Megan became a team member with Winegar Dental in June 2017. She received her Dental Hygiene degree from St. Cloud Technical and Community College in St. Cloud, MN. She then went on to receive her Bachelors Degree in Dental Hygiene at Mankato State University. Megan loves the career she has chosen and is enjoying building relationships with the doctors, co-workers, and patients.
Jen has been a Dental Hygienist since 2009. Jen received her Dental Hygiene degree through Lake Superior College in Duluth, MN. Jen then went on to receive her Bachelors Degree in Dental Hygiene through Mankato State University. Jen joined the Winegar Dental team in November of 2016. Jen enjoys working with patients to develop or improve methods that will meet each individuals oral health needs.
Jillgraduated from Mankato State University in Dental Hygiene in 1996. Most of Jills working life was spent in Grand Rapids. She is originally from Brainerd and recently had the opportunity to move back to the town she loves. She joined the Winegar Dental family in June 2013 and has been welcomed with open arms from staff and patients alike.
Jills hobbies include hunting, fishing, gardening and everything Minnesota outdoors. She loves to sew, quilt and do stained glass. She also enjoys working with her hands, which may be why dental hygiene suits her.
Abigail became part of the Winegar Dental team in October of 2018, after graduating from the St. Cloud Technical and Community College Hygiene program. She then went on to further her education and received her Bachelors Degree in Dental Hygiene through Mankato State University. She enjoys the career she has chosen because of the relationships she has made with patients, and co-workers.
Abigail grew up in Browerville, MN and now lives in Pequot Lakes with her husband Benjamin and their two dogs. When not working at the office, she enjoys hiking, traveling, working out and spending time with friends and family.
Diane grew up in Southern Minnesota, near St. James. She has been a Licensed Dental Assistant since 1981, receiving her degree from Canby VoTech. Diane joined the Winegar Dental team in September of 2016.
Mary attended Brainerd AVTI in 1986-1987 where she received her Dental Assistant Degree. Mary has been part of the Winegar Dental team since 1988. Mary grew up in the Pillager area, and now resides in Staples with her husband Mike.
Outside of work, Mary stays busy with her family farm, along with enjoying the great outdoors. Mary also treasures spending time with all of her family including their two grown children: Rachel and Matt and their families.
Katey grew up in Pine River, with two older brothers. Katey received her Dental Assistant Licensure the summer of 2015. Katey joined the Winegar Dental team in December 2016. Katey loves her job and the patients she gets to see on a daily basis.
Katey recently got engaged and is getting married April 2021. Katey enjoys fishing on our beautiful lakes no matter what time of year. Outside of work, Katey enjoys spending time outdoors, spending time with her family and friends and loving on her fur babies: Hank and Lola.
Kari graduated from the Dental Assisting Program at St. Cloud Technical & Community College in 1994 as an LDA/CDA. Kari became a team member here at Winegar Dental in January of 2019. Kari has enjoyed getting to know all of the patients and amazing staff.
Kari has been married to her husband Chad for 26 years and has two adult children: Kylee and Brad. Kari has many hobbies, most of which are enjoyed outdoors. Kari is also a HUGE sports fan, GO GOPHERS!
Sueis the office manager and has been part of the Winegar Dental team since 1998. She has been involved with all areas of the front office including insurance as well as handling all the financial aspects of running the clinic. Sue loves every day at her job and enjoys her relationships with the doctors, her co-workers and patients.
Sue and her husband live in the Brainerd Lakes Area and have two children Eryn and Peter. When not at her job, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and likes to be outside hiking, biking and gardening.
Jill joined the Winegar Dental team in July of 2008. She is part of our Front Office and works as one of our Patient Care/Hygiene Coordinators. Jill enjoys seeing and building relationships with our patients every day.
Jill is happily married to her husband Bob for over 40 years. Together they have three sons, three daughter-in-laws and seven grandchildren. She has lived in the Brainerd/Baxter area for over 25 years. In her time while not being at work, Jill loves to decorate, organize and clean. Jill enjoys and treasures spending time with her family the most, and has a love for traveling.
