Meet the Team
Dr. John D. Laughlin III, DDS
After graduating in 1972 from Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, Dr. Laughlin joined the U.S. Air Force. He served as a captain in the dental division of Scott Air Force base, moving with his wife and newborn son near St. Louis, Missouri. After serving in the Air Force his family of four, soon to be five, moved to Pierce County in Wisconsin, where he still resides. Shortly after moving to the area, Dr. Laughlin’s dental practice gradually evolved from traditional dentistry into a more holistic philosophy. During his first five years of private practice in Ellsworth, WI, he came to believe that there was more to dentistry than what he had been taught.
Dr. Laughlin began a path of continuing education that has taken him through advanced training in TMJ therapy, orthopedic orthodontics, cranial sacral therapy, bodywork / massage, nutrition, pain management, safe amalgam removal, biological /environmental dentistry, and more. He is still on that path of continuing education and learns more all the time, spending 200 – 300 hours in class every year. Dr. Laughlin has published original material in article and textbook formats, as well as created education materials for doctors and patients. Caring for his patients and helping them reach their health goals is what drives Dr. Laughlin every day.
Dr. Louis Musser, DDS
Dr. Louie Musser joined the team at Health Centered Dentistry in June 2021. When he was a teenager, he was one of Dr. Laughlin’s patients. Before attending dental school at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Louie shadowed the doctors at Health Centered Dentistry and worked as a dental assistant at HCD. He has been enjoying working in a holistic dental setting and implementing the knowledge he has gained. Dr. Louie is a member of the Holistic Dental Association and the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT). He has taken part in many continuing education courses including Ozone therapy, ALF approach for Orthodontics and the Holistic Dental Association’s annual conference. Continuing education opportunities have fueled his desire to continue learning so he can provide the highest quality of care possible.
Dr. Angie Barsness, DDS
Dr. Angie Barsness grew up in River Falls and earned a degree in Biology and Chemistry from UW-River Falls in 2007. After graduating from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 2011, she passionately committed herself to public health, providing oral healthcare and education to underserved children in the Twin Cities area. She went on to practice in a group setting for several years, gaining experience and ultimately realizing that she can provide more for patients with a holistic, patient-centered approach. She understands how intimately the mouth is connected to the rest of the body and enjoys helping patients get to the root cause of their symptoms. She is a lifelong learner and nature/health/movement enthusiast.
Dr. Barsness has a special focus on identifying soft tissue dysfunction as early as possible and guiding growth through conservative measures such as diet/lifestyle modification, myofunctional/postural therapy, and gentle lightwire therapy, thereby optimizing airway health. Aside from dentistry, Dr. Barsness enjoys country-living with her husband, two children, miniature donkeys and chickens. She is very grateful to be part of a team at Health Centered Dentistry who shares her philosophy of care in a community close to her heart and roots.
Crystal - Dental Hygienist
From early on growing up in rural SW Minnesota, Crystal’s goal was a career in the dental field. It all started with becoming a dental assistant shortly after high school and then continuing on with her education to pursue a degree in dental hygiene. She currently has over 17 years of dental field experience and she still has a passion to learn more! She is accredited through the IAOMT in Biological Dental Hygiene which specializes in learning the essential connections between oral health and overall health and taking the practice of dental hygiene to another level!
Crystal lives in the country near River Falls with her husband and their two active boys. They spend lots of time being outdoors: hiking, biking, boating, swimming and playing sports to name a few. Some of Crystal’s favorite things are reading books, traveling, organizing, and learning about gardening. Crystal looks forward to meeting you! Not only will you leave with your teeth squeaky clean, but also with tips and recommendations to improve your oral health which is correlated with your overall whole body wellness.
Jarica - Dental Hygienist
Jarica graduated from Lake Superior College-Duluth with an Associate in Applied Science-Dental Hygiene. She moved back home to Western Wisconsin where she started her career and a family. She is married with two energetic boys, two dogs and two cats. When she isn’t at work she enjoys gardening, camping, skiing, spending time with family and watching her two boys play baseball, football and basketball.
Jarica has a passion to continue learning through patients, her children, and her coworkers. She has learned through her own children’s experiences how important airway health can be and this fueled her passion for learning. She completed her Myofunctional Therapy certification in January 2023. Jarica brings over 10 years of hygiene experience with her and will also be working with patients in myofunctional therapy.
