New Montezuma dental clinic opens its doors

         Heather Eilander, middle, the new owner of Montezuma Dental Clinic along with her husband, John, at 301 S. 4th St., is joined by her two office assistants, Jessica Little, left, and Lyndie Mann, right, prior to the business opening its doors on June 3. The Eilanders purchased the business on April 1 and spent two months remodeling the building and hiring staff. The business currently has four dental chairs with two more planned for the future. There are a total of nine staff members including the Eilanders

​By J.O. Parker
 
        When it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be!
      That was the case for John and Heather Eilander of Montezuma, the new owners of Montezuma Dental Clinic.
      Heather, a dental hygienist who has been in the business for 37-years, said owning a dentist office wasn’t on her radar when she learned this spring that the former Montezuma Smiles Dental Clinic was closing its doors.
       “When Dr. Timm, the former owner, sent letters out to her customers and informed her staff that she was closing, one of the staff members contacted me about a hygienist job,” said Eilander, who also owns a temp agency for hygienists.
    That led Eilander to reach out to Dr. Timm and inquire if she could purchase the dental office in Montezuma and she was ready to strike a deal.
        “I talked to John and he said do it,” recalled Eilander.
       The couple purchased the business on April 1 at 301 S. 4th St. and spent the next two months remodeling and updating the building, hiring a dentist and staffing the business, including some former Smiles Dental Clinic employees.
        Improvements include a larger waiting area, a fourth dental chair and an expanded sterilization room.
      Staff includes LaRayne McGriff, practice administrator; Lyndie Mann and Jessica Little, assistants; and Kylee Taylor, Misti Dawley, Katie Barth and Eilander as hygienists. Dr. Erik Christensen, who lives in Brooklyn, is the main dentist.
        The business currently has four dental chairs with two more planned for future expansion.
        “The biggest thing is we didn’t want to see it close,” said Eilander. “We all live here and we are all staying here and taking care of our neighbors.”
      The business opened its doors on Monday, June 3. Hours are 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Thursday. The dental office accepts insurance, cash and credit cards.
       “This is a locally owned, full-time office,” said Eilander. “We are not a satellite office.”
      “I’m excited to continue seeing all my family and friends,” said Lyndie Mann, who has been at the dentist office with two previous owners for 11-years.
      “I grew up around the Deep River area and I’m excited to be rejoining the community,” added Jessica Little, an assistant at the dental office.
       The office phone number is 641-623-5100.