Sometimes, the best motivation can be proving to yourself and others that you can accomplish a lofty goal.

For Dr. Krista Bauer, Dr. Kelly Stark, and Dr. Dietrich R. Lawrenz at Champlin Family Dental, this was one of many factors that inspired them to see their new construction in Minnesota through to the last stroke of calming green paint.

“We were motivated to go through with this build because people in our lives told us we couldn’t.”

Dr. Krista Bauer

A top priority in the planning: space, space, and more space. The result of their vision: 7,000 square feet of excellence and multi-discipline for their patients, administrative and clinical teams, as well as room for storage and practice growth. The new construction, completed in seven months, allowed them to accomodate a new neighbor — an orthodontist tenant.

How it all began…

In 2017, Drs. Bauer and Stark, former dental-school students at the University of Minnesota, decided to join forces and create a shared practice. A Benco Build Your Future Workshop, conducted by dentist/designer Dr. Tristan Hamilton, helped the duo’s ideas coalesce.

“Eric Meiners brought us to the seminar and it was perfect for us,” said Dr. Stark of their Friendly Benco Rep.

“Our major vision was to have universal rooms set up with high-speed handpieces, Cavitrons, X-ray units, everything,” Dr. Bauer told Incisal Edge magazine in an interview earlier this year.
“The women speaking at the workshop told us that our rooms needed to be universal, and they solidified what we wanted but couldn’t execute.”

(Starting a Pinterest board of their ideas from the workshop gave them a central repository for design inspiration as well.)

They sought a refined, calming atmosphere that delivered “wow” factor but not in an “over the top” way.

Green: a color of calm.

To match their logo and achieve a calming vibe, the decided on neutral palette with green accents throughout the practice.

One of her favorite moments Dr. Stark recalls, was seeing the Champlin Family Dental team’s reaction to the finished office after the completion of the seven-month process.

“Once the office was finished, we let them in one by one and took pictures of them seeing it for the first time.”

Dr. Kelly Stark

Their reception area, chandelier, color scheme and space (12 rooms!) receive the most positive commentary from their patients and staff, says Dr. Stark.

The doctors offer advice during the construction or renovation of any practice:

“Find the right team — from architect, to contractor, to banker, and real estate agent. Trust your team!”

Dr. Krista Bauer

To learn more about the Champlin Family Dental, click here.

Ready to redefine your design?

For expert advice, contact the CenterPoint Design team at 1.800.GOBENCO.

Champlin Family Dental Design Credits
Interior Designer: Bob Karkela, Architect: Bob Shaffer / Foundation Architects, Equipment Specialist: Tom Jorissen / Benco Dental, Friendly Benco Rep: Eric Meiners

Dr. Krista Bauer, Dr. Dietrich R. Lawrenz, Dr. Kelly Stark

About the Doctors

Dr. Krista Bauer, earned a B.A. in Biomedical Science and DDS from University of Minnesota. Named to the Minneapolis/ St. Paul Top Dentist Hall of Fame, Dr. Bauer practices general and cosmetic dentistry, including implants, veneers, and new smile designs. She and her three children reside in Maple Grove, Minnesota.

Dr. Kelly Stark, earned a B.A. in Chemistry and German from St. Olaf College and dental degree from University of Minnesota. Dr. Stark enjoys many facets of the dental field, including restorative, crowns, implants, and esthetic dentistry. She is married to a fellow dentist, and together they raise their 9-year-old twin sons in Edina, Minnesota.

Dr. Dietrich R. Lawrenz received his dental degree from the University of Minnesota and went on to complete his medical degree and oral and maxillofacial surgery residency in Houston, Texas. Dr. Lawrenz has been in private practice since 1998 and involved in the Cleft Lip and Palate teams at the University of Minnesota and Minneapolis Children’s Hospital. He and his wife Corinne are raising their three boys together in the Twin Cities.