Dr. Huffaker is a native of Mesa, Arizona. He is the oldest of six children and is the only member of his family that does not still live in The West. His father is an industrial electrician and his mother teaches physical education at an elementary school. He grew up thinking that he would be an actor, or a rock star, or even a doctor, but he settled for being a car detailer, pizza delivery boy, and used car lot attendant. When he turned 19, he left Arizona to serve a 2-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was assigned to the Honduras Tegucigalpa Mission where he built homes, dug ditches, spoke Spanish, had doors slammed in his face, and did a lot of growing up. When he returned alive from Honduras, he attended Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho) and while there, decided to pursue a career in dentistry.
He graduated from Ricks College with an associate degree and continued his education at Brigham Young University in Provo, UT. While going to school he had a part-time job teaching Spanish to newly called missionaries at the Missionary Training Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was there that he met his wife Bonnie (who was also a Spanish teacher) and they were married 3 months later!! They both finished up their bachelors degrees and moved back to Arizona so that Bonnie could finish her student teaching while at the same time being pregnant with their first child.
While in Arizona, not-yet Dr. Huffaker taught Math and Science at a high school in inner-city Phoenix where he learned a handful of gang signs and gained a great appreciation for the hard work that full-time educators do. After their short stay in Arizona, they traveled to Cleveland, Ohio where Dr. Huffaker attended dental school at Case Western Reserve University. Between his first and second years of dental school, he worked as a research assistant in the endodontic clinic and it was during this time that he became interested in all things root canal. He graduated from CWRU School of Dentistry in 2006 and began his 3-year endodontic residency at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington.
Finally, in 2009, Dr. Huffaker, his wife, and their 4 children moved to the Adirondack region of New York state to begin private practice as an endodontist. Since that time, they have added 3 more boys to the mix making a total of 5 boys and 2 girls. Dr. Huffaker and Bonnie are currently quite busy with work, church activities, piano lessons, saxophone, euphonium, and tuba practice, swimming and basketball, and trying to find good Mexican food in the Northeast!! Dr. Huffaker enjoys singing, playing the guitar, mountain biking, and pretending to be a movie and food critic as much as possible. He does not enjoy lifting heavy objects in his basement, but his food critic hobby makes this practice necessary.
Kari Alden was born and raised in Hometown, USAGlens Falls, NY. She graduated from Glens Falls High School, attended a couple of years of college at Fulton-Montgomery and then settled down in our area to raise her daughter Lola. Over the years she has worked at many different local businesses from Shapiros in Aviation Mall to Ace Hardware on route 9. During these years she gained an understanding of how to effectively interact with all the different personality types of people walking around our community. She also developed a penchant for excellence, hard work, and organization. All of these characteristics led her to a career in health care. She earned her degree as a Certified Dental Assistant at Hudson Valley and has been working in the dental field since June of 2006.
Aside from being a world class dental assistant trained in microscope use and microsurgery, she is active in her large extended family. Most weekends she can be found painting walls, installing shelves, moving furniture, helping hook up electronic devices, babysitting nieces/nephews, etc, etc. Basically, when someone needs some help, Kari is who they call. She is a very service oriented human. She is fiercely independent and has passed on this character trait to her daughter. She is passionate about caring for her daughter and teaching her how to be a successful human being. Kari also enjoys playing card games competitively, going for bike rides not competitively, dancing to the music of Aquanet whenever possible, and eating cereal for dinner. She can often be found lifting heavy objects in a CrossFit gym before the sun comes up, which allows her cereal habit to flourish.
Jill Cottrell grew up here in the Adirondack region and graduated from South Glens Falls High School. Since finishing high school she has been working in the dental field either as a dental assistant or an office manager, which means she has been working in a dental office for over 25 years. Needless to say, she is deeply knowledgeable about most things involving treatment, protocol, billing, and insurance in the dental world. She can answer most questions that you can think of and is an excellent resource in regards to your treatment in ours or any dental office.
Jill is also a licensed real estate agent in the state of New York and as such is very knowledgeable with regards to living in our particular North Country region. She is an avid snow skier, trail hiker, and world traveler. Not only does she understand the inner workings of almost everything about dental insurance, but she knows even more about the hidden trails and hikes of the Adirondack region. She is a world-class wine connoisseur, hairstylist, and online shopper. Her compassionate nature, cheerful personality and contagious laugh brighten the office more than the LED lighting. She is the glue that holds our small office family together. To know her is to like her immensely.
Reviews
Rating 4.8 out of 5 based on 18 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestJohn B Upstate NY
2 years ago
Dr Huffaker is a talent of precision. A past root canal that he performed was of perfection. His staff is caring, delightful and professional. A bright, positive atmosphere. I am going to try to get in to see him ASAP as I have a very painful absess right now. It is at the sight of a past molar extraction. A quarter inch or so bubble with some possible pulp beneath. If I can't get help soon I will have to cut it.
Silvia Chiriboga
2 years ago
Great service! Dr Huffaker is a caring professional dentist. I felt safe with no pain during my treatment. Love this place
Yajaira Bonet
2 years ago
This place is amazing they took me in right away I didn't feel anything, he made me feel so comfortable thank god for them!
