Dr. Jessica Wilke takes ownership of dental practices in Waukon, Monona from her father; Waukon Dental is expanding and remodeling
New ownership, new look ... Dr. Jessica Wilke, DDS stands in the reception area of the newly remodeled Waukon Dental office. As of January 1 of this year, she has taken over ownership of both Waukon Dental and Family Dentistry Associates of Monona from her father, Dr. Mark Fohey. The Waukon Dental location has expanded to now occupy the entire building located at 18 1st Avenue NW, with some remodeling still in progress. Photo by Julie Berg-Raymond.
Expansion involves entire building ... The offices of Waukon Dental have expanded to occupy the entire building at its 18 First Avenue NW location in Waukon. When long-time Waukon attorney James Mellick retired from his law practice in early 2021, Waukon Dental purchased the remaining space in the building where his office was located and expanded its growing business throughout the entire building, which continues to undergo a complete remodeling process. Photo by Julie Berg-Raymond.
by Julie Berg-Raymond
There is a lot that is new at Waukon Dental, located at 18 1st Avenue NW. For one thing, the building is in the process of being completely remodeled - and the practice is now under new ownership.
Dr. Jessica Wilke purchased both the building and the practice from her father, Dr. Mark Fohey, January 1 of this year. At the same time, she also purchased his building and practice at Family Dentistry Associates of Monona. Dr. Fohey still remains part owner of Dental Associates of Prairie du Chien in Prairie du Chien, WI.
At Waukon Dental, there are four dentists - Dr. Wilke and her dad (who works for her, now), along with Dr. Linda Carstens and Dr. Courtney Wikan. Dr. Wilke works at the Waukon clinic Tuesdays only; she works at the Monona clinic Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Dr. Wilke, who has four siblings (none of whom is a dentist), knew as early as high school that she might like to follow in her father’s footsteps into dentistry. She did study Business for a while at the University of Northern Iowa; but she didn’t enjoy it.
“I just kind of felt called to (dentistry) during my junior year,” Dr. Wilke says. “I switched my majors to biology and chemistry and started dental school prep at the same time.”
She graduated from dental school at the University of Iowa in June 2014 and started working for her dad a month later. Dr. Wilke says she knew from the beginning she would be taking over his practices one day.
Dr. Wilke says she couldn’t be happier with her career choice. “I love the hand-skills and doing different procedures all day - building teeth back up, front tooth aesthetic cases, helping people get their smiles back. Dentistry has a lot of artistry to it,” she says. “It’s a combination of art and science.”
Both her Waukon and Monona practices are latex-free. Services offered include bridges, extractions, root canals, cosmetic dentistry, replacement of lost fillings, repair of broken teeth, periodontal treatments and toothache appointments, along with teeth whitening options, routine dental check-ups, digital x-rays and scans, implant services and restorations. They can also complete CEREC crowns in one appointment (they’re able to mill crowns in their own office), and they also offer white resin and silver amalgam fillings, Invisalign - the clear alternative to braces, partial and full dentures, and denture repairs. Nitrous oxide gas is available.
A GROWING BUSINESS
Remodeling on the Waukon Dental building began last August. “It has been done in phases, which has allowed us to keep the doors open and to keep working,” Dr. Wilke says. “We felt like we were outgrowing our old space; so when (attorney) Jim Mellick retired last year, I purchased the rest of the building.”
Dr. Wilke’s staff strives to keep current with expanding technology and, she says, to “make our patients really comfortable.” Her practices offer comprehensive care and treat people of all ages - starting with one-year-old babies.
“I see a lot of kids; one of the most fun things is to see kids grow,” she says. “I love meeting patients and getting to know their families and talking with them.”
Dr. Wilke lives in Monona with her husband, Jake, who is a teacher in the MFL/MarMac School District, and their three kids: Charlotte, 7; Gretchen, 4; and Harrison, 9 months.
Waukon Dental’s phone number is 563-568-4528. Hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays by special appointment.
