Matthew Eaton, DDS Dr. Eaton was born and raised in Fargo, ND. He had a very active childhood where he enjoyed playing sports and being with his family and friends. Dr. Eaton is one of four children and interestingly is an identical twin.Growing up he knew that he wanted to help others by practicing in the medical sciences.After graduation from Shanley High School, he attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. It was in his studies here that he found a passion for dentistry.Dr. Eaton received his doctorate in dental surgery from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 2010. Following graduation, he brought his services to a community clinic in Medford, WI, for 5 years. During his time there he was able to focus on providing comprehensive dentistry that provided him experiences across the entire spectrum of dentistry.
Two characteristics that he focuses on are education and communication. He feels these are vital to great patient care are the core of what you can expect at Valley Dental.Closely following his graduation and learning of dental sleep medicine he began traveling across the country to learn about managing apneic patients with oral appliance therapy (OAT). He began treating patients with OAT in 2011.American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine Dr. Eaton has been a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) since 2010. He has lectured both nationally and internationally on obstructive sleep apnea. In February 2015, he was recognized as Diplomate, American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. This recognition has only been bestowed on approximately 200 dentists across the country. As of July 1, 2015, Dr. Eaton is the only dentist in the state of North Dakota holding this credential.Most recently Dr. Eaton completed a 10-month program at the Advance Dental Implant Institute. He personally studied under Dr. Hilt Tatum, Jr. a pioneer of implant dentistry. He felt it was necessary to receive this education because of the importance implants can play in the restoration of the mouth, and the responsibility he feels to make sure that every patient receives the best treatment.
Meghan Smith, DDS Dr. Smith grew up in Devils Lake, ND, where she had an exciting childhood participating in various sports and spending quality time with family and friends.She attended Saint Cloud State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science in 2005. She went on to obtain her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 2010.After graduation, Dr. Smith and her family moved to Medford, WI where she worked for FHC Medford Dental Clinic until May 2015. Dr. Smith is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry and keeps up to date on a wide variety of continuing education opportunities nationwide.Dr. Smith resides in West Fargo with her family. When she is not in the office she enjoys time with her family. She enjoys golf, relaxing at the lake, and watching her children grow and learn.
Dr. Hericks grew up in Watertown, SD and attended Watertown High School where she played volleyball and was involved in dance. After high school, Dr. Hericks moved to Fargo to earn her undergraduate degree at North Dakota State University. She then received herDoctor of Dental Surgery from Creighton University in Omaha, NE. In her spare time she enjoys riding her horses, drawing, working out, hiking with her dog, and spending time with family and friends.
Jen is originally from Edmore, ND. She has been working at Valley Dental since 2010 but has been practicing since 2008. She graduated from NDSCS in Wahpeton, ND. An interesting but well-known fact about Jen is she talks really fast but is always super friendly. Jen has a son named Trevin and two dogs names Bruno and Duke. Jen has always looked forward to watching her patients families grow, she is always excited to hear about her patients personal growth outside of the office.
Bobbi grew up in Bloomington, MN and moved to Fargo in 2014. She has been with Valley Dental since 2018. She graduated from Lakeland Dental Academy in Minneapolis, MN in 2002. A fun fact about Bobbi is she loves to watch crime shows/murder mysteries and loves cooking. She lives in Fargo with her boyfriend and their teenage boys who play high school hockey. Bobbi loves seeing the transformation from a patient being embarrassed about their smile to smiling again! They exude so much confidence- Its a life changer!
Kayla is originally from Fergus Falls, MN. She has been apart of our growing team since 2017! She graduated from M-State in 2017. A fun fact about Kayla is she loves yoga and traveling. Kayla and her husband have a rabbit named Rhonda. Kayla is looking forward to adding more technology to our office so she can help give the best, most advanced patient care!
Amber is from Bismarck ND. She has been practicing at Valley Dental since 2004! She graduated from M-State. A fun fact about Amber is she loves dogs and has a nine year old Vizsla. Amber has been married since 2014, her children are 14, 19 and 20. She enjoys camping and four wheeling. Amber always looks forward to seeing her patients visit year after year.
Christa is originally from Ontario, Canada, she moved to Fargo, ND in 2011. She has been with Valley Dental since 2019 but has been working in the dental field since 2014. She loves her 5:00 am workouts and road trips. Christa and her husband have two cats named Ammy and Luna. She also knows the Canadian national anthem in 3 different languages! Christa loves to help patients scheduling their treatments plans, whether its fear of finances or helping them better understand their insurance plans.
Shelly is originally from Ponsford, MN. She has been with Valley Dental since 2016 but has been practicing since 2006. She graduated from Lakeland Dental Academy in Crystal, MN. Shelly is a big fan of musicals! She and her daughter go to several every winter and spend time at the lake in the summer. She is also an enrolled member of the White Earth Chippewa Tribe! Shelly loves helping people have a positive dental experience & enjoys educating people on how important dental health is!
