Dr. Okuley adds new dentist to practice

VW independent/submitted information

Dr. Roger Okuley has been a mainstay dentist in the Van Wert community for the last 38 years. During that time, he has treated countless thousands of patients in need of dental care.

Upon the completion of his doctorate degree at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Okuley moved here with his wife, Kay. His first office was located at the Medical Arts building. Today, and, for the last 31 years, he has been practicing at 707 Fox Road. The building where Dr. Okuley works as a general dentist was built by longtime local contractor Wayne Compton (who is also Dr. Okuley’s father-in-law).

Dr. Okuley said he is very grateful and humbled by the overwhelming number of faithful patients that have been seeking his care for so many years.

“The people of the Van Wert community and surrounding municipalities have been so warm and welcoming from the very beginning of my practice,” he said. “We have patients of record that go all the way back to 1977. What a blessing to enjoy that level of allegiance from our family of friends of the Van Wert area.”

Dr. Okuley also noted that the community has a long history of being pro-active about the importance of preventive dental care.

“I can’t talk about preventive dental care without mentioning long-time colleague and friend Bob Saunier,” he said. “Dr. Saunier was my first real mentor in the field of dentistry and instilled in me how very important preventing dental disease is.”

In keeping with the guidance he received from a wonderful colleague like Dr. Saunier, Dr. Okuley has decided the time is right to start mentoring a very bright and talented young dentist, Dr. Erica A. Unverferth, who was recently added to his practice. This addition to his dental team will provide both enhanced patient care and a greater variety of services offered.

Dr. Unverferth was born and raised in Putnam County and is a 2007 graduate of Ottoville High School. She received a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus in human resource management, while also earning a minor in life sciences. She earned her doctorate of Dental Surgery degree from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry.

Dr. Unverferth currently resides in Kalida with her husband, Tony, and their newborn son, Trey. They enjoy spoiling him every chance they get.

Dr. Unverferth enjoys the outdoors, sightseeing, and participating in and watching sports events. Cooking is also one of her passions.

“I am very excited and pleased to be joining Dr. Okuley’s dental practice,” she said. “His staff is so loving and caring, and I look forward to getting to know the wonderful community of Van Wert and the great patients at Okuley Dentistry.”

The entire staff at Okuley Dentistry looks forward to welcoming Dr. Unverferth.

“I am quite certain that our community of friends and family will enjoy her presence in our office as we better strive to serve the good people of Van Wert and the surrounding area,” Dr. Okuley stated.