Upon graduation from St. Olaf College, I spent two years in Mali, West Africa as a health care volunteer for the Peace Corps. It was during this impressionable journey that I decided to pursue a career in dentistry.
My dental degree is from the University of Minnesota. I also earned a Masters of Science degree while completing my pediatric dental residency at the University of Minnesota. This past fall I became a board certified pediatric dentist.
Loving children, from Mali to Mankato, is the foundation of my decision to become a pediatric dentist. I aspire to inspire young lives, making a difference with potential lasting effects. I enjoy being not only a dentist, but a teacher, a coach, and a mentor of oral health care and prevention of disease.
I studied dentistry at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and spent a year practicing Hospital Dentistry in Chicago where I finished a General Practice Residency. I returned to Minnesota and completed a Pediatric Dentistry Residency in my home state. Before dental school, I graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College and looked forward to returning to Southern Minnesota. I am a Board Certified Diplomate with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
I chose pediatric dentistry because working with kids and patients with special health care needs is fun and rewarding. Dental caries, or cavities, is the most common chronic disease of childhood and adolescence. I want to help decrease the problems that come with cavities and dental pain and infections through education, prevention and treatment. Parents, children and the dental team all work together to develop proper hygiene and care that will last a lifetime.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for the trust you have given me over the years. As some of you may be aware, I have retired from active practice on December 31st, 2020. I am writing to let you know so you will have a smooth transition to one of my outstanding colleagues, Drs. Ovalle, Bothun and Solie. I have the utmost confidence that they will continue to provide compassionate care for your children. It has been a great honor and privilege to be part of a dedicated group of pediatric dentists and team members for 27 years.
There has been no greater reward for me than to have learned and benefitted from the strength, wisdom and enthusiasm of my patients and their families. I leave you with the best wishes for your future dental health. Keep smiling!
Reviews
Rating 4.8 out of 5 based on 94 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestShelly Tomforde
a year ago
From check in, to chair, to check out every single staff member that we interacted with were beyond friendly. The entire atmosphere is professional and courteous and of course kid friendly. I don't remember the dentist name who we seen, but she was amazing and so was her assistant. If I could give 10 stars I would!
Julia Whitcomb
a year ago
Great experience! Our dentist was friendly, energetic and explained things well.
Estee Rippel
2 years ago
The team did great with my 2 year olds first visit.
T Carvajal
2 years ago
Always great. My two girls did awesome. Dr Ovalle was great. Having a Spanish speaking dentist is so reassuring for them.
Samantha Anderley
2 years ago
My daughter is a 'tougher' patient. She has a very low pain threshold & a very strong gag reflex. Almost anything that goes in her mouth, she gags. Going into an appointment needing a filling, multiple sealants & a tooth extraction, Dr. Bothun and her staff knew this as she's been a patient for years already. They were amazing!!! Calm, soft spoken & reassuring my daughter she's brave... we got through the appointment and danced!!! THANK YOU!!
Carissa Drummer
2 years ago
Dr. Saul Ovalle was absolutely phenomenal with my son. My son has attention troubles, and Dr. O kept him engaged and informed the whole time. There was no wiggles, no crying, I am in tears for how well he interacted with my son. Thank you!!!
Lisa Paegel
2 years ago
Amazing Staff! Kids have always loved going to the dentist
Becca Peterson
2 years ago
They do such a great job of explaining what they're going to do before doing anything. It helped me daughter so much to know what was going to happen and consent to it herself. They're the best at what they do.
Bendy and the ink machine
2 years ago
(Translated by Google) I loved the service, they are very friendly and attentive, the information is very clear. I loved the treatment of patience to my little one. (Original) Me encanto el servicio, son muy amables y atentos, la informacion es muy clara. Me encanto el trato la paciencia a mi pequeno.
Adam Westland
2 years ago
They were extremely rude to my wife. My 5 year old has a cavity on a front tooth and we've gone to them on one other occasion. That time it was fine. Evidently turning 5 years old makes you a burden to these guys. We'll take our business somewhere else, thanks! Reception should be talked to about how to talk to customers.
Jennifer
2 years ago
My kids love this place! Getting to wear sunglasses was extra fun. Keep up the great work!
Justine
2 years ago
Unfortunately, I had to call to cancel a surgery as my child had a panic attack trying to get the Covid test done (bloody nose, lots of screaming, running, and hiding, not fun for anyone!) and we are unable to get her to even go into the clinic to try in time for surgery and there's no other available way to test besides the nasal swab. I called to cancel as soon as I knew there was no way to get the test done and was informed that I needed to tell them 10 days before the surgery to avoid almost $900 in fees, except THEY scheduled the test 3 days before based on their policy and needing it within 72 hours. While I understand testing is required to keep everyone healthy, how am I supposed to predict her reaction a week before the event? It seems like a convenient way to extort money, requiring cancellation 10 days before but required testing isn't available until 3 days before and having to cancel if you can't get testing. Very disappointed as they used to be very good with understanding and accommodating special needs, hence the whole reason for doing surgery instead of in-office.
Amy Burt
2 years ago
I went here as a child and wanted to carry on the wonderful care I received to my children. The staff were amazing and very patient with my both my kids and I. You can tell they enjoy working solely with pediatric patients and want what's best for their dental health while they grow. Dr. Bothun sang to my kids while looking at their teeth to help with the fear and anxiety they were experiencing with their first visit. I think it even helped me!
Nicole Christenson
2 years ago
Dr Solie and his staff are the absolute BEST! We always have the best experience every single time.
Shana
2 years ago
Kids love all the dentists and assistants here, never any tears.
Katelyn MacKenzie Royce
2 years ago
Such kind people! So professional and compassionate. I brought my Autistic daughter in for the first time today and Dr. S. And Samantha were incredibly nice and helpful and dilligent! I am so impressed!
Jennifer Anderson
2 years ago
Everyone was super friendly and Very flexible with my busy children!
Julie Fredrickson
2 years ago
Dr. Bothum is absolutely incredible. Our young children love her and we do too! It's obvious she loves her work. She is so compassionate and friendly. I can't imagine taking our kids anywhere else ever again.
Melissa Fallen
2 years ago
So friendly and it felt like they were taking proper precautions as well. We love it!
Kira Schiller
2 years ago
They go above and beyond every time!!!!!!!! They make the experience for mom and children so easy and painless... in many ways ;) they are truly the best!
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