Meet Our Team
Our team makes our patients the top priority with personalized treatment options based on their desired outcome and needs. We use proven technology from past and present along with state-of-the-art equipment, proven materials and treatment options that deliver the highest level of dental care, focused on dental art and modern science. We aim to deliver optimal function, value and aesthetics to each of our patients.
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Dr. Jeff Dalen - DDS
A native of Whitefish, Dr. Jeff Dalen completed his undergraduate work in forestry and pre-med at the University of Montana. He then graduated with honors from the University of Washington Dental School in Seattle. Since joining his father’s practice at the Dalen Dental Clinic in 2005, he has completed advanced training in implant dentistry as well as cosmetic dentistry and TMJ treatments.
A self-described problem solver, Dr. Dalen enjoys working with his patients to help them achieve full function, the highest possible potential and optimal aesthetics. He is a member of the First District Dental Society, Montana Dental Association, American Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry.
He has a keen sense of mechanics and also loves working on cars, trucks, snowmobiles, chainsaws and home appliances in his free time.
Dr. Dalen and his wife, Jenny, were high school sweethearts in Whitefish and have enjoyed making their home there with their seven children: Ben, Scotty, Luke, Troy, Buddy, Jessica, and Bo. Dr. Dalen enjoys snowmobiling, hunting, and fishing when time allows.
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Wendy Morris
Office Manager
Wendy has worked for Dalen Dental Clinic for 35 years and says that she has enjoyed working for both Dr. Gary and Dr. Jeff, seeing their dedication to Christian values as an integral benefit to patient care.
Wendy has been married to her high school sweetheart, Dave for 42 years and has 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren with another great-grandchild due in September. She has been a 4-H leader for the Trail Blazers 4-H club for 34 years and she and Dave run a hobby farm south of Whitefish where they raise miniature hereford cows. Besides working she enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren and their families.
Amanda De Tour
Patient Care Coordinator/ Dental Assistant
Amanda has worked in the dental profession for 20 years and says that Dalen Dental Clinic is her favorite office. She appreciates the clinic’s long standing history in the community and Dr. Dalen’s effort to maintain the health and function of existing teeth with a conservative and individualized treatment plan for each patient. She is proud to stand behind Dr. Dalen and her co-workers, knowing that they are providing integrity driven dental care.
Amanda is in Montana for her grandbabies and says that not even the mountains, whitewater and hunting compare to being able to spend quality time with her family.
Katie Zignego - RDH
Lead Dental Hygienist
Katie has been a hygienist at Dalen Dental Clinic for 11.5 years. Her biggest joy is her patients and she has become good friends with many of them. She has shared life’s sorrow and joy with them for over a decade and has watched their children and grandchildren grow into adults. As a dental hygienist, she is passionate about the connection between breathing, sleep and airway issues and says that these factors don’t just impact oral health, they can literally change the shape of the mouth and have a profound impact on systemic health.
Katie has three wonderful children who are her pride and joy. She loves “doing life” with them. She and her family love the Montana summers spent at the lake or pool and also love to travel.
Maggie O'Brien - RDH
Dental Hygienist
Maggie has been a hygienist at Dalen Dental Clinic for two years and counting. She enjoys any activity that brings her outdoors with her husband, John; daughter, Mia and German Shepherd. She can also be found snuggled up with a good book when she gets the chance. Maggie loves being a dental hygienist because she gets to meet a variety of people and hear their amazing stories.
She enjoys being able to spend ample time with her patients and says that our clinic offers a cozy feel that makes you feel like you aren’t at the dentist. She says “I love working at Dalen Dental Clinic because it feels like family and that feeling extends to our patients.”
Brittany Kay Brown
Dental Assistant
Brittany is the newest addition to the Dalen Dental clinic family. She started off working for a tech company and then accepted a position at the front desk of a dental office in Wyoming. That position then transitioned into dental assisting which she has done for the past 5 years. She joined Dalen Dental clinic in April and says that our clinic exhibits kindness, patience and makes our patients feel valued.
She enjoys working in an environment that feels like family, is supportive and positive. Brittany finds a lot of joy in her position as an assistant, working chairside for the patient and doctor. When she is not assisting, you can find her at the gym, exploring trails, fly fishing, taking sports photography and golfing.
Jennifer Retz
Sterilization,Ordering, Office Systems, Marketing
Jennifer is Dr. Jeff’s sister and second daughter to Dr. Gary Dalen. She was just 6 days old when Gary and Annette moved back to Whitefish to establish Dalen Dental Clinic, nearly 50 years ago! After Jenn graduated from college with degrees in business administration and art she moved back to Whitefish where she met her husband Erik. Over the better part of the last 20 years, she has enjoyed all aspects of being a homemaker, wife and mom to children Parker and Avery and bonus son Kaleb. When the opportunity opened up to work for Dr. Jeff in 2023, she decided to jump in to utilize her organization skills and her love for details and systems management. She is in charge of sterilization, dental supply ordering, organization and marketing and enjoys being behind the scenes. She says that it has been a great experience working with Jeff and has found a deeper appreciation for the dental profession and the importance of oral health in all stages of life. In her free time, she enjoys spending time supporting her kids’ with their activities, camping, going to concerts, growing flowers, decorating and playing with their dog, Kayda.
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Benita Noble
Dental Assistant
Benita started working for Dr. Gary Dalen at the front desk where she got to know our patients and their family members. She then moved to the assistant position and found her passion. She loves to organize and create ways to make the flow of the office more efficient and likes helping people and seeing them happy. In the past she has been a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, Shepherd’s Hand Free Dental Clinic and she also went on a dental mission trip to Guatemala. Benita enjoys fixing things that are broken to make them usable again.
In her free time she loves to kayak and bike or disappear to a mountain top.
Lesly Smith
Lead Assistant
Lesly started dental assisting in the summer of 1984 because barbering wasn’t paying the bills. As an assistant for more than 40 years, she has found it to be a very satisfying occupation. She likes to help make a positive change in the lives of our patients and after 40 years in the field she still enjoys her job. Her artistic eye, ability and experience makes her a valuable part of the Dalen Dental team and she uses her skills to create beautiful temporary crowns for our patients.
In her freetime she enjoys the craft of woodburning and likes to ride horses. She and her husband have 4 children, 17 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
