The Whitehaven Dental Team
Dr. David Ripplinger
Dr. Ripplinger loves helping patients feel calm, comfortable and watching them smile with new confidence! He has a conservative treatment philosophy and patients love how he takes the time to explain all options. Giving back has been a big part of his career as he regularly travels to remote areas on various humanitarian groups such as Choice Humanitarian, Ghana Make a Difference and Traveling Doctors of Mercy as well as local Genesis Community Health.
Dr. Ripplinger opened his first practice in Cortez, Colorado in 2004, in area with few specialists, where he continuously pushed his skills and worked hard to stay in the front of the latest in dentistry. Since then he has been the owner of two other practices, Victory Dental in Boise and Cascade Dental. He is excited to open this new location in Nampa, Idaho!
Lupe - Dental Hygienist
Lupe is a proud graduate of Loma Linda University. She has 21+ years in the dental field and has developed not only strong clinical skills, but also many lasting relationships with patients. Lupe is passionate about helping patients feel comfortable, informed, and confident in their dental care. As a valued member of the Whitehaven Dental team, she combines clinical expertise with a gentle, compassionate approach that helps even the most anxious patients feel at ease. Known for her warm personality and attention to detail, Lupe takes the time to listen, answer questions, and ensure every patient feels cared for throughout their visit.
Lupe enjoys giving back and has participated in several free dental clinics within our community. She loves seeing the difference a healthy smile can make in someone's life. She is married and is a mother of two daughters and a son. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family.
Katie - Office Manager
Katie has been married to Dr. Ripplinger for over 27 years. As Whitehaven Dental's Office Manager, she is dedicated to ensuring every patient feels welcomed, valued, and cared for from the moment they contact our office. With more than a 20 years of experience working alongside Dr. David Ripplinger in clinical, administrative, and leadership roles, she brings a unique understanding of every aspect of the patient experience. Katie oversees daily operations, coordinates patient care, and helps create the warm, stress-free environment that defines the Whitehaven Difference. Her passion for exceptional service, attention to detail, and genuine care for people help make every visit as comfortable and seamless as possible.
Kristina - Office & Chairside Assistant
Kristina has worked alongside Dr. Ripplinger since 2011 in several facets of the dental office as lead dental assistant, front office receptionist, marketing, and office manager. This has equipped her with comprehensive knowledge of dental practice operations and puts her in the perfect position to ensure an exceptional patient experience across all aspects of the practice.
Kristina is married to Wade and has had five boys. She has been a stay-at-home-mom for the past few years and was excited to get back into dentistry with Dr. Dave in his new office! She loves spending time outside with her boys on their 2.5-acre homestead, making gluten-free sourdough bread, and just being a mom.