"Preserving and Restoring Healthy Smiles Comfortably"
Mission Statement
Our vision is to provide comfortable, caring, patient centered dental treatment to every person that we see. We strive to provide a compassionate and friendly environment with a team that truly cares about your health and well being. We do our best to make your dental appointment an efficient, convenient and pleasant experience by offering payment options, same day treatment, online forms and scheduling as well as several options for managing anxiety. We aim to bring our hearts each day so that we can be the dental home that you deserve.
Training & Expertise
As your dental health professionals, we want you to be confident knowing that we are a team of highly trained and skilled clinicians. All of the dental hygienists, assistants, and office staff at Southwest Nebraska Dental Center are licensed professionally in their particular dental expertise. We pride ourselves in providing the care you need to keep your smile healthy.
To give you the best possible service and results, we are committed to education and learning. Dr. Haag regularly attends many hours of continuing education and is committed to treating patients with the most advanced "state of the art" dental technology.
Building Trust
Building a foundation of trust by treating our patients as special individuals is vital to our success. We understand how uneasy some patients may feel about their dental visits and how we can make a difference in providing a relaxing and positive experience. Our entire team is dedicated to providing you with excellent, personalized care and service to make your visits as comfortable and pleasant as possible.
We thank you for allowing us to take care of your dental needs and look forward to serving you.
Make an appointment today and we'll give you a reason to smile! Call toll free 800-647-5038.
Community Involvement
As a McCook native it was Dr. Haag’s vision to not only bring great dental care back to her hometown, but to also make a positive impact on her community. The team annually volunteers their time to go to area schools such as; Southwest Public Schools, Wauneta-Palisade Public Schools, Hayes Center Public Schools, Hitchcock County Schools, Little Knights Preschool and Headstart programs to do oral health exams. We also take time for educating the children using tooth brushing animals, videos, and getting to play by placing a play dough filling in a big tooth! At the end, all the kids go home with new toothbrushes! It is a ton of fun!
As an office, we regularly donate toothbrushes to local causes such as daycares, preschools, school fun nights, and different mission projects. We participate in community events, such as parades and county fair booths. We annually host a back to school free sno cone day. We hosted a "Candy Buy Back" event, in which we traded kids' Halloween candy for prizes and sent the candy to the troops serving overseas! We partnered with America’s Tooth fairy to raise oral health supplies to donate to the McCook Family Resource Center. We recently hosted a Free Kids Dental Day and completed free dental treatment for underprivileged youth. We also host an annual "Smile Giveaway" where we see a patient and give them a new smile at no cost!
We believe in our mission to help our communities thrive in any way we can, whether it’s in the dental chair, education, fun, a toothbrush, or simply spreading kindness.
If you have an organization or classroom you would like us to visit, please call 308-345-2273 or email us at office@swnebraskadental.hush.com to set up a time*.
* Please allow a month or two notice if you would like us to visit.
Dr. Kaitlin Haag
Dr. Kaitlin Haag is a McCook native with deep roots in Southwest Nebraska — and a personal story that inspired her path to dentistry. When a softball accident knocked out her two front teeth, it was a skilled and caring dentist who helped her get her smile back. That experience never left her, and it continues to shape the compassionate care she brings to every patient today.
Dr. Haag earned her Bachelor of Science in biology from Chadron State College before going on to complete her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. She joined Southwest Nebraska Dental Center in 2011 and has since grown into full ownership of the practice. Dr. Haag is committed to staying at the forefront of dental care, regularly completing in-depth, hands-on continuing education courses to bring the latest techniques to her patients. She genuinely loves caring for patients of all ages and helping them achieve and maintain healthy, confident smiles.
Dr. Haag is proud to be a member of the following professional associations:
- American Dental Association
- Academy of General Dentistry
- Nebraska Dental Association
- Airway Health Solutions Verified Airway Dentist
Outside the office, Dr. Haag enjoys music, traveling, and spending time with family. She and her husband, Buck, are raising their three children — Grace, Caroline, and Sterling — near Bartley, where Buck is involved in production agriculture.
Jeannie
Payroll & Accounts Payable Administrator
Jeannie has been with the practice since 1985! In addition to her administrative skills, Jeannie also has training in dental x-rays and assisting with implants. Her interests include sewing and gardening.
Katie
Insurance Coordinator
Katie has been an essential part of our team since 2015 and is our go-to expert for all things insurance. As our Insurance Coordinator, she works hard to make the insurance process as smooth and stress-free as possible for our patients. Whether you have questions about your coverage or need help navigating a claim, Katie is here to help.
Beyond her insurance expertise, Katie is also our in-house tech problem solver, supporting the team with computer and software needs, and she plays a key role in our marketing efforts — truly a woman of many talents.
