Meet Our Team

Albany Family Dentist’s welcoming environment and professional dental care services in Albany, highlighting our commitment to quality and patient comfort
Albany Family Dentist’s welcoming environment and professional dental care services in Albany, highlighting our commitment to quality and patient comfort

Dr. Jason Spychala

Dr. Jason Spychala—better known as simply Dr. Jason—graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 2007 and worked for two years as an associate before purchasing the dental practice in Albany. He then started Albany Family Dentistry in 2009.

Dr. Jason’s favorite part of being a dentist is being able to interact with people. Whether that means the team and the daily discussions around enhancing their careers, or providing new information and treatment options to patients. he enjoys providing an enlightening experience for those he cares for.

“I chose dentistry because I love working with my hands, enjoy being creative, and I find joy in helping people. Dentistry allows for all this and more. As I continue to learn, innovate, and incorporate my skills into my profession, I’m continuously reminded of my passion for my job.”

Outside of work, Dr. Jason loves including his kids in daily life discussions on healthy lifestyles. He and his wife incorporate healthy food into their family camping trips, take their kids on biking adventures, raise animals on their family hobby farm, work together on creative family projects like lego building and game nights. He and his family also run Harvest on the Hill, which provides sustainable farm-to-table produce locally and seeks to teach people about the importance of knowing where their food comes from.

Albany Family Dentist’s welcoming environment and professional dental care services in Albany, highlighting our commitment to quality and patient comfort

Dr. Kara Engelbrektson

Dr. Kara Engelbrektson graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 2010. She then completed a General Practice Residency at Hennepin County Medical Center in 2011 and joined Albany Family Dentistry in the spring of 2022.

She comes from a family of medical providers and found her passion for dentistry during college when she was working alongside her father, a CRNA, at an oral surgery office for a few summers. Dr. Kara enjoys working with patients to address their concerns and improve oral health. 

“I enjoy collaborating with everyone I meet to customize a plan to address their concerns and improve oral health. It’s a privilege to make an impact and observe the transformations.”

Outside of work, Dr. Kara enjoys getting outside to go boating, wake surfing, snowmobiling, and riding UTVs. She loves adventuring with her mini–Australian Shepard and Affenpinscher, raising chickens, and making memories with her husband and two young daughters.

Albany Family Dentist’s welcoming environment and professional dental care services in Albany, highlighting our commitment to quality and patient comfort

Peg Tenney

Office Personnel

Peg joined the team at Albany Family Dentistry in 2019. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, preferably around a bonfire with outdoor activities. Favorite part of her job: Meeting new patients & seeing people she hasn’t seen in a very long time.

“Beautiful teeth and smiles have always been important to me. The opportunity to work at this awesome clinic came at a perfect time in my life.”

Albany Family Dentist’s welcoming environment and professional dental care services in Albany, highlighting our commitment to quality and patient comfort

Julie Kierzek

Office Personnel

Julie is new to the dentistry world, and she feels like the profession chose her! When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, as well as reading, gardening, and cooking/baking. Favorite part of her job: Ensuring that each patient’s visit is an enjoyable one.

“I enjoy making patients feel at home.”

Albany Family Dentist’s welcoming environment and professional dental care services in Albany, highlighting our commitment to quality and patient comfort

Ann Scheel

Office Personnel

Ann has been involved in dentistry for over 40 years. She was fascinated with the industry early on in life, and after shadowing her dentist in high school, she knew that a career in the dental world was right for her. Ann enjoys providing a positive dental experience as well as helping patients feel welcomed and comfortable at our clinic. Outside of the office, you can find Ann spending time with family, tending to her garden, or lending a hand on the family farm.

“I enjoy providing a positive dental experience and helping patients feel comfortable at our clinic”

Albany Family Dentist’s welcoming environment and professional dental care services in Albany, highlighting our commitment to quality and patient comfort

Teresa Dickhoff,
RDH

Hygienist

Teresa graduated from RCTC in Rochester, MN in 2011 and has been with Albany Family Dentistry for 8 years. Teresa loves spending time with her three kids, visiting the lake, and enjoying the outdoors. Favorite part of the job: Working closely and getting to know patients, and helping them maintain a healthy smile. 

“I  chose dentistry because I always had positive dental experiences growing up and wanted to give patients the same experience”

Albany Family Dentist’s welcoming environment and professional dental care services in Albany, highlighting our commitment to quality and patient comfort

Emily Nietfeld,
RDH

Hygienist

Emily has been practicing dentistry since 2011, graduating as a dental assistant from Northwest Technical and Community College in Bemidji before receiving her Dental Hygienist degree in 2016 from St. Cloud Technical and Community College. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, and camping and fishing. Favorite part of her job: Making patients feel comfortable during their appointments and getting to know them. 

