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Your Family Dentists, Dr. Matt and Dr. Sarah Karls

Looking for a dentist who gets to know you, explains your options, and never pushes treatment? Our family has been practicing dentistry that way in Waunakee since 1970, and our team at Karls Family Dentistry is eager to meet you.

What Do We Believe About a Good Dental Visit?

It starts with a conversation. We listen first, lay out your options, and plan treatment together so it fits your goals. We don’t rush hygiene appointments or sell treatment, because we would rather earn your trust than fill a schedule. 

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Where Did Our Practice Begin?

Dr. Stan Karls opened the practice in 1970 after coming home to Waunakee from the U.S. Army. For the next 50 years, he cared for generations of local families and was known for his kindness and his humor.

His son, Dr. Matt, joined in 2010. Dr. Matt’s wife, Dr. Sarah, joined in 2018. Funny enough, their fathers were classmates at Marquette dental school in 1968, where they shared a belief in honest, compassionate care and treating patients like family.  Today, Dr. Matt and Dr. Sarah own and run the practice together, carrying forward the values their fathers believed in: practicing with integrity, continuing to learn and improve, and always putting people first.

While dentistry has changed over the years, those values remain at the heart of how we care for our patients today.

Who Will You See in the Chair?

Two dentists, Dr. Matt and Dr. Sarah, care for every patient here. Both live in the community they treat and trained in the same residency at Meriter Hospital.

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Who Is Dr. Matt Karls?

Dr. Matt grew up in Waunakee and still lives here, so he has known some of his patients since he was a kid himself. He joined his dad at the family practice in 2010 and now works alongside his wife, Dr. Sarah. He is also the source of most of the jokes around here.

  • Education: DDS from Marquette University School of Dentistry, 2009
  • Training: One-year residency at Meriter Hospital in Madison, covering every area of dentistry
  • Teaching: Joined the Meriter faculty and taught part-time until the program closed
  • Off the clock: Golf, fitness, the Milwaukee Bucks, and a big family with twelve nieces and nephews
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Who Is Dr. Sarah Karls?

Dr. Sarah grew up in Hartland and joined Karls Family Dentistry in 2018 after working in a downtown private practice. Along with providing comprehensive dental care, she also offers Botox treatments, so she’s the one to ask if you’re curious.

Dr. Sarah is very grateful to be part of such a wonderful and thriving community.  She loves working with not only her husband but an incredibly caring dental team.  She is passionate about endurance sports and completed Ironman Wisconsin in 2019.  She also enjoys golfing and spending time with their two kids.  She is an active member of local, state, and national dental associations. 

  • Education: UW-Milwaukee, then a DDS from Marquette in 2010
  • Training: The same Meriter residency as Dr. Matt
  • Teaching: Taught on the Meriter faculty until the program closed in 2014
  • Off the clock: Finished Ironman Wisconsin in 2019, plus golf and time with their two kids

How Do They Approach Your Care?

  • They explain what they see in plain language, so you never have to guess why something is recommended.
  • They lean toward conservative treatment and put the patient first.
  • If you need a specialist, they refer you to someone they’ve known and trusted since their residency years in Madison.
  • Our crowns are custom-shaded by a local, single-person lab instead of being shipped overseas, so they match your teeth.

Where Do They Keep Learning?

For Dr. Matt and Dr. Sarah, learning didn’t stop after dental school. They continue investing in advanced education to stay current with developments in dentistry and offer treatment options that best fit their patients’ needs

  • Memberships: American Dental Association, Wisconsin Dental Association, Dane County Dental Society, Academy of General Dentistry, Chicago Dental Society
  • Ongoing education: Spear Institute, Seattle Study Club, ACT Dental Academy

Who Else Will You Meet at Our Office?

Many of our patients tell us the office feels like family, and our team is the reason. We meet every morning and again each week to plan the day and keep improving how we care for you. Say hello to the people you’ll see when you visit.

Lexi

Office Manager

Lexi grew up in Mineral Point and worked as a dental assistant before moving to Waunakee and joining our team. She is taking classes at UW-Platteville with the goal of becoming a dentist one day. Outside the office, she enjoys hunting, sand volleyball, and time with family and friends. Her favorite part of the job is Dr. Matt’s jokes.

