Our Doctors
Dr. Kyle D. Kolquist, DDS
I am proud to say I was born and raised in Duluth. After graduating from Duluth East High School, I earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Notre Dame. I received my Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Minnesota. I have been practicing here at Kenwood Dental since graduation. I actively spend numerous weeks per year continuing my dental education and improving my skill-set in areas such as dental implant placement at the Engel Institute, digital dentistry at Cerec doctors and comprehensive esthetic treatment at The Spear Institute in Scottsdale, AZ. I hope to never stop learning about perfecting my craft. I am passionate about the digital world of dentistry which allows my patients to receive the highest quality dental care in a very efficient time manner. I truly believe digital dentistry leaves a smaller footprint on our precious environment.
My goal as your dentist is to provide dentistry for YOU. You may seek the perfect smile that belongs on the cover of a magazine. You may seek a healthy smile that reflects our true given smile. Or you may seek a smile that just gets you where you need to be. To me, these all are perfect. It only depends on what dentistry is appropriate for YOU. Let me know what your goals are, and I will provide you with options on how to achieve the smile YOU desire. This is dentistry for YOU.
Outside of work, I enjoy time with my beautiful wife Liz and our energetic boys Konnor, Kaden, and Kameron. We all enjoy golfing and chasing the sport of Ironman triathlon. If you don’t find me swimming, biking, running or at a golf course, you will find me at Barnes & Noble reading fiction and enjoying a quiet cup of coffee. But let’s be honest, with three young boys, Barnes & Noble is more like a trip to the toy store.
What is your best dental hygiene tip?
My best hygiene tip is to brush your teeth in the shower. I feel like it is a place where you aren’t in a hurry. Your mindset is about making sure your entire body is clean, especially your teeth!
What is your best “smile story”?
My favorite smile is your typical seven-year-old. Big teeth in a small head. That innocent, unknowing smile always makes me smile.
What do you look forward to in the future of dentistry?
Maximizing the use of our microscopes. Microscopes have allowed me to see things and do things I haven’t been able to do for the first fifteen years of my career. This has been so satisfying and it excites me to share these experiences with all my patients.
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Dr. Erin K. Renier, DDS
I love dentistry because it is an ideal blend of art and science, my two greatest passions. Every person has unique dental needs. I strive to educate my patients and partner with them to achieve healthy, beautiful smiles.
I grew up in Duluth, MN and am a graduate of Duluth Marshall School. It was during this time I knew I wanted a career of service that would allow me to use my artistic skills. I graduated Summa cum Laude from the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences Honors Program with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, and from then on pursued dentistry. At the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry I took a special interest in the dental subspecialty of prosthodontics (crowns, bridges, implants and dentures) and received select honors training. Upon graduating, I was awarded the Hannau’s Excellence in Prosthodontics award and was inducted into the Omnicron Kappa Upsilon Honor Dental Society.
Part of what keeps dentistry interesting for me are all of the new advances in the field. The dentistry of today is different than the dentistry of 5 years ago, and will be different than the dentistry of tomorrow. I am a lifelong learner and strongly value continued dental education. To stay on the cutting edge of dentistry I regularly attend courses from Spear Dental, Cerec Digital Dental Training, Engle Implant Institute and Invisalign. I am also a member of the Minnesota Dental Association, Northeastern District Dental Society, Great Lakes Study Club and Spear Study Club. The advances in dentistry and the opportunities to provide innovative solutions to the problems of tomorrow excite me. I love to learn and apply new advances to my practice in pursuit of excellent dental care.
In my free time, you would likely find me watercolor painting. I am a member of the Lake Superior Watercolor Society and serve as the secretary for the Artists of Minnesota Board, Cross-country skiing, hiking the Superior Hiking Trail, singing, and sailing as a crew member for the Wednesday night sailboat races, connect me to so many people in the community. I’m glad to call Duluth my home.
Dr. Ben D. Larson, DDS
Originally from Rochester, MN, I received my Bachelor of Arts in biology from Luther College before spending several years as a wilderness guide, science teacher, and then attended the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.
I have since served as a general dentist in the Twin Cities. I have also participated in a variety of volunteer mission opportunities at home and abroad – which is where I feel most rewarded in my work. I also find importance in staying up to date with advances in dentistry through continuing education coursework, which inspires and excites me to continue to find ways to be less scary while finding better and faster solutions to improve our patient’s beautiful smiles.
Outside of the office, I enjoy spending quality time outside – biking, hiking trails and kite surfing are my biggest obsessions, but I really love doing anything under the sun with the right gear and people.
What is your best dental hygiene tip?
Use the correct end of the toothbrush!
What is your best “smile story”?
The most recent was a teenager who fell off his bike on a Friday afternoon just before the school year started. We restored the fractured teeth that day and his friends didn’t even know there was an accident.
What do you look forward to in the future of dentistry?
At Kenwood Dental, we embrace proven technology – and it is only getting better, faster, and more accurate! We are nearing the point of doing much more in-house than we could before. Things like digital dentures may take a month off the treatment process. Talk about a service that can transform lives!
Our Staff
Rikki, Registered Dental Hygienist
Kellie, Registered Dental Hygienist
Ashley, Registered Dental Hygienist, Restorative Expanded Functions
Tyler, Registered Dental Hygienist
Alyssa, Registered Dental Hygienist
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Abby, Registered Dental Assistant, Restorative Expanded Functions
Alyssa, Registered Dental Assistant
Cristy, LLR, DA
Jasmine, Registered Dental Hygienist
Michelle, Clinical Coordinator
Tamiika, Office Coordinator
Sue, Business Manager
Calli, Registered Dental Assistant
Lauryn, Office Coordinator
