WHO WE ARE

MEET OUR TEAM

Abigail Faul, DDS

DENTIST

Dr. Faul is proud to have grown up in Huron. She attended undergraduate school at Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS earning her Bachelor of Arts in Biology. She continued her education at Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, NE graduating in 2012 with a Doctorate in Dental Surgery. Dr. Faul moved back to Huron in 2014 and took over Dr. Thomas Hajek’s practice in 2014, renaming the office Prairie Smiles Family Dentistry. 

Dr. Faul currently resides in Huron with her husband Nathan and their three children. She enjoys reading, activities with her children, traveling, and spending weekends at the cabin on Lake Byron with family and friends.

Julianne Thorne, DDS

DENTIST

Dr. Thorne (previously Dr. Loewen) was born and raised in Huron. She completed her undergraduate education at Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry and Biology in 2019. Dr. Loewen continued her education at Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, NE where she graduated with her Doctorate in Dental Surgery in 2023.

Dr. Thorne is married to Jesse Thorne, who was also raised in Huron. They were married in October 2024 and enjoy traveling, hiking, jet skiing, and spending time with their 17 nieces and nephews.

Justine Mehling

DENTAL HYGIENIST

Justine grew up in Waubay, South Dakota. She attended North Dakota State College of Science earning her Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene. She currently resides on her family farm outside of Wessington with her husband, Cole and their three children. Justine enjoys relaxing at the lake, gardening, craft projects, and helping on her farm. Justine has enjoyed working at Prairie Smiles Family Dentistry since 2015 and looks forward to meeting you and your family. 

Kelsey Kalkman

REGISTERED DENTAL HYGIENIST

Kelsey grew up in Huron, South Dakota. She attended the University of South Dakota earning her bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene. Kelsey has enjoyed working as a hygienist for over five years. She joined Prairie Smiles the summer of 2019. She lives on a farm in Miranda, SD with her husband Wes and their three daughters. Kelsey enjoys spending time at the lake, traveling and completing DIY projects.

Grayson Gruenhagen

REGISTERED DENTAL HYGIENIST

Grayson grew up and currently lives in De Smet, South Dakota. She attended the University of South Dakota, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene. Grayson joined the Prairie Smiles Family Dentistry team in the summer of 2020. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time at the lake with her friends and family, traveling, and attending sporting events.

Karsen Arbogast

DENTAL HYGIENIST

Karsen grew up and currently lives in Huron, SD.  She attended USD and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene.  She joined the staff at Prairie Smiles Family Dentistry in the summer of 2023.  Karsen enjoys dirt track racing, hunting, shopping, spending time with her nieces and nephew, and being a mom to fur babies Cedar and Cleo.

Brooke VonEye

REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT

Brooke attended Lake Area Technical Institute where she earned her certification in Dental Assisting in 2001. She has been part of the Prairie Smiles Family Dentistry team since 2013. She lives in Woonsocket with her husband, Tim and their four children. Outside of the office, Brooke enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her family and friends.

Cass Dixon

DENTAL ASSISTANT

Grew up in Wisner, NE.  She recently moved to Huron and joined Prairie Smiles Family Dentistry.  She enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, fishing, and camping.

Chase Huff

DENTAL ASSISTANT

Chase grew up in the Huron/Wolsey Area and started his dental assistant career at Prairie Smiles Family Dentistry in March 2023′.  He enjoys spending time with his family/friends and driving his treasured car.

Heather Jungemann

STERILIZATION COORDINATOR

Heather was raised in the Huron/Wolsey Area.  She joined the staff at Prairie Smiles Family Dentistry in Aug 2023′.  She currently resides in Huron and enjoys diamond painting, being outdoors and watching NASCAR.

Christa Horn

DENTAL ASSISTANT/SCHEDULING COORDINATOR

Christa was born and raised in the Huron area, attending Lake Area Tech for Dental Assisting. She has worked in the dental field since 1992 and has been a part of this practice since 1998.

She is married to Jeff, who was also raised in Huron. Together they have three children: Tyler, Tanner, and Taylor. Tyler and his wife, Alyssa, have blessed them with two grandchilden, Ridge and Harlow.  She enjoys spending time with her family, camping, fishing, riding the trails on side by side and babysitting the grandchildren.

Shelly Shillingstad

DENTAL HYGENIST/DENTAL ASSISTANT/SCHEDULING COORDINATOR

Shelly has been working in the dental field for 30 years and is able to help with our patients in many ways.  She enjoys working with Dr Faul and Dr Thorne as well as the whole Prairie Smiles dental family. 

She has three children, two grandchildren, and is expecting two more grandbabies very soon.  She loves spending time with all her kids and walking with all the pets in her family.

Jackie Carver

BILLING AND INSURANCE COORDINATOR

With 30 years of experience in office and customer service, Jackie helps our patients understand their insurance benefits and how to utilize their insurance to its fullest. She enjoys working and laughing with Dr. Faul and her coworkers. She and her husband, Paul, have three kids and six grandchildren, so far! Her faith, family, and friends all play important roles in her life. She has a passion for music, cooking and travel. “Your life may be the only Bible some people ever see,” so I pray, “Lord, let Them see You through Me.”

Liz Drain

INSURANCE COORDINATOR

Liz grew up in Grand Island, NE and studied business at John Brown University in AR.  She met her husband, Carter, while attending school there and made the decision to move to Huron, SD in the summer of 2024.  She is currently the Insurance Coordinator at Prairie Smiles Family Dentistry.  She loves spending time with family, reading, and traveling.

Heather Bartells

OFFICE MANAGER

Heather was born and raised in Huron and currently resides in Wolsey.  She graduated in 1996 with a marketing/business admin degree and has been part of the dental field since 2000′.  She joined Prairie Smiles Family Dentistry full-time in July 22′.

She is married to Chad and has three sons:  Chase whom is a dental assistant at Prairie Smiles, Cadden, and her youngest Greyson.  She enjoys spending time with her kids/family, camping, and reading.