About Us

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Dr. Dara Alvand is a compassionate general dentist from Texas who is committed to providing thoughtful, patient-centered care. Born in Iran, Dr. Alvand moved to the United States after completing high school to pursue his education and future in dentistry. He earned his Bachelor of Science and Arts in Neuroscience from the University of Texas with High Honor rank at Austin and completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Family plays a big role in Dr. Alvand’s life and values. Whether he’s connecting with patients or spending time with loved ones, he believes in the importance of strong, supportive relationships. That same spirit carries into the way he practices dentistry—with warmth, respect, and a long-term mindset.

When he’s not in the office, Dr. Alvand loves being outdoors. He enjoys traveling, hiking, off-roading, and camping—especially in national parks. These experiences help him stay grounded and bring a balanced, thoughtful perspective to his work.

Dr. Alvand is excited to serve his community and looks forward to building lasting relationships with the families and individuals he cares for.

In 2013, with a growing family at home, he took a job with BNSF Railway and worked out of Sioux City, Iowa for three years. At that point he decided to go back to school and started dental school in 2016. He graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry in 2020 with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery. Over the last five years, Dr. Collins has worked in Wessington Springs and Rapid City before moving back to East River and taking a position at Embrace Dentistry.

Dr. Collins is active in continuing education courses, and enjoys challenging himself in dentistry. He is also a member of the American Dental Association and the South Dakota Dental Association. Outside of the dental office, Dr. Collins spends most of his time with his wife, Andrea, and their five children. There is always something going on in the Collins’ household with gymnastics, wrestling, volleyball, baseball, swimming, music concerts or activities at church. He also enjoys hunting and fishing and is an avid Nebraska Cornhusker fan.

Dr. Collins strives to put his patients at ease and to make visits as comfortable as possible. He looks forward to meeting and working with all the Embrace patients and serving their dental needs.

Dr. Leeann Diercks had an interest in healthcare as early as high school as she worked as a Certified Nurse Assistant. Dr. Diercks wanted to choose a career where she could build relationships and assist others in improving their health. It became clear dentistry was the perfect avenue to utilize her artistic skills and passion for health and science.

Dr. Diercks attended the University of South Dakota for her undergraduate studies and earned her Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the Ohio State University.

​When not working, you will find Dr. Diercks spending time with her husband Brady and three children, Liam, Lucy, and Hattie. They love spending time in the community supporting the local Bobcats and Jackrabbits! Leeann also enjoys running road races, bike rides, and walks to the park with her kids.

Dr. Grantham continued his academic journey at Creighton University School of Dentistry where he received his DDS degree in May of 2025. During his time there, he was selected to participate in, and completed the requirements for, the Endodontic Advanced Standing program, showing his dedication to specialized dental care. He also devoted his time to serve patients at the after-hours extraction clinic.

Returning to the community where he grew up, Dr. Grantham is thrilled to serve old friends and meet new ones. He is a proud member of the South Dakota Dental Association and the American Dental Association. One of the most rewarding aspects of his practice is restoring and giving his patients confidence with a beautiful, healthy smile.

Outside of work, Dr. Grantham enjoys golfing, hunting, fishing, and spending quality time with family and friends. He is particularly excited to share the joys of small-town life with his sons, as they experience all the wonderful things that growing up in a close-knit South Dakota community has to offer.

Dr. Larry Green was born in Sioux Falls, SD, one of 13 children. When the family moved to Madison in the early 60s he attended St. Thomas Elementary, Madison Central High School, and Dakota State University. Dr. Green received his DDS degree from Loyola University School of Dentistry in 1981.

Dr. Green began his dental career in Watertown, SD with Dakota Dental Associates and purchased their satellite practice in Arlington in 1983. He eventually moved to Madison where he has worked both the Arlington and Madison practices for 42 years.

When asked why he chose a career in dentistry, Dr. Green answered, “My inspiration to choose dentistry is the fact that it is the perfect blend of art and science, along with a great privilege to serve the community with dental care.”

Dr. Green and his wife, Juli, have three grown children and 11 grandchildren who all live fairly close to Madison. Dr. Green is transitioning to retirement this year and is looking forward to having more time with family and outdoor activities such as golf, fishing, and hunting, along with his love for painting and music.

As a graduate of Watertown High School, and having practiced dentistry in Madison, Dr. Troy Keyes and his family were thrilled to return to Watertown, South Dakota for the second half of his dental career in 2022.

