Meet Our Team - SHAWNEE, OK​​

Meet Our Team

The Hopkins Dental Clinic Staff

Terry - Hopkins Dental

We have been so very fortunate to have had Terry as our hygienist and intergral part of our team since 1997. She graduated with her hygiene degree from Rose State College back when it was still called Oscar Rose.  She thanks her dad for pushing her to go to college and her childhood dentist for telling her she had nice teeth.  Her dentist had shown her a picture of a young man with severe dental problems and it left a profound impression.  She thought maybe she could help others take care of their teeth.  She has since been starting our youngest of patients on the path of good hygiene habits, transforming diseased mouths to a better quality of dental health, and maintining the smiles of everything in between.  What began as a mission in a young girl’s heart by merely seeing a picture of dental need has evolved into a hygiene approach that has changed the dental health of thousands.

She has a dedicated following of patients earned through her friendly personality, vast dental hygiene knowledge, gentle hands, and thorough techniques.  So many have learned through her that getting your teeth cleaned doesn’t have to be uncomfortable or scary.  Just the opposite tends to happen in her dental chair.  There has been lots of laughter, hugs, and a few compassionate tears shared amongst the advice on toothbrushing techniques, flossing instruction, and conversations on sugar consumption.  It is her goal to make a real connection.  She has enjoyed watching many of her patients who started as children grow up and is now seeing their children.  She tends to unconsciously provide several reassuring pats on the arm of her patients during the course of treatment. She truly strives to make her patients comfortable both mentally and physically.  She puts those nice clean teeth to work smiling!

She was the third child born into a military family that moved often.  They lived in a lot of states from Alaska to New Mexico.  She enjoyed the cold climate states learning to snow ski and ice skate  and the warm ones learning to water ski and spend time at the lake.  Her dad retired in Oklahoma and this has been home since.  She still loves to travel, but her roots are firm.  She is a wife, mother of two and grandmother of three.  It will come as no surprise to those who know her that most of her extracurricular activities are faith led.  She is very active in her church and has reached out internationally through mission trips to Guatemala and Mexico.  She supports the Alzheimer Association having been affected by this tragic illness through a family member.  She also supports the International Outreach Ministries, which rescues young girls in Cambodia from sex trafficing.  She not only builds friendships, she also values and maintains them.  She still attends monthly dinners with a group of her highschool girlfriends.  She is definately one of the good ones!

Hopkins staff member photo, Shawnee, OK

Nichelle is proud of her born and raised country roots.  She is continuing that tradition with raising three children, two dogs, one cat and, from time to time, a variety of livestock on a small family farm.  Three generations live just across a pasture in a couple different directions of one another.  She says she “fell into” dentistry just out of high school and has loved it since.  She has been Dr. Hopkins primary dental assistant since1994 and they have developed into an incredibly well synchronized team that can confidently achieve the simplest to the most complicated of dental procedures.  Between her years of experience, holding all the State of Oklahoma general dentistry assistant specialty certifications, and having completed hundreds of hours of elective continuing education, we consider her one of the very best in her field and wouldn’t trade her for anything.

Having a child with autism, Nichelle has had many years of personal experience and training in the autism field from therapies to legal rights and everything in between.  In our practice we encounter a good number of patients with some form of diagnosed autism, but our team is also more intuitive to undiagnosed behaviors that parents have chalked up to difficult, exasperating, and bewildering.  Our doctors encourage parents to talk with their pediatricians to seek early diagnosis, treatment, therapy, and/or support for the vast range of symptoms and degrees of severity that make up the autism spectrum.  The earlier the diagnosis, the more productive the expectations over a lifetime.  Her experience also give her a tender heart and additional consideration for our patients with any form of special needs.

The enhanced autism awareness Nichelle has shared serves our office very well in care for patients with or without spectrum challenges. Many of the behaviors associated with autism are triggered by fear, anxiety, and/or misperceptions.  These are the same basic human emotions that plague the dental field in general.  Calming interactions, reassuring communication, breathing techniques etc. are beneficial regardless of the source of the dental anxiety to help a dental fearful patient transition into a dental confident patient.

