NCHC Dental Team
NCHC Dental Providers
Dr. Marvin Zerr, DDS, PHD - Dental Director
Marvin A. Zerr, DDS PhD is the dental director for the Northland Community Health Center. Prior to taking this new responsibility, he has been employed as a dental consultant for Northland Community Health Center during the past year. He graduated from the University Of Nebraska College Of Dentistry in 1989. He continued graduate studies at the University of Iowa and received his Endodontic certificate and a PhD in Microbiology in 1996. For the past 20 years he has maintained a private practice in Endodontics. During these years, he has also been a part-time employed Endodontist at several Indian Health Service dental clinics throughout ND. Since 2012, he has been employed as a part-time Endodontist at Elbowoods Health Center - Dental, New Town ND. Originally from Mandan, he has had many different “experiences” throughout his life related to dentistry and the military. He has spoken at both national and local dental/medical meetings and had the experience of seeing Iraq in 2005 as a military dentist. He remains a proud member of the NDARNG, originally enlisting in 1978. Dr. Zerr and his wife, Colleen, have three children and one son – in- law. Two of their children and their son-in-law are teachers; the youngest one is attending dental school at UMKC. They have lived in Harvey for the past 14 years.
Dr. Whitney Bruins, DDS
Dr. Bruins grew up on a farm by Windsor, ND and graduated from Pingree-Buchanan High School. She went on to complete a bachelor’s degree in Zoology from North Dakota State University, where she was a five-time Division I NCAA Track and Field All-American. She then graduated with High Distinction from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry in Lincoln, NE. She is a member of the American Dental Association, North Dakota Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. When she isn’t helping patients with their oral health, she enjoys fishing, gardening, running, crocheting, and knitting. Dr. Bruins is married to David, an engineer for the NDDOT and part-time farmer. They live in Washburn with their daughter and cat.
Dr. Nathan Burbach, DDS
Dr. Burbach has been practicing dentistry since 2014. He was born and raised in Minot, ND and graduated from Minot High School. He continued his education at the University of North Dakota where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Sciences with a focus on Pre-Dentistry. After graduating from UND, Dr. Burbach then attended and graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree (DDS). While in dental school, Dr. Burbach was awarded the Community Service Award, given to the student who demonstrated exceptional dental work within underserved communities. Dr. Burbach spent hundreds of hours providing dental care the homeless population of St. Paul, MN at the Union Gospel Mission. Dr. Burbach also has traveled to Honduras a Guatemala on dental mission trips to help those who have no access to dental care.
Outside of dentistry, Dr. Burbach enjoys hunting, playing hockey, being at the lake, dog training and testing, traveling, and being with friends and family.
Dr. Burbach prides himself in doing exceptional dental care and making sure his patients are comfortable during their dental visits.
Outside of dentistry, Dr. Burbach enjoys hunting, playing hockey, being at the lake, dog training and testing, traveling, and being with friends and family.
Dr. Burbach prides himself in doing exceptional dental care and making sure his patients are comfortable during their dental visits.
Dr. Bardha Krasniqi, DMD
Dr. Krasniqi finished her bachelor degree in Bio-Psychology with Magna Cum Laude at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA in 2007. That same year she joined her dental school at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR where she earned her DMD degree with honors in 2011. In recognition of her exceptional skill in esthetic dentistry, she was awarded upon graduation with the Esthetic Dentistry Award from American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. Her strength and confidence in dentistry also comes from her work after graduation both in private practice and public health clinics. In the mean time, she continues diligently with her continuing education in dentistry.
Dr. Krasniqi is a member of American Dental Association, North Dakota Dental Association, and Northwest District Dental Society. She takes great pride in delivering the best treatment to her patients. Her detail-oriented work is exceptional not only in terms of restoring “teeth”, but also on her detailed examination and diagnosis of other oral health issues, such as oral cancer and periodontal disease. Dr Krasniqi is married to a biology professor at Minot State University and they have two wonderful children. Her children keep this couple busy, though they enjoy every bit of this experience. In her free time Dr Krasniqi loves to cook.
