Our Doctors


Joe D. Ditterline, DMD

Dr. Joe D. Ditterline is an Arizona native and grew up in Scottsdale.  He attended Arizona State University where he studied biology from 1985-1989.  He graduated from Oregon Health Sciences School of Dentistry in 1993.  He has practiced dentistry in Cottonwood since February of 1994.  For his first 10 years in the Verde Valley, he lived in Lake Montezuma.  For the last 10 years, he has lived in Cottonwood Proper and has enjoyed the short commute to the office. 

His parents, nieces, and brother along with his family have all moved to Cottonwood since Dr. Ditterline settled here.  He is a member in good standing with the Northern Arizona Dental Society, Arizona State Dental Association, and American Dental Association.  Locally, over the years he has supported Mingus Union High School’s sports teams and Operation Graduation.  He also supported the Boy Scouts Flag Service.  Personally, he is a huge fan of ASU football, baseball, and basketball.  He is also a Diamondbacks, Cardinals, and Suns fan.  Dr. Ditterline enjoys reading and watching movies along with Cottonwood’s great weather.


John W. Melde, DDS

Dr. John W. Melde was born in Minnesota and moved to Arizona with his family in 1959.  He grew up in Scottsdale with his parents and 8 siblings.  He was exposed to dentistry at a young age when his father opened one of the first dental practices in Old Town Scottsdale.  Dr. John attended Arizona State University where he received a degree in Business Management and began his first career in the Automotive Repair Industry as an owner/manager.

Dr. John married his wife Valerie in 1983 and went on to graduate from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH in 1991.  He has done extensive continuing education in dental surgery, implants, restorative techniques and removable prosthetics.  He has volunteered for both the Arizona and California Missions of Mercy.  He is a member in good standing with the American Dental Association, the Arizona Dental Association and the Northern Arizona Dental Society.

Dr. John and Valerie moved to Clarkdale in 2018.  They enjoy spending time with their 4 children and growing number of grandchildren.  They like offroading and exploring the outdoors.  Dr John’s other interests include classic cars, fishing, and traveling.


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