Her kindness and helpful hands extend well beyond the dental office.  She and her husband have accompanied Dr. Hopkins into the mission field of Guatemala to perform dentistry in areas that don’t even have electricity or running water.  She is continually involved in various comminity service projects.  She teaches Sunday School and is an annual sponsor to Falls Creek.  Nichelle enjoys being involved with her youngest daughter who is active in dance and softball, being involved in the Special Olympics with her oldest daughter, and family activities with her son has served our country and is now a firefighter.  Be it the missions field, the playing field, or the dental field, all are an opportunity to improve the lives of those around her.  They are a remarkable family.  We are truly fortunate to have her as a member of our staff.

Loree - Office Manager

Loree Hopkins has been Dr. Hopkins’ sweetheart since high school, his wife since 1982, the Office Manager since the beginning of his private practice in 1993, and a Certified Dental Assistant since 2011. Just like Dr. Hopkins is a second-generation dentist; she is a second-generation office manager following in both her mother and mother-in-law’s footsteps. 

Loree is familiar with all aspects of the dental practice. She either knows the answer or knows who to ask be it someone within our practice, national dental affiliation offices or government agencies. While her primary responsibilities are addressed in the front office, she can also be found at chairside from time to time. She diligently reviews the latest office management practices, dental materials, technology, safety protocols and studies to enhance keeping the practice current & our staff informed of the latest advances. While she would never profess to be an insurance expert, she will do everything possible to serve as an advocate for pursuing the full benefits of your insurance coverage and helping maximize your benefits for your dental treatment. Any of the front office staff can address your billing, scheduling, and even most dental procedure questions; but our Office Manager oversees your satisfaction of all aspects of your dental care. Please do not hesitate to ask to speak directly with Loree if you have concerns.

Loree was born in Shawnee and her family returned to her roots during her high school years where she met Dr. Hopkins. She is the proud parent of three and grandparent to an ever-expanding group of beautiful grandchildren. Her faith is her every guiding force. Her weaknesses are ice cream and almost anything chocolate. Her hobbies include being a silly grandparent, travel, painting, creating stain glass windows, craft projects, scuba diving, reading, photography and outdoor activities. You might know her as a Junior Service League Sustaining member, Zumba, cheerleader when Dr. Hopkins’ is teaching scuba, or occasional Shawnee Little Theatre involvement.  

Clint Hopkins - File Clerk

Clint Hopkins’ last name is no coincidence; he is Dr. Hopkins and Loree’s oldest son. How he came to be a member of our staff is a bit of a coincidence. He came into the practice to help out for only a few days with a recently vacated front desk position during a time we were temporarily short staffed. He quickly proved himself to be exactly what we had been seeking in interviews and hopeful to hire. He applies himself with the combination of friendly professionalism, a compassionate heart, and keen attention to the often-overlooked details we seek that set our employees apart for the benefit of our patients. We knew he had these skills, but neither he nor we had previously considered him for the family business until this fortuitous juncture. Sometimes the obvious is right under your nose.     

Clint juggles a full-time position at Hopkins Dental Clinic, attends Rose State College with an interest in business and science, and has four beautiful children. He is very active in LifeChurch and their LifeGroups. He enjoys pretty much all forms of sports and athletic opportunities he can squeeze in, be it for himself or with his kiddos. He challenges himself in expanding his culinary skills with varying degrees of success, just like competitors in cooking show competitions. With a house full of kids, he knows the words to almost every Disney song and movie. And, while he drives a practical family vehicle, he has an appreciation for classic cars.  

We believe a soothing baritone voice occasionally answering the phone, a firm handshake greeting and a charismatic masculine personality contributing to our office’s patient care has proven to add a diverse dimension to our dental team.

Looking for a new dentist? We invite you to Hopkins Dental Clinic!