Dr. Buer with Dr. Derik Powell
Dr. Derik Powell will be Big Sandy's new dentist. Derik and his wife both graduated from CMR in Great Falls. He completed undergraduate degrees from Montana State before attending Dental School at the University of Utah. He completed a 1-year General Practice Residency at the VA hospital in Denver.
Derik said, "My wife and I could not have been more excited to move back to Montana. After Dr. Buer approached me about his practice, I knew it would be a good fit. So, we packed our bags with our 4-year-old chocolate lab named Cooper and headed back to Great Falls." I asked him to tell me a little about themselves, and he said, "My wife and I both love being outdoors. We hunt, fish, camp, backpack, and whitewater raft whenever we have time. Although I am not as experienced as my wife at riding horses, our goal is to have our own horses in the future."
He will be in Big Sandy every other Thursday and Friday. "Thursdays will be from 9-5, and Fridays will be 8-3. We know emergencies happen, and we will do our best to see them while we are in Big Sandy. If it is a week, we are not in the area; patients are also welcome at the Great Falls practice."
Our Facebook/Instagram account, Highwood Dental Studio, will post any updates/changes in the schedule for both Big Sandy and Great Falls. The phone number to call to make appointments is 406-761-1837.
Bruce Buer retires after 36 years of service to our community. He has great memories of big Sandy. "I was warmly welcomed by Big Sandy Administrator Jay Toth in 1986 and experienced continuing help and support from Harry Bold in the nineties and early 2000s and Leah Griffith more recently."
"I was blessed to work with Dolly Pursley as an assistant and Betty Solberg as the receptionist for many years. Later, Hannah Anderson filled in briefly, followed by Rebecca Wiehe. Deb Baumgarn joined the staff five years ago. All these ladies made our small office in Big Sandy a wonderful workplace. I will be forever grateful for their help and assistance in caring for our patients."
"I'll miss our patients from town and the surrounding countryside, and also the residents of the Medical Center and Big Sandy Activities. Special thanks to the employees of these facilities who helped them brush their teeth as needed and brought them to their appointments."
"Best wishes from me, my wife Judy, and our extended family."
"I hope everyone in Big Sandy and the surrounding area supports Dr. Powell as you have supported me." And lastly, he said, "God Bless You All"!
