Minnesota Dental Association

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Dr. Ayesha Downs received her Bachelor of Dental Surgery in India and graduated with her DDS from the University of Minnesota Dental School. She has owned a private dental practice in India since 2000. During that time, she has put a smile on many faces known globally and many international travelers who have visited India for her services. Respected for her sincere and superlative treatment, Dr. Downs is still missed by her old patients. She has been covered by Cosmopolitan India and Times of India for most Impressionable Women of Today in 2002. Dr. Downs chose this career because she feels a dentist is a unique combination of a surgeon and an artist. She enjoys replacing and reforming the tooth to its ideal form. Dr. Downs believes "Nothing is more gratifying than a beautiful signature smile leaving your clinic." She relates to each patient and offers them what she would want her family to have for dental care. Dr. Downs specializes in cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry. She is a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, and the Minnesota Dental Association. In her free time, Dr. Downs enjoys landscape painting, traveling, hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling. She was ranked 1st in All India Women's Car Rally in 2001 and has modeled for various commercials and movies.

Dr. Carrie Buerman Peroutka grew up in Albany, MN and graduated cum laude with a degree in Biology and Chemistry from the University of St. Thomas. She completed her formal dental training at the University of Minnesota in 2000 and has continued her professional training with an emphasis on endodontics. Dr. Peroutka is enthusiastic about all aspects of her career but particularly enjoys treating children. She volunteers as a dental educator with grade school students. She is an active member of the American Dental Association and the Minnesota Dental Association. She is currently very busy outside the office with her twins, Lizzie and Alex, born June of 2006. In what's left of her free time, Carrie enjoys reading, artwork and spending time with her husband, Mark, and their Golden Retrievers, Maggie and Sallie.

Dr. Charles Misner graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN in 1974 and the University of Minnesota, School of Dentistry in 1978. He has been in private practice at this location since 1978. "Dr. Chuck" is a member of the Minneapolis District Dental Society, the Minnesota Dental Association, and the American Dental Association. In his spare time, he enjoys just about anything outdoors including fishing, hunting, and spending time "at the lake place". Dr. Chuck and his wife, Cyndie, live in Golden Valley and have two children, Matthew and Maren.

Dr. Chris Zacharias has been with our office in Rogers since 2005 and now, also at the Robbinsdale office. He is also a clinic instructor at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Dr. Zacharias is a member of the American Dental Association, the Minnesota Dental Association, and the Minneapolis Dental Society. He and his wife (an oral surgeon) live in the northwest suburbs.

Dr. Haugen was raised in Duluth, graduating from Denfeld High School with honors in 1991. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in Duluth in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. He graduated from Marquette University School of Dentistry in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2000. He then went on to serve in the United States Navy under the Health Profession Scholarship Program. He was commissioned as a Naval Officer in the US Navy in 2000 in Newport, Rhode Island, and did a one year extensive general dental residency program at Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois. Dr. Haugen served two years aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, serving in the Persian Gulf region during Iraqi Freedom. He returned to Duluth with his wife, Holly, and children in 2003, joining Piedmont Heights Dental Associates as an associate dentist. Dr. Haugen was recalled to active duty in 2005 where he spent 11 months deployed to Camp Buehring Kuwait, serving as a staff dentist at an army medical base camp. He became a partner at Piedmont Heights Dental Associates in 2006. Dr. Haugen is a member of the American Dental Association, the Minnesota Dental Association, the Northeast District Dental Society, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Great Lakes Study Club. He is also a volunteer member of the Duluth Clinic Children's Family Council. He is the father of four beautiful children, three boys and one girl. He enjoys raising children, playing golf, hockey, and fishing in his spare time. Dr. Haugen enjoys all facets of dentistry and looks forward to meeting all of your oral health care needs.

Dr. Walter J. Palmer graduated from the University of Minnesota's Dental School in 1987 and with honors from the B.S. Human Physiology program in 1982. He is also a two-year graduate of the Waldomar Brehm Institute of Orthodontics. After 10 years as a co-owner in private practice, several practices merged and formed RIVER BLUFF DENTAL in 1997. He then built a beautiful new building in West Bloomington and state-of-the-art facilities were developed to accommodate the newest technologies and equipment to better serve his patients. River Bluff Dental is a comprehensive, full-service general dentistry practice, focusing on cosmetic and restorative general dentistry. Dr. Palmer is married with two children. He is a professional archer, downhill skier, as well as an artist in the areas of drawing and painting. This artistry carries over into his cosmetic and orthodontic dentistry with his strong eye for detail and smile design.

