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Meet the Team

 Paul Bothun DDSPaul Bothun, D.D.S.

For more than 30 years, Dr. Paul Bothun has provided his patients with exceptional comprehensive and cosmetic dental care. He earned both a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and his Doctorate of Dental Surgery degrees from the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Bothun feels it is important to stay on the cutting edge of dentistry. Thus, he has had memberships in:

  • American Dental Association
  • Northeast District Dental Society
  • American Academy of Sleep Medicine
  • American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
  • American Orthodontic Society

He also keeps up to date by reading his favorite dental literature, including the Journal of American Dental Association, Compendium (advanced dentistry), Journal of the American Orthodontic Society, Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Products Report, Clinical Research Associates Newsletter, Inside Dentistry (cosmetic dentistry), ADA News, Chairside, Inclusive "Restorative Driven Implant Solutions", and CEREC Doctors.

Dr. Bothun enjoys sharing his knowledge of dentistry with the community by lecturing in the Grand Forks area. He also participates in the high school job shadowing program. Dr. Bothun has volunteered his time and talents to Give Kids a Smile, Third Street Clinic, and provided dental exams at Head Start. He also talks to high school students about oral health and has given lectures to students at the University Of North Dakota School Of Medicine.

In his personal life, Dr. Bothun enjoys spending time with his family, which includes his wife Lori and their five children: Rachel, Chris, and triplet sons Ryan, Adam and Loren. He likes running, hunting, fishing, woodworking and water sports.

  Heidi Stevens DDSHeidi Stevens, D.D.S.

For more than 15 years, Dr. Heidi Stevens has been providing quality care to her patients at Dakota Dental Associates. In 1998, she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the University of North Dakota, and she received her Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 2002.

Throughout her career, Dr. Stevens has given presentations at the Grand Forks Senior Citizens Center, Grand Forks Public Schools, St. Michael's School, Head Start, and the University of North Dakota. She has volunteered her time providing dental care for Give Kids a Smile, Head Start and Third Street Clinic. She has also been a longtime supporter of the North Dakota Dental Foundation.

Dr. Stevens maintains memberships in many prestigious professional organizations including:

  • American Dental Association
  • North Dakota Dental Association
  • Northeast District Dental Society

She is a past president of the Northeast District Dental Society and has served as a delegate to the North Dakota Dental Association House of Delegates.

Dr. Stevens enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her husband, Brian, and their two children, Jack and Hayley. She also enjoys the lake, playing piano, traveling and keeping busy with her kids' various activities.

  Rachel Cummings DDSRachel Cummings, D.D.S.

Dr. Rachel Cummings is a Grand Forks native who graduated from Creighton University School of Dentistry in 2016. In 2011, she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Anthropology. She is excited to be back in her home state to practice dentistry with Dr. Heidi Stevens, her dad, Dr. Paul Bothun, and brother, Dr. Chris Bothun.

Dr. Cummings enjoys staying up to date on continuing education. She is a member of both the North Dakota Dental Association and the American Dental Association.

Away from the office Dr. Cummings can be found spending time with her husband Cody and their dogs Thor and Wanderlei. She likes to read, run, bike and play sports such as volleyball and golf. She often joins her family at the lake during the weekends. While she may have spent her college years in Nebraska (go Big Red!) she is a UND hockey fan who enjoys attending home games.

Dr. Cummings is looking forward to serving the Greater Grand Forks community by providing comprehensive, quality dental care.

  Chris Bothun DDSChris Bothun, D.D.S.

Dr. Christopher Bothun recently joined Dakota Dental Associates after graduating from University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 2017. He was born and raised in Grand Forks and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology at the University of North Dakota.

He enjoys staying up to date on the newest techniques in dentistry by reading clinical journals and maintains the following memberships:

  • North Dakota Dental Association
  • American Dental Association
  • American Association of Endodontics

Dr. Bothun enjoys spending time with his wife, Rachel, who practices physical therapy in Grand Forks, and their dog, Vinci, a 2 year old Vizsla. Although he spent 4 years in gopher territory, he is still loyal to UND.

Dr. Bothun is glad to be back in Grand Forks with family, and is looking forward to serving the Red River Valley at Dakota Dental Associates.

