We know the dentist office isn't always your favorite place to be, so we hope to offer you a place of comfort and trust, while providing you the quality care to improve your dental health. If you’d like some more information about our practice, please feel free to call the office. We’re surrounded by an incredible staff committed to helping you achieve your dreams.
A Message From The Team
Our Doctors
BEN GATES, DDS
Benjamin Gates graduated from Whitman College with a BA in biology and received his Doctoral degree in Dental Surgery from Northwestern University in Chicago in 1998. He is the owner of North Idaho Dental Group and is an accredited lecturer on the subject of dental implants and restoration.
Dr. Gates has been recognized as one if the area’s best dentists – as voted on by his peers – and listed in Spokane/CDA Magazine for the last 6 years. His dental practice emphasizes a conservative approach to meeting patients’ needs with an emphasis on same day restorations, cosmetics, and the use of dental implants.
PAIGE LANDERS, DDS
Also a Coeur d’Alene native, Dr. Paige Landers earned her bachelor degree in Cell Biology and Neuroscience in 2004 from Montana State University and her Doctoral degree in Dental Surgery in 2008 from Creighton University School of Dentistry. Dr. Landers was excited to return home and join North Idaho Dental Group, working alongside longtime family friend Dr. Ben Gates.
During her free time, Dr. Landers enjoys spending time with her husband Brian, their daughter Chloe Ann and their son Bridger. She enjoys traveling, skiing and playing on beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene. Dr. Landers continually strives to provide the highest level of dentistry and takes pride in staying up to speed with new dental technologies.
CHACE MICKELSON, DMD
As an Idaho native, Dr. Chace Mickelson graduated from Idaho State University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology. He later attended the University of Louisville School of Dentistry where he received the National Health Service Corps Scholarship and graduated with his Doctorate of Dental Medicine in 2014. Following dental school, Dr. Mickelson and his family returned to their Idaho roots and he has been practicing dentistry in the Coeur D’ Alene area since then.
Dr. Mickelson and his wife Sasha have two incredible little girls— Arden and Liv. Together, they love to experience all that North Idaho has to offer—from incredible hiking and biking to relaxing on the many lakes in the area.
Dr. Mickelson is thrilled to be a part of of the North Idaho Dental Group team in Ponderay, where his goal is always to provide exceptional, state of the art dental care in a relaxing and comfortable environment.
Our Hygienists
HEATHER
Heather is a dental hygienist. She started working for Dr. Gates in 2004 upon graduation from The American Institute of Health Technologies. Heather was born and raised in Coeur d’ Alene. She is married to one of our fine firefighters and is the mother to two beautiful daughters. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends while enjoying an active lifestyle. She takes joy in making connections with the community and encouraging complete health.
Coeur d'Alene
SANDY
Sandy Reighard, BS, RDH, is a practicing clinical hygienist. With a passion for patient care, especially patients with higher risk factors, she enjoys sharing tips and tricks of the dental profession to improving total health. She is also a wife, mom, and dog owner. Sandy enjoys taking long walks and watching her favorite college football and basketball teams.
Coeur d'Alene
MERCEDES
Mercedes graduated in 2018 from Eastern Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. She grew up in Bayview on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille. She loves the changing seasons that North Idaho offers allowing her to hike and enjoy the surrounding area. She looks forward to training for her first triathlon. Mercedes brings a positive and thorough presence to her hygiene practice, helping her patients feel at ease in her chair.
Ponderay
STEPHANIE
Stephanie graduated from Eastern Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene in 2002. From there, she worked for two years in Switzerland which allowed her to travel the world gaining experience and perspective that shapes her personality and work ethic today. Stephanie landed in Sandpoint in 2007 where she lives with her husband and two daughters. She values being a mother, a friend and bringing compassion to her work. Stephanie cannot imagine a better community than Sandpoint in which to live, work and enjoy life.
Ponderay
FELICIA
As a North Idaho native, Felicia graduated from Eastern Washington University in 2011 earning a bachelor of science degree in dental hygiene. She joined the North Idaho Group team in 2016. She is passionate about providing patients with the best care while making them feel comfortable during their hygiene visit. Felicia is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys spending time with her husband and family.