Before joining the Minnesota Head and Neck Pain Clinic, Dr. Chen completed an advanced clinical training fellowship in Temporomandibular and Orofacial Pain Disorders from the University of Minnesota. In addition, she continues to pursue advanced training in Oral Medicine. Originally from China, Dr. Chen received her D.D.S. in 1993 from West China University of Medical Sciences (WCUMS). After two years of general dental practice, she completed a residency in temporomandibular disorders at WCUMS where she received her M.S. degree in dentistry in 1998. She received her MBA at Maryville University of St. Louis, MO in 2000. At the Minnesota Head & Neck Pain Clinic Dr. Chen limits her practice to the management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and Orofacial pain disorders, with specific interests in oral pain and burning mouth syndrome. With additional training in Health Informatics and business, Dr. Chen spends part of her time at the University of Minnesota where she is co-investigator of the telemedicine Teledentistry program and is working on development of an electronic patient record. Currently at UMN School of Dentistry this program provides consultation for rural Minnesota residents to access specialty care such as TMD/Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine. Dr. Chen enjoys traveling and hikking. She speaks both Chinese (mandarin) and English. She is an active member of American Dental Association and the Minnesota Dental Association.

Dr. John Haag received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the University of Minnesota in 1992. He is a member of the American Dental Association, the Minnesota Dental Association, the St. Paul District Dental Society, the Minnesota Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation. Dr. Haag regularly attends continuing education seminars and reads multiple dental journals to keep current on the latest techniques and materials in the dental field. He is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and received additional training at the U of MN for Oral and IV Conscious Sedation. Dr. Haag has hospital privileges at Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury. At that facility, he is able to perform dentistry on patients that are under general anesthesia. He also attended advanced training for Invisalign Orthodontics. Dr. Haag started Creekview Dental in 1993. He and his wife, Debbie, have a daughter, Bethany, and a son, Brandon. In his free time, Dr. Haag enjoys spending time with his family and participating in water sports, snowboarding, reading and playing the drums with the worship teams at his church.

Dr. John Woell graduated from the University of Minnesota Morris in 1974 with a BA in Biology and the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 1977. He initially began practicing in Eagan and joined Dental Health Care Center in 1981. Dr. Woell treats patients with a vision of maintaining each individual's oral health for an entire lifetime. This requires a comprehensive approach which includes assessing one's medical, periodontal, orthodontic, and restorative needs. He trained early in his professional career to diagnose and treat patients having malocclusion problems with orthodontic therapy. This includes both children and adults of all ages. In addition to a special interest in orthodontics, Dr. Woell also provides a full range of other services and remains committed to your smile by practicing high quality general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. He is certified in CEREC, Invisalign, and Perio Protect procedures. Dr. Woell is a member of the Seattle Study Club whose objective is to use a multidisciplinary approach in treating complex dental conditions. In addition, he is a member of the American Dental Association, the Minnesota Dental Association and the St. Paul District Speaker's Bureau. He also volunteers at the Union Gospel Mission in St. Paul.

Dr. Tessar attended the University of North Carolina on a football scholarship and majored in psychology. For his graduate work, he studied at the University of Minnesota and received his doctorate of dental surgery in 1978. The following year, Dr. Tessar opened his private practice in Lake Elmo. In 2003, he moved his office to its convenient Oakdale location, where he currently provides patients with comfortable, quality care. Dr. Tessar is committed to bringing you the latest dental techniques and procedures. He has numerous hours of continuing education and stays up to date on cosmetic and technological advances. Currently, Dr. Tessar is a member of the prestigious American Dental Association, as well as the Minnesota Dental Association, the Oakdale Business and Professional Association, the St. Paul District Dental Society and the USDDA. Dr. Jon D. Tessar maintains an outstanding reputation as a well-respected expert in the use of advanced technology in the dental office. His presentations on the topic are highly requested and he is a frequent lecturer at dental meetings throughout the US and Caribbean. As an active member of the community, Dr. Tessar has been involved in numerous charitable activities over the years. From offering scholarships to local high school students; supporting school sports teams; breast cancer research fundraisers and community events, Tessar Dental has a long history of community involvement. As an avid tennis player himself, Dr. Tessar has supported the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic for children's cancer research for more than 15 years. Tessar Dental is also a proud supporter of the Cornerstone foundation for the prevention of domestic violence and the Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health.

