to be a part of that! My husband Tim and I have four wonderful daughters and son-in-laws, and eight beautiful grandchildren. I enjoy every minute I spend with them, my dog Charlie, cooking, entertaining, decorating, and traveling.
My name is Jenni, and I have been blessed to work with the Friendly Smiles team since August 2010. I graduated from MSCTC with a Dental Assisting diploma in 2007. As a patient coordinator, I am one of the first people to welcome you in our office. I love to help people, and it makes me so happy and excited to assist our patients in achieving a beautiful, healthy smile.
I joined the Friendly Smiles team in August 2012 as the Marketing Director. I graduated from Minnesota State University, Moorhead, with a BS in 2001, and then from the University of Mary, Fargo Center, with a MBM in 2003.
My family and I have been patients at Friendly Smiles for over 7 years. When the opportunity to become part of the Friendly Smiles family arose, I jumped at it! I've been working up front as a Patient Coordinator for over3 years and I've never loved a job more! The doctors and staff are top-notch and we always have the latest and greatest in dental technology. Patient comfort and satisfaction are our #1 priorities!
Hi, my name is Anne. I have been with Friendly Smiles Cosmetic Dentistry for 18 months, but have over 30 years experience as an administrative assistant. I enjoy and love coming to work everyday and being a part of this great team - what an amazing, caring team.
Reviews
Rating 3.4 out of 5 based on 49 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestChance Lindeman
a year ago
Literally got there at 7:10, I had an appointment at 7:00. I understand being on time is a thing but I had to get an X-Ray and they said they couldn't do anything. They open at 7:00, you kidding me right now? You couldn't take the 15 minutes to take an X-Ray cause your feelings were hurt over me being 10 minutes late? Nothing but problems at this business, seriously just save your time and go somewhere else.
Amber Vallera
a year ago
By far the worst dental experience and customer service I have ever received. It was so stressful and horrible. They were disorganized and condescending. They made multiples promises for call backs "by the end of the day", which they rarely followed through on, and failed to produce plan for my dental anxiety which they also promised they would do. I had to make multiple phone calls and spoke to multiple people, many of whom would give me different answers. Then they lost a prescription that wrote for me and left at their front desk, and wouldn't provide me with another one, despite checking to see whether I had picked up/filled the previous one (which I hadn't). In the meantime, I was in to see another dentist who was wonderful and accommodating and told me I had 4 less cavities than Friendly smiles told me I had. I had kept my appointment with Friendly Smiles because I was still deciding what would be best for me, but they called a short while ago and told me that they took me off the schedule for tomorrow because the dentist I saw several months ago is no longer there. This is extremely unprofessional, but unsurprising to me at this point given everything else they've done. I'd give them zero stars if I could.
CloverJean
a year ago
Issues with billing and quotes. I had to go in 3 times for one tooth which they said had a minor cavity and ended up with a crown.
Monique Capistran
2 years ago
My husband and I had our very first appointment! And we are super satisfied. We were very nervous at first but the environment was so calm and soothing I felt so comfortable. So glad I came here for my dental care, my husband and I are very happy! They answered all our questions and concerns. Can't wait to continue for the future.
Pam Lovaas
2 years ago
This is the worst Dental office I have ever been to. Dr. Barfield told me I needed two caps and they said to do one before the year ends as my deductible has been reached, and then do the other the next year. My tooth was not causing me any problems, but you tend to put your trust in your Dentist. I got the cap, with a lot of pain and troubles, as the toothwas so far back. I was in so much pain, having headaches and could feel hardened cement around the tooth, I could not floss between the tooth and the next one to it. I went back in a week and told her my problems that I was having. They tried to remedy it, but it was so painful, shedecided the best thing to do was to go to an oral surgeon and get it pulled. She refunded the money I paid for the cap, and I Got the cap pulled off along with the tooth. After two days, I have no more headaches and the pain is gone. But of course I am now missing a back tooth. Don't go to this dentist if you want to save your teeth!! Now I have a bill for the oral surgeon!!
Whitney L
2 years ago
Very friendly and helpful! They get back to you right away! They actually seem to care and makes dentist visit a lot easier!
Mark Maliskey
2 years ago
I am extremely, extremely disappointed with Friendly Smiles Cosmetic Dentistry. I purchased my first set of retainers in 2010 at my Orthodontist. In May 2019, those retainers broke. Unfortunately, my Orthodontist was located in Michigan, as that is where I had retainers. When I told them about my retainer breaking, they offered to make a new set for free, but I would have to go to them. With that not being an option, I purchased a new set of retainers with Friendly Smiles Cosmetic Dentistry in May 2019. I have previously been going to Friendly Smiles since 2016 when I moved to Fargo, so it seemed like a good place to transfer my care. Now, in October 2021, I have issues with my retainers that they sold to me in May 2019, 1 year and 5 months later. My retainers have a crack in the retainer across one of the teeth, meaning that they will need to be replaced. I talked to Friendly Smiles on October 11, 2021, and explained to them the situation. They said that if I would like a new retainer, I would have to repay the $115 to have a new set made. I expressed my frustration to Wendy, at the front desk, and she was kind enough to ask another person - whether that be a manager or doctor, about the situation to see if they would be able to replace them. After Wendy talked with another person higher up, they still decided that I would need to pay $115 to get a new set of retainers made, even if it was only 1 year and 5 months after paying for the previous pair. As a person who was a client of Friendly Smiles Cosmetic Dentistry for 4+ years, I am very hurt and disappointed in their decision not to replace the faulty and problematic product that they sold me. If you're looking to use Friendly Smiles as a care provider, I would advise you to be mindful that they may not be willing to uphold the products or work that they do for you.
