In 1977,Dr. Walter Huntfounded Personal Care Dentistry in a small office space with three employees on Hamline Avenue in Roseville. He had just graduated from the University of Minnesotas School of Dentistry and he was determined to build a different kind of dental practice, one that focused on what he calls the Golden Rule of Dentistry caring for all of his patients the way he would care for his own family.
Now, 40 years later, Personal Care Dentistry has grown to take up the entire third floor of the office building on Hamline Avenue where he started his practice. Four dentists and more than 30 staff blend the latest technology with a gentle touch in a warm, caring and compassionate atmosphere.
And the entire care team at Personal Care Dentistry still follows the Golden Rule of Dentistry each and every day. We take the time to really listen to our patients and provide close, personal attention to best customize their care, emphasizes Dr. Hunt. I know the kind of care that I demand as a patient, and that is the kind of care that I strive to provide. I call it the Golden Rule Dentistry. It is a philosophy shared by all of our staff members.
This never-ending quest for excellence in dental care by Dr. Hunt has been embraced by all of the dentists, dental assistants, hygienists and office staff at Personal Care Dentistry. It has resulted in a chest full of awards from fellow dentists and consumers, including:
◊ Voted ‘Favorite Dentist’ by NextDoor in 27 neighborhoods n ◊ Nearly 200 reviews on Google that are 5* Star n ◊ ‘Top Dentist’ by Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine for 4 years n ◊ ‘Top Dentist’ by Roseville Review readers for 9 years n ◊ ‘Top Dentist’ by Minnesota Monthly for 3 years n ◊ Angie’s List Super Service award for 5 years n ◊ ‘People Love Us on Yelp award ‘Best Dentist’ in St. Paul by Expertise.com
Dr. Hunts approach to patient care and his Golden Rule of Dentistry have roots that go back much further than his 40-year dental career. Dr. Hunt grew up in northwestern Indiana in a small town named Merrillville. By the time his family moved to Minnesota at the beginning of his junior year of high school, he had become an accomplished athlete in both football and baseball. It was then that he also reached a defining moment in his life, one that has influenced his approach to life and dentistry.
My family didnt have much money we lived in a poor neighborhood in Merrillville so I had a lot of friends who were also poor. But because I was a good athlete in football and baseball, I also had a group of friends who came from families with money. And I didnt like the way the kids with money would treat the poor kids. It was then that I vowed that I would always treat everyone equally with the same amount of caring and respect, emphasizes Dr. Hunt. The worth of a person should not be defined by what they have or how they look.
For Dr. Hunt, being a dentist and the founder of Personal Care Dentistry is not a job. It is a passion. He has had the same goal for almost half a century treat people with dignity and respect, and as a dentist, provide them with the best care possible.
This is my passion, and this is how I can contribute to helping other people have better lives. Even today, I still feel like I get more out of caring for others than they do. I love being here at Personal Care Dentistry, says Dr. Hunt.
Dr. Hunt has many hobbies and interests, but his real passion is nature photography. Nearly every picture hanging throughout the practice is one he took on his many travels across the globe! He also loves sports, (especially baseball he played as a pitcher and second baseman in a mens over 35 league until a hip injury forced him to retire when he was 59), plays the guitar like you wouldnt believe, enjoys traveling and spending time at the cabin with his wife, Michelle and his four grown boys and their families.
In 1977,Dr. Walter Huntfounded Personal Care Dentistry in a small office space with three employees on Hamline Avenue in Roseville. He had just graduated from theUniversity of Minnesotas School of Dentistry and he was determined to build a different kind of dental practice, one that focused on what he calls the Golden Rule of Dentistry caring for all of his patients the way he would care for his own family.
