Our doctors are members of several highly recognized dental associations and organizations. To stay current in the latest dental trends and technology, our dentists attend several continuing education courses each year.
Dr. Madelyn Pearson attended St. Olaf College for her undergraduate studies, and the University of Minnesota for her Doctorate in Dental Surgery. She is a past president of the Holistic Dental Association, and an accredited member of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT). Dr. Pearson has taken advanced coursework in orthopedic orthodontics, sleep-appliance therapy, pediatric dentistry, amalgam/mercury removal, and is Invisalign certified. Dr. Pearson is committed to the integration of dental sciences with holistic health, and has studied craniosacral therapy, homeopathy, applied kinesiology, and nutrition. The alternative health services offered at Natural Smiles Dental Care is the culmination of these explorations. When not at the office, Dr. Pearson enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and their two daughters.
Dr. Agnes Schindler grew up on a dairy farm in Corcoran, MN. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of St. Benedict / St. Johns University and her Doctor of Dental Medicine at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon. Along with restorative and cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Schindler is trained in the premier LightScalpel laser for lip-tie / tongue-tie frenectomy procedures. She is passionate about helping to correct oral dysfunction with the safe revision of these oral tethers, and has had extensive training in treating infants, children, and adults. Dr. Schindler loves spending time with her husband and five children on their farm in Buffalo MN, and also enjoys snowmobiling, camping, and horseback riding.
Dr. Holly Thompson completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota, and received her doctorate from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. She is passionate about biological approaches to oral surgery and has advanced training in zirconia (ceramic) dental implant placement. Dr. Thompson has a fellowship with The International Dental Implant Association and The Zirconia Implant Society. Dr. Thompson tries to do a dental mission trip once every couple of years as those experiences have shown to be transformative for her. In her spare time, Dr. Thompson enjoys golfing, hiking, traveling, training for the occasional triathlon, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
PRI is a comprehensive holistic approach that takes into account body asymmetry and postural patterns that occur due to the nervous and respiratory systems. There is a big emphasis on the airway and the impact that dysfunctional breathing can have on development and symptoms seen with children on up through adulthood, including poor posture, back pain, neck pain, jaw pain, anxiety, poor sleep, brain fog, and much more.
Surprisingly, the more Dr. Tardif studied PRI principles and understood the relationship between our teeth and the rest of the body, the more he started to seek out the help of dentists who also respected the whole body and airway development. Together, Dr. Pearson and Dr. Tardif have developed a special program called the PRI Oral Orthotic Program, using occlusal guards (nightguards) to be able to balance the bite and body. This allows for management of posture, jaw pain, neck pain, back pain, anxiety, poor sleep, and many other issues related to airway and postural dysfunction. This program, which involves the use of oral orthotic(s) along with PRI exercise therapy, has been shown to help people who have struggled with pain for over 10 years. Working together to resolve problems is a necessary step to ensure the whole body is addressed, and to resolve root causes rather than just symptoms.