Meet Your Dental Care Team

Dr. Chris O'Kane smiles at the camera while on-duty as dentist

Dr. Christopher O’Kane

A native of Battle Lake, Minnesota, Dr. O’Kane obtained a degree in Biology from St. John's University. He earned his D.D.S. from the University of Minnesota, and has continued his education, attending hundreds of hours of classes as well as studying at the Pankey Institute and the Scottsdale Center for Dentistry.

Dr. O’Kane enjoys the challenges and rewards of treating a diverse group of people. He has developed a skill set which includes first visits to the dentist, transition from child to adult, and maintenance of adults to geriatric care.

Dr. Chris and Sarah O’Kane have three daughters, Allison, Erin, and Jordan. The O’Kane family enjoys many recreational activities. Currently they are most often found enjoying lake time with family and friends.

Lori smiles as the camera from her desk as office manager

Lori

Office Manager

Lori is the friendly voice on the phone and the smile that greets you at check in.  She has managed a dental office since 1986, and has been with Dr. O'Kane since 1998.  

Born in Bloomington, MN she moved with her family to Wadena at age 3.  As a graduate of Wadena High School, she sought further education at Alexandria Technical College in accounting.  She met a boy from Verndale and married him. 

Lori and Ken live in Wadena and have raised three grown daughters, Sam (Matt), Sara (Aaron) and Nikki (Kyle).  She enjoys her grandchildren (Avery, Ben, Luke, Easton, Lainey, Paisley, Kynlee, Hank, Morgan, Joey, and Wilson), quilting, walking in the woods, gardening, fishing/boating, projects and time with family and friends.

Heather

Dental Assistant

Heather is a Licensed Dental Assistant who joined our team in 2022. She graduated from Wadena High School in 2010 and went on to receive her Dental Assisting degree from M-State in Moorhead.

One of the things she enjoys most about her job is getting to know her patients and their needs so they can always feel comfortable and confident during their treatment.

In her spare time, Heather loves spending time with her family and friends as well as taking walks outside and soaking up the sunshine.

Melissa smiles at the camera wearing her name badge that reads dental assistant

Melissa

Dental Assistant

Melissa grew up on a farm between Wadena and Sebeka.  She is a 2008 graduate of Sebeka High School.  In 2009, she attended Central Lakes College in Brainerd for dental assisting.  She interned at Dr. O’Kane’s office and after graduation, she joined the dental team. 

Melissa married Brandon in the fall of 2020 and welcomed a new addition to their family (a baby boy named Marshall) in April of 2023. Together they enjoy outdoor activities such as kayaking, fishing, camping, photography, and hunting.

Amy

Dental Hygienist

Amy grew up near Bagley, MN and graduated from Bagley High School in 2008. She pursued Dental Hygiene and graduated with a B.S. of Dental Hygiene from MSU-Mankato in 2012. In 2022, Amy officially joined the O’Kane Dental Care team.

She and her husband live on a dairy farm near Hewitt. They have three growing children and spend their time farming, fishing, and hunting together. In addition to that, they also enjoy the MN Vikings football season.

Sarah smiles at the camera with glasses atop her head from her chair

Sarah O’Kane

Financial Manager

Sarah is the person who might answer your phone call, and proceed to ask “Where’s Lori?”

Sarah graduated from Fergus Falls High School and has a bachelors degree in Business and Professional Communications from Moorhead State University in 1995. As Financial Manager, Sarah takes care of the financial details for the clinic.

Married to Chris since 1996, a lot of her time has been spent raising their three daughters - Allison, Erin and Jordan.  She enjoys attending all her kids’ activities, volunteering her time with different organizations, and spending time on the lake, hockey rink, softball diamond, and soccer field with family and friends.

 

Melanie

Melanie smiles at the camera from the dental office

For 31 years, Melanie shared her laugh, smile, and genuine love of life with all of us at O’Kane Dental Care, as well as the patients she worked with as a Dental Hygienist.

After a battle with cancer, she passed away on June 2nd, 2022. She will be forever loved and missed by everyone, including the many patients who became her friends over the years.