Military families stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base rely on TRICARE dental coverage. While regular dental care is covered, access to in-network pediatric dental specialists in the area has been limited. That left some military parents with a few difficult options: pay higher out-of-pocket costs for out-of-network care, travel long distances for in-network providers or delay specialized dental care for their children altogether.
That gap caught the attention of the team at Dakota Dental 4 Kids (DD4K). “Military families rely on their benefits,” Dr. Chad Carpenter, founder of Carpenter Dental and DD4K, said. “They don’t always have extra money sitting around, so it really matters when someone is in-network.”
The turning point came during a meeting at Ellsworth Air Force Base with Col. Derek Oakley, Base Commander at the time, and Mr. Jack Lynass, President of Black Hills Community Bank. That conversation made the situation clear: there were no in-network pediatric dental providers locally, and with the upcoming arrival of the B-21 Raider, a significant influx of service members and families was on the way. An already limited care landscape was about to be stretched further.
Working with TRICARE
Dr. Paul Stevens, a board-certified pediatric dentist and partner at DD4K, led the effort to work directly with TRICARE. Starting in the summer of 2022, he navigated the process of securing an in-network agreement. It wasn’t quick or simple, but the goal stayed consistent: reduce financial and logistical barriers so military children could get specialized care locally without the hurdles. These efforts eventually worked — TRICARE now covers more specialized pediatric dental care at DD4K.
A Culture of Support Beyond the Chair
This commitment to military families extends beyond patient care and into how the practice hires. In many businesses, military spouses can be seen as a risk because they may relocate. DD4K and Carpenter Dental take the opposite approach. They hire them anyway, knowing their time in the area may be limited.
“We know they can’t stay forever,” Dr. Carpenter said. “But while they’re here, we want to support them with a good-paying job and a strong culture.” It’s a practical decision rooted in the same mindset as the TRICARE work. Step up. Meet the need.
A Community Stepping Up
As the Black Hills prepares for more military families connected to the B-21 Raider, the demand on local systems will continue to grow. Supporting a base doesn’t fall on one organization. It spreads across a community. For DD4K, that has meant stepping into gaps where they can. By expanding pediatric dental access and creating employment opportunities for military spouses, the message is simple: when there is a need in front of you, meet it. This message creates a simple challenge to the Black Hills business community: find where you can help, step in and take care of the families who take care of us.