Now, 40 years later, Personal Care Dentistry has grown to take up the entire third floor of the office building on Hamline Avenue where he started his practice. Four dentists and more than 30 staff blend the latest technology with a gentle touch in a warm, caring and compassionate atmosphere. And the entire care team at Personal Care Dentistry still follows the Golden Rule of Dentistry each and every day. We take the time to really listen to our patients and provide close, personal attention to best customize their care, emphasizes Dr. Hunt. I know the kind of care that I demand as a patient, and that is the kind of care that I strive to provide. I call it the Golden Rule Dentistry. It is a philosophy shared by all of our staff members.
Voted Favorite Dentist by NextDoor in 27 neighborhoods Nearly 200 reviews on Google that are 5* Star Top Dentist by Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine for 4 years Top Dentist by Roseville Review readers for 9 years Top Dentist by Minnesota Monthly for 3 years Angies List Super Service award for 5 years People Love Us on Yelp award Best Dentist in St. Paul byExpertise.com
For Dr. Hunt, being a dentist and the founder of Personal Care Dentistry is not a job. It is a passion. He has had the same goal for almost half a century treat people with dignity and respect, and as a dentist, provide them with the best care possible. This is my passion, and this is how I can contribute to helping other people have better lives. Even today, I still feel like I get more out of caring for others than they do. I love being here at Personal Care Dentistry, says Dr. Hunt.
Dr. Kyle Huntis a 2014 graduate of the dental school at the University of Illinois (Chicago) and earned an undergraduate degree in chemistry at Gustavus Adolphus College. He is the son of Personal Care Dentistrys founder, Dr. Walter Hunt, and has been helping out in the practice since he was 10 years old.
Being able to start my career as a dentist at Personal Care Dentistry has been a dream come true for me, says Dr. Kyle. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to take advantage of my dads mentorship and I think it has helped to greatly enhance my skills as a dentist.
In the 2 1/2 years that Dr. Kyle interned in the University of Illinois clinics, he was able to work on many cases and gained a variety of clinical experiences due to his persistence in seeking out patients that needed complex dental care. Dr. Kyle believes in fact, that due to the large patient population, he completed more complex procedures than he would have anywhere else in the country.
What motivates Dr. Kyle as a dentist? To help people, he says. To use the skills I have and will continue to develop to help people be more confident in their smile and their oral health, and to make sure every patient I see is treated with compassion and excellence.
When hes not taking care of his patients at Personal Care Dentistry, Dr. Kyle enjoys a wide range of hobbies. He has completed numerous marathons and triathlons, likes to golf and play tennis, and enjoys watching the Twins and Wild. He also likes to cook, often creating original recipes. His favorite pastime, though, is a weekend at the cabin with his family, boating, wakeboarding and just relaxing.
WhenDr. Andrew Heinischdecided to move his dental career to the Twin Cities in the Fall of 2018 from Worthington, Minnesota, he had a wide range of options in where he would practice and how he would practice. I looked at both private practices and chain practices, in both downtown locations and suburban offices. But I kept finding that their goal was not to develop patient relationships based on trust and quality of care.
But when Dr. Heinisch interviewed with Dr. Walter Hunt, founder of Personal Care Dentistry, and spent time getting to know some of the care team at the Roseville practice, he knew he had found a new home. They really do provide personal care at Personal Care Dentistry, he says. I knew pretty quickly that it was a practice that fit me.
Since joining the Personal Care Dentistry team, Dr. Heinischs initial impressions have been accurate. This is a practice that values building person-to-person relationships with their patients. They treat their patients as people, not a set of teeth. The staff are very kind and are genuine in the way they treat patients and talk to them. I see a lot of smiling team members at Personal Care Dentistry.
Dr. Henisch grew up in St. Paul and went to Harding High School. He worked office jobs in two Twin Cities hospitals after he graduated from high school, including three years when he managed to juggle both full-time jobs. Eventually he decided to enroll at the University of Minnesota as an undergraduate and majored in biochemistry. He worked the entire time he was at the U of M, and also volunteered at the Union Gospel Mission and taught GED classes in math and science. Dr. Heinisch graduated in 2010 from the University of Minnesota, and then was accepted in the dental program at the University of Iowa.
