At White Oak Dental, we do things a little differently, and we think you’ll notice right away. From the moment you walk through our doors, our goal is to make you feel relaxed and welcomed with open arms. We’re here to build real relationships and provide excellent, ethical dental care you can trust.
Ready to Meet Our Team?
Dr. Matthew Maggio’s long-standing practice is now in the trusted hands of the Bowmans, though he will continue to see patients on a limited basis.
Our team of skilled professionals are compassionate, great listeners, and always up for a laugh. We believe that going to the dentist shouldn’t be something you dread. It should feel easy and empowering!
We’re proud to serve our community with heart and integrity, and we can’t wait to welcome you to our dental family.
Dr. Erika Bowman
Dentist
Dr. Erika Bowman brings a thoughtful, hands-on approach to dentistry and a deep commitment to helping patients feel truly heard and cared for. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University (where she met her future husband in a genetics class—he’s a dentist too!) before both went on to receive their Doctorates of Dental Surgery from the University of Texas at Houston School of Dentistry.
Dr. Erika is passionate about building trust with her patients, making sure they feel comfortable, respected, and confident in their care. She loves being part of a dental team where every member plays a role in creating a warm and welcoming experience. For her, dentistry is more than fixing teeth; it’s about restoring comfort, function, and joy to people’s lives.
Outside of the office, Dr. Erika can often be found playing with her yellow lab Goose, reading, biking, or experimenting in her garden. In fact, she once planted over 300 tulip bulbs—a true labor of love that paid off in vibrant spring blooms. And here's a fun twist: before dental school, she studied agriculture and even competed in soil judging competitions, which probably explains her green thumb today!
Dr. Thaylan Bowman
Dentist
Dr. Thaylan Bowman brings a calm, confident presence to White Oak Dental, and a genuine love for getting to know his patients. A graduate of Texas A&M University and the University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston, Dr. Thaylan believes dentistry is the perfect blend of science, art, and service.
Dr. Thaylan's favorite part of his job is building meaningful relationships with his patients and his team. He’s passionate about helping people feel cared for, comfortable, and confident in their smile, and he’s proud to work with a group of professionals who share those same values.
Outside the office, you’ll likely find Dr. Thaylan out in nature. He enjoys hunting, fishing, mushroom foraging (especially for morels in the spring), and BBQ during the summer.
Dr. Matthew J. Maggio
Dentist
Dr. Matthew J. Maggio has been proudly serving the Fort Dodge community since 1986, when he joined his father, Dr. Paul J. Maggio, in practice. Dentistry runs deep in the Maggio family! Paul started the original practice back in 1938, and the two worked side-by-side for 12 years. Dr. Maggio credits his father with teaching him invaluable lessons that went far beyond what he learned in dental school.
Dr. Maggio’s educational journey began at Grinnell College in Iowa and took him all the way to the University of St. Andrews in Scotland before completing his dental training at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. Today, he brings decades of experience and a deep sense of tradition to his care, always striving for excellence through collaboration with his team. For him, the best part of dentistry is the teamwork that transforms effort into success and the shared satisfaction that comes with it.
Outside the office, Dr. Maggio is active in community service and enjoys honoring his Irish and Italian heritage through classic recipes and family meals. He even coauthored a book titled Pieces of Eight with his seven siblings as a tribute to their parents and their shared upbringing in Fort Dodge. It’s safe to say that storytelling, service, and smiles are all part of his legacy.
Janelle
Receptionist
Janelle is the friendly face that welcomes patients at White Oak Dental. As the receptionist, she helps patients schedule appointments, navigate insurance, and handle billing with ease and compassion. A graduate of the Dental Assistant program at Iowa Central Community College (ICCC), Janelle combines professional training with a deep-rooted connection to the community she grew up in.
Having lived in the area her entire life, Janelle loves seeing familiar faces walk through the door—and even more, being part of a dental team that feels like family. Her journey into the dental field was inspired by her parents’ close friendship with a local dentist, which sparked her early interest in oral healthcare.
In her free time, Janelle enjoys traveling, gardening (especially hostas), walking with friends, and staying active with exercise classes. She also has a creative side—designing and making her own greeting cards. One fun fact? She grew up in a big, lively household with seven older brothers, which means she knows a thing or two about holding her own and keeping things running smoothly!
Amy
Hygienist
Amy has been helping patients smile brighter since 2008. A proud graduate of Iowa Central Community College, Amy brings warmth, expertise, and a deep commitment to patient care in her role as a dental hygienist. From preventive treatments and oral health assessments to patient education, she’s passionate about helping people feel confident and comfortable in the dental chair.
