The Dental Specialists Meet Dr. Quentin Knutson
Welcome back to our regular series, "Meet Our Doctors". For this installment, we're highlighting Dr. Quentin Knutson, a Pediatric Dentist at our Maple Grove practice. In his profile, Dr. Knutson shares why he chose the Pediatric Dentistry specialty, what he finds most rewarding, and a few fun facts about his personal life. Enjoy getting to know Dr. Knutson!
What made you choose dentistry? The first time I considered being a dentist was when I went to Tanzania with Biology without Borders at the end of my senior year at the U of M. We went to a leprosy colony and handed out toothbrushes. I was surprised how many children raised their hand that this was their first toothbrush of their life. When I returned from the trip I went to observe at a TMD office with my mom who worked there as an assistant. I realized how much I was drawn to both dentistry but also the patient provider relationship that comes with dentistry. My eyes were also opened to how similar I am to my mom who recently retired from assisting after 40 years.
What made you choose your specialty? I started working as a caregiver for individuals with disabilities my senior year of high school. This experience helped me develop the core values of acceptance, communication and respect. I knew going through dental school that I wanted to be a dentist for patients with special healthcare needs. Pediatric dentistry residency provides significant curriculum and clinical training in treatment patients with special healthcare needs and providing care in the hospital setting.
What do you love most about your specialty or what do you find the most rewarding? I really enjoy the challenge of helping the anxious patient overcome their fears and perhaps even enjoy going to the dentist afterwards. Kids have so much neuroplasticity that gives them so much potential to reshape their perspective and fears of dentistry, so watching this happen (even if it takes years for some) is extremely rewarding. I also love leaning into the Latin meaning of doctor, which is "to teach". I find it rewarding to partner with a family unit to learn about what makes them unique and then to provide custom person-centered counsel.
What’s your care/treatment philosophy? I have come to really appreciate minimally invasive approaches as a unique avenue to achieve optimal health while also avoiding surgical procedures. Studies have supported minimally invasive approaches enhances quality of life in preschoolers and I have certainly seen children and parents alike appreciate these treatment options. I also practice with the understanding that we are treatment more than a tooth, we are treating a human being and I like to take into account medical and social factors in my treatment planning. Person centered care, the balance of what is important to and what is important for an individual, is also very important to me and allows me to employ creativity to develop a treatment plan that everyone is comfortable with.
When did you start or how many years have you been with The Dental Specialists? I graduated residency in 2021, became board certified one year later and joined The Dental Specialists Maple Grove location in January 2025.
What is one thing you love most about The Dental Specialists? I love the robust systems in place, ability to collaborate with and learn from different specialists and the commitment to what is best for the patient.
And now for a little fun, let's get to know Dr. Knutson on a more personal level!
- What did you want to be when you were a kid? Architect or marine biologist.
- What was your very first job? Caregiver for adults and children with disabilities.
- What do you like to do on your days off? Spend time with my family. I do really enjoy strategy and video games. One of my happiest places is when I’m biking, hiking and/or camping in the great outdoors. In the summer time I love rearing monarch butterflies with my kids.
- What’s your favorite food or drink? I love salmon and coffee. My go to morning drink is iced americano black (even if it’s 20 below).
- Who is your hero or who inspires you? My faith is very important to me; I would need to answer Jesus. Otherwise I also would need to say my wife is my hero and inspires me for all that she does for our family.
- What is an interesting fact that people may not know about you? I was in marching band for many years, playing trombone.
- If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? New Zealand to see “Middle Earth”.
- What’s your favorite movie? Lord of the Rings trilogy.
- What’s your favorite genre of music to listen to? Alternative, indie.
- What are your hobbies? DIY projects around the home, rearing monarch butterflies, video games with my kids, board games, anything outdoors.
- What’s your favorite holiday? There is nothing like Christmas, but people are also often surprised how much I like Halloween.
- Do you speak any other languages? A little bit of Spanish; in tune with non-verbal communication.
- Are you scared of or have a fear of anything? I have never liked heights.
- What’s your favorite thing about living in Minnesota/Wisconsin? It has to be the kindness and goodness of the people. I love northern Minnesota and all the lakes it has to offer.
- Do you have any hidden talents? I can sing and in a second life I would likely pursue theatre as I love acting.
- What’s your favorite season? Fall.
- What’s your favorite color? Orange.
- What’s your favorite animal? Monarch butterfly.
- How many different states have you lived in? Two – Minnesota but lived in Oregon for three years while my wife was in optometry school.
- What do you enjoy most about being part of a group practice? I enjoy the ability to learn from others and share pediatric/special needs pearls with colleagues who are looking to enhance their own care.