Prairie Doc Perspective Week of July 26th, 2026
“Replacing Missing Teeth; 21st Century Solutions to an Age Old Problem”
By Dr. Bradley Jordan


Your tooth broke, it was painful, the dentist said it couldn’t be fixed and it had to be pulled. Now what?  


That missing tooth, like a critical bolt missing from an engine, is a problem that may take months or years to show its face.  Missing one or more teeth can lead to changes in bite, space between teeth resulting in food getting stuck and difficulty chewing and speaking.  Every week I see patients that are starting to break front teeth because they have no back teeth to chew with.  When back teeth are missing, the front teeth take all the force of chewing and start to wear down.  


The great news is that we have modern solutions for missing teeth!


Quickly becoming the standard of care to replace teeth are dental implants. The process begins when a titanium post is placed to mimic the tooth root and is finished when the final crown is attached to the dental implant. Patients report that their dental implant looks, feels and works just like a natural tooth. A dental bridge is another simple tooth replacement option and can be utilized to replace 1 or 2 missing teeth.  The process involves placing dental crowns on the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth with an artificial tooth in between.  The adjacent teeth are effectively the anchors for the bridge.  


For patients that are missing all of their teeth, the Teeth-in-a-Day procedure or also known as All-on-X is the preferred treatment plan.  All-on-X refers to having all the replacement teeth anchored with X number of implants.  That X number of implants can range from 4 to 8.  While dentures can look nice and provide minimal chewing force, most people cannot tolerate a lower full denture due to how uncomfortable it is.  When a patient leaves the office after having the Teeth-in-a-Day procedure, they take home a fixed set of teeth that look great and can provide some chewing ability.  After healing and the final prosthetic is made, the patient is allowed to eat their favorite foods again and can laugh with confidence knowing that their teeth are not going to fly across the room.  


