Matt Jugovich, D.D.S.
Dr. Matt Jugovich grew up in the country a few miles outside Biwabik on the Iron Range of Minnesota. The youngest of three children, he has always enjoyed sports and played both basketball and football as a kid. He graduated from Biwabik High School in 1983. He studied at St. John’s University and was accepted at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry in 1987. Leaving their youngest child in a very big city and a 12 hour drive away from home was a difficult transition for his parents. The distance was worth it, though, when he obtained his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1991.
Dr. Matt practiced dentistry in the Twin Cites for a few years, even owning a small dental practice in St. Paul, before moving to Duluth to work downtown on 4th Street, close to St. Mary’s Hospital in 1995. He met and treated many amazing patients he still sees today at Dr. Chart’s office all those years ago.
Dr. Matt met his wife, Stephanie, in 1998 and purchased a small dental practice, Pike Lake Dental Center, in 1999. From there, his life moved ahead pretty quickly. He bought a house, got married, had a baby, built a house, moved a house, built an office building and had two more children by 2005. Through it all, Dr. Matt was steadfastly committed to his patients and transformed Pike Lake Dental Center from a small dental practice into the thriving, multi-doctor dental practice it is today.
Community involvement has always been important to Dr, Matt. He has coached his children in youth soccer, tee ball and basketball over the years. He has volunteered in many ways within the Duluth and Hermantown communities and continues to do so today. The office’s list of Community Involvement boasts a wide array of Dr. Matt’s philanthropic interests.
In his rare free time, he enjoys time at his cabin, fishing, hunting and cheering on the Vikings. Some of his outdoor highlights have been fishing in Alaska and Canada, hunting in South Dakota, Texas, New Mexico and even Argentina. There is always something new to talk about in the dental chair when you see him!
With over 30 years of dental experience, Dr. Matt is confident, level headed and skilled, no matter what the situation brings. He is proud of the excellent practice he has built and is thankful to be part of this wonderful Northern Minnesota community.
“A smile is a smile in every corner of the earth.”
Ben Larson, D.D.S.
Dr. Ben Larson joined our team in January of 2024, but he is no stranger to the dental profession. He grew up in Rochester and graduated from Luther College in 2003 with a BA in Biology. He taught biology to 7th and 9th graders for 4 years before going back to school at the University of Minnesota to become a dentist. Dr. Larson achieved his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2015. Not long after, he moved to Duluth to work in this beautiful area where he had always wanted to live.
Woodworking and working on projects around the house are a couple of things Dr. Ben enjoys during his time away from the office. It should come as no surprise that he absolutely loves the outdoors. He spent 6 summers leading teenagers on wilderness backpacking and paddling trips. Dr. Ben is always ready for an adventure! He still paddles, skis, hikes, bikes and even kite surfs! If it is a challenge, he is ready for it with his trusty sidekick, Odin, who is part cattle dog, part superhero. Together, they love to adventure off the beaten path.
Adventuring aside, Dr. Ben has a compassionate heart and believes strongly in giving back to the profession he loves. He has participated in many local dentistry missions and has even traveled afar on mission trips, providing dental care in places like rural Panama, Peru and Belize.
Back in Duluth, Dr. Larson highlights getting to know and learn about all sorts of interesting people as his favorite aspects of his job. Getting patients out of pain, preventing future problems and seeing patients gain their confidence back with a renewed smile are all also very satisfying parts to the profession for him.
Dr. Larson brings experience and expertise with him to his job everyday and we are thrilled to have him as an integral part of our Pike Lake Dental Center team. We can’t wait for you to meet him!
Casey Newton, D.D.S.
Dr. Newton received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. After receiving his degree, Dr. Newton had a unique opportunity to work as a dental assistant in Helena, MT with one of the foremost laser dentists in the country. It was in Montana that Dr. Newton’s love for general dentistry came alive. The ability to provide comprehensive care for patients of all ages led him into the profession and is what fuels his passion today. Following a formative year in Montana, immersing himself in dentistry and alpine skiing, Dr. Newton attended the University of Minnesota to obtain his dental degree. Dr. Newton practiced dentistry in the Twin Cities for 2 years, then an additional 7 years in Eau Claire, Wisconsin before moving to Duluth.
Dr. Newton could not be more excited to be living in northern Minnesota and serving the fantastic people of this community. Dr. Newton loves general dentistry for the relationships he is able to build and the excellent care he is able to provide. His passion and zest for life is reflected in all that he does and he looks forward to the opportunity to come alongside his patients to optimize their oral health and achieve their goals, whatever they may be. Dr. Newton looks forward to providing the same level of excellence that patients at Pike Lake Dental Center have come to expect.
When he is not enhancing lives at the dental office, Dr. Newton can be found here, there, or practically anywhere outdoors, adventuring with his wife, Brieanna Lise, and daughters Sage and Juniper.
