Dentist Erin Price is a fifth-generation Montanan serving the community of Bigfork

Dr. Erin Price had a pretty idyllic life growing up in the small Montana town of Twin Bridges.

Her father was a veterinarian, her mother was a second-grade teacher, and the family lived next door to her father’s clinic. So when she was pursuing a place to go into business after graduating from dental school, Price jumped at the opportunity in 2011 to purchase Bigfork Dental from longtime Bigfork dentist Gary McCrummen.

“I wanted my children to have the same Montana experience I did,” Price said.

Price and her staff oversee a busy dental clinic that is a key part of Bigfork. In a small town like Bigfork, a dentist is a vital part of the community. “You get to really know patients and develop long-lasting relationships,” Price, a fifth-generation Montana, said. “Taking care of people for many years, that’s really important to me.”

Price attended dental school in Portland, Ore., and practiced in Portland before she bought the Bigfork clinic. She and her husband, Seth Price, have three-year-old twins, Avery and Liam.

“I am very happy we ended up here,” she said. “Bigfork is an excellent place.”

Price took some time off after her pregnancy, but she’s back to the clinic fulltime now, thanks to the help of her husband, who helps with the twins. Owning a business gives her flexibility with her family. “It’s a little crazy sometimes, but my husband is a huge help,” she said. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

McCrummen began his practice in 1982, and many of his patients have remained on with Dr. Price — even McCrummen himself. Office manager Joyce Schreiner has been with the practice for 29 years, including 27 years with Dr. McCrummen. “I’ve seen a lot of changes,” she said. “I remember when gold crowns were $80.”

Price has had to learn much about owning a business on her own, although McCrummen has been ready to offer advice, Price said.

 It’s important for Price that she provides a work place for her employees to earn livable wages. Human resources, accounting and marketing are all business matters “that no one tells you about” in school she said. “But I have a wonderful staff who go above and beyond.”

 She’s proud to continue the business McCrummen started. “He really did beautiful work,” Price said. “It’s nice to take over from somebody like that, but it’s a tough act to follow.”

Health care is undergoing many changes, and small town doctors like Price are at the forefront of those changes. Dentistry is also evolving, with dentists being more conservative in their care. There are better products and techniques to offer patients. Composite fillings and sealants offer better tooth protection than what was used in the past. Applying sealants to teeth is of the best techniques for improving oral health, Price said. Used for children and adults, sealants are a resin-based product that are quick, easy and painless and help protect teeth, she said.

From children to adults of the Baby Boom generation, Price gets to apply a wide range of dental knowledge. “I enjoy all of them, but it definitely makes for an interesting day,” she said.

A dentist is often at the forefront of a person’s healthcare regimen. The dentist is the one healthcare provider that a person sees (or should) every six months. Since a dentist sees a person so often, they are the first to detect someone’s health issues. Dentists may detect diabetes, oral cancer or blood pressure issues. “We can’t replace a medical doctor, but oral symptoms might help us find something else that is going on,” Price said. “Oral health is part of your overall health.”  

To maintain good oral health, Price recommends brushing twice a day for two to three minutes, and limit soda intake. Flossing should be done once a day. For athletes, wearing a mouth guard is critical in any contact sport, including basketball.

In the heart of Madison County, Twin Bridges is mainly a ranching community. Bigfork, Price said, “is more diverse, with a breadth of people with different perspectives. It’s a big town compared to Madison County, but it’s such an amazing community. I love that small town feel.”