Outside the office, Katie lives near Bartley with her husband and three kids. She loves the peaceful country life, especially horseback riding with her family. When she is not in the saddle, you might find her planning her next adventure — Hawaii is one of her favorite destinations so far.
Ashley
Treatment Coordinator
Ashley has been a valued member of the SW Nebraska Dental team since 2014, bringing a wealth of hands-on experience to her role as Scheduling Coordinator. She holds certification as a dental assistant, along with certifications in coronal polishing and dental x-rays — giving her a clinical foundation that helps her better understand and serve our patients' needs.
After several years of direct patient care, Ashley transitioned to Scheduling Coordinator and Treatment Coordinator in 2018, where her warm personality and dedication to patient relationships truly shine. She takes great pride in the connections she has built with patients over the years and works hard to make every visit as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Christmas is her favorite holiday (we would start celebrating in July if it was up to her!) Outside the office Ashley stays busy cheering on her children at their activities.
April
Receptionist
April has been a valued member of our team since 2014, bringing years of hands-on dental experience to her role as receptionist. Her background as a dental assistant gives her a unique perspective — she understands what patients are going through and knows how to anticipate their needs from the moment they walk through our doors.
April holds an x-ray certification from Nebraska Dental College in Lincoln and a coronal polishing certification from Central Community College in Hastings. That clinical foundation means she brings more than a warm welcome to the front desk — she brings real expertise.
What April loves most about her work is witnessing the transformation in patients who once felt embarrassed about their smiles. Seeing them leave the office with genuine confidence is what drives her every day!
Outside the office, April enjoys life in McCook with her husband and family. She has a passion for bird watching — and if you ask, she will happily show you her latest photos!
Shelby
Hygienist
Shelby grew up in McCook and went on to earn her dental hygiene degree from Central Community College in Hastings. She joined the Southwest Nebraska Dental team in 2014 and has been dedicated to helping patients feel comfortable and confident in the chair ever since. With a natural gift for connecting with younger patients, she has a special passion for making children feel at ease during their visits. In 2018, Shelby expanded her skills by earning her laser certification through the Academy of Laser Dentistry.
When she is not caring for patients, Shelby loves baking, crafting, and spending time with her husband and their two children, Greyson and Brooklyn.
Amber
Hygienist
Amber brought her passion for patient care to our team in December 2022, and we couldn't be happier to have her. With nearly a decade of experience in dental hygiene, she is dedicated to helping each patient achieve and maintain a healthy, confident smile.
Amber earned her associate degree in dental hygiene from Colby Community College in 2014. Her years of hands-on experience make her a knowledgeable and reassuring presence for patients of all ages.
Outside the office, Amber lives in McCook with her husband and their two children, son Asher and daughter Harlow. When summer arrives, you'll find the family making memories at the lake. The rest of the year, she enjoys curling up with a good book and relaxing at home.
Tiara
Hygienist
Tiara joined our team in 2025 after earning her degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). A McCook native, she was excited to return to her hometown and begin her dental hygiene career close to the community she loves.
When she's not caring for patients, Tiara enjoys staying active on the pickleball court, curling up with a good book, and spending quality time with her husband and family—including her golden retriever, Roxy.
Shannon
Dental Assistant
Shannon has been a valued member of our team since 2017, bringing with her nearly three decades of experience in the dental field. Her career began in 1995, and the knowledge and skill she has built over the years means you are in experienced, capable hands from the moment you sit down.
Beyond her clinical expertise, Shannon is known for the warm, friendly presence she brings to every appointment. She genuinely cares about making patients feel comfortable and at ease — and it shows.
Outside the office, Shannon enjoys life in McCook with her husband and loves spending time with family, especially her grandchildren. When summer arrives, you will find her on the golf course or out at the lake, and come winter, she heads for the slopes.
Kirsten
Dental Assistant
Kirsten has been part of our dental family since April 2022, bringing warmth and skill to every patient interaction. She earned her dental assisting certification from Southeast Community College in Lincoln in 2016, and her years of experience show in the confident, caring care she provides chairside each day.
Outside the office, Kirsten stays busy with the things she loves most — her family, and a variety of creative crafts. She and her husband are proud parents to their son, Sutton.
Maddie
Dental Assistant
Maddie joined our team in 2025 after earning her dental assisting degree from Mid-Plains Community College. A 2024 graduate of Hitchcock County High School, she recently made the move from Trenton to McCook and has quickly become a wonderful addition to our practice.
Outside the office, Maddie loves staying active — you'll find her on the pickleball court or the sand volleyball court when she's not caring for patients. She also values time spent with her friends and family, and that warmth and energy shows in the way she connects with the people she works with every day.