Staff

Dr. Don Cook is a general Boise dentist who puts quality service ahead of quantity. He provides a caring, professional atmosphere where the patient feels comfortable.

Dr. Cook was born and raised in Rigby, Idaho. He attended Ricks College and also Utah State University receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. With this background, Dr. Cook was accepted into the Idaho Dental Education Program (IDEP). (This program is sponsored by the State of Idaho and accepts seven Idaho residents per year. The students attend their first year of dental school at Idaho State University and finish the remaining three years at Creighton Dental School in Omaha, Nebraska.) In May of 1996, Dr. Cook received his Doctor of Dental Science (DDS) degree with honors from Creighton Dental School.

Seeking further knowledge and training Dr. Cook chose to complete a 12 month comprehensive dental residency. His year of training was spent at the Sheppard Air Force Advanced Education in General Dentistry program in Wichita Falls, Texas. These programs provide didactic and clinical experience in the areas of oral surgery and pathology, endodontics (root canals), orthodontics (braces), periodontics (gum disease), prosthodontics (dentures and crowns), pediatric and preventive dentistry, and many other facets associated with the dental profession.

After his residency, Dr. Cook received orders to serve his country at Fort Clayton Army Post in the country of Panama. There he served as safety and support flight officer.

Dr. Cook moved to Boise in July of 1999 at which time he joined Dr. Gordon Croft in private practice. In January 2001, Drs. Cook and Croft incorporated their partnership and formed Northwest Dental Center, P.A.

Dr. Cook is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), Idaho Dental Association (ISDA), and the SouthWest Idaho Dental Society (SWIDS).

Outside the office, Dr. Cook enjoys spending time with his family. His other interests include golf , camping, horses and snowmobiles.

Message from Dr. Cook:

My desire in dentistry is to make my patients feel comfortable and confident they are receiving the highest quality of treatment available. My staff and I focus on three main principles.

1. A caring, warm atmosphere where patients feel welcome and their fears are diminished.
2. Personal attention is given to learn the questions and concerns of each patient. We want to understand your needs and desires in order to present a treatment plan that fits you.
3. Provide quality service where you, the patient, are satisfied with the treatment rendered and are willing to refer your friends and family to our office.

Dr. Barnes

Dr. Derek Barnes is a general Boise dentist who is excited to begin his dental career at Northwest Dental Center. Derek is originally from Boise and graduated from Centennial High School in 2000. After a two year church mission to Brazil, Dr. Barnes attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, graduating with a Bachelors degree in Neuroscience.  He then completed four years of dental school at Creighton University School of Dentistry through the Idaho Dental Education Program,( IDEP) earning his Doctor of Dental Science degree this past May.  Dr. Barnes is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), the Idaho Dental Association (ISDA), and the SouthWest Idaho Dental Society (SWIDS). 

Dr. Barnes and his wife have 2 children, a boy and a girl.  When he is not enjoying time with his family, Dr. Barnes likes to golf, ride his bike, water ski, camp, and do anything outdoors.

Message from Dr. Barnes

As a dentist I put the best interest of my patient first. I treat everyone as if it were my own wife or mother in the chair. I want every patient to leave the office knowing I did the very best work they could possibly receive. I enjoy working closely with people and constantly strive for excellence in the field of dentistry.
 

Our Staff

Nichole is our Scheduling Coordinators/Receptionist. Her warm heart is here to answer your billing and dental questions in the most sincere manner. Nichole is also our HIPPA representative answering any questions or concerns about the patient’s confidential information. Her other responsibilities include working with our patients to make any financial arrangements, and bills insurance companies regarding all dental claims. If you have any questions regarding your insurance just ask Nichole.

Sheila is our full-time Dental Hygienist. She works five days each week and performs numerous duties including, but not limited to, treatment and diagnosis of gum disease, clean teeth, take x-rays, perform soft tissue exams, review patient health histories, provide oral hygiene home care instructions, administer anesthesia as required, prepare treatment area and ensure all instruments and equipment are properly sterilized, and take impressions for night guards and bleaching trays.

Jody is our other full-time hygienist. She performs the same treatments as Sheila. Our oral hygiene department is very gentle, caring and knows how to put patients at ease. They have 40 years of combined experience.

Cathy and Lara are part-time dental hygienists that work one to two days per week and fill-in when needed. Both Kathy and Laura provide gentle, caring treatment that helps the patient feel comfortable.

Shannon is a chair-side dental assistant and also orders all of the dental supplies. Her duties and responsibilities include assisting Dr. Croft during exams and dental treatment, taking radiographs, preparing treatment areas and ensuring all instruments and equipment are properly sterilized, performing coronal polishing and fluoride treatments. Shannon has worked as an assistant for over 15 years.

Tami is Dr. Croft’s second chairside assistant. She helps with exams and dental procedures, take radiographs, prepare treatment areas and ensure all instruments and equipment are properly sterilized, perform coronal polishing and fluoride treatments.

Tiffney works with Dr. Barnes and Dr. Croft as a chairside assistant. Her duties include taking radiographs, preparing treatment areas and ensuring all instruments and equipment are properly sterilized, performing coronal polishing and fluoride treatments.

Jenna works as Dr. Cook’s chair-side assistant and also monitors the office infection control and OSHA standards. Her duties include but are not limited to taking and developing radiographs, preparing treatment areas and ensuring all instruments and equipment are properly sterilized, assisting with exams and treatment procedures, and performing coronal polishing and fluoride treatments. Jenna keeps our office in compliance with all OSHA standards and informs the staff when changes are needed. She also sees that we meet or exceed infection control and environmental waste standards.

Jennifer is Dr. Cook’s chair-side assistant. Her duties include taking and developing radiographs, preparing treatment areas and ensuring all instruments and equipment are properly sterilized, assisting with exams and treatment procedures, and performing coronal polishing and fluoride treatments.

Roxanna is one of our scheduling coordinators/receptionists. She also handles the account receivable and payable, along with the sending out insurance claims to maximize patient's benefits. If you have any questions regarding your billing statement, or treatment, Roxanna is the one to ask.