Meghan went to Central Lakes College in Brainerd for Dental Assisting where she earned her Dental Assistance License in 2014. Meghan joined the Winegar Dental team in December of 2014, and is part of our Front Office team. Meghan also assists chairside with the Doctors from time to time. Meghan chose this for a profession because she is a people person, and loves building relationships with our patients and team!
Outside of work, Meghan enjoys traveling, being outside doing anything and everything, spending time with friends, and learning anything new. Her biggest and most sincere passion in life is her son, Blake and watching him grow!
Samantha is new to Minnesota and the Brainerd Lakes Area, originally from Western Kentucky. Samantha may greet you with a Yall and or address you with a Mr. or Mrs. before your first name. Married to her husband of almost 10 years, together they have two children. Samantha is a lover of anything DIY, Murder Mystery documentaries and considers herself a big foody. When not at work, you can likely find her at home spending time with her family.
Throughout her career spanning 30 plus years, Dr. Winegar has developed and maintained a level of professional accomplishment in dentistry that is both highly respected and appreciated by patients and colleagues alike. Her strong work ethic, attention to detail and enthusiasm have created a positive, professional environment in which the comfort of her patients is the top priority. As a result, they feel confident they are receiving the best dental care possible. That high quality care brings patients to Dr. Winegar, but her genuine interest in them as individuals keeps them coming back year after year.
Exhibiting a strong interest in science and medicine since childhood, Dr. Winegar is one of a long line of medical professionals. Her grandfather was a dentist and her mother an R.N., and three of her five siblings are dentists or physicians. She has had a lifelong, solid understanding of the commitment necessary for success in her chosen field. Dr. Winegar is a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry as well as the Academy of Comprehensive Dentistry. When not with patients, she is an outdoor enthusiast who also enjoys stained glass work, rug hooking, and knitting.
Dr. Joe Winegar grew up on Big Sandy Lake, his father is Dr. Dave Winegar, the dentist in the town of McGregor. Dr. Joe attended North Dakota State University, then completed his D.D.S. degree in 2009 at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. He joined his aunt, Dr. Carol Winegar, and Dr. Robert Bender in September, 2012. Dr. Joes goal is to continue their tradition of high quality, comprehensive and caring dentistry. Dr. Joe particularly enjoys the fine details of dental treatment and feels personally gratified to help his patients achieve healthy, good looking smiles.
Dentistry is constantly changing through new technologies and techniques. Some of Dr. Joes professional affiliations for continuing dental education are the Minnesota Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the Great Lakes Implant Institute.
Away from the office, Dr. Joes biggest enthusiasm is the time he spends with William, Grace and Charles, his three children, and his wife, Christy, a Corporate Business Consultant with Wells Fargo Bank. They are pretty busy; any spare time is spent outdoors golfing, on the lakes boating and fishing, plus hunting, and spectating almost all sports.
Dr. Rappa was born and raised in White Bear Lake, MN. In 2015 he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a B.S. degree in biomedical science and a minor in chemistry. Later he continued his education at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, obtaining his D.D.S. degree in 2020. Following his graduate career Dr. Rappa completed a residency at the George E. Whalen Veterans Affairs Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. Providing exemplary care to our veterans, Dr. Rappa received hands-on training in surgical and comprehensive treatments.
Dr. Rappa is thrilled to explore and live in the Brainerd Lakes Area. He hopes to invest himself not only as a dentist, but as someone who can give back to the community. Growing up he enjoyed coaching hockey and volunteering with special needs individuals; this is something he would like to continue and to give back wherever he can.
When not in the office, Dr. Rappa enjoys spending time with his family, friends, and dog. Raised in a family of outdoor enthusiasts he can be found pursuing his interests in hiking, skiing, hunting, and enjoying life on the lake.