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 48 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestLauren Hoffmann
a year ago
They are always amazing with my son.
Leigh Waibel
2 years ago
Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry is the best! Everyone is so nice and make my kids feel comfortable and safe!
Bobbi Stone
2 years ago
The staff at Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry are awesome! Dr. Ovalle is my children's dentist and he does a wonderful job of explaining what he is doing to help put them at ease. I can't say enough about him and the rest of the assistants and office personnel. Everyone is wonderful. I'm very thankful to have found such a great place to take all of my kids to!
Stephanie Daniels
2 years ago
Absolutely amazing! I highly recommend this place! My daughter(3) would not let ANYONE look at her teeth I tried taking her to many different offices with no luck she was so scared. We were sent to Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry in New Ulm....& the staff and Doctor were so sweet and explained everything she actually stoped crying & let them take a look. She left happy & she even said she wants to go back! I'm so thankful!!!
A "Neighborhood tourist"
2 years ago
We used to see Dr. Hartmann and she was wonderful! We met with Dr. Solie and he was wonderful as well! Warm personality and works well with kids, esp. kids with disabilities! My daughter gets nervous going to the dentist but he made her feel very comfortable! Office staff was very nice. Not a fan of the COVID rules (Play place closed, having to wait in car and call them when you get there and then wait for them to text you to say you can come in, masks, only one person can accompany the child) but hopefully that will go back to normal one day!
Heidi Portner
2 years ago
My child loves Dr. O, we leave the dentist office after just seeing him and he always wants to know when we get to go back. He 10 yes old.
Bugsie Bratz
2 years ago
I have never in my life met people more perfect for working with children. My son absolutely is terrified of being at the dentist and they were all so kind and patient and FAST to minimize stress on him.
Stephanie Daniels
3 years ago
Absolutely amazing! I highly recommend this place! My daughter(3) would not let ANYONE look at her teeth I tried taking her to many different offices with no luck she was so scared. We were sent to Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry in New Ulm....& the staff and Doctor were so sweet and explained everything she actually stoped crying & let them take a look. She left happy & she even said she wants to go back! I'm so thankful!!!
Bobbi Stone
3 years ago
The staff at Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry are awesome! Dr. Ovalle is my children's dentist and he does a wonderful job of explaining what he is doing to help put them at ease. I can't say enough about him and the rest of the assistants and office personnel. Everyone is wonderful. I'm very thankful to have found such a great place to take all of my kids to!
A "Neighborhood tourist"
3 years ago
We used to see Dr. Hartmann and she was wonderful! We met with Dr. Solie and he was wonderful as well! Warm personality and works well with kids, esp. kids with disabilities! My daughter gets nervous going to the dentist but he made her feel very comfortable! Office staff was very nice. Not a fan of the COVID rules (Play place closed, having to wait in car and call them when you get there and then wait for them to text you to say you can come in, masks, only one person can accompany the child) but hopefully that will go back to normal one day!
Heidi Portner
3 years ago
My child loves Dr. O, we leave the dentist office after just seeing him and he always wants to know when we get to go back. He 10 yes old.
Isabella
3 years ago
The staff made my daughter's first visit to the dentist a complete success! She was very nervous at first, but everyone was so kind and accommodating to her that she wants to go back the very next day. Haha!
Allysa Kelton
3 years ago
My kids love going to the dentist since we started going here! They ask to go back before we even leave the building. We couldn't be happier with their positive environment and kind staff.
Denise Schwecke
3 years ago
My children have gone here for several years. Wonderful staff, even when my kids have been anxious they are wonderful with explaining what's happening and helping them stay calm. Absolutely recommend!
Alisha Morris
3 years ago
So glad we found this place! They are absolutely the best! So caring and makes you feel relaxed. We love coming here
Nathan Wanzek
3 years ago
The staff at the New Ulm office of Pediatric Dentistry was wonderful! The staff was accommodating of my son's medical needs and the care my children receive is absolutely top notch!
Jennifer Hillestad
3 years ago
Great service.
Jessica Paul
3 years ago
My girls are 2 & 4 and they absolutely love going to the dentist! Everyone that works here has made it a very enjoyable experience for them :)
Ed Fairbairn
3 years ago
We love this dentist office. They are so supportive of our family and our special children!
Isabella Cook-Downing
4 years ago
The staff made my daughter's first visit to the dentist a complete success! She was very nervous at first, but everyone was so kind and accommodating to her that she wants to go back the very next day. Haha!
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