The clinic -- with two dental operatories and one hygienist operatory -- is digitized, making thick patient charts unnecessary and X-rays easy to view by dentist as well as patient.

"It's nice to have those computers at bedside so we can actually show patients their X-rays right there," said Becky Noble, clinic director.

The clinic is open to the community, accepts insurance, Medicare and Medicaid and offers discounts based on family size and income. Its outreach program includes visits to communities across Kachemak Bay and to area schools, as well as participation in area health fairs.

Orthodontic work and complex cases, such as those requiring oral surgery, are referred to other providers.

"And we'll have an open house after the first of the year that will be an opportunity for the community to meet Dr. (Bill) Richardson and tour our facilities," Noble said.

Originally from Florida, Richardson graduated from the University of Florida's college of dentistry in 2003. Following his interest in Alaska, Richardson served at the Kanakanak Hospital in Dillingham from 2003-2008, coming from there directly to Homer at the end of October.

"We looked for two years at a number of places, met some people in Homer and it had the community we like," said Richardson of the research he and his wife, Sarah, did before moving to Homer.

Although the Homer clinic is small, Richardson described it as a "pretty busy" and attractive work environment.

"You walk in and it's very pleasant," Richardson said.

Richardson is looking forward to meeting more of the people that live in Homer, as well as discovering what the area offers for hunting and fishing. His childhood memories of fishing for bonefish in the Bahamas and saltwater fish in Florida are quickly being surpassed by the Alaska adventure of hooking into rainbow trout, king and silver salmon. A private pilot, Richardson used his Citabria to explore more than 100 miles of the Nushagak River and Wood-Tikchik Lakes areas, following his interest in fishing.

"The people in Florida have never seen fish like this," Richardson said.

Hygienist Jill Nicolini is originally from Oklahoma, but comes to Homer following a two-year stay at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. She received her bachelor of science degree in dental hygiene from Texas Woman's University in 2000 and has been in full-time practice since then.

Nicolini's interests include SCUBA diving, the ocean, traveling throughout the Caribbean and cheering for the Oklahoma Sooners football team. While visiting family members in Seattle last summer, she decided living in Alaska offered a good adventure.

"I am looking forward to exploring Alaska, learning about the culture and working for SVT Health Center," Nicolini said. "The SVT Tribe does wonderful things for the community and I am excited to be a part of it."

Dental assistant Sonya Montgomery is from Indiana and has a bachelor's degree in Spanish and art from Marian College. After graduation, she spent 14 months as a volunteer English and art teacher in Bolivia, before earning her certification as a dental assistant at the Bellingham Technical College. Before moving to Alaska, Montgomery worked for an endodontist in Salt Lake City, Utah, and spent two summers as a sea kayak guide in Ketchikan.

In addition to an interest in sea kayaking, Montgomery also likes to hike, camp and backpack.

So far, she said, she "loves everything about" Homer.

Dental assistant Marina Reutov is from Homer. She has been with the clinic since May. She graduated from Voznesenka School in 2004 and spent three years working at Safeway. Reutov's husband, Alexandre, whom she married in November, is from Brazil.

Her hobbies include sewing, decorating and spending time with family and friends.

Also helping out at the dental clinic, as well as SVT's medical clinic, is Emily Sue Faris.

"She has lots of roles," Noble said. "She really does marketing and outreach activities, but she also helps our patients with different resources."

Faris assists patients in receiving mini grants to help with health care, applying for Denali Kid Care and providing estimates on dental treatment plans.

For more information about or make an appointment at SVT Health Center's dental clinic, call 226-2311.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibbenjackinsky.@homernews.com.