Meet Dr. Peterson
Vacharee Peterson, DDS
Dr. Vacharee Peterson is a General Practitioner with over 36 years of experience. She graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 1982, and has dedicated her career to serving the community. After graduating from the dental school, Dr. Vacharee Peterson and her husband Dr. Andrew Peterson, DDS, co-founded Peterson & Peterson DDS PA. For 24 years, their clinic was one of the few private dental practices serving thousands of immigrants, refugees, and low-income families. In 2006, Dr. Peterson and her husband decided to turn their private clinic into a non-profit organization. Known as Community Dental Care, it is one of the largest not-for-profit dental clinics in the state of Minnesota. Dr. Vacharee Peterson retired as Chief Executive Officer of Community Dental Care in January 2018.
In 1992, Dr. Vacharee Peterson founded Cavity Free Kids, a preventive care company promoting dental health in children. Cavity Free Kids provides professional education programs in the area of clinical pediatric dentistry. Over 1,500 dentists, 300 dental assistants, and 200 hygienists nationwide have participated in her workshops. She continues to give seminars throughout the United States to oral health professionals.
Her passion to prevent diseases in children is the driving force behind her work, as well as in her inventions (see below). Most recently, Dr. Vacharee Peterson published her second children’s book, titled “Oh My! My Baby is Growing Teeth.” She hopes all parents will use her book as a teaching tool to instill healthy oral habits at home.
In her spare time, Dr. Vacharee Peterson enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, biking, hiking, and traveling.
Inventions:
PedoBurritoTM : protective security device for young children, eliminating the use of sedatives
Baby’s First Brush: safety training toothbrush with a large handle to prevent toothbrush accidents
Baby Teeth Handbook: a comprehensive booklet for parents of young children
Awards and Recognition:
Distinguished Alumni Award in Community Service – Bethel University, 1988
US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC)/Wells Fargo Asian Business Leadership Award – 2005
Humanitarian Service Award – Minnesota Dental Association, 2012
Lou Fuller Award for Distinguished Service in Eliminating Health Disparities – Minnesota Department of Health, 2014
Professional Affiliations:
American Dental Association, Minnesota Dental Association, American Association of Pediatric Dentistry (Affiliate Member), and Saint Paul District Dental Society