Welcome to Cottonwood Dental, where Dr. Rachel Brown-McDonald and her compassionate team offer personalized, functional dentistry that respects your story and values your unique journey. We strongly believe in the connection between oral and overall health, so we embrace biological dentistry to understand and treat the root causes of dental issues while reducing the disease burden on the body.
Our warm, supportive environment ensures that every patient feels heard, understood, and valued. Taking a functional and biological approach to dentistry, we focus on using minimally invasive treatments and non-toxic materials and collaborating with your healthcare team to deliver the best results. We specialize in individualized treatments, providing insightful, holistic solutions that enhance oral health and overall wellness.
At Cottonwood Dental, you'll receive care rooted in empathy, expertise, and a genuine commitment to your well-being. By focusing on building trusting relationships, we strive to give you the most comfortable, comprehensive dental experience possible.
Dr. Rachel Brown-McDonald, DDS
Dr. Rachel Brown-McDonald graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 2012. She then completed a one-year general residency in southern Colorado before joining what would become Cottonwood Dental in 2013. A year later, in 2014, she became the owner of the dental practice in Grand Island, further committing to the community.
Dr. Brown-McDonald’s journey into dentistry began during her high school and college years when she worked as a dental assistant. This early exposure allowed her to appreciate the detailed, individualized care dentistry offers, sparking a deep interest in the field.
Focus on Functional and Biological Dental Care
With a passion for dentistry rooted in her desire to help patients achieve their health goals, Dr. Brown-McDonald focuses on enhancing oral health by balancing the oral microbiome. She has a particular affinity for helping mothers and babies overcome nursing challenges and assisting those with speech, feeding, and sleep issues, as well as helping children and adults achieve better quality sleep and reduced muscle tension. Her work often involves collaboration with other functional health providers to offer comprehensive care.
Dr. Brown-McDonald is a respected member of The Breathe Institute (TBI) and serves as a Breathe Ambassador. She is also an accredited member of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), trained in the Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART), and a fellow of the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH).
Personal Life and Interests
Outside her professional life, Dr. Brown-McDonald cherishes time with her husband, Austin, and their two children, Mara and Aiden. She loves exploring the world with her family, whether traveling, enjoying new foods, or simply engaging in outdoor activities. These days, she finds joy in discovering ways to reduce toxic exposures at work and home, aligning with her commitment to a healthier lifestyle.
Dr. Brown-McDonald continues to be inspired by dentistry's unique opportunities to meaningfully impact her patients' lives and strives to offer tailored and compassionate care at Cottonwood Dental.
Andrea Steele, RDH
Dental Hygienist
Andrea, a Grand Island native, joined Cottonwood Dental in May 2025, bringing a passion for whole-body wellness and personalized patient care. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Exercise Science and Applied Human & Sports Physiology from Wayne State College, where she also competed as a collegiate athlete in cross country and track. Her academic foundation in human performance and physiology provides a unique lens through which she approaches oral health as an essential component of whole-body wellness.
After gaining diverse professional experience in alternative therapies, finance, insurance and hospitality, she returned to Grand Island in 2020 to pursue her true passion and earned an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene from Central Community College in Hastings, NE.
Andrea is known for her gentle approach, calming presence, and strong communication skills. She loves helping patients feel at ease and empowered through education and support. Her attention to detail, and ability to explain complex oral health concepts, helps patients gain clarity and confidence in their oral and overall health. She is especially passionate about preventive care and supporting patients in achieving long-term oral and systemic health. Andrea’s favorite part of being a hygienist is building lasting relationships and helping individuals and families feel confident in their overall well-being.
Andrea is inspired by Cottonwood Dental’s dedication to functional, biologically based dentistry and is excited to support a mission that treats oral health as an essential part of whole-body wellness.
Outside the office, Andrea finds her greatest joy in spending time with her daughter, Tayva. Whether she’s on the sidelines at volleyball and softball tournaments, backstage during dance and theater performances, or mapping out their next adventure, she embraces every moment with heart and enthusiasm. She is also deeply committed to giving back through community service and living a life rooted in wellness, growth, and persistent balance.