 Dr. Kayla NelsonKayla Nelson, D.D.S.

Dr. Kayla Nelson is the newest addition to Dakota Dental Associates, recently graduating from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 2024. She was born and raised in East Grand Forks, MN and completed her undergraduate studies with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology at the University of North Dakota. Dr. Nelson is currently a member of the American Dental Association and enjoys staying up to date on all the areas dentistry has to offer. She loves seeing a variety of patients, but has a special place in her heart for her pediatric patients.

Dr. Nelson likes to spend her free time at the lake with her dog Mari, attending concerts with friends, trying new restaurants, and hosting family game nights. She is excited to be back in her hometown and to serve her community!

Administrative Staff

Renee AAs office manager, Renee is at the hub of Dakota Dental. In the dentistry field for more than four decades, she nearly has done it all. A graduate from North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, she began her career as a dental assistant in 1980. She joined Dakota Dental in 1995 as a dental hygienist and became the office manager in 2000. A Red River Valley native, Renee, her husband and daughter call Grand Forks home. When it's time to relax, she likes to travel, spend time with her family and get knee-deep in paper crafting.

 

LoriBLori manages the vendor accounts, employee benefits, and the many charitable donations and activities Dakota Dental is involved with. She is a surgical technician by education, but has adapted nicely to her important role as the need grew. If you take a look at our Facebook page you will likely see one of the many gift baskets she has put together.  She is married to Dr. Paul Bothun and together they raised five wonderful children. She is passionate about all styles of exercise and thoroughly enjoys spending time with her family engaging in many outdoor activities. She is very proud to be part of the wonderful team at Dakota Dental and the quality health care they provide.

 

Miranda MDakota Dental's hygiene coordinator is Miranda. Miranda earned a degree in early childhood education from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2009, and then volunteered with the Peace Corps for two years in Eastern Europe. She joined Dakota Dental in May of 2012 as an administrative assistant and became the hygiene coordinator in October 2020. She enjoys going to the lake and spending time with her husband, Shane, and their children, Luke and Maia.

 

Jessica-2020Originally from the south, Jessica's hometown is Vero Beach, Florida. She graduated from Indian River Charter High School. The daughter of a dentist, Jessica has many years of experience working in the dental setting. Moving to North Dakota has been a great adventure for Jessica. She joined Dakota Dental team as treatment coordinator in 2020.

Jessica loves spending time with her husband, Heath, and their two children, Korbin and Sadie. Her favorite thing is watching her children learn and grow. Jessica also enjoys being outdoors, and coming from Florida, she loves going to the beach. In North Dakota, she loves gardening, four-wheeling, and boating. Jessica also enjoys cooking and baking.

 

Sandi GSandi will assist you in getting checked in for your appointment as well as getting your insurance on file. Sandi is an East Grand Forks native with education in both medical secretary and dental assisting. She likes spending time with her two daughters, their dog, Shadow, and during the warm summer months, she enjoys relaxing at the lake.

 

Michaela10-2022As part of our administrative team, Michaela, will assist you with scheduling appointments and answering account and insurance questions. Michaela is originally from Browerville, MN, and has a degree in horticulture. In the summer, she enjoys helping her family with landscaping projects, and relaxing with them at the lake. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her husband and son playing board games, hiking, or kayaking, and also likes to bake, cook, and quilt.

 

Image coming soonAnaka is the first person you will see when you enter Dakota Dental Associates. She will help you check in for your appointment as well as make sure your information on file is correct. Anaka is from Bottineau, ND and graduated from UND with a degree in English. In her spare time, she enjoys reading books from a variety of genres and having game nights with friends and family. In the summer she loves playing pickleball and enjoys being outside as much as she can be.

Hygiene Staff

Rachel MDental hygienist Rachel is originally from Michigan, ND. After graduating in 2013 from the North Dakota State College of Science in dental hygiene, she joined Dakota Dental. Her favorite part of her job is building relationships with patients and helping improve their oral care. Outside the office she enjoys spending time with her daughter Hattie, cooking/baking, gardening and traveling.