Teagan

Insurance Coordinator

Teagan answers your insurance and billing questions and loves how much dentistry keeps growing. Born in Tucson, she has lived in Wisconsin for ten years and calls it home, even if she still dreams of the warmth now and then. She likes painting, crafting, and working in the shop.

Kelsey

Scheduling Coordinator

Kelsey earned a Public Relations degree from Northern Michigan University in 2019 and helps you find a time that works for you. She loves exploring the Midwest. In summer and fall, she heads to the U.P. with her husband and dog for time at the family cabin, hiking, and kayaking.

Cassie

Dental/Hygiene Assistant

Cassie has loved going to the dentist since she was young and knew she wanted a career in it. She joined us in 2022 with orthodontic experience. Away from work, you’ll find her on Lake Wisconsin in the warmer months, cheering on the Packers in the fall, or spending time with friends, family, and her dog, Bo.

Melinda

Dental Assistant

Melinda grew up in DeForest and lives near Poynette with her husband, two daughters, and three dogs. She found dentistry right out of high school and enjoys that there is always something new to learn. Her favorite part of the day is getting to know patients and helping them feel at ease.

Trisha

Dental Hygienist

Trisha started in dentistry at 16 as an assistant in Watertown and graduated from hygiene school in 1996. She spent her first two decades in a private practice alongside Dr. Sarah and joined us in 2023. She loves how today’s technology makes care almost pain free. At home, she cooks, bakes, and cares for three rescue dogs.

Jodee

Dental Hygenist

Jodee has worked in dentistry for 10 years and loved her cleanings so much as a kid that she saw her pediatric dentist until she was 24. She focuses on care that lasts and on building real relationships with patients. Away from work, she cycles, lifts weights, and cheers on the Badgers.

Marcia

Dental Hygienist

Marcia has been a dental hygienist for 35 years. She grew up on a dairy farm near Oxford, moved to Madison for college, and never left. These days she looks after a donkey, a dog, chickens, and cats on her farmette, and enjoys hiking, gardening, and horseback riding. She is also a brand new grandma.

Tracy

Dental Hygienist

Tracy has been a hygienist for more than 23 years and cares most about helping patients feel comfortable in their smiles. She and her husband escape to their cabin up north whenever they can, and she enjoys camping, reading, and time with their three dogs.

Celsey

Dental Hygienist

Celsey was born and raised in Waunakee and started as a dental assistant in her first year of college. She graduated from Madison College in 2011 and has been with us ever since. She and her family run a dairy farm that has been in the family for five generations, and she enjoys walking, baking, and cheering for the Packers and Badgers.

Lora – Retired

Dental Hygienist

Lora spent 35 years with our hygiene team and is remembered as an exceptional clinician and one of the humblest people you could meet. She retired this year and still fills in on a limited schedule.

What Is It Like to Walk Into Our Office?

You’ll pass a courtyard with a bubbling rock fountain and a bench. Inside, natural light fills the space, and fresh flowers from a local florist arrive every week. We renovated in 2021 to make the building feel like a home instead of a typical dental office, and the project earned an Orchid award from the Waunakee Chamber of Commerce.

Ready to Meet Us?

Call our office or request a visit online, and we’ll find a time that works for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I see the same dentist at every visit?

Yes. Dr. Matt and Dr. Sarah are the only two dentists here, so you won’t rotate between associates, and they will know your history.

Are you part of a larger dental group?

No. We are a private, family-owned and operated practice with one office. The dentists you meet in the chair are the ones who decide your treatment options.

How long is a first visit, and what happens?

Plan on about an hour and a half. You’ll start by talking with our administrative team, then a hygienist reviews your health and dental history. We take a 3D scan, chart your teeth and gums, and take digital X-rays if you need them. Then we go over what we found and build a plan with you, with options that fit your goals.

What if I’m nervous or it has been years since my last visit?

You’re in good company, and you won’t get a lecture. We go at your pace, explain each step before we start, and stop whenever you raise your hand. Treatment rooms are private with doors that close, and we have blankets, neck pillows, and overhead TVs.

What kinds of dental care do you offer?

We provide preventive and comprehensive dental care, restorative treatment including crowns and implant restoration, Invisalign, and Botox with Dr. Sarah.

Is your office accessible?

Yes. Our renovation added wider hallways, larger treatment rooms, and an improved parking lot to make visiting easier for everyone.