Assured Elevator LLC.
3 years ago
A credit to the profession.
Steven Burke
3 years ago
Dr. Huffaker is awesome! I never felt a thing during my root canal surgeries and almost fell asleep during the procedures because he is so good at doing them. Jill, the office manager, is so helpful and friendly too that you can't help but love this place. If I ever have any questions or issues they are always eager to help. Thank you Dr. Huffaker and staff for all you've done! If you are considering going to Dr. Huffaker, please do it and you will not regret it.
Maria Jennings
3 years ago
I was sent there for a root canal and my experience was amazing. From when I walked in the door the staff was caring and listened to my concern. I was in and out with no issues thanks to sedation dentistry.
Heather LaPlante
4 years ago
Kind and caring staff! Dr Huffaker and Jill are amazing! Thanks for taking such good care of me and my tooth
Assured Elevator LLC.
4 years ago
A credit to the profession.
Maria Jennings
4 years ago
I was sent there for a root canal and my experience was amazing. From when I walked in the door the staff was caring and listened to my concern. I was in and out with no issues thanks to sedation dentistry.
Dan Zaugg
4 years ago
I an absolutely terrified of ANY dental work, so needless to say I wasn't very excited to have to go get a big filling on a big tooth. It couldn't have been a better experience, considering the circumstances. ME shaking like a leaf did not make his job easier but regardless he was amazing with me and I left there without having going through any pain and another tooth saved.
Steven Burke
4 years ago
Dr. Huffaker is awesome! I never felt a thing during my root canal surgeries and almost fell asleep during the procedures because he is so good at doing them. Jill, the office manager, is so helpful and friendly too that you can't help but love this place. If I ever have any questions or issues they are always eager to help. Thank you Dr. Huffaker and staff for all you've done! If you are considering going to Dr. Huffaker, please do it and you will not regret it.
Peter Cormie
4 years ago
Dr Huffaker and his staff always make me feel that they have my best interests in mind. They are very accommodating and I have never felt any pain during procedures. I highly recommended this office.
Shawn Bogusky
4 years ago
When our son needed a root canal, we were lucky enough to find Dr. Huffaker. Jill was so friendly and welcoming. Since our son was in pain, she got him in right away. Dr. Huffaker, his assistant Michelle and Jill are very caring and made us feel comfortable. They took good care of our son and now he is pain free!
Trick 153
4 years ago
One of a kind.
Staci Tasso
4 years ago
All I can say is WOW!! This endodontist is amazing and the best I've ever been too! Today was my first visit and I am so impressed! The technology is so top notch, he is very thorough in his exam and xrays, explains everything, is very nice and has a receptionist named Jill who was extremely pleasant and you don't see much of that these days! The one thing that stands out the most though is that he is HONEST to a fault. He diagnosed me in minutes and he could have told me I needed all kinds of things. He didn't and that made me trust him completely Thank you for such a nice experience Dr. Huffaker!!
Dan Zaugg
4 years ago
I an absolutely terrified of ANY dental work, so needless to say I wasn't very excited to have to go get a big filling on a big tooth. It couldn't have been a better experience, considering the circumstances. ME shaking like a leaf did not make his job easier but regardless he was amazing with me and I left there without having going through any pain and another tooth saved.
Cierra Dela Cruz
4 years ago
I was referred to Dr Huffaker but decided to go with an office that was partially covered by our insurance. I really wish that I had gone with Dr Huffaker first. I came to his office after I was told that I would need an implant and at the follow up visit with my dentist, he told me to get a second opinion. He was very understanding, very thorough, and went the extra step to make sure I could see what he was seeing. I did not need the crown removed and I'm so happy I went for a second opinion! Jill was amazing and always accommodating to our ever changing schedule. The full retreatment did not hurt NEARLY as bad as when it was partially done at the other office. I highly recommend Dr Huffaker!
Heather LaPlante
4 years ago
Kind and caring staff! Dr Huffaker and Jill are amazing! Thanks for taking such good care of me and my tooth
Shawn Bogusky
5 years ago
When our son needed a root canal, we were lucky enough to find Dr. Huffaker. Jill was so friendly and welcoming. Since our son was in pain, she got him in right away. Dr. Huffaker, his assistant Michelle and Jill are very caring and made us feel comfortable. They took good care of our son and now he is pain free!
Cierra Dela Cruz
5 years ago
I was referred to Dr Huffaker but decided to go with an office that was partially covered by our insurance. I really wish that I had gone with Dr Huffaker first. I came to his office after I was told that I would need an implant and at the follow up visit with my dentist, he told me to get a second opinion. He was very understanding, very thorough, and went the extra step to make sure I could see what he was seeing. I did not need the crown removed and I'm so happy I went for a second opinion! Jill was amazing and always accommodating to our ever changing schedule. The full retreatment did not hurt NEARLY as bad as when it was partially done at the other office. I highly recommend Dr Huffaker!
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