Our Team
Our Doctors
Dr. Russell Peterson, DDS
Primary Doctor
Dr. Russ Peterson grew up outside of St. Cloud in the country, where he learned to enjoy fishing, skiing, snowmobiles, cars, and just being outside. He attended St. John’s University and then the University of Minnesota to receive his DDS degree in 2008. Upon graduating dental school, he did a 1 year Residency at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC), where he worked side by side with dental specialists and oral surgeons, to further educate and learn advanced skills in oral surgery, trauma, special needs dentistry, and medical management of patients with complex and usually life-threatening conditions. It was an experience and knowledge basis that can only be described as priceless, and a good fit for what he brings to his patients and our office.
Dr. Russ (as many know him by) joined Peterson Dental Associates in 2009. His enthusiasm for dentistry and his desire to bring the highest quality dental care to his patients has led him to implement paperless charting, digital x-rays, new materials, techniques, surgical implant placement, and now cone-beam (or 3 dimensional) x-rays. He has advanced his training at places like the Zimmer Institute for implant training, White Cap Institute for implant training, and numerous Hiossen Implant sponsored courses. With a desire to stay current and continually progress, but also a practical approach to the mouth and oral health care, Dr. Russ strives to make Peterson Dental Associates a top tier provider for its patients.
Outside the office, Dr. Russ thoroughly enjoys the outdoors. Be it fishing in the summer, or time in the garage during the winter to get ready for summer boating, Dr. Russ always keeps busy. Though he has had a curse of catching a yearly dogfish on fishing opener, with a little help, more walleye have been entering the boat as of lately. The fall of the year is Dr. Russ’s favorite season, as the pheasant, duck, and deer seasons give a welcome reason to enjoy the outdoors.
Our Team
Kristi
Kristi has been a dental hygienist since graduating from SCTC in 2011. Prior to being a dental hygienist Kristi was a dental assistant since 2002. Kristi enjoys spending time with her family and friends, exercising and reading.
Michelle
Michelle has been with Peterson Dental Associates since 2003. She has a 24-year-old son who still keeps her busy. In her spare time, she enjoys spending it
with family and friends, reading, boating and traveling.
Emma
Emma joined in 2018. She has been in the dental field since 2016. Emma enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her husband and daughter.
Crystal
Crystal graduated from SCTCC in 2018 with a dental assisting degree and is one of our patient coordinators. She has been with Peterson Dental Associates since 2019. Crystal resides in Sartell with her husband, two sons and miniature schnauzer,
Willy. She enjoys exercising, spending time with her friends and family, reading and traveling.
Amber
Amber graduated in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from the University of MN. She has worked part time with us since 2016. She resides in Becker with her husband and two girls. In her spare time she is always with her animals, enjoys reading and being at the lake in the boat.
Morgan
Morgan graduated from SCTCC in spring of 2023 with her associates degree in dental assisting. In her free time Morgan enjoys going to her family cabin, playing volleyball, and spending time with friends.
Krystal
Krystal graduated from hygiene school at Normandale in 2005 and recently finished her bachelor degree from Minnesota State University Mankato. She’s married with 2 boys Jaxon and Nolan. As a family they enjoy fishing both in the summer and
winter! Biking, adventuring, and cabin weekends are all favorites as well.
Tracy
Tracy grew up in central MN and attended the U of MN, graduating in dental hygiene in 1998. Tracy enjoys exploring art with her daughter and logging hours
of Pokemon-Go with her son, as well as, popcorn and movies and spending time outdoors
running, swimming, and biking.
Angie M.
Angie is one of our patient coordinators, she has been working in the dental field since 2013. She enjoys watching football, hockey and baseball in addition to gardening in the spring/summer time. Her favorite activities are spending quality
time with friends and family, going to concerts, grilling and disc golfing.
Tracy
Tracy is our insurance coordinator, she graduated from Rasmussen College in 2011 with a degree in Health Information Technology. She resides in Sauk Rapids withher husband, two children and two dogs. In her free time she enjoys reading, biking, watching football and baseball and spending summer weekends at the lake.
Heather
Heather has worked for Peterson Dental Associates since 1995. She completed the dental assistant program through SCTCC. Heather started at our office as a dental assistant lab float, transitioned to a patient coordinator, and has been the office manager since 2011. She has enjoyed taking on new and different roles within the office. Heather enjoys spending time with her husband, son and daughter, which keep her busy with their activities.