I was attracted to dentistry because it is a medical profession that is its own specialty and I was always attracted to the medical field, notes Dr. Heinisch. I have always been interested in oral health and dentistry was the perfect field for me to pursue.
Dr. Heinisch graduated in 2014 with a dental degree, and joined a practice in Iowa Falls that had several clinics in Iowa and Minnesota. He worked in their clinics in Fort Dodge and in Des Moines for a year, and then moved up to Worthington, Minnesota in 2015 to work in their dental office.
Dr. Heinisch believes in giving back to his community. I have always wanted to serve underprivileged populations. I was on a Kiwanis board and helped with a free clinic we offered services to people who couldnt get service.
Dr. Heinisch and his wife Brandy live in downtown St. Paul and have one daughter Nadia who was born in the summer of 2018. They also have a pair of dogs Roxie and Piffy and a cat named Brady (Dr. Heinischs wife is a New England Patriots fan). They like to bike and kayak and Dr. Heinisch loves to spend time in his kitchen baking.
Our teamof Dentists, Dental Assistants, Hygienists, Financial Advisers, Receptionists, and Administrative staff are what make Personal Care Dentistry one of the best places for Dental Care in the Roseville, MN area. We understand that every patient is unique and we make a very conscious effort to pair you with a personable care team that will best fit your dental needs as well as your personality. Some of us are the bubbly, extra-friendly type, while others are the quieter dental artisan types We have expertly trained staff to matchyourpersonality and oral health needs. Our amazing team is truly what makes our practice a GREAT place to work and the perfect choice asyour new dental home.
Brandy Fultonis the Treatment Plan and Financial Coordinator at Personal Care Dentistry and if that sounds like a big job, thats because it is. Her primary role is to keep Personal Care Dentistrys schedule full, but she is also intensely driven to get patients the care and treatment they need.
Brandy brings a trove of experience to the practice that is matched by her desire to help people achieve the highest level of oral healthcare. Her love of dentistry started when she was growing up outside of Pittsburgh in Irwin, Pennsylvania. In high school I attended a career day field trip and was fascinated by dental practice. My passion is in the medical-dental profession, she says. Ive been in the dental field since graduating from dental assisting school and have enjoyed many roles in the profession. Brandy also served eight years in active duty with the Air Force and has been stationed in Colorado, Germany, New Mexico and Minneapolis. After active duty, she spent another 12 years serving our country in the Air Force reserves.
She also worked at a large dental center for 18 years before coming to PCD in 2010. Her role in the office is varied from designing treatment plans and quoting services to coordinating payment plans. Brandy manages accounts receivable, collections, insurance statements and works diligently to resolve billing issues, but her favorite part of the job is working directly with patients. I love my position here and wouldnt want to be anywhere else, states Brandy adding, The best part of my job is working one-on-one with people. I want patients to have a positive experience with the dental care they receive and with financial options. I am an advocate for our patients and I want them to know that no treatment is too big or too small for payment options.
Brandys affable nature and caring disposition endear her to the people she works with. I love what I do and I think that really comes out. I try to find a commonality with individuals and I enjoy getting to know new faces and catching up with our existing patients, she says. We truly care about the people we work with and the patients we treat. Its not just lip service.
Knowledge is the key work attribute for Brandy and continuous learning is just part of her job. The more I know, the more valuable I am to my employer, coworkers and patients. I am always learning. Its empowering and humbling at the same time, notes Brandy. I figure if Ive learned something new today, Ive earned my paycheck.
As part of her growing knowledge base Brandy is helping to coordinate cross-training within the office as she continues to work closely with the front desk. Cross-training becomes very important if one area gets overwhelmed another staff member can pick up the ball and run with it. And there is no How do I do this or that if someone is out of the office.
