At Deadwood Dental we view each patient as an individual deserving of the same degree of personal care and attention as members of our own families.  Consequently, our staff has been selected on the basis of their friendly, compassionate attitudes, with particular attention given to their integrity as dental professionals and their ability to work as a team.

Augmenting the talents they bring and experience they acquire, ongoing training and education is provided to each team member to keep them up to date on emerging procedures, techniques and technology.

This ensures that we provide each patient the very best that dentistry has to offer, along with a level of personalized care, consultation and treatment that exceeds their expectations.

We are proud of each member of our team and invite you to acquaint yourself with them, both through the website and in person during your visit.

Administrative Team

Our Administrative Team has many years of training and experience in the field of dentistry and are dedicated to understanding and addressing the various needs of each patient.

Cathie is a Lead/Deadwood native and is our appointment coordinator. She will usually be the person you will talk to when calling our office and will likely be the first face you see when you arrive. She will work to schedule your visits at times that are best for you.

Cathie is a RN and has worked as a school nurse. She and her husband Jim have raised four girls. She enjoys golf, bowling, sports, and most importantly her nine grandchildren (wow).
Rose, also a Lead/Deadwood native, is our office financial coordinator.  Rose will assist you with your insurance and help you arrange a payment plan that will keep our services within your budget.

Rose is active in local government and very involved with the Animal Shelter. She and her husband Rick have adopted so many pets that we've lost count.

Assisting Team

Our chair-side assistants are career professionals. They will ensure that you are made to feel comfortable during your visit and will help guide you through your dental experience.

Faunille, a certified and highly trained professional, has worked in our office for over 20 years. She is a “people person” and will really make you feel at home. She and her husband Kevin have five children and eight grand children. She enjoys genealogy, skiing and her family!
Janet has also worked in dentistry for over 20 years. She is extensively trained and certified in a number of areas, including design of computer generated Cerec Porcelain Crowns and Fillings. Originally from Minnesota she and her husband Tim enjoy the hills as much as we all do.
Cheryl, although relatively new to our office, demonstrates a high level of proficiency as she works to build her career in dentistry. Cheryl, her husband, two sons and daughter enjoy living in the Black Hills. She enjoys crafts and reading, as well as camping and fishing with her family.
Leenetta is the newest and a very welcome member of our team. She is a native of Lead-Deadwood and currently resides in Central City.  She enjoys the outdoors, riding four wheelers and fishing with her boyfriend.


Hygiene Team

We are fortunate to have the best Hygienists in the area associated with the clinic. They are extremely gentle and thorough. They have received post graduate training in Periodontal Soft Tissue Management and are enthusiastic about reviewing advancements in methods and techniques that are of benefit to our patients. A large number of our patients find that their hygiene appointment is the relaxing point of their day.

Cathy has been a hygienist in our office for over 21 years. Our patients enjoy her warm, friendly, caring attitude, as well as the personal interest she takes in each patient she sees -- she has quite a following. We are fortunate to have Cathy on our team. She and her husband Joe have three children and enjoy watching their children participate in their various sports. The whole family enjoys their horses.
Irene has been associated with us for over 23 years. She has been a Hygienist for over 39 years and is a seasoned professional. Her experience and expertise have been extremely helpful in evaluating treatment options, as well as determining  recommended patient care regimens.

Irene has two children and enjoys writing poetry and walking for fitness.

Our Doctors

Dr. Dennis Mills is a 1974 Graduate of Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha Nebraska. He is also a graduate of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

Dr. Mills has enjoyed many accomplishments in Dentistry, not the least of which was the establishment of Deadwood Dental, 33 years ago.  Throughout those years he worked hard to build a clinic and staff, bringing the best that dentistry has to offer to the Northern Black Hills. Even as he nears retirement, his commitment to the  community is evident in his willingness to continue caring for a full schedule of patients each day.

Dr. Mills has had a very distinguished career.  He is a fellow in both the American College of Dentistry and the International College of Dentists. He is a member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy and the American Academy of Dental Practice Administration. He is also a member of the American Dental Association, the South Dakota Dental Association and the Black Hills District Dental Society and past president of the Siouxland Dental Study Club - the oldest Dental Study Club in South Dakota.

He has been a member of both the Lead and Deadwood Chamber of Commerce for over 30 years and has served as a Board of Directors on the Deadwood Chamber. He is currently on the Board of Directors for the Broken Boot Gold Mine, a Deadwood Chamber Attraction.

Dr. Mills, together with his wife Debi have raised six children and enjoy 12 grandchildren. His avocations include sailing (ask him about Hurricane Katrina), scuba diving, skiing and bicycling.

Dr. Lennard Hopper is a 2006 graduate with High Honors of the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry and began as an associate, prior to acquiring the practice last year.  

Dr. Hopper is a member of the American Dental Association, the South Dakota Dental Association and recently received the International College Of Dentists Award for Excellence.

Dr.Hopper and his wife Taaron grew up in Pierre, South Dakota. They have three children.  Sienna, their daughter is the youngest, and two sons, Gavin and Ethan.  

He enjoys hunting and fishing with family, Cub Scouting with his eldest son, is a member of Lead-Deadwood Elks, and presently serves as President of the South Dakota Hunting Rights Advocacy. 

You may reach the clinic at 605-578-3810 or 800-641-2035, or
email us at: deadwooddental@mato.com