Veteran Putnam dentist Dr. Dan Doyle welcomes his daughter-in-law Dr. Romina Doyle to his practice last week. The dentist’s office on Route 311 in Kent can be contacted by calling 225-3406. ERIC GROSS Dr. Daniel Doyle believes in family.

The Kent dentist last week welcomed his daughter-in-law, Dr. Romina Doyle, to his practice and is counting the days until his son, Dr. Dennis Doyle, joins the practice in 2011.

Dr. Dennis Doyle, who graduated from dental school earlier this year, is currently doing his residency at the Castle Point Veterans Hospital in Dutchess County.

What does this mean to the senior Dr. Doyle?

“I’m ecstatic,” was the response during an interview last Friday. Dr. Doyle said the history of the practice has always been family-oriented: “Dr. Merritt started the practice at the time of the Civil War. He passed it onto his son, and Dr. George Dickinson Jr. assumed the business and turned it over to Dr. George Dickinson III, who was my partner for many years. When George retired and sold me the practice, I always dreamed of turning it over some day to my children. Now that I have it, I will be able to pass it along to my son and daughter-in-law when my time to hang up my dentist drill arrives.”

The Doyle family has deep Putnam roots. Dr. Doyle’s grandfather was born in Tilly Foster while his grandmother was born in Towners, and his other grandparents were born and bred in Croton Falls.

Dr. Dan Doyle, who is celebrating his 30th year of practice this year, grew up in Brewster. After opening his practice in Patterson, he moved to Fair Street in Carmel and 17 years ago he and his wife, Karen, purchased their building on Route 311 just south of the I-84 interchange in Kent.

Dr. Romina Doyle called her new position “outstanding. The Doyles are marvelous, loving, and welcoming people. I am truly blessed to not only be a part of this family, but to be a part of the family business.”

Romina and Dennis met while in dental school in Buffalo: “I was beginning my second year while Dennis was starting his first. We clicked and the rest is history—happy history!”

Why does a young woman want to become a dentist?

Dr. Doyle said when she first started her education she always knew that “my goal in life was to help people. I was undecided whether to follow a career as a physician or a dentist. After working for an ophthalmologist and then a dentist, I was bit by the dentist bug. It fit me. I love working with my hands and felt I could get a lot more interaction with my patients by studying dentistry.”

The effervescent Dr. Doyle grew up in Albany. She received her undergraduate degree from Siena College and her dentist’s degree from the University at Buffalo Dental School.