When asked about future goals Brandy says, I want to continue learning, becoming more valuable and doing a great job. Ongoing training is important and I hope to elevate that within the practice. I want to exceed expectations and drive Dr. Hunts vision.
Outside of the office Brandy enjoys cooking, reading and gardening. I also work out at the YMCA every day and I love golfing in my womans league. Brandy and her husband enjoy traveling with their adult son and teenage daughter as well. Were a very close family and vacation together. My husband talks about retirement, but Ive got a few more good years left in me here at PCD, she jokes.
As Dental Hygiene Team Leader,Kari Olsonis a friendly, familiar face at Personal Care Dentistry. She joined the practice in 2010 and her responsibilities include hiring and coaching her hygiene staff, working with the dentists, and helping patients achieve optimal oral health.
Karis education includes an associate degree in Dental Assisting from Herzing University. After earning her degree, she spent four years at a small dental office in that role. My love of dentistry helped me see I wanted to further my education and in 2007 I returned to school, says Kari. In 2010 she graduated once again from Herzing University, this time with her Dental Hygienist License and started at Personal Care Dentistry on a very part-time basis. I wanted more independence and one-on-one time with patients. Being a hygienist allows me to build relationships with the people I treat, she says.
When I started here I immediately loved the environment. Its a super-friendly place to work and everyone is so positive, notes Kari. The practice I worked at before was poorly managed and it was highly stressful. I didnt like going to work there. I feel very lucky to be at Personal Care Dentistry. This practice runs like a well-oiled machine, she says with a smile.
On her initial start in the office she says, I only worked four hours a week because nobody ever leaves this practice. People truly care here. It just grew from there, my hours increased to full-time and Dr. Hunt eventually made me the Hygiene Lead.
Kari speaks about her place of work with enthusiasm and warmth. PCD is amazing. Many of our patients come from word-of-mouth so Dr. Hunt is obviously doing something right. I have a sense of pride being part of this team. She talks about the staff with genuine affection saying, We all get along. Our team is incredible. Its so nice to work some place where you know your team has your back. If Im out of the office for any length of time I genuinely miss everyone here. All of us strive for the same thing The Golden Rule, Kari says, referring to Dr. Hunts belief that every member of the staff treat people as they would want to be treated themselves.
When speaking about treating patients, comfort is king with Kari. I always ask what I can do to make them more comfortable in my chair. Reading body language is important and if I can sense they are uneasy I will do what I can to make them comfy. Im passionate about doing a good job for them. About her chair-side manner Kari clearly conveys a sense of caring compassion. I dont want people to feel like just a number they really matter to me. I love getting to know patients and catching up with them when they come in, she says.
Asked about her future goals Kari states, I never want to be stagnant. I strive to be the best hygienist I possibly can be and continue to hone my treatment skills. I want to be perpetually learning and growing this incredible practice with Dr. Hunt.
Outside of work Kari enjoys spending time with her husband, friends and family especially her two young nieces. She has a terrier mix dog named Lola that she calls a little diva. I love to laugh and have fun, says Kari. I like to think Im the right amount of easy going.
WhenKrista Dirksenwalked into Personal Care Dentistry in 2014 for a job interview for a part-time dental hygienist position, she knew pretty quickly that this was the dental clinic for her. I was interviewing for a part-time job to take over for a hygienist who was on maternity leave, but I felt really at home almost immediately. After a second stint as a fill-in for someone else on maternity leave, they couldnt get rid of me! Now Im here five days a week and I love it!
Krista is the Hygiene Assistant Team Leader at Personal Care Dentistry, working with Team Lead Kari Olson in her role. She first learned about Personal Care Dentistry through a classmate from dental hygiene school Jenna Lind who had previously joined the practice. They both went to Argosy University, where Krista earned an AAS degree. I originally went to Normandale Community College to get my general education credits completed before transferring to a four-year school and getting a nursing degree or a psychology degree so I could work with kids. But in the back of my mind was also the idea of becoming a dental hygienist. I had been involved in a bad car accident in high school and I had to have a lot of dental work done. The dentist who did a lot of reconstructive work on my mouth asked me what I wanted to do for a career and I said I was thinking of becoming a nurse. He said I should become a dental hygienist because the hours were better and it was a lot less stressful.
