Dental Hygienist Danielle Kinsey Martin Has Joined the Chinook Dental Staff

Danielle Kinsey Martin joined the staff of Chinook Dental in early fall. She grew up on Fort Belknap and graduated from Harlem High School in 2007. She is married to Nathan Martin and they have two children: Roman, a freshman at Harlem High and Rochelle, a second grader at Harlem Elementary. Dr. Robert Chafin, DDS, owner of the Chinook-based dental service, said he was very happy to have a seasoned dental hygienist on staff after nearly a year without the position being filled.

Changing career goals from nursing to dental hygiene

Danielle started college at Aaniiih Nakoda College (ANC) with the idea of becoming a registered nurse. She shared that Erica McKeon-Hanson, an instructor at the college, recruited her to help on a long-term study "to learn about childhood caries (tooth decay) at Fort Belknap." Danielle earned an Associate of Applied Science at ANC. After helping with the dental research Danielle changed her course of study to Dental Hygiene and went on to Sheridan College in northern Wyoming where she earned an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene.

While each dental practice utilizes dental hygienists in different ways, this quote from Sheridan College catalog describes the general role of dental hygienists: "Dental hygienists play an important role in promoting health by helping patients understand the connection between good oral health and an overall healthy body. Dental hygienists provide patient education and individualized therapeutic services to help patients reach their oral health goals."

After graduating from Sheridan College Danielle worked a number of years as a dental hygienist before joining the Chinook practice. She worked a year each in Billings and Arizona. After moving back to Hays, she worked four years at Bullhook Community Health Center in Havre. She then took a position in Harlem with One Health in the new dental facility that was opened. The dental portion of One Health closed in Harlem and she joined Chinook Dental in Chinook in September 2024.

Having been a patient of Danielle's I had some idea of what she does but I asked her to describe her role at the local clinic. She explained, "I provide oral health education to patients. For each patient I assess their oral health and look for symptoms of dental problems by assessing their teeth and gums, bone health via x-rays and their overall oral hygiene. After assessing each patient, I tell the dentist what I found and what the patient told me about their dental health." She also does teeth cleaning and assists the dentist with various dental procedures.

She went on to share some of the challenges of her job. She said each patient poses a different set of dental conditions she must assess. And each patient brings a variety of concerns she must understand and share with the dentist. Danielle added, "In all that I do my goal is to make my patients comfortable and not fearful."

Now almost a half year in to the position, I asked how she liked working at Chinook Dental. She responded, "Patients are really happy to have a dental hygienist after a period when the position was vacant. I feel appreciated by both patients and my co-workers. This is a great workplace."

After Danielle's interview I visited briefly with Dr. Chafin, her boss and owner of Chinook Dental. Commenting on Danielle's role in his practice he said, "It's great to have an experienced dental hygienist on staff. That position went unfilled for a year and one month." He explained that not having a regular dental hygienist for that period meant patients didn't have the opportunity for the dental assessments and teeth cleanings that a dental hygienist regularly does. Chafin added, "A dental hygienist can also help retain patients in a dental practice. Patients often will more comfortably respond to a dental hygienist than to a dentist."

About Danielle as a part of the staff, Chafin said, "Our patients who knew Danielle growing up say what a delightful person she was as a youngster and is now as an adult. In addition to being an excellent dental hygienist, she's a pleasant and courteous person. We are delighted she is part of our team."