Our dental practice was founded in 1930 when Dr. Howard C. Peterson, Sr. opened his dental office in Arlington, SD, after graduating from Northwestern University School of Dentistry. Dr. Peterson practiced dentistry in Arlington until 1942 when he entered the U.S. Army as a Dental Surgeon.

Dr. Peterson returned to South Dakota in the fall of 1945, following his discharge from the Army, and opened a dental practice in Sioux Falls. He was in solo practice until 1974 when he was joined by his son, Dr. Howard (Tom) Peterson, Jr., who also graduated from Northwestern University Dental School, and had served on active duty in the U.S. Navy for 2 years as a Dental Officer.

Dr. Peterson, Jr. retired from our practice in May, 2011. Dr. Lori Melemseter, the granddaughter of Dr. Peterson, Sr. and the niece of Dr. Peterson, Jr., joined Dr. Peterson, Jr. in practice in August 1999. She is a graduate of the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, University of Maryland in Baltimore, MD.

In October 2010, Dr. Jason Ehlers joined the practice. He graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 2001 and practiced in Dell Rapids and Flandreau, SD until joining Drs. Peterson and Melemseter.

As a family dental office, Park Center Dental Care is proud to provide patients throughout Minnehaha County and Lincoln County with a whole new level of dental care. When you enter our office, you will immediately feel relaxed and at home. We have friendly faces that greet you, dentists who care about your dental health, and a facility with the most up-to-date technology to provide you with the highest quality of family and cosmetic dental care possible.

Dr. Lori Larsen Melemseter was raised in Sioux Falls, SD and graduated from Lincoln High School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Nursing from Augustana College and then served in the U.S. Navy for eight years on active duty, including ten months in Saudi Arabia during the 1st Gulf War. She attended dental school at the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery where she obtained her D.D.S in 1997 and went on to complete a two year General Practice Residency at the Baltimore VA Regional Medical Center, serving as Chief Resident in her second year.

After graduation from her residency, Dr. Larsen Melemseter joined the dental practice of her uncle, Dr. H.C. Peterson, Jr. In October of 2010, Dr. Larsen Melemseter and Dr. Ehlers bought the practice from Dr. Peterson. Dr. Larsen Melemseter is an active member of the International College of Dentists and serves as the Deputy Regent for the ICD for the state of South Dakota, is a member of the South Dakota Dental Association, American Dental Association, and the Southeastern District Dental Society. She serves in the House of Delegates of the SDDA and as a member of the SD Political Action Committee. She is a retired Navy Commander, a member of Rotary, and participates in the Dental Lifeline Network as a volunteer dentist, and volunteers her time at the Rosebud Indian Reservation Dental Clinic. She is married and has 2 children.

Dr. Jason Ehlers was born and raised in Sioux Falls, SD and graduated from Washington High School. He attended the University of South Dakota where he earned his Bachelor of Science in biology. He went on to attend the University Of Minnesota School Of Dentistry where he obtained his D.D.S. degree in 2001. Upon graduation, he returned to South Dakota and practiced dentistry in Dell Rapids and Flandreau before joining the practice of Dr. H.C. Peterson, Jr. and Dr. Lori Larsen Melemseter in 2009. In October of 2010, Dr. Ehlers along with Dr. Larsen Melemseter purchased the practice from Dr. Peterson. Dr. Ehlers is an active member of the South Dakota Dental Association, American Dental Association, and the Southeastern District Dental Society. He is an active member of the Siouxland Dental and Implant Study Club and is a volunteer for the Dental Lifeline Network in South Dakota.

Kim grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from Lincoln High School. She attended the University of South Dakota, graduating with her degree in Dental Hygiene and is licensed to administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide sedation. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her husband, grown children, and grandchildren.

Heidi is from Parkston, South Dakota. She received her Associates and Bachelor of Science degrees in Dental Hygiene from the University of South Dakota. She is licensed to administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide sedation. Heidi is passionate about the dental field and loves improving her patients smiles. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family. Heidiis married and has three children.

Crystal is originally from Brandon, SD, and completed her Bachelor Degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of South Dakota. She loves getting to know each one of her patients by instituting dental care for their individual needs. She is a member of the American Dental Hygiene Association. Outside of work, Crystal loves being outdoors, going to the lake, bicycling and hiking. Crystal is married and has two children.

Courtney is originally from Belvidere, IL. She attended Des Moines Area Community College, graduating with her degree in Dental Hygiene. She is licensed to administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide sedation. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and family, traveling, boating, fishing and hunting.

Stephanie grew up in Madison, South Dakota and graduated from Madison High School. She received her Dental Assisting Certificate through Southeast Technical Institute. Shes married and has a daughter and a son. In her spare time she enjoys camping, snowmobiling, golfing, and spending time with family and friends.

Stacia grew up on a farm near Alvord, Iowa and graduated from West Lyon High School. She later attended Lake Area Tech for Dental Assisting. Shes married and has two daughters. Outside of work Stacia enjoys being outdoors, camping, boating, golfing and spending time with her family and friends.

Erin is originally from Shreveport, LA. She moved to Madison, SD with her parents and brother in 2001 from Northeast Georgia. She graduated from Habersham Central High School in Mt. Airy, GA and furthered her education at Southeast Technical Institute for her Dental Assisting certification here in Sioux Falls. Erin enjoys golfing, bowling, travel and spending time with her family and friends.

Kennady is originally from Huron, SD. She attended South Dakota State University for a year but then decided to attend Lake Area Technical College, where she received her Dental Assisting certification. Outside of work she enjoys: spending time with friends and family, hiking, traveling, and going on walks with her puppy, Ruby.

Beth was raised in rural North Dakota and attended Minot State College. She, her husband, and 3 children moved to Sioux Falls in 1999. She has been working in the dental field for over thirty years. Her children are married and live in the area so she loves spending time with them and her grandchildren.

Barbs hometown is Spencer, South Dakota. After high school she attended the Professional Business Institute in Minneapolis where she studied dental assisting. She has worked as an assistant and front office staff in several offices in Sioux Falls throughout her career. Barb enjoys spending time with her husband and their two married daughters and their husbands. She likes doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, reading, and attending sporting events in her free time.

Karen Kiger has lived most of her life in South East South Dakota. She graduated from Chester Area High School; has a diploma from GVAVTI, and an AA Degree in Business Admin. From USF. Shes worked in Optical and Orthodontic customer service for over thirty years. Karen and her husband have 2 grown sons, one lives in Sioux Falls and one is in the USAF. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, baking, and spending time with friends and family.