Emerald Dental Associates

Jill Shelton Wagers

Jill Shelton Wagers is a fifth generation Idahoan and a second generation dentist. She even married the Idaho Candy company owner Dave Wagers, her true soulmate, although they get a lot of grief being the candyman/dentist combination. They have three obnoxious children that they love desperately, Kade, and the twin girls Savannah and Delaney. Along with the yappy mini-schnauzer Mocha, they keep her laughing, tensing, and driving. Jill got her early education very close to Emerald Dental at Jackson Elementary, West Jr. High, and Borah High School. She then headed to University of Puget Sound (go Loggers) and her dental degree from Oregon Health Sciences University School of Dentistry. She was able to go "east" to Denver, Colorado for a general practice residency program before returning home to Boise.

Jill joined Emerald Dental in 1995 when it was the John S. Kriz, DDS show and enjoys spending her working hours in rooms 5 and 6 "practicing" dentistry. She feels she found her calling in dentistry as she enjoys meeting and befriending new people, the arts and crafts of creating and fixing teeth, and getting to work with the amazing human body. She loves to chat, can hold a one sided conversation well but is also versed in deciphering numb-mouth mumble! She was very happy to have Duston Connaughton, DDS join in 2003 and misses the "old guy" John, but gets to work with him still in the Miles of Smiles Mobile Dental Van called Children's Free Dental Clinic!

Outside of dentistry and family, Jill keeps busy reading, spending time in the mountains (especially around Cascade Lake), staying physically active running, skiing, and playing Wii, and tries to appreciate all the blessings in her life. Maybe over a glass of wine with friends...

She says she is truly lucky to work and play in Emerald Dental and loves what she gets to do as a dentist!

Duston Connaughton

Duston Connaughton graduated from Southern Utah University where he earned a BS in Biology and received many honors as a member of the football team. Duston moved to Seattle where he attended Seattle University and worked in cutting edge medical research under a world-renowned rheumatologist. From Seattle, Duston and his family moved to Omaha, Nebraska to attend Creighton University Dental School.

Duston has been with Emerald Dental since 2003. Having many opportunities, Emerald Dental was an easy choice due to the office atmosphere of honesty and focus on comprehensive patient care. Duston loves the art of dentistry and making positive changes in people’s lives.

Outside of the office, Duston enjoys his three kiddos (Daniel, Sophia and Grace), the lovely lady of his life (Jessica), and their fat labs (Action Jackson and Jake). He is an amateur photographer and weekend warrior, spending free time on the slopes, trails and rivers of our wonderful outdoor playground.