Letty Dental Assistant

Samantha Dental Hygienist

Employee Spotlight

I have been a Dental Assistant at Dental Options since 2004. Along with my dental assisting experience, I have a background in Orthodontics.

I was born and raised in Weston and live in Rothschild with my husband and our two children. While our 20 year old son is off at college in Eau Claire, my husband and I are very busy this time of year with our 17 year old daughter’s archery competitions.

If you are new to our office, I would like to say, “Welcome to our family”. If you are one of our long-standing, established Dental Options family members, I would like to say, “Thank you for your continued confidence and trust in our dental team”. I am proud to work with a doctor and be part of a team that exhibits such compassion, knowledge, dedication and detailed workmanship. I speak for all of us here at Dental Options when I say; we would be honored to serve your family or friends with the same superior dental care as we have provided to you for so many wonderful years.

As part of the Dental Options team, I want to thank you for entrusting me in caring for you and your family’s oral hygiene needs.

With a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from the University Of Minnesota School Of Dentistry, I bring my passion for hygiene to each appointment with the intent of empowering patients to do the best they can do. Educating patients to bring the best oral health for themselves is a comprehensive approach evaluating their current status, overall health, medications, habits and product choices. My studies also extended abroad at the University of Bergen, Norway. With Licenses in both Minnesota and Wisconsin, I have earned credentials in providing local anesthetic, nitrous oxide and restorative expanded functions.

Prior to my career in dental hygiene, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and taught fifth grade along with coordinating an after school program for at-risk youth. With my wonderful husband, we enjoy being involved in the community and stay active with running, biking, hiking, skiing and traveling with friends and family.

Dental Insurance

Does your employer offer a

choice in dental plans? Please

do not hesitate to contact our office if we can

help you with questions regarding which

plan to choose. Many employers offer PPO

plans. Some are exclusive, meaning the

employee has to seek care from a provider

contracted with that particular plan. Other

PPO plans allow employees to be treated

with providers outside the network. Many

times the benefits for a PPO and Non PPO

plans may only be slightly different. Most

times preventative and diagnostic benefits

are the same.

Changing dental providers can be costly

and risky. Why not stay with your Dentist

and Hygienist, one you trust, provides

personalized and quality care and is familiar

with you and your dental history?

Don’t let insurance dictate your care. Are

dental bargains, really a bargain? “Beware

of Bargains”

Ethics: The 5 Promises ADA Dentists Make to Their Patients by:Mouthyhealthy.com

When it comes to choosing a dentist, character counts.

Here's a breakdown of the 5 pledges dentists make in the ADA Principles of Ethics and

Code of Professional Conduct and what you can expect at your next appointment.

Respect for a Patient's Wants and Needs - As a patient, you have the right to be

involved in decisions about your treatment and to expect privacy and confidentiality.

"The code reminds all dentists that they have the duty to put the patient first, to involve the patient in

treatment decisions in a meaningful way and to treat the patient taking into account the patient's desires,

as long as those desires are within the bounds of accepted treatment," says Dr. Linda Himmelberger.

Do No Harm - Your dentist’s duty is to keep you safe and healthy. Part of this is keeping his or her

knowledge and skills current and referring patients to specialists when necessary. “To ‘Do No Harm’ is

really the Golden Rule,” says Dr. Jane Gillette. “Dentists practice ‘Do No Harm’ in many ways, but one

universal expression is dedication to keeping their knowledge and skills up-to-date. New science and

technology can quickly emerge. In response, dentists complete a tremendous number of hours in

continuing education annually to provide patients with the highest level of science-based effective and

safe care.”

Do Good - This means your dentist provides high-quality and timely treatment, while considering your

needs, desires and values. “To do good for a dentist means to consider each patient as an individual and

whatever is in their best interest. We discuss treatment options together so we come to an agreement

about what’s best,” says Dr. Cathleen Taylor-Osborne, Director of the Kansas Department of Health and

Environment Bureau of Oral Health. “It’s also important to use scientific evidence for the public good, such

as fluoridation.”

Fairness - Your dentist does not discriminate and will provide dental care without prejudice. “Everyone is

treated fairly, regardless of race, creed, religion, socioeconomic background, ethnicity and current health

conditions,” Dr. Taylor-Osborne says.

Truthfulness -The best doctor-patient relationships are based on trust and honesty. “Truth in diagnosis

and treatment planning is so vital,” Dr. Taylor-Osborne says. “Once you and your dentist have that trust,

you can be partners, which will help you both gain so much going forward.”