“I chose dentistry to be able to educate and help people feel good about their oral health, because it can affect their whole body.”

Albany Family Dentist’s welcoming environment and professional dental care services in Albany, highlighting our commitment to quality and patient comfort

Charlene Ohmann,
RDH

Hygienist

Charlene has been practicing dentistry for 23 years, with 18 of them being here at Albany Family Dentistry in her home town. She takes pride in caring for people and educating patients about their oral health. Charlene enjoys being outdoors, walking and biking, and spending time with family and friends. Favorite part of her job: The Patients. 

“I enjoy getting to know my patients and their families right here in my home town.”

Albany Family Dentist’s welcoming environment and professional dental care services in Albany, highlighting our commitment to quality and patient comfort

Lindsey Wolf,
RDH

Hygienist

Lindsey recently graduated from Lake Superior College in Duluth. She chose this career path so she can help her patients achieve a confident and healthy smile. Lindsey loves camping, fishing, and spending time with her growing family. She has recently been busy with her family’s newest addition, Oakley, a golden retriever puppy, as well as her recent marriage. 

“I enjoy building relationships with my patients and having them leave with a healthy smile.”

Albany Family Dentist’s welcoming environment and professional dental care services in Albany, highlighting our commitment to quality and patient comfort

Marissa Throener,
RDH

Hygienist

Marissa is a graduate of St. Cloud Technical and Community College, where she chose to go into dental hygiene in order to help people achieve healthy, happy smiles. She loves getting to know patients while providing care for their oral and overall health. Outside of work, Marissa enjoys playing music on a variety of instruments, spending time with family and friends, and raising golden retrievers.

“I want to help people improve their overall health, which is directly related to oral health.”

Albany Family Dentist’s welcoming environment and professional dental care services in Albany, highlighting our commitment to quality and patient comfort

Lindy VanderEyk,
RDH

Hygienist

Lindy has been practicing dentistry for more than 20 years, and knew she wanted to be a hygienist as a kid. She loves getting to know patients and working on treatment plans with them. When not at the clinic, Lindy enjoys hanging out with friends and family, including her three children. Summer is her favorite season, where she enjoys cabin time, tending to her flower gardens, and visiting Duluth.

“I’ve always loved going to the dentist, and as a kid I knew I wanted to be a hygienist.”

Albany Family Dentist’s welcoming environment and professional dental care services in Albany, highlighting our commitment to quality and patient comfort

Jen Stepan,
LDA

Assistant

Jen has been practicing dentistry for 20 years. Growing up, she always enjoyed going to the dentist and had a passion for helping people—because of that, Jen decided to pursue a career in dentistry. Favorite part of her job: the variety of things she does as a hygienist—every day is different!

“Growing up, I liked going to the dentist, but not everyone does, so it is a great feeling to help people through an appointment and see them leave with a smile on their face.”

Albany Family Dentist’s welcoming environment and professional dental care services in Albany, highlighting our commitment to quality and patient comfort

Brenda VanBeck, LDA, REF

Assistant

Brenda has been a Dental Assistant for over 34 years. She received her Restorative Functions degree from the U of M in 2005. Brenda loves spending time with her kids and husband, relaxing on the lake with family & friends, helping others in need, and enjoying the simple things in life. Favorite part of her job: Educating my patients and making sure they have the absolute best care possible.

“I chose dentistry because I love to help others. Dentistry is always evolving, and I love to learn new things and improve my skills.”

Albany Family Dentist’s welcoming environment and professional dental care services in Albany, highlighting our commitment to quality and patient comfort

Kaitlyn Wensman, LDA

Assistant

Kaitlyn has been in school for the past two years practicing dentistry and has been practicing in the field for the past few months. She chose dentistry because she always found it very interesting and she loves interacting with patients. Favorite part of the job: Interacting with patients and making them feel good.

“I believe everyone is a little bit more confident with a beautiful smile.”

Albany Family Dentist’s welcoming environment and professional dental care services in Albany, highlighting our commitment to quality and patient comfort

Alyssa Rodenwald, LDA

Assistant

Alyssa has been practicing dentistry for 20 years. She chose dentistry because there is such a wide variety of services in the dental world and she thought it would make a great, always interesting career. Favorite part of her job: The wide variety of procedures that I get to be a part of.

“I’m learning new things every day.  Dr Jason takes pride in being up-to-date on technology and it’s so fun to be a part of.”