Whether you’re replacing one missing tooth or restoring your entire mouth, there’s a solution to fit your lifestyle and goals. Take the first step toward a more comfortable smile by consulting your dentist today.
Dr. Bradley Jordan is the owner and dentist at Lone Oak Dental in Brookings, South Dakota.  He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the Audie L. Murphy VA Clinic in San Antonio, TX.  He is happily married and has two teenage boys.  Follow The Prairie Doc® at www.prairiedoc.org, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok. Prairie Doc Programming includes On Call with the Prairie Doc®, a medical Q&A show (most Thursdays at 7pm on SDPB,  YouTube and streaming on Facebook), 2 podcasts, and a Radio program (on SDPB, Sundays at 6am and 1pm).
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Prairie Doc Perspective Week of July 19th, 2026
“The Critical Need for More Nurses in the State of South Dakota”
By Dawn R. Warren, Ed.D., MSN, BSN, RN, University of South Dakota Department of Nursing
As a registered nurse (RN) in South Dakota for the past 35 years, I can honestly say that it has been one of the greatest blessings in my life and yet is a profession in dire need of more, especially in our rural areas. According to Klinski (2025), South Dakota is projected to have the third-worst nursing shortage in the United States by 2030, needing an additional 1,900 registered nurses (a 14% deficit). The state faces an estimated 1,000 nursing job openings annually as rural healthcare systems struggle with an aging workforce and geographic challenges. 
I have had the honor of working as an RN in South Dakota in a multitude of areas, all with similar, yet different, benefits. I have worked in home health nursing, critical care, progressive care, the emergency department at Monument Health, a small rural critical access hospital, and currently, as a nurse educator at the University of South Dakota. I have been involved in the birth of a newborn baby, the peaceful death of a terminal client dying at home, the tragic deaths of children in the emergency department, the joy of discharging a patient who received life-saving treatments, the sense of pride when my nursing students have graduated and everything in between. Don’t get me wrong- it’s not all good. There are days that are incredibly sad, days that are exhausting, patients that are challenging and days I have left in tears.  Fortunately, those days are far and few between compared to the days that are filled with joy and a great sense of accomplishment.    
With nursing being such a rewarding career with so many different areas to work in, and with the extreme nursing shortage, it is important to share how people can become a nurse. South Dakota is fortunate to have multiple nursing programs available.  People can become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in approximately one year, with multiple vocational schools in South Dakota offering the degree. A second option is to become a registered nurse (RN) with an associate degree, taking approximately two years to complete, and offered at a number of vocational schools and universities. The third option is to become an RN with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The BSN degree takes approximately four years to complete, often times opens the doors to more leadership positions, and is offered at many universities in South Dakota.  
Living in South Dakota has many benefits and challenges all at the same time. We are blessed to live in beautiful wide open spaces, but with that comes the challenges of sparse healthcare resources and a lack of nurses to staff them. It is not uncommon for a farmer in South Dakota to have to drive two hours one way to get basic healthcare, and further to get advanced care. Despite this challenge, for those who choose to practice as a nurse in rural underserved facilities, it can be extremely rewarding. While working at Dell Rapids hospital, I had the honor of caring for women in labor, pediatrics, medical surgical patients, trauma victims in our ER, patients with mental health needs and more, all while enjoying the culture of a small rural town where everyone truly cared about each other. 
It is my overall hope that more people in South Dakota will look into the many benefits of being a nurse, especially rural South Dakota, and that they will choose to get educated at one of the many excellent nursing programs our state offers.
Dawn has had the honor and privilege of being a registered nurse for 35 years. She earned her BSN in 1991, her Master of Science in Nursing Education in 2000, and her Doctor of Education in 2016. Dawn’s areas of expertise as an RN are critical care nursing, emergency nursing and in nurse education at the University of South Dakota. Dawn and her husband have two sons, both of whom are in college studying to become nurses.  Follow The Prairie Doc® at www.prairiedoc.org, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok. Prairie Doc Programming includes On Call with the Prairie Doc®, a medical Q&A show (most Thursdays at 7pm on YouTube and streaming on Facebook), 2 podcasts, and a Radio program (on SDPB, Sundays at 6am and 1pm).
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Prairie Doc Perspective Week of July 12th, 2026
Sip to Stay Strong: Why Hydration Matters More Than We Think
By Carissa Regnerus, RDH, MA, FADHA
During the warm summer months in South Dakota, many of us spend extra time outside walking, working or enjoying community events. The heat and wind can pull moisture from the body faster than we realize. Hydration becomes important for everyone, from kids running around at the park to adults juggling busy schedules to older adults who may not notice thirst as quickly. Water supports our health in every season, but summer reminds us just how essential it is.
We often think of dehydration as something that only happens when a person is ill, running a marathon or working outside on a hot day. But in reality, our bodies lose two to three liters of water every day just by breathing, urinating and through our skin. If we don’t replace that water, the body begins borrowing it from tissues, including the mouth and brain.
And here’s the remarkable truth: every single cell in the human body requires water to function. We can survive for weeks without food, but only a few days without fluids. Water fuels energy production, carries nutrients, removes waste, regulates temperature and supports the electrical signals that keep our hearts and brains working. It is the foundation of life.
Hydration needs change across the lifespan
While everyone needs water, the reasons vary across the lifespan. Children lose water faster and may forget to drink while playing. Teens and adults often push through busy days relying on caffeine instead of water. Athletes and outdoor workers lose more fluid through sweat.  
Although dehydration can affect anyone, it can be especially impactful on older adults and is a well-recognized contributor to confusion. Older adults are more prone to fluid loss because they don’t sense thirst as easily, many take medications that cause the body to lose water, and they naturally have about 15-20% less total body water than younger adults.
Hydration and oral health: a connection for all ages
Saliva is 99% water, and dehydration can cut salivary flow by half. When the mouth dries out, problems follow:

• Higher risk of cavities and gum disease
• Denture discomfort
• Difficulty chewing and swallowing
• Changes in taste that reduce appetite

Hydration and the brain
The brain is about 73% water, and losing just 1-2% of that water can affect you even before you feel thirsty and negatively impact things like attention span, memory, mood and reaction time. For kids, this can mean trouble focusing in school. For adults, it may feel like brain fog. For older adults, it can increase fall risk.
Simple habits that help everyone

• Keep a bottle or glass nearby at home, school or work and sip it regularly even if you’re not thirsty
• Choose infusions that don’t lower pH, such as mint, basil or cucumbers. If you enjoy citrus, use it occasionally rather than sipping it all day to protect enamel. 
• Choose hydrating foods like fruits, yogurt, soups and smoothies
• Avoid excessive salt and alcohol intake which can both contribute to dehydration

As we move through the warm months, staying hydrated is one of the simplest ways to support comfort, clarity and wellbeing. Water helps us enjoy the activities we love- working, learning, playing and aging well. Small habits that support hydration can help people of all ages stay healthy and strong throughout the South Dakota summer and beyond.