Dr. Keyes attended college at the University of South Dakota and dental school at the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry. During dental school, he was on a Navy Health Professions scholarship. After dental school Dr. Keyes completed a general practice residency at Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia, where he gained advanced training in all specialties of dentistry. Afterwards, Dr. Keyes practiced in Sioux Falls and later purchased Madison Family Dental before joining Embrace Dentistry in Watertown, South Dakota.

Dr. Keyes’s time in the Navy aboard the USS Tortuga (LSD 46) and private practices have allowed him to handle just about any dental situation you can throw his way. When not practicing dentistry in Watertown, Dr. Keyes also serves as a mentor at Engel Institute in North Carolina where he teaches other aspiring dentists advanced procedures such as dental implants, extractions, and bone grafting 1-2 weekends per month.

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Continual education is important to Dr. Kopf. Furthermore, he frequently takes challenging classes to stay up to date in dental procedures and practices each year. He strives to stay on top of the best treatments and techniques to utilize in his dental practice.

Dr. Kopf loves the outdoors. He spends a great deal of his free time hunting, fishing, and entertaining friends and family.

Dr. Richard Loveless grew up in Orem, Utah and comes from a long line of dentists. He received his Bachelor’s degree in professional chemistry from Utah Valley University before attending Creighton University School of Dentistry to receive his DDS.

Dr. Loveless’s favorite class in school was Partial Denture Design. The complexities and intricacies of partial dentures intrigued him, and soon dentures and extractions became a passion that he continues today through continued education.

One of the most fulfilling parts of his job is getting patients out of pain—and working to prevent them from complications in the first place. Helping someone regain their quality of life is highly rewarding, and he’s honored to be able to solve dental issues large and small for his patients.

If you were to ask Dr. Loveless what he likes to do in his free time, he would respond: “Free time, what’s that?” With a family at home, he doesn’t get much free time. But when he does, he loves playing with his four children!

Whether it be routine dental cleanings or restoration of a confident healthy smile, Dr. Miller and his amazing care team are here to serve you. Many procedures such as same-day crowns, bridges, dentures, cleanings, fillings, root canals and more can be completed in-house.

Dr. Miller grew up in West Fargo, North Dakota. He received his doctorate from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. He and his wife, Brittany, have three children: Cambreigh, Zander, and Avalon. Dr. Nate most enjoys spending time with his family and is very involved with his local church. In his free time, he enjoys camping, traveling, hunting, and small remodeling projects.

Dr. Allison Parr has wanted to be a dentist since childhood. She was drawn to the patient interaction, artistry of dentistry, and the ability to see patients throughout their lives and develop relationships with them. She hopes to make it a comfortable experience for her patients and help them feel at ease coming into the office.

Dr. Parr was born and raised in Watertown, South Dakota. She received her Doctorate of Dental Medicine from Midwestern University – Arizona in Glendale. She enjoyed living in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area for the five years she was there for school. She met her husband while living there and married during her third year of dental school. She was very happy to graduate and get back to her roots and raise their family in South Dakota.

While not working, Dr. Parr enjoys being with her husband, McKay, daughter, Ella, and sons, Jack and Max. They also have a goldendoodle, Finn. Dr. Parr is very passionate about fitness and nutrition, loves spending time outside with her family, and being at Lake Kampeska where her parents live.

Dr. Van Dyke pursued her undergrad in chemistry at South Dakota State University while graduating Cum Laude in 2010. Afterwards, she attended the UNMC College of Dentistry which furthered her love of dentistry as she was able to interact with patients to create a one-on-one relationship and provide them with smile-changing care. After receiving her doctorate, Dr. Van Dyke continued her education by attending the Academy of Laser Dentistry and the Invisalign Assist continuing education program.​

When not discussing dentistry, she enjoys running, breakaway roping, baking, and quilting. She and her husband, Kevin, also enjoy spending time at home with their children, horses, cats, and other animal friends in Elkton, SD.

Dr. Wilson married his lovely wife, Janae, in 2023 and they welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Madelyn Grace in June of 2024.

Dr. Wilson is passionate about providing excellent dental care, continuing his education, and striving to serve others. He is a member of the South Dakota Dental Association, as well as the American Dental Association.

In his free time, Dr. Wilson enjoys the outdoors, spending time with his friends, family and dogs, and golfing. He is excited and blessed with the opportunity to serve our Dakota Dunes patients.

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