Coeur d'Alene
COURTNEY
Courtney is a dental hygienist. She has worked in the dental field for the past 18 years. Starting as a dental assistant, Courtney then continued her education in San Diego with dental hygiene school and finished with her bachelor’s degree through Eastern Washington University. Courtney was born and raised in Coeur d’ Alene. She is married and has two little girls. She spends most of the summer camping with her family and taking advantage of the slopes in the winter. To her, there's nothing more gratifying than educating and helping patients overcome their dental fears.
Coeur d'Alene
Our Assistants
APRIL
Meet April she’s been a dental assistant for over 10 years now and truly loves her job. April will be sure that you’re comfortable and that all of your needs are met during your visit with us. When not at work April can be found soaking up the great outdoors of North Idaho. She enjoys hiking, horseback riding, being with her family and spending time on the lake. April looks forward to meeting you at your next Dental visit.
Coeur d'Alene
ELIZABETH
Elizabeth joined North Idaho Dental group in 2017 and has been in the dental field for almost 20 years. Elizabeth enjoys assisting Dr. Landers while making patients feel at ease. She was born and raised in Washington but has lived in Idaho for the last 19 years. Elizabeth is the mother of two children, one is grown and the other is still at home. She enjoys the outdoor lifestyle and captivating beauty Coeur d’ Alene has to offer. In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with family, hiking, and walking her family dog Chloe.
Coeur d'Alene
MARLO
Marlo joined North Idaho Dental Group in 2011 and has been in the dental field for 29 years. Marlo is passionate about making patients feel comfortable during their dental procedure. She was born and raised in Coeur d’Alene, has been happily married for 30 years, and is the proud mother of two grown boys. Marlo enjoys scrapbooking, reading and working in her flowerbeds – weather permitting.
Coeur d'Alene
JESSICA
Jessica was born and raised in Idaho and has been in the dental field for more than 16 years. She has lived in the Coeur d'Alene area for 21 years and joined the North Idaho Dental Group team in 2012. She does an excellent job of making patients feel relaxed while assisting Dr. Gates, during their dental procedures. Jessica enjoys spending time with her children, enjoying the outdoors or reading a good book in her spare time.
Coeur d'Alene
JULIE
Julie Kae was born in northern Idaho and has lived in the Coeur d' Alene area since 2014. She has been a dental assistant since 2008 and has been working with Dr. Chace Mickelson since 2014. Julie Kae spends her free time outdoors with her children doing all sorts of sporting activities and hiking. Her favorite thing is to see people smile. She really enjoys making a connection with her patients.
Coeur d'Alene
ABBEY
Abbey joined the practice in April of 2018 when the Ponderay location opened and has loved spending time in Sandpoint and meeting all of her patients. She has worked with Dr. Mickelson since the beginning of her dental career 3 years ago. Abbey enjoys spending time playing with her 2 dogs, hanging out with her husband and friends and watching Harry Potter!
Ponderay
Front Office
AMY
Amy joined North Idaho Dental Group in 2012, she has been in the dental field for more than 20 years. Amy started her career as a dental assistant and is now our office manager. She enjoys assisting patients with treatment and financial planning so that they may achieve their dental goals. Amy is married and a proud mother of 4 children that keep her life busy and exciting.
Coeur d'Alene
MALLORY
Mallory was born and raised in Idaho and has been with our office since 2016. She became a Washington registered dental assistant in 2014 but also enjoys being in the front office! Mallory is our insurance/appointment coordinator who also assists patients with treatment and financial planning. She really enjoys getting to know our patients and helping them in any way she can. Outside of the office; Mallory enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband.
Coeur d'Alene
JULIE
Julie joined our Ponderay office from its start in April 2018. She graduated from Cerritos College in 1989 as a Registered Dental Assistant and eventually moved into the front office. Julie enjoys assisting patients with financial planning so that they may achieve their dental goals. She is married and has 2 grown boys, she also enjoys spending time in her garden and baking.
Ponderay