“I take it close to my heart that every patient deserves a great smile, therefore I am strongly committed to make it a reality for my patients” ~ Dr. Krasniqi
Dr. Krasniqi is a member of American Dental Association, North Dakota Dental Association, and Northwest District Dental Society. She takes great pride in delivering the best treatment to her patients. Her detail-oriented work is exceptional not only in terms of restoring “teeth”, but also on her detailed examination and diagnosis of other oral health issues, such as oral cancer and periodontal disease. Dr Krasniqi is married to a biology professor at Minot State University and they have two wonderful children. Her children keep this couple busy, though they enjoy every bit of this experience. In her free time Dr Krasniqi loves to cook.
“I take it close to my heart that every patient deserves a great smile, therefore I am strongly committed to make it a reality for my patients” ~ Dr. Krasniqi
Dr. Robert Kifer, DDS
Robert D. Kifer, DDS is a 1999 graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. For the last five years, Dr. Kifer has worked for the Indian Health Service in North Dakota. In addition to the I.H.S. experience, he also was a supervising dentist for the California Department of Corrections in a Maximum Security Prison. Prior to that, he had his own private dental practice in Minnesota which he sold before moving onto the Public Health/Government type dentistry. Being born and raised in California, Dr. Kifer prefers the northern environment here in North Dakota and northern Minnesota. He likes “cold weather” and remote areas. He has one brother and one sister that live out west. But, Dr. Kifer said it is “too cold” for them to live back here. His wife Theresa, is from Warroad, MN. She is from a large family, and has many relatives that live year round at the North West Angle in MN. Dr. Kifer enjoys going deer hunting at the “Angle” as it is called each fall. Dr. Kifer and his wife Theresa have one daughter. They have lived in Rugby for the last seven years.
Samantha Lund, RDH
Samantha Lund grew up on a dairy farm in Marshfield, WI. She has 3 siblings. Samantha graduated from Marshfield High School in 2001 and then continued to college at NTC in Wausau, WI graduating as a Registered Dental Hygienist in 2004. After graduation, she moved to Huron, SD where she worked for Dakota Family Dentistry for 9 years. She has two girls and a step son. Her husband, Shelby is from Bottineau, ND and had an opportunity to move closer to family with his job. He manages the Wilbur Elis Branch in Rolla, ND. After moving and living in Rolla for two and a half years Samantha joined the team at Northland Community Health Center in Rolette as of July 2015. Her hobbies are remodeling and updating homes. She also enjoys spending time with her family, going to the lake in the summer, and snowmobiling in the winter.
Joanie O'Grady, RDH
Joanie is a Max, North Dakota native. She graduated from Max Public School, in 1990. Joanie moved out east and landed in Buffalo, New York where she lived for 17 years. Joanie attend Erie Community College where she received her Dental Hygiene degree. In December of 2007, Joanie and her two boys relocated back to her home town of Max. Her oldest son is Brett and her youngest is Collin. She enjoys spending time with her family, going to the lake, and boating. Joanie is a huge Class B Boys Basketball nut. She enjoyed being a sports mom and watching Brett and Collin throughout their years. Joanie is very passionate about dental hygiene and helping all ages. She was welcomed to join the team at Northland Health Care at the end of March 2016. She works in the Minot office and hope to see you some day.
Julie Rice, RDH
Julie is a Minot native. She graduated from Minot High School and attended Minot State University for two years. An
interest in becoming a dental hygienist directed her to the School of Science in Wahpeton where she received her
dental hygiene degree. Julie recently returned to Minot after living in Colorado and Arizona for the past several years. She enjoys the outdoors and participating in triathlons.
interest in becoming a dental hygienist directed her to the School of Science in Wahpeton where she received her
dental hygiene degree. Julie recently returned to Minot after living in Colorado and Arizona for the past several years. She enjoys the outdoors and participating in triathlons.
Caitlin Wacker, RDH
Caitlin is a North Dakota native, she grew up just outside of Washburn, ND. She is the oldest of three children; she has a younger sister and brother. Caitlin graduated from Washburn High School in 2007 and continued her education at NDSU for one year. Caitlin was than accepted into the Dental Hygiene program at NDSCS. She graduated from the program in May 2010. While in school, she worked as a Dental Assistant at the Dental Clinic in Turtle Lake on her breaks. Upon graduation,she was offered a full time position as a Dental Hygienist by Northland Community Health Center in Turtle Lake. After graduating from college, she moved to the countryside of Mercer, ND. Some of her hobbies include teaching Zumba exercise classes, running, riding ATV/UTV, and being outdoors in general.