 

LindsayLindsay is a Grand Forks native and returned to the area after graduating from the dental hygiene program at Minnesota State Community and Technical College in 2011. Lindsay and her husband, Bryan, enjoy going to the lake, cross country skiing, watching sports and playing with their daughter, Karlie.

 

LexiOriginally from Fordville, ND, dental hygienist Lexi graduated from MSCTC in Moorhead, MN in 2015 with a degree in dental hygiene. Growing up she loved her hygienist and getting her teeth clean which inspired her to work in the dental field. She likes being able to give advice and educate patients on how to help improve their oral health. Lexi likes to stay active in her free time by playing basketball, softball, working out and spending time with her dog, Baylor. When not at work, she enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends and watching the Minnesota Vikings & Duke basketball.

 

Sherry-Hygienist Sherry grew up in northern Minnesota in her hometown of Crookston. She graduated in 2006 from Lake Superior College in Duluth, MN. Sherry has had an interest in dentistry since her teenage years when having braces straighten her own teeth amazed her. Sherry enjoys traveling with her husband Shawn. While at home, she enjoys watching movies, couponing, walking her dog Molly, writing to her California pen pal of over 25 years, and spending time with her 2 children.

 

Image coming soonJordan grew up in Grand Forks and graduated from dental hygiene school at MSCTC in Moorhead, MN in 2021. Jordan always liked going to the dentist as a child and wanted to pursue a career in helping others enjoy the dentist while improving their oral health. Jordan enjoys the outdoors, sports (especially basketball) and spending time with friends.

 

Image coming soonTaylor grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, and attended West Liberty University in Wheeling, West Virginia. She received an associate and bachelor's degree in dental hygiene and a minor in business administration. Taylor always wanted to go into healthcare and found dentistry very interesting. She loves being hands on with patients and educating them on oral health. Outside of work, Taylor and her husband Zach enjoy traveling the country as much as they can and spending time with their dog Oakley.

Dental Assistant Staff

Robyn BRegistered Dental Assistant Robyn, is an East Grand Forks native who joined Dakota Dental in 2005 after graduating from Moorhead State Technical College in 2004. When she's not working she's juggling children. Her and her husband, Jason, have a daughter, Bailee, twins, Max and Miley and a black lab named Jazzy. Robyn enjoys baking, going to UND hockey games, spending time with family and going to the lake in the summertime.

 

Rachael LRachael grew up in Thief River Falls, MN and graduated from NCTC in Bemidji, MN with a degree in Dental Assisting. She enjoys assisting the doctors with whatever the day brings and especially loves working in our high tech environment. When not at work, Rachael enjoys spending time with her dog, Rayn, roller blading, cooking/baking, sports, and binge watching Netflix!

 

Erika-2020---CopyErika is our sterilization tech who makes sure our team has what they need to take great care of our patients.  She can be found helping sterilizing instruments, ordering dental supplies, and coordinating service visits.  Outside of the office she enjoys spending time with her family and following her three kids in their many activities.

 

Hannah10-2022Hannah was born and raised in Crookston, MN, and graduated in 2022 from North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND. She has had an interest in dentistry since she was a teenager with braces. Intrigued by the process, she decided she wanted to help others love their smile too. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going on walks with her dog Boe and fiancé Marco, cooking and baking.

 

Kaylie10-2022Kaylie is a Registered Dental Assistant who grew up in East Grand Forks, MN. She received her dental education at Minnesota State Technical College in Moorhead. Kaylie joined our dental assisting team following her graduation in 2022. When she is away from the office, she enjoys spending time with family and friends along with working out and staying active. She likes to cheer on her two younger siblings when watching their sporting events!

 

Image coming soonHannah was born and raised in Devils Lake, ND. She attended the Dental Assisting program at NDSCS and graduated in 2023. Hannah's hobbies include shopping, working out, and hanging out with friends. She is also a UND hockey fan.

 

Image coming soonKaitlin grew up on a farm in Hillsboro. She graduated from NDSCS with a degree in Dental Assisting. Kaitlyn likes being on the farm with her four dogs, baking with her fiancé, and spending time with friends and family. She also loves going to auctions.