Dr. Kerry G. Johnson received her dental degree from the University of Minnesota, and completed a specialty certificate in pediatric dentistry at the University of Minnesota as well. She is member of the professional staff at Children's Hospital and Clinics and Minnesota. She is an adjunct associate professor at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. She is a member of the American Dental Association, Minnesota Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and Minnesota Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Johnson is a Board-Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

After receiving her D.D.S. and master's degree in prosthodontics from the University of Minnesota, Dr. Bangtson completed a residency in maxillofacial prosthodontics at the University of Chicago Medical Center. She has taught at the University of Minnesota and has been in private practice in the Twin Cities for the past 25 years. She is a member of the American Dental Association, the Minnesota Dental Association, St. Paul District Dental Society, and the Minnesota School of Dentistry Alumni Association, and is a past president of the Minnesota Association of Prosthodontists. As a specialist in maxillofacial prosthodontics, Dr. Bangtson has extensive experience doing reconstructive dentistry for cancer survivors, people born with congenital defects, and surgical trauma victims.

Dr. Michelle Rademacher received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Immediately after graduation, Dr. Rademacher practiced dentistry as an associate in Mankato, MN. From there, she purchased Pilot Knob Dental in Eagan, MN. After practicing there for four years the current space was no longer large enough to accommodate both the growth of the practice and the implementation of new dental equipment. Now the new facility is located only five blocks from the initial practice in Eagan. Dr. Rademacher is a member of the American Dental Association, Minnesota Dental Association, American Academy of General Dentistry, American Society of Forensic Odontology, and Dakota Valley Study Club. Dr. Rademacher, her husband and two children live in Prior Lake, MN. They enjoy boating, the outdoors and spending time with their families.

Dr. Paul, a native of Sioux City, Iowa, has been serving the Twin Cities Metro area since 1983. He received his dental degree from The University of Iowa College of Dentistry. Dr. Paul is currently a member of the American Dental Association, the Minnesota Dental Association, the St. Paul District District Dental Society, the Seattle Study Club, the True North Study Club, and the Academy of General Dentistry. He serves on the Installation and Social Committee for the St. Paul dentists, and on the Scientific Sessions Committee for the Minnesota dentists. He is a past president of the St. Paul District Dental Society. Dr. Paul plays some golf and softball, enjoys gardening and volunteering at his church. He truly enjoys doing anything with his wife, SuzAnne, his daughter, Erin, son-in-law, Aaron, and his awesome son, Ian. Dr. Paul feels extremely blessed to be able to help the people in our area. Because of the practice's proximity to the Luther Seminary and the University of Minnesota, we get the wonderful opportunity to get to know and help people from all over the world.

Dr. Richard Prokosch received a B.S. degree in chemistry from the University of Minnesota and went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1968. Upon graduation Dr. Prokosch spent two years in the US Navy Dental Corps. He then practiced dentistry on St. Paul's east side for three years before joining Maplewood Dental Associates in 1973 as one of the original doctors. Dr. Prokosch grew up in the White Bear Lake area where he now resides with his wife Sharon and their two sons. His free time is spent golfing, fishing and traveling. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Minnesota Dental Association and the St. Paul District Dental Association. He also does volunteer dentistry at the Union Gospel Mission.

Dr. Osborn graduated with a BS from the University of Minnesota in 1970. He received his D.D.S. from the University of Minnesota, School of Dentistry in 1973. From 1973 to 1975, Dr Osborn served in the U.S. Navy Dental Corps. From 1975 to 1982 Dr. Osborn taught at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Minnesota Dental Association and the Minneapolis District Dental Society. In his continuing education he has completed courses in Occlusion (bite and jaw joint issues), Dental Materials, Restorative Dentistry, Infection Control and more. Dr. Osborn has also attended the Center for Advanced Dental Study in St. Petersburg, Florida, and was selected as a "Top Dentist" for 2005 by Mpls/St.Paul Magazine.

Dr. Scott Kajer received a B.A. degree from the University of St. Thomas in 1980. He then went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Minnesota in 1984. He joined Maplewood Dental Associates in 1989. Currently Dr. Kajer enjoys working closely with his patients through all phases of family dentistry. His free time is actively spent with his wife Marianne and their four boys. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Minnesota Dental Association, and the St. Paul District Dental Society. He also does volunteer dentistry through the Minnesota Job Corps.