Katelyn is from Shakopee, MN. She has been at Valley Dental for 3 years! She studied anthropology at MSUM. She has a lot of work experience outside of the dental world from being a horse camp counselor, daycare teacher, & even bartender! She has a mutt named Hank, she and her husband enjoy hunting and fishing together. She cant wait to help more people get back on track with their dental care whether its COVID related or just finally taking the time for themselves to get healthy! Its her favorite part of the job.
Kayla is from Fargo, ND. She has been with Valley Dental since 2020 but has been practicing since 2016. She graduated from Minnesota State Community and Technical College in 2013 from the dental assisting program and 2016 in the Hygiene program. Kayla enjoys spending time with her husband and Siberian husky, Charlie. Kayla loves being a dental hygienist! Every day she looks forward to educating her patients and working together with her team to improve their oral and overall health!
Izzy is one of our newest team members, she joined us in 2021! She is from West Fargo, ND and she graduated from M-State in 2021 as well. When she is not at work she enjoys baking, going to the lake and spending time with her family and friends. An interesting fact about Izzy, she has a twinbrother! Izzy is looking forward to helping her patients improve their smiles and continue to learn & grow within our dental office.
Hailey is another newer team member of Valley Dental, originally from Carrington, ND. Hailey resides in Fargo with her dog named Hunni. Although Hailey has only been with Valley Dental since 2020, she adds eight years of Dental experience. An interesting fact about Hailey is she dislikes chocolate chip cookies and she makes her own cold brew! Hailey is looking forward to helping our patients better understand their insurance benefits.
By scheduling routine visits to Valley Dental every 6 months, you can keep your smile healthy and prevent the need for extensive procedures. During your visit, we will perform a professional examination and routine cleaning to remove plaque from hard-to-reach areas for both adults and children, preventing dental fillings.These visits also allow Dr. Matthew Eaton and Meghan Smith to diagnose problems at their earliest stages, aided by digital radiography to increase accuracy. When we spot the early signs of tooth decay, we can provide added layers of protection in the form of dental sealants and topical fluoride treatments. Particularly suited to children, these tools can ward against further tooth decay and strengthen teeth.
Patients can reduce the risk of developing serious dental issues requiring extensive and invasive treatments if they receive regular care. With our comprehensive preventative dentistry services, Dr. Meghan Smith and Dr. Matthew Eaton in Fargo, ND, can help patients maintain optimum oral health.If you are looking for a warm, family-friendly dental office, our dentists and staff at Valley Dental will be happy to help you achieve your goals.
Oral health complications, such as cavities, gingivitis, or missing teeth, can lead to more serious problems than just aesthetic concerns. A patients overall health can be affected if dental issues are left untreated for extended periods of time. However, with proper care and preventative dental measures, we can take the necessary steps to detect and treat gingivitis, oral cancer, and periodontal disease in the earliest stages.Dental issues such as cavities or a missing tooth do not just result in an undesirable smile but can also lead to the onset of other health concerns such as jawbone atrophy.
Diagnosing oral cancer and preventing jawbone deterioration are two major issues that can be addressed through regular dental exams. These issues can go undetected for extended periods of time unless a proper diagnostic test or thorough examination is conducted. During your visit to our office, we will provide a comprehensive exam of your teeth and gums.First, we will evaluate your overall health using our state-of-the-art Planmeca 3D and 2D imaging system. The screening allows us to examine the inner structures of your teeth and jawbone and detect any warning signs of oral cancer and disease.
Clean teeth are crucial for patients of all ages to maintain their oral health. Improper cleaning can cause plaque and tartar to build up between your teeth and gums. The bacteria can begin to eat away at your tooth enamel, leading to decay.Some of these areas can be difficult to clean at home, but with our in-depth teeth cleaning we can effectively reduce or eliminate the plaque from your teeth and gumline. We may also recommend dental sealants or a topical fluoride treatment. These treatments can help prevent bacteria from forming on your teeth surface and inside the small crevices along the chewing surfaces of your molars.
Periodontal (gum) disease can lead to a range of oral health issues, from tissue inflammation to widespread tooth loss. If we diagnose you with a moderate case of gum disease, we can perform a deep cleaning to restore your periodontal health.During a deep cleaning (or scaling and root planing procedure), your dentist will carefully remove plaque from the surfaces of teeth above and below the gum line. Next, he or she will smooth any rough spots on dental roots where bacteria can gather before treating any pockets of bacteria with an antibiotic.For more advanced cases of gum disease, we also offer laser treatments. Patients can reduce the risk of developing serious dental issues requiring extensive and invasive treatments if they receive regular care.With our comprehensive preventative dentistry services, Dr. Megan Smith and Dr. Matthew Eaton in Fargo, ND, can help patients maintain optimum oral health. If you are looking for a warm, family-friendly dental office, our dentists and staff at Valley Dental will be happy to help you achieve your goals.