Carissa Regnerus, RDH, MA, FADHA, has been a licensed dental hygienist for more than 25 years and a faculty member in the University of South Dakota’s Department of Dental Hygiene since 2001. She teaches courses in dental public health, nutrition and preventive care, with a focus on helping students understand the oralsystemic connections that shape overall health. Her work in medical mission settings reflects her dedication to improving oral and systemic health across diverse communities. She can be reached at [email protected].  Follow The Prairie Doc® at www.prairiedoc.org, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok. Prairie Doc Programming includes On Call with the Prairie Doc®, a medical Q&A show (most Thursdays at 7pm on YouTube and streaming on Facebook), 2 podcasts, and a Radio program (on SDPB, Sundays at 6am and 1pm).

Prairie Doc Perspective Week of July 5th, 2026
“Finding Balance in a World That Never Stops”
By Curstie Konold MPH, CSW-PIP, QMHP


Finding Balance in a World That Never Stops
Stress surrounds us every day. We experience it in our personal lives, at work, in our relationships, and through the constant stream of information from the news and social media. We live in a world of endless notifications, growing expectations, and competing demands that pull us in multiple directions at once. We are often expected to be constantly available and do more than our time and energy allow. However, our body and brain were not designed to handle this level of continuous stress and demand. As a result, many people struggle to maintain balance, manage stress effectively, and protect their overall well-being.
In healthy amounts, stress can be beneficial. It can motivate us to try new things, work toward our goals, and overcome challenges. Our bodies and brains are designed to respond to stress by addressing a stressor and then returning to a state of balance and recovery. However, when stress becomes constant or overwhelming, the body may struggle to return to this balanced state. Instead, it can remain in a prolonged state of stress, which may have lasting effects on both physical and mental health, as well as overall quality of life.
In a world of constant news, social media, and other sources of stress, it is important to be intentional about disconnecting from these influences and reconnecting with the habits and practices that support overall well-being. One framework for achieving balance is the eight dimensions of wellness identified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical, environmental, financial, occupational, and social wellness. By supporting each of these dimensions, individuals can build resilience, manage stress more effectively, and improve their overall quality of life.
Wellness is about creating balance between different areas of life. Being mindful of the dimensions of wellness can help you better understand where you are thriving and where you may need additional support. Taking time to reflect on each dimension individually by asking yourself what is going well and what feels challenging can provide valuable insight into your overall well-being. The dimensions of wellness are interconnected, and challenges in one area can impact other areas. For example, occupational stress may influence emotional wellness, while financial concerns can impact social relationships and physical health.
Regularly checking in with the dimensions of wellness can help you better understand what your mind and body need in a given moment. If you identify an area where you are struggling, consider what actions or resources might be helpful. Writing down specific, achievable steps can be an effective way to address your needs and restore a greater sense of balance.
Stress is a natural part of life, and it is not something we can eliminate completely. However, we can take intentional steps to care for ourselves while navigating life's challenges. The eight dimensions of wellness provide a practical framework for understanding our needs and identifying areas that may require additional attention.
Wellness is not about achieving perfection in every area of life. Instead, it is an ongoing process of self-awareness and growth. By making small, consistent choices that support our well-being, we can build resilience, find greater balance, and feel better equipped to meet the demands of everyday life


Curstie is a certified social worker in private or independent practice and holds a Master of Public Health degree. Curstie owns Mindful Matters, LLC, where she provides mental health services and promotes trauma-informed care to her clients. Curstie is also the Associate Director at the Center for Rural Health Improvement at the University of South Dakota, where she supports projects that advance rural health initiatives, strengthen community partnerships, and improve access to quality care across rural communities. Follow The Prairie Doc® at www.prairiedoc.org, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok. Prairie Doc Programming includes On Call with the Prairie Doc®, a medical Q&A show (most Thursdays at 7pm on YouTube and streaming on Facebook), 2 podcasts, and a Radio program (on SDPB, Sundays at 6am and 1pm).
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