Dr Kristen Berning

Dubuque, Iowa native Dr. Kristen Berning is the eldest of Dr. Ted Murray's three daughters. A most distinguished 1998 graduate of Wahlert Catholic High School, Dr. Berning graduated summa cum laude with a Biology major and Chemistry minor from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. During college, she also competed on the St. Thomas varsity swim team for 4 years. She then went on to receive her DDS degree from The University of Iowa College of Dentistry in 2006. During her four years of dental school, she worked with Dr. Murray Bouschlicher on dental curing light research studies. Dr. Berning chose to join her father in practice at Exceptional Dentistry, where she enjoys working with patients of all ages. She provides a wide range of general dentistry services, with a focus on quality and cosmetic dental care. She enjoys getting to know her patients and their families, and helping establish dental health and make a smile more beautiful for a lifetime. Dr. Berning has a special interest in airway dentistry and how nasal versus mouth breathing can affect the growth and development of the structure of the mouth and face. She and her dental team screen patients, especially growing children, for conditions that affect breathing, oral health, and everyday quality of life. Dr. Berning has advanced training in laser dentistry. She uses a LightScalpel CO2 laser to release tongue and lip ties for patients of various ages.