Meet Our Dental Team
At the dental office of Timothy M. Drake, DDS, MAGD our passionate, welcoming staff will treat every patient who walks through our doors like family. We believe it is our mission to assist our local community with excellent general, cosmetic, and restorative dental care. We use the highest quality materials, the latest techniques, and advanced technology to offer a wide variety of dental services that can suit patients of all ages. Let us provide the effective procedures that will help you care for your smile, so you can smile with confidence for years to come.
Dr. Timothy M. Drake
Doctor of Dental Surgery, Master Academy of General Dentistry
Dr. Drake is a native of Mitchell, South Dakota and a graduate of Mitchell Senior High. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of South Dakota with a major in Biology and minors in Chemistry and Philosophy. In 1981, Dr. Drake received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Loyola University School of Dentistry in Chicago. At Loyola, Dr. Drake participated in the Senior Honors program to receive extended training in Endodontics and Periodontal Surgery. Upon graduation, Dr. Drake established his practice in Mitchell and has been serving Mitchell and the surrounding areas for almost 40 years.
Dr. Drake is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Dr. Drake completed the requirements of the AGD to become a Master and received his Mastership Award from the Academy of General Dentistry at the AGD meeting in 2006. In order to accomplish this, Dr. Drake at that point, had completed 1100 hours of approved quality continuing education, and taken many written examinations as well. He is one of four dentists in the state of South Dakota to achieve this level of accreditation and one of 3000 dentists nationwide, and the ONLY AGD Master in the Mitchell area. Dr. Drake is also proud to be a member of the American Association of Endodontics, the American Dental Association, and the South Dakota Dental Association. He is also very proud to be the very first dentist to have ever completed more than 500 hours of continuing dental education at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. He is certified in Invisalign Orthodontic Treatment and ERA Implant placement and restoration.
Dr. Drake received his “Extreme Makeover Training,” at the University of Minnesota being the first dentist from South Dakota to complete the University’s Esthetic Dentistry Program Levels I and II and numerous Level III Modules. He has also received “Extreme Makeover Training,” at the School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, and the Medical University of South Carolina Dental School in Charlestown.
Beyond dentistry, Dr. enjoys spending time with his family, photography, snow skiing, snowboarding, waterskiing, motorcycles, trials bikes, playing with his dogs, and traveling, especially on his motorcycles. You can often find Dr. Drake out riding or volunteering his time while doing maintenance on the 'mountain' bike trails around Lake Mitchell. Dr. Drake spends a lot of time on the trails mowing, weed-eating, and removing fallen trees or debris to help keep the trails open so everyone can enjoy them.
Sophia
Lead Dental Assistant
Sophia, a lifelong resident of Mitchell, has been a fabulous addition to our team! She's a talented musician, playing both drums and piano, which has helped her excel with the fine dexterity that's essential of any dental team member.
As with all of us, she too is an animal lover! Sophia has two beautiful pups, Ace, a Golden-Doodle, and Mia, a Lab-Husky mix. Sophia enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and boyfriend Cody. They are currently busy working on remodeling their new house and enjoying their hard work as they check projects off their list as it's coming together. Sophia loves baking and sharing her tasty treats with her family and friends! We’re looking forward to trying some ourselves!
We're so grateful to have Sophia on our team, and we know you'll really enjoy her as well as she's such a delight to be around! Please join us in welcoming Sophia to our outstanding team! Her hard work and dedication to providing ethical quality care is essential for us to best serve you and your family!
Denise
Patient Care Coordinator: Billing & Insurance Verification
COVID has brought many changes to the world of Dentistry, but one positive aspect has been that we were introduced to Denise! Denise is our Patient Care Coordinator who specializes in both billing and insurance verification. Unfortunately, you won't see her in the office as she lives out of state and works for us remotely. But we're so grateful to have her as part of our dental team as she is a key player in making sure the Front Office runs smoothly! Thanks Denise for everything you do!
Cari
Practice Manager
Daughter of Dr. Tim Drake, Cari has been a longtime employee since 1998 and has worked her way up to being Practice Manager. Cari graduated from the University of Alaska Southeast with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology.
Cari attended the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry until an injury and subsequent illness forced her to take a lengthy medical leave of absence. In January 2019, we nearly lost Cari due to complications of an ultra-rare genetic disease that caused end-stage kidney failure, heart failure, and many other life-threatening and debilitating symptoms. Despite all this, Cari has fought her way back to health and has since moved to the East Coast and works for us full-time remotely.
Cari is a self-taught silversmith and has jewelry clients all across the world. She has an 11-year-old companion rabbit, and a rescue dog that travels almost everywhere with her, and her most recent addition is 6 gorgeous ducks. Cari is also an avid gardener and takes after both parents with a passion for photography, traveling, riding motorcycles, and winter sports. She has her own photography and art website which you're welcome to check out here: Drake Explorations