Andy Richards
2 years ago
I had chipped my tooth on a Wednesday night and called Susan Hozak after hours and she took great care of me I got a call at 7 am for 9 am appointment they had me in and out in less than an hour and I could not be happier with the staff and the results.
Shanelle Eason
2 years ago
I usually never have had problems with this dentistry, but recently there was a bill of mine that was under my moms name and under her account. My mom doesn't make dentistry appointments often as I do most of the work concerning me and my brother. I wasn't made aware of it until I tried to set up a routine teeth cleaning and that the bill was sent to collections and I couldn't be seen until I paid for the previous bill + full price of my teeth cleaning. Understandingly, I paid both the bill and teeth cleaning for myself. I set up an appointment for my brother but I wasn't able to pay for his cleaning in full that week, therefore we did not go through with the appointment. In response to this, I received a letter from Friendly Smiles addressed to my brother, but sent to me stating that it was "best to seek dentist care from another provider". I was highly upset and shocked as they sent this letter addressing my 11-year old brother even after paying over $500 to the company itself to be provided care.
Bob Brammer
2 years ago
I have been going to Friendly Smiles for more than 15 years! Thank you for keeping me smiling!
James
2 years ago
This place was fantastic! I had a crown pop off Thursday night and I panicked - my usual dentist is closed Fri- Sun . I called Friendly Smiles Friday morning at 9a and they were able to fit me in by 10a!! They were very transparent about their billing policy, and were super friendly and knowledgeable. Bonnie reglued my crown and made sure everything fit right again. I couldn't be happier, and would absolutely recommend Friendly Smiles!
Abdou Zeba
2 years ago
I really don't know if this company deserve 1 star ! I have been with them with all my family years and years , never fail and we love their business. But lately I have been pushed out of theirs services for not paying their Bill on time and it went to collections.I decided to call and find out what collection service but the dentist office never supply to me. I asked what to do now and I have been told that if I paid off this bill , I can come back to theirs services and they will stop that collection to go through. Happy to hear that, my wife called the dentist office and paid the bill off. Few weeks later she called to make an appointment for me but the dentist office refused to let me come back and I have to find another dentist. I think they didn't care about the covid19 pandemic period and lock of humanism!!! But the Very sad part is that even we paid that bill off, we just found out that the same bill paid off was in collection for longtime and lower my score 23 points. That is not fair what they did! Why take payment then and not reporting to the collection or the credit bureau? Why get the money and not closing the case after refusing theirs services to a costumer ? why hurt people this way. Anyway I will stand also for my right and this need to be cleared and cleaned up.
Adam Landreth
2 years ago
The sign walking through the door says "Catering to cowards". Unbelievablely insulting. Next, the mask mandate. Seriously people, those masks did nothing for the pandemic except make people panic. Friendly smiles needs to reassess this. I just turned around and walked out. Garbage.
Meredith Muhs
2 years ago
Switched to Friendly Smiles for insurance purposes, based on a recommendation and I couldn't be more happy! I do not do well with dentists or needles...and when both are involved, I'm a mess. The staff at FS were informative, compassionate and understanding. Their pain management was spot on, and I left feeling like I had been "heard". Thanks Friendly Smiles...you were awesome and I highly recommend your practice!
Adam Landreth
3 years ago
The sign walking through the door says "Catering to cowards". Unbelievablely insulting. Next, the mask mandate. Seriously people, those masks did nothing for the pandemic except make people panic. Friendly smiles needs to reassess this. I just turned around and walked out. Garbage.
Maureen Regan
3 years ago
Friendly Smiles is by far the best Dentistry in Fargo area! They not only do a great job but everyone is so friendly and make you feel so comfortable. Dr. Barstad is so personable and her assistants are amazing. I especially have to give a Big 5 star to Bonnie! To think I used to hate going to the Dentist...not anymore!
Bob Brammer
3 years ago
I have been going to Friendly Smiles for more than 15 years! Thank you for keeping me smiling!
Kelsey Rohweder
3 years ago
Very upset with the level of care I received from this place. The will squeeze every last penny out of you and your insurance company. So sad that when you have a cleaning they apply a fluoride treatment and its not covered. Or they take back for a whole panoramic shot of your face and then they send you a bill for over $800.00 and its not covered. I pay my bills, I just would like to be made aware when things wont be covered, before they send me a bill. Because I wouldn't do the additional work if I was made aware.
Abdou Zeba
3 years ago
I really don't know if this company deserve 1 star ! I have been with them with all my family years and years , never fail and we love their business. But lately I have been pushed out of theirs services for not paying their Bill on time and it went to collections.I decided to call and find out what collection service but the dentist office never supply to me. I asked what to do now and I have been told that if I paid off this bill , I can come back to theirs services and they will stop that collection to go through. Happy to hear that, my wife called the dentist office and paid the bill off. Few weeks later she called to make an appointment for me but the dentist office refused to let me come back and I have to find another dentist. I think they didn't care about the covid19 pandemic period and lock of humanism!!! But the Very sad part is that even we paid that bill off, we just found out that the same bill paid off was in collection for longtime and lower my score 23 points. That is not fair what they did! Why take payment then and not reporting to the collection or the credit bureau? Why get the money and not closing the case after refusing theirs services to a costumer ? why hurt people this way. Anyway I will stand also for my right and this need to be cleared and cleaned up.
Meredith Muhs
3 years ago
Switched to Friendly Smiles for insurance purposes, based on a recommendation and I couldn't be more happy! I do not do well with dentists or needles...and when both are involved, I'm a mess. The staff at FS were informative, compassionate and understanding. Their pain management was spot on, and I left feeling like I had been "heard". Thanks Friendly Smiles...you were awesome and I highly recommend your practice!
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