Linda Custis
Linda Custis is a dental hygienist/office manager. Linda and Dr. Custis, her husband of 33 years, began the dental practice in 1978. She has an ever-present energy for patient care and a strong belief in the importance of excellent dentistry. One of the most difficult things dental team members have to do is communicate things to their patients that they may not want to hear. Linda's knowledge of dentistry and patient-friendly attitude make the news of needed treatment understandable and reasonable. Her technical skills are that of an experienced clinician. Gentle and thorough are compliments that she often hears. A caring hygienist, ultrasonic scalers, and digital X-rays all make for a comfortable and pleasant hygiene experience.

Linda's distinctions include:

• Associate in Arts Degree in Dental Hygiene, University of South Dakota
• Bachelor of Science Degree Dental Hygiene, University of South Dakota
• Regional (CRDTS) Hygiene Examiner for the State of South Dakota
• Past Dental Hygiene Member of the SD State Board of Dentistry
• Past President of the South Dakota Dental Hygiene Association
• South Dakota Dental Hygienist of the Year Award

Linda Jo
The legacy of the Custis dental office will carry with it the smiling face of Linda Jo. With only a short leave of absence, Linda Jo has been with the dental practice since the doors to the practice were opened. Doctor and Linda Custis believe that Linda Jo's vision for patient care has helped to make the dental practice what it is today. Over the years, Linda Jo has had both clinical and administrative responsibilities. If either patients or staff members have questions, she is the one with answers. Linda Jo is a nationally certified dental assistant and dental radiographer for the State of South Dakota.

Amanda
Amanda is the clinical coordinator for our office. She is young, learns quickly and has no trouble multi-tasking. Amanda came to the practice ready to learn after early graduation from Custer High School in 2005. In April 2006, she received dental assistant certification from Western Vo Tech and now takes X-rays, assists the hygienist and manages the flow of the hygiene side of the practice. Amanda has also spent many hours transforming our paper patient records to their current updated digital status. Largely due to Amanda's efforts, our patient records are only a mouse click away for our patients and dental specialists.

Walter
Walter is one of our newest staff members. Born and raised in San Jancito, California, he recently moved to Custer with his wife, Kellie, and their little boys. An Allied Health Professional, he started his medical/dental career with eight years in the U.S. Army as a Practical Nurse and X-ray Technician. Later as a civilian medical professional, he was involved in family practice/urgent care, research medicine, and orthopedics. Walter's medical knowledge, warm personality and willing nature make him the "go to" guy for the new and challenging procedures of today's technologically advanced dental practice.

Since his employment in Dr. Custis’s office, Walter adds to his long list of accomplishments graduation from the dental assisting program at Western Area Vo Tech.

Paula
Paula and Dr. Custis are a polished synchronized team. They have worked side by side for 12 years. Intricate dental procedures seem effortless with this team's precision and expertise.

She came to Custer from Wisconsin, where Paula had 10 years of prior dental experience and had accomplished her national certification in dental assisting. Her commitment to her profession, her ability to teach/train, and her daily performance make her invaluable to this practice and the patients receiving care.

Paula and her husband, Dean, have two teenage sons. With basketball games, archery tournaments, and horse events ongoing, free time takes on a life of its own on the weekends.

Raye
Raye Brown has been a Registered Dental Hygienist since 2001. She began her career in Laramie, Wyoming while finishing her Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of Wyoming. Raye returned to the Back Hills to practice and is proud of her 5 years of experience. Her experience and professionalism is evidenced by the gentle personalized care she delivers. Raye takes great pride in challenging the people in her care to have the best smile they can; she enjoys working with these patients to educate them on proper homecare and advanced treatment options.

Raye’s Distinctions include:

• Associate of Science with Honors in Dental Hygiene
• Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene University of Wyoming
• Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges
• Member American Dental Hygienist’s Association
• Past Vice President of the South Dakota Dental Hygienist’s Association
• 2006 South Dakota Dental Hygienist of the Year

Suzanne
Suzanne has a Dental Hygiene Degree from the University of South Dakota and a Business Degree from Black Hills State University. She and her husband Travis were born and raised in Lead, South Dakota and are now raising their 3 children in the same beautiful area. Every Friday Suzanne joins our dental team; her 10 years of experience and warm fun personality are just the spark that that our team needs as the workweek comes to a close.

Jett, Justin, and Mackenzi…Suzanne’s children keep her entertained. On the weekends you will find Suzanne and her family at sporting events, walking the family pets-Sammie and Barkley, or skiing (water and snow). Such a busy life, and yet Suzanne finds the time and energy to serve as a member of the Lead-Deadwood School Board.

Kim
Kim is a surgical technologist from the Sioux Falls area. She attended Western Dakota Technical Institute and was employed by the Sioux Valley Same Day Surgery Hospital prior to joining Dr. Custis’s dental practice. Her health care provider status and people personality made her a perfect for the Custis team. Her major responsibility in the office is to facilitate the New Patient Experience. She uses the intraoral camera, digital x-rays, computerized charting, and the smile channel multimedia to guide the patient thru the questions and apprehensions a new patient may experience.

Good times for Kim include playing basketball and time at the lake. She has an innate interest in the health field, is a registered dental radiographer, and continues to study for her Certified Surgical Technologist certification.

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