SMILES  ALL  AROUND:    

Retiring  Apple  Valley  Dentist’s  Impact  On  Former  12-­‐‑Year-­‐‑Old  Patient  Inspires  Her  To  Pursue  Dentistry  –  And  Buy  His  Beloved  Clinic  

 

DAKOTA  COUNTY,  MN  (JULY  29,  2016).    Who  knew  that  a  middle-­‐‑school-­‐‑girl’s  routine  

dental  check-­‐‑up  nearly  25  years  ago  would  be  creating  so  many  beautiful  smiles  today?    

That’s  what  fate  intended  for  the  attending  dentist,  Dr.  Richard  “Dick”  Ryan,  owner  of  

Cedar  Valley  Family  Dentistry  in  Apple  Valley,  and  that  patient  who  is  now  Dr.  Kellee  

Kattleman  Stanton,  a  highly  experienced  dentist  herself  and  founder-­‐‑owner  of  George  

Dental  Group  in  Eagan.      

On  July  8,  2016,  Dr.  Stanton  officially  acquired  Cedar  Valley  Family  Dentistry  from  

her  early  mentor  and  now  professional  colleague,  Dr.  Ryan.  He  will  gradually  

transition  into  retirement  after  serving  Twin  Cities  patients  for  nearly  40  years.  

“I’m  thrilled  to  have  someone  like  Dr.  Stanton,  who  I’ve  known  for  so  long  and  who  is  so  

experienced,  talented  and  caring,  continue  treating  this  great,  big  community.  Kellee  and  I  

have  the  same  philosophy.  Patients  and  their  care  come  first,”  Dr.  Ryan  shared.  There  will  

be  no  immediate  changes  to  either  clinic.  They  will  maintain  the  same  caring  team  and  

same  clinic  names,  locations  and  hours.      

The  Backstory:    As  a  teenager,  Dr.  Kellee  Kattleman  Stanton  was  invited  by  Dr.  Ryan  to  

observe  in  his  office.  Dr.  Ryan  conveyed  the  connection  between  good  oral  health  and  

physical  health.  With  Dr.  Ryan  acting  as  her  mentor,  Dr.  Kellee  chose  dentistry  as  her  

career  path,  and  Dr.  Ryan  mentored  her  through  school  and  her  early  years  of  practicing  

dentistry.  

 

 

“He  was  very  instrumental  in  my  becoming  a  dentist.  I  saw  first-­‐‑hand  how  helping  people  

feel  good  about  their  smile  impacts  their  confidence,”  Dr.  Stanton  said.  She  went  on  to  

receive  her  Doctor  of  Dental  Surgery  (D.D.S.)  from  the  University  of  Minnesota  School  of  

Dentistry  in  2004,  winning  several  outstanding  achievement  awards.  She  is  also  past  

president  and  board  member  of  the  Minnesota  Academy  of  Cosmetic  Dentistry  and  a  

former  trustee  of  the  American  Academy  of  Cosmetic  Dentistry.  She  opened  George  Dental  

Group  in  2011,  where  she  offers  general  dentistry,  as  well  as  advanced  cosmetic  and  

restorative  care.  

Cedar  Valley  Family  Dentistry  is  a  family  dental  practice  located  in  Apple  Valley,  MN.  

Opened  in  1985,  it  was  previously  led  by  long-­‐‑time  owner  Dr.  Richard  “Dick”  Ryan  and  his  

five-­‐‑member  staff.  In  July  2016,  Dr.  Kellee  Kattleman  Stanton,  purchased  Cedar  Valley  

Family  Dentistry.  It  continues  to  provide  in  preventative  and  diagnostic  care,  as  well  as  

general  and  cosmetic  dentistry.  The  clinic  is  a  member  of  the  Apple  Valley  Chamber  of  

Commerce.  Learn  more  at  www.cedar-­‐‑valley-­‐‑family-­‐‑dentistry.com.  

George  Dental  Group  was  opened  in  2011  in  Eagan,  MN,  by  Dr.  Kellee  Kattleman  Stanton.  

Dr.  Stanton  and  her  team  provide  family  and  cosmetic  dentistry  for  Twin  Cities  residents  

and  surrounding  areas,  including  Eagan,  Mendota  Heights,  Inver  Grove  Heights,  Apple  

Valley,  Burnsville  and  Farmington.  Dr.  Stanton  also  owns  and  operates  Cedar  Valley  Family  

Dentistry  in  Apple  Valley,  MN.  Learn  more  at  www.georgedentalgroup.com.  

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