<I>The Eagle/Cheryl Hoefler</I><BR>Dr. James Klusmier, DDS, right, is assisted by Kenneth Peterson, DMD, left; office manager Brenda Fisher; and dental assistant Sara Wilson at the Biosmile John Day office. Klusmier flies in from Bend every week to provide dental services.

JOHN DAY – The newest dentist in John Day takes to the air – about 150 miles each way – just to provide local dental care.

Dr. James Klusmier, DDS, flies from Bend to John Day and back every week, taking over on March 31 the practice previously run by Dr. Kenneth Peterson, DMD.

Klusmier, of the dental practice Biosmile, and his staff provide full-service family dentistry: cosmetic work, implants, surgery and Invisalign treatments.

Peterson, who is retired, comes in for half-days to help out with hygienist work.

“He’s like my angel,” Klusmier said.

Rounding out the staff are office manager Brenda Fisher and dental assistant, Sara Wilson.

Klusmier, who grew up in Massachusetts, has also lived in Bellingham, Wash., and Los Angeles. In addition to dentistry, he has degrees in park and recreation, and engineering.

He lives in Sunriver with his wife Stacie, an occupational therapist at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. They have a 9-month-old daughter, Cosette, and a dog named Ruger.

Klusmier makes the flight to John Day in a Van’s RV 7 that he built in 2006.

He said it’s faster and more relaxing than driving, and “it’s cheaper than a truck.”

He’s a member of the West Coast Ravens, a group whose members all fly home-built RV planes, and who participate in formation flying events such as airshows and funeral services.

Klusmier said he enjoys hunting, fishing, camping – “anything outdoors” – adding that he and his wife have a boat and a canoe, too.

He’s in the John Day office three days each week – Monday-Wednesday one week and Wednesday-Friday the next – and works in the Sunriver area on the other days.

Klusmier said that more days may be added to the John Day schedule later. For now, phone messages can be left on the off days for a quick response.

“I’m eager to re-establish connections with previous patients,” he said.

The John Day office is at 165 NW 1st St., and can be reached at 541-575-0363.