After twelve years in retail, Amy sought a more fulfilling career—one where she could make a real difference. Dental hygiene gave her that purpose. Today, she loves seeing her patients’ oral health improve over time and treasures the relationships she’s built, especially getting to know multiple generations of families.
Amy thrives in White Oak Dental’s supportive, close-knit team environment. Her coworkers have become like family, and while the work is serious, there’s always room for a little laughter along the way.
Outside the office, Amy tends to a beautiful garden, keeps bees, and enjoys spending time with her dogs. One of her most unique hobbies is raising monarch butterflies. She’s even created a monarch waystation in her yard. And here’s a fun fact: at age twelve, Amy won a “Make It with Lard” baking contest at the Calhoun County Fair with her award-winning cherry pie—trophy pig and all!
Jennifer
Hygienist
Jennifer is a dedicated dental hygienist at White Oak Dental who brings both experience and heart to every patient interaction. She began her journey with the practice in 1998 as a dental assistant, later returning to Iowa Central Community College to earn her dental hygiene degree in 2008.
Jennifer’s passion for dentistry was sparked early on—after needing several fillings as a child, she was fortunate to have a kind and gentle dentist who turned a potentially scary experience into a positive one. That memory stayed with her and inspired her to help others feel at ease while taking care of their smiles. Today, she’s known for building strong relationships with her patients and providing the highest level of care with compassion and a personal touch.
When she’s not in the office, Jennifer enjoys gardening, baking, and hitting the golf course. She’s also about to begin a major five-year renovation on a rural acreage—an exciting new chapter. One fun fact? She’s a fan of black licorice, even if she admits it’s not the best for your teeth!
Alexis
Dental Assistant
Alexis is the practice’s multitasking dynamo, passing instruments one minute, swapping book recommendations with patients the next. A graduate of Iowa Central Community College’s dental assisting program, she’s been in dentistry since 2023 and can’t imagine doing anything else.
Alexis keeps every procedure running smoothly, practices top-tier infection control, and loves turning “scary dentist stories” into relaxed, educational visits. Patients know her as the assistant who remembers their kids’ soccer scores and their favorite Netflix shows.
Outside the office, you’ll find Alexis reading her Kindle, nurturing an ever-growing jungle of houseplants, or scouring estate sales for vintage treasures to restore. A fun fact about Alexis is that she’s teaching herself Korean, so when she finally books that dream trip to Seoul, she’ll be able to thrift in Hangul.
Tammy
Dental Assistant
Tammy brings decades of experience, and a whole lot of heart, to the White Oak Dental team. A graduate of Iowa Central Community College, Tammy has been helping patients feel comfortable and confident in the dental chair since 1980.
She joined White Oak Dental in April 2025 and loves working alongside Dr. Maggio, Dr. Thaylan, and Dr. Erika. She assists the doctors with all procedures, keeps infection control top of mind, and takes the time to educate patients about their treatment so they leave feeling informed and cared for. You’ll also spot her up front from time to time, making sure check-ins and reappointments are a breeze.
Tammy’s favorite part of the job? Building relationships with patients and their families. She loves learning about their lives, hobbies, and stories.
When she’s not in the office, you’ll likely find her enjoying time with her grandchildren, traveling with her husband, or keeping up with their three energetic dogs. And for a fun fact: Tammy has braved the polar plunge at the Winter Games in Okoboji three times. Now that’s dedication!
Rylie
Dental Assistant
Rylie is a dental assistant with a knack for social media and making patients feel comfortable. Rylie's favorite thing about working with patients and her team is the family they create together. She loves brightening people's days by helping with any dental issue or anxiety they may have and strives to stay positive and uplifting - which she excels at!
Rylie's passion for dentistry comes from her love of helping people. She finds it incredibly rewarding to see the gratitude patients have and to know she played a part in making their day better. Rylie is excited to continue learning and growing in the dental field and hopes to become a dental hygienist one day.
Outside of work, Rylie enjoys going to the gym and focusing on her physical health. One of her more unique hobbies is traveling to the mountains and horseback riding with her grandpa - a pastime that holds special memories.
Vicky
Dental Assistant
Vicky has been dedicated to the dental field since 2012, bringing both skill and compassion to every patient interaction. With a background as a dental lab technician, she has hands-on experience crafting dentures and other dental appliances, giving her a well-rounded perspective on patient care and restorative dentistry.
Her journey into the dental field was inspired by her love for people and a desire to make a positive impact on their health and confidence. Patients appreciate Vicky's friendly demeanor and her attention to detail that comes from years of working behind the scenes in dental labs.
Outside the office, Vicky enjoys traveling, cooking, and exploring her creativity through various arts and crafts. A fun fact about her: she's originally from Munich, Germany and met her husband at the worlds largest beer festival, Oktoberfest!