Dr. Walter Hunts Golden Rule of Dentistry resonated with Krista when she first started working at Personal Care Dentistry. I was so impressed at how Dr. Hunt placed so much importance on the doctor-patient relationship and how we needed to treat every patient with the highest level of respect.
What impressed Krista even more was that the conversations she had with patients mirrored what she had heard from Dr. Hunt, who founded the practice in 1977. Patients say everyone is so nice here and they feel comforted and truly cared for. Lots of patients have told me that they dont like going to the dentist but they like coming here.
Krista has found a very supportive team environment at Personal Care Dentistry. The first week I was here, Kari (Hygiene Team Leader) told me that you can ask anyone for help and they will be there for you. I found that to be very true. Its the most cohesive office I have ever worked in.
Krista lives in Apple Valley with her husband Andy and their two dogs Ralphie (a terrier) and Veronica (a pug) who she describes as a couple of real characters. She and Andy enjoy softball, watching movies, and traveling when they have the time (and funds). She volunteers with the Big Brother program and at a free public clinic in Burnsville.
Kelsey joined Personal Care Dentistry in September 2020 as a front desk assistant, and was promoted to her New Patient Coordinator position in December 2020. Kelsey grew up with Personal Care Dentistry in her life, since she and her family have been patients of PCD for many years.
One of the main guiding principles of Personal Care Dentistry really resonates with Kelsey. Dr. Walter Hunt calls it the Golden Rule of Dentistry and it is the idea that all patients should be treated the same way that the dental care team would want to be treated if they were patients with compassion, dignity, and excellence.
That approach to patient care and customer service is something Ive always tried to deliver in my past jobs, notes Kelsey. I worked for almost a decade as a server, and I always tried to serve my customers as if they were my mom. You need to be genuine in how you treat people and always have their best interests in mind.
Kelsey grew up in St. Anthony Park and went to Roseville High School (which is just blocks from Personal Care Dentistry). After high school she attended the University of Minnesota, but decided after a semester and a half that she preferred working rather than going to school. She initially worked at a video production company in Shoreview as an editor and in color correction, spending a lot of time on corporate video projects (and even working on a History Channel TV show at one point). After getting laid off in 2011, she worked for almost a decade as a server and assistant manager at the Green Mill at Rosedale Center, but was laid off again during the COVID pandemic.
I was looking to leave the restaurant industry anyway, because the hours are hard (lots of weekends and evenings), and it can be a difficult atmosphere to work in. So when the position opened up at Personal Care Dentistry, I felt like I could be successful there because the customer service skills I had developed would translate to the position they had available.
This is a wonderful work environment to be a part of, emphasizes Kelsey. I really like everyone who works here. They all have the same mentality of patient service and they are really genuine. I hope to be here for a really long time.
According to Jessie Pichler, who is the Front Desk Lead at Personal Care Dentistry and Kelseys supervisor, Kelsey is super sweet and nice, very inquisitive, quite bright and a quick learner. Brandy Fulton, PCDs Treatment Plan and Financial Coordinator, said that Kelsey is very warm and sincere. You can just tell she is very kind. Shes a good communicator and very detail oriented.
Kelsey and her husband Joe live in White Bear Lake. She has two kids 16-year-old Sophia and 2-year-old Corinne and doesnt have a lot of free time. When I do have time, I like to play cards and board games, or do puzzles or crossword puzzles. Plus my husband and I are big video game fans. I might eventually get back to drawing or painting, which I did a lot of when I was growing up. But I really dont have the time now with two kids.