We are a compassionate, caring team whose vision for you is one of lifelong health and a naturally beautiful smile. We believe that lives are enriched when there is both dental health and a thoughtful approach that sets you up for lifelong wellness. We do this by truly listening to your hopes and dreams and providing you with world class care in a quiet and comfortable environment where we respect the fact that you are the expert on you and the choices you make for yourself. We can provide those choices for you because by being forward thinking we understand how to evaluate and treat the underlying causes of problems- not just the usual casual patch and fix approach.
Our goal is a brilliant smile that lasts a lifetime. We can help you achieve both short term comfort and lifelong results whether it be providing Beautiful Aesthetics, TMJ health, Implant dentistry, Invisalign or Airway and Apnea management and correction were able to help. Were also experts in prevention helping you and your family with everyday dentistry but helping you avoid lifelong problems through supervised growth and development of children.
'Dr. Otten and his entire staff understand dental health affects not only your mouth but also your whole body and equally other physical conditions may be a cause of an existing dental health issue. His commitment to treating the whole person has exceeded my expectation.'
'Dr. James Otten and his entire team were outstanding. From the minute I walked in the door and was greeted with a smile I knew I was home. The dental service was personalized to my individual needs and the quality of care was exceptional. I couldnt ask for a better smile. I highly recommend this office.'
'Dr. Otten relieved TMJ pain and daily headaches that I had been experiencing for over 5 years. I have been without the daily pain for close to 5 years now and cant imagine going back. I am extremely grateful to Dr. Otten and his staff.'
'Dr. Otten and his entire staff understand dental health affects not only your mouth but also your whole body and equally other physical conditions may be a cause of an existing dental health issue. His commitment to treating the whole person has exceeded my expectation and gained my trust. '
'Highly highly recommend Dr. Ristow! He takes the time to explain everything and answer all your questions! You never feel like you are being rushed or that you dont get enough time with him. He truly cares about us patients and treats you like family! Cannot say enough good things about him and the entire staff!'
Our talented dentist in Lawrence, Dr. James F. Otten, is a 1981 graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. He completed a one-year residency in hospital dentistry with emphasis on advanced restoration of teeth and oral surgery at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Leavenworth, Kansas. He taught crown and bridge dentistry as an Associate Professor at UMKC before entering private practice in 1982, where he served as Chief of Staff of a large group practice in Fayetteville, Arkansas, before opening his practice in Lawrence in 1984.
Dr. Otten has pursued rigorous post-graduate education since 1986, accumulating thousands of hours in advanced continuing education that he has intentionally applied to his practice in order to develop its personalized care philosophy. He has completed the rigorous curriculum at two prestigious institutions The Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education and the Dawson Center for Advanced Dental Education. Many regard the Pankey Institute as dentistrys educational equivalent of the Mayo Clinic and of which he is an Associate Faculty member and Provost. Dr. Otten lectures nationally and internationally, and he has recently been asked to join the faculty at the Newport Coast Orofacial Institute in Newport Beach CA. Here and at the Pankey Institute, Dr. Otten volunteers his time to teach others about the joy, happiness and satisfaction that can be achieved through the care of patients in a trusting relationship and with clinical excellence.
While he is a member of numerous professional organizations, in recent years Dr. Otten has received the rare distinction of admission to two of Dentistrys most prestigious organizations. Dr. Otten has been named a Fellow of The American College of Dentists and an active member of The American Academy of Restorative Dentistry. You cannot apply to join either of these organizations. Instead, you are nominated, scrutinized to the highest standards and selected by your peers ,who also happen to be the leaders in Dentistry. Along with this honor is a tremendous responsibility to live and practice according to the highest standards in our profession, something that ultimately has enormous benefits for our patients.
In pursuit of excellence, Dr. Otten has gained a considerable reputation both regionally and nationally for his expertise in disorders of the jaw joints, as well as crown and bridge dentistry, implant restorations, complex bite problems, removable and partial dentures and naturally beautiful esthetic dentistry. There is not a week that goes by that another dentist is not calling and asking his advice. Of all these accomplishments, he is most proud of the trust his patients place in him and the development of a caring, personalized, client-centered practice that works in a true partnership with people and the exceptional associates who work with him to facilitate it.
When he is not at the office, he enjoys trying new food venues around Lawrence and KC, playing golf, spending time with his parents, sister, and niece, and nephew. He is looking forward to traveling, specifically a much-needed vacation to Mexico to relax on the beach!
He is continuing to broaden his knowledge in dentistry with a mastership course in Biomimetic Dentistry. Biomimetics is focused on mimicking nature and using the intact natural tooth as your guide to replacing what is lost.
Debbie grew up in Lawrence and attended the University of Kansas before entering Dental Hygiene School. She married her Husband Derek in 1987 and they have two children, Jake and Piper. As her children grew up Debbie was actively involved with their schools and activities. She has served in a variety of rolls from Boy Scout Leader to Board of Directors. Both her children are active in sports and music which keeps her schedule busy. When she has free time she enjoys being outside, gardening, snow skiing, scuba diving, hiking, biking or going to the dog park. I have such a short time with my kids before they grow up I want to enjoy every moment with them. Debbie believes in the importance of volunteering and the development of family.
Before starting her family, Debbie was proud to have served in the military with the 190th Kansas Air National Guard. She spent 12 years with the Guard and had many opportunities to travel with them. Debbie remains active with the unit through her husband, Col. Derek Rogers and Son Jake who joined in January 2013. She was honored to have been awarded Military Spouse of the Year 2013 by the State of Kansas.
Debbie has been practicing Dental Hygiene since 1993. She has worked with long term restorative and esthetic dentistry helping people discover their options for optimal health. She has attended hundreds of hours in Continuation Education Courses in pursuit of being the best at Dental Hygiene.
One of the things I enjoy is working with the patients who seek Dr. Ottens care. Exceptional Quality Dentistry is an art and science. It requires tremendous dedication and an uncompromising commitment to excellence.
I am excited for the opportunity to work with a team of professionals that make it possible to offer the patient the results they desire and individual choice of how to achieve them. Each persons journey to health is unique. I enjoy getting to know my patients, listening to their concerns, hearing what their expectations are and helping them to discover the possibilities to reach the goals they have for their dental and overall health.