Our Doctors

Dr. Nasim Aleagha, DDS (Dr. A)

Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist

About Dr. A

Dr. Aleagha’s life has always been a blend of rigorous academics and active participation in community and extracurricular activities like girl scouts, orchestra (violin), soccer, and student government.

These experiences have fostered her deep belief in community involvement and patient education, which she brings into her practice every day, allowing her to relate to her young patients and understand their unique needs.

Some Things That Make Dr. A Smile:

Some Things That
Make Dr. A Smile:

  • High fives and secret handshakes with my patients
  • Skiing on a sunny day
  • Cooking and entertaining for family and friends
  • Spending time with my dog, Jersey
Dr. Aleagha is deeply committed to creating and maintaining healthy smiles for children, viewing this responsibility as both an honor and a significant source of joy. She has a special interest in addressing craniofacial respiratory complex growth and helping children overcome obstructions to nasal breathing and issues causing crooked and crowded teeth.
Raised in central New Jersey, Dr. Aleagha completed her undergraduate degree in Genetics/Microbiology at Rutgers University in 2002. She discovered her passion for dentistry while working in a general dentist’s office, leading her to pursue further education at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, where she graduated with honors in pediatric dentistry in 2007.
Dr. Aleagha honed her specialty at the prestigious pediatric dentistry residency program at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, receiving her certificate in 2009. She spent five years practicing in rural Dallas, focusing on pediatric dental care and expanding her practice to include treatment for craniofacial issues related to respiratory health. In 2015, Dr. Aleagha returned to Montana, working in Missoula and then at Gallatin Valley Pediatric Dentistry before starting her own practice in Bozeman, where she continues to serve the community with dedication.
  • American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
  • American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
  • American Dental Association
  • Montana Dental Association
  • North American Association of Facial Orthotropics
  • American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry
  • Academy of Airway and Gnathologic Orthopedics

Dr. Derek Mettenbrink, DDS (Dr. M)

Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist

About Dr. M

Born and raised in Nebraska, Dr. Mettenbrink, fondly known as Dr. M, has always cherished the outdoors. His youth was marked by hunting, fishing, and summers at his family’s lake cabin. He was also a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters and an elected representative for Youth Leadership Tomorrow, demonstrating early community involvement. 
These experiences have helped him relate to children and understand their diverse interests and needs.

Some Things That Make Dr. M Smile:

Some Things That
Make Dr. M Smile:

  • Exploring the outdoors with my family and our yellow lab
  • Skiing on fresh powder
  • Listening to elk bugles in the fall
  • Watching children’s excitement as they learn about dental health
Dr. Mettenbrink is dedicated to creating a positive dental experience for children, incorporating fun, education, and compassion into every visit. He specializes in treating children with special healthcare needs and provides comprehensive care, including cleft lip and palate treatment and orthodontic interventions.
Dr. Mettenbrink completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, earning a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology with an initial aim toward veterinary science. His career path pivoted after he began shadowing a general dentist, which sparked his passion for dentistry. He pursued his dental education at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, finding his calling in pediatric dentistry. Dr. Mettenbrink excelled academically, serving as Chief Resident during his pediatric dental residency at Omaha Children’s Hospital.
After completing his residency in 2021, Dr. Mettenbrink and his wife fulfilled their dream of living in the mountains by moving to Missoula. He practiced pediatric dentistry there for over two years before joining Bridger Children’s Dentistry in Bozeman, where he continues to offer expert care with a gentle touch to the children of Gallatin Valley.
  • American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
  • American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
  • American Dental Association
  • Montana Dental Association

Dr. Morgan Karnath, DDS (Dr. Morgan)

Board-Eligible Pediatric Dentist

About Dr. Morgan 

Originally from Kalispell, Dr. Karnath, known to her patients as Dr. Morgan, grew up loving to spend time in the outdoors, playing basketball and volleyball, and reading good books. Her love of working with kids has spanned many years – from coaching Rotary volleyball in high school, tutoring elementary students after school in college, to being a Youth Group leader at her church in dental school and residency.
Dr. Karnath has always been fascinated by the interplay between science and health. Her pursuit to learn more about these connections and her drive to make a tangible difference in young lives led to a career in dentistry.

Some Things That Make Dr. Morgan Smile:

Some Things That
Make Dr. Morgan Smile:

  • Being outside! Hiking, backpacking, skiing, biking are all the best
  • Collecting (too many) plants, my current favorite is the monstera deliciosa (swiss cheese plant)
  • Sampling as much coffee and ice cream as possible
  • Spending time with my husband and our pets–Indie the orange tabby cat, and Jonesy the black labradoodle
Dr. Karnath centers the principle of prevention in her work and encourages good habits from an early age. She strives to create positive relationships to best educate her patients about the proactive measures that are the cornerstone of maintaining excellent oral health. Through a gentle, patient-centered approach, she strives to make every dental visit a great experience.
Dr. Karnath began her academic journey with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry with a minor in Biology from Montana Tech in Butte. She earned her DDS at the University of Utah School of Dentistry.
Following dental school, Dr. Karnath completed a pediatric dental residency at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. This specialized training gave her the advanced skills needed to manage the unique dental needs of children and adolescents.
  • American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
  • American Dental Association
  • Montana Dental Association