Shelby Niemoth, CDA
Practice Manager
Shelby joined Cottonwood Dental in 2019 and considers her team like family. The close-knit environment fosters genuine care and support among team members, making every day engaging. Her favorite aspect of her job is interacting with patients—educating them about their treatment options, easing their anxieties, and guiding them from fear to anticipation of their dental visits.
When not overseeing office operations, Shelby loves home improvement projects, reading, collecting plants, working outside, shopping, and working on cars with her husband. As the mother of two young children, she loves checking out parks with them and trying to keep up. Shelby’s unique hobby is seeking out DIY challenges because the loves the instant gratification of a refreshed space.
Shaleena Avila
Dental Assistant
As the lead dental assistant at Cottonwood Dental, Shaleena plays a crucial role in supporting Dr. Brown with various dental procedures. Her commitment to our patients shines through in everything she does. She ensures each day runs smoothly and efficiently, providing exceptional care and support throughout the day.
Shaleena was drawn to the dental field because she believes a person's smile is integral to their identity and well-being. Her desire to help others and make a difference in their lives led her to pursue a career in dentistry. She began her journey in 2017 after completing her studies at Hastings Central Community College, and she joined Cottonwood Dental in 2023, bringing her skills and passion for dental health to the team.
Shaleena enjoys interacting with patients. Her favorite part of the job is getting to know each one personally and helping them understand the importance of oral hygiene. She values the opportunity to educate patients and positively impact their health.
Outside of work, Shaleena enjoys a variety of activities, including reading, working out, and exploring new culinary delights. She is also skilled in DIY crafts and enjoys creating personalized projects like shirts and tumbler cups with her Cricut machine. Not many people know that Shaleena attended beauty school and holds a license in esthetics.
Brooklynn Francone
Dental Assistant
Brooklynn joined Cottonwood Dental in May 2024, bringing vibrant and positive energy to her role. Inspired by her mother, a dental hygienist, Brooklynn was drawn to the dental field by the stories of the meaningful and rewarding work it offered. She received her training on the job, quickly adapting to the demands of the role and focusing on positively impacting her patients and team members.
Her dedication to fostering a supportive, close-knit atmosphere with her co-workers is at the heart of Brooklynn's daily activities. She values the mutual support shared between her and her team and finds immense satisfaction in contributing positively to everyone's experience at the practice.
Beyond her professional life, Brooklynn loves art, including painting, drawing, and making collages. She also enjoys playing pickleball with her family. One thing people might not know is that she describes herself as quite clumsy, with numerous trips to the emergency room!
Haley Juracek
Dental Assistant
Haley is an enthusiastic dental assistant at Cottonwood Dental, having joined the team in August 2024. Her passion for dentistry was ignited during her own treatment journey, and she is dedicated to helping patients feel comfortable and achieve their best smiles.
Outside of work, Haley loves exploring the great outdoors, shopping, and attending concerts and football games. She is also a proud mother who enjoys every moment spent with her son. A unique aspect of her life is her hobby of breeding ball pythons—she currently has seven of these fascinating snakes! With her vibrant energy and commitment to patient care, Haley is a wonderful addition to the Cottonwood Dental family.
Maylin Dasher
Insurance and Financial Coordinator
Maylin joined Cottonwood Dental in 2022, bringing her unique skills and a fresh perspective from her previous experience in eyecare. She is the first point of contact for patients, handling everything from scheduling appointments to processing payments and verifying insurance benefits.
One of Maylin's favorite aspects of her role is the opportunity to learn continually—from interactions with patients and through collaboration with her teammates. She values the dynamic environment of the dental field, which keeps her engaged and continually evolving in her career.
Outside of her professional life, Maylin enjoys reading, fishing and riding motorcycles. One fun fact people may not know is that she doesn’t enjoy cooking, but she does like doing dishes!