Dr. Heisler is a 1994 University of Minnesota School of Dentistry graduate. Dr. Shana grew up in New Hope and now lives in Corcoran. Dr. Shana and her husband Paul have two sons. She enjoys spending time with her family at their cabin in the Brainerd Lakes area, attending sporting events with her children, reading, golfing and gardening.

Dr. Shawn McCullough graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry with distinction. He is a member of the American Dental Association, the Minnesota Dental Association and the Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. McCullough actively seeks out advanced education to provide his patients with the most up to date treatment and technology to help make dentistry more comfortable and less time consuming for his patients. Dr. McCullough enjoys many aspects of patient care but has a special focus on orthodontics or braces. He provides conventional treatment as well as Invisalign and is one of the few dentists in the Midwest that delivers Powerprox 6 month braces. The constantly changing field of dentistry has led Dr. McCullough to commit not only himself but his entire staff to stay on the cutting edge of technology and training. From lasers to computer generated crowns and digital x-rays, you will find the most up to date treatment with the knowledge to back it up. Dr. Shawn McCullough loves spending time with his wife, Maureen and his two boys. He is also an avid outdoors man and enjoys hunting and fishing with his twin brother. He resides in Scandia, MN

Dr. Stephen L. Brown has been practicing dentistry since 1984, and has been serving Lake City since 1985. He is a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He received his B.A. from Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota and graduated from the University of Iowa Dental College. In addition to being active in continuing education programs, he is a member of the American Dental Association, Minnesota Dental Association, Zumbro Valley Dental Association, and the Christian Medical & Dental Association. Dr. Brown's wife, Teri, does payroll and bookkeeping at the office, and together they have three children. Dr. Brown goes on yearly mission trips to Kenya to provide people there with much needed dental care. His hobbies include tennis, fishing, boating, and radio-control aircraft.

Dr. Grinde was born and raised in the Twin Cities and graduated from Alexander Ramsey High School. He received his B.A. degree in Chemistry from Augsburg College. He completed dental school at the University of Minnesota and started Maple Grove Family Dental Clinic in 1985. Dr Grinde is a 16 year member of the American Dental Association, Minnesota Dental Association, and Minneapolis District Dental Society. He is married with 3 children and has lived in Maple Grove for the past 13 years.

Dr. Teresa L. Fong graduated from the University Of Tennessee School Of Dentistry in 1985 and obtained a Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from the University of Kentucky in 1987. She has been in practice with Metropolitan Pediatric Dental Associates since 1988. Dr. Fong is a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and is Board Certified in the specialty of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Fong is active in the Minneapolis District Dental Society and co-chairs the district's Give Kids a Smile Day. She is a member of the Minnesota Dental Association, American Dental Association, International College of Dentists, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She currently serves as the program chair for the Minnesota Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Fong has taught Kindergarten Sunday School for over 12 years at Wayzata Evangelical Free Church. Dr. Fong also serves on the Board of Directors for the University Pediatrics Foundation at the University of Minnesota. She is a part-time clinical instructor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Fong and her husband, Ron, reside in Minneapolis and enjoy spending time with their fourth grade son.

Dr. Musser graduated with honors from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. He and his wife, Debbie, moved to the Twin Cities following his graduation in 1984 and reside in Woodbury with their three children. He is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and has completed the Post-Graduate Continuing Education Program in Aesthetic Dentistry at the University of Minnesota, one of the premier sites for introduction of both new technology and techniques in cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Musser served nine years on the Southeast Area YMCA board of directors and is actively involved in the Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs. He belongs to Saint Ambrose of Woodbury Catholic Church. His hobbies include golf, skiing, hunting and fishing. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, the Minnesota Dental Association and the St. Paul District Dental Society. He has received advanced dental education at the world-renowned L. D. Pankey Institute and serves on the 3M ESPE Dental Products Division advisory panel.

WILLIAM F. PUCEL D.D.S. A 1970 graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Dr. Pucel founded A Gentle Dental Center and has been at the Robbinsdale location since 1971. He is a member of the American Dental Association, the Minnesota Dental Association, and The Minneapolis Dental Society. Personal interests include fishing and hunting, woodwork, computer/photography, and family activities. Dr. Jill Pucel has worked at every facet of the dental office. She graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Jill Pucel has worked in her dad's dental office since she was 14. She is highly capable in every facet of dentistry. Doctor Jill has a degree in finance from the Carlson School of Management-University of Minnesota in addition to her Dental Degree. She, her husband and family live in the St. Michael area. Dr. Jill Pucel is a member of the American Dental Association, the Minnesota Dental Association, and The Minneapolis Dental Society.