BROOKINGS – A longtime Brookings business has moved to a new location and tripled its space so it can offer better service.

Knutzen Family Dentistry was located in the Yorkshire Building for decades, and Dr. Ben Knutzen just opened the doors to a brand-new building at 2110 12th St. S.

Knutzen Family Dentistry has been a familiar name in Brookings for 42 years, ever since Dr. Randy Knutzen started wielding his dentistry tools in 1974. His son, Ben, grew up in Brookings and went to the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. After graduation, Ben came back and went into practice with his dad, buying the practice from Randy in 2006.

Along the way, Ben married his wife, Molly – they’re both Brookings High School grads – and they have three kids.

After more than a decade, the old building just didn’t work any more and it was time to move.

“We outgrew that space is the main problem,” Ben said. “Just wanted bigger rooms, more accessible amenities, and stuff like that. I didn’t really have any ability to expand where I was, so I went looking for some land and found this.”

The new location near the corner with 22nd Avenue South didn’t have a building, so Ben and Molly built one to suit their needs, with Molly overseeing the details of construction for the past year.

Ben figures the old building was about 1,800 square feet and the new building is about 5,400 square feet, so it’s “about three times bigger,” he said.

The old building had three operatory (exam) rooms and two hygiene rooms while the new building has 10 operatories, Molly said.

“Things have a better location,” Ben said, mentioning his X-ray machine is now conveniently located in its own space just off a hallway, instead of being “jammed into a closet.”

“This office does feature all new dental equipment, so it’s the latest and greatest,” Molly said.

All of that adds to an “increase in efficiency,” Ben said.

Not only do they have more space, the new building will give them room to expand their staff.

Currently, Ben is the only dentist – he does a whole range of dentistry work, including implants and oral surgery, keeping him on the run. They have two front desk people, two assistants and three hygienists. Molly helps with some business functions.

The practice has gained more patients over the years, and Ben is always willing to take on more.

“We see kids from 2 to 3 (years) all the way up to ... early 100s. Lot of age range,” he said.

“Due to the growth of our practice, we’re hoping to add another dentist,” Molly said.

“And with that, probably more auxiliary staff: more hygienists and more assistants,” Ben added. “The plan would be to move slowly.”

Their first day seeing patients in the new digs was last Monday and “everything went well, surprisingly,” Molly said. “It’s definitely an adjustment, but it went smooth.”

Knutzen Family Dentistry can be reached at 692-9463 or on Facebook or at knutzendental.com online.

Contact Jodelle Greiner at jgreiner@brookingsregister.com.