New dentist takes over Dr. Stephen Earney’s practice after 36 years of business in Charles City

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

It’s not often that an Iowa Hawkeye and Minnesota Golden Gopher can come to an agreement on something.

Two such fans of those Big Ten squads put their collegiate differences aside recently in Charles City.

Longtime local dentist, Dr. Stephen Earney, decided it was time to step down from his practice of 36 years in Charles City and he will retire at the end of this month.

The University of Minnesota grad didn’t hesitate to sell his business and pass the torch to the next generation of dental experts in “America’s Hometown” – Dr. Reed Faldet, a black and gold 2019 University of Iowa Dental School graduate.

“So a Hawkeye and a Gopher can get along and make this work,” said Faldet, with a smile.

Faldet’s practice will be named Hometown Dental and he’ll take over from Earney on July 1.

Earney said a lot of dental grads right out of college will undertake associateships, but not Faldet.

“I find the ones that want to purchase a practice, they have a certain level of confidence to do something like that. I know he’s got that assuredness into him. That’s what I like about him is that he feels confident that he can run a practice right off the bat. That’s the way I was,” said Earney.

Faldet is familiar with northeast Iowa and is a Cresco native. He graduated in 2011 from Crestwood High School and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University.

Faldet is engaged to be married to Addison Miller. Miller is from Algona and is a fourth-year dental student who will also practice in the area once she completes her degree.

Faldet said he sent out letters to a couple of dentists in the area to inform them that he was looking to buy a practice fresh out of dental school.

“Charles City happened to be a nice, central location for both of us,” said Faldet.

Earney is confident that the changeover will be a seamless transition. Faldet will also offer the most up-to-date dental procedures.

“Dr. Faldet exemplifies the practice philosophy I hoped to succeed me and is caring and quality minded,” said Earney. “I’m absolutely confident that he will earn the same trust and loyalty from you that has meant so much to me.”

Earney said when he started his practice in 1983 on Main Street just up from the banks of the Cedar River, that he had around 600 patient charts on file.

“Now we have over 4,200,” said Earney.

Earney said he’ll spend a good portion of retirement visiting his two children who live in Idaho and Florida. His daughter in Idaho has two boys, a 2-year-old and one that is 3 months old.

“It’s time,” said Earney, about entering retirement.

It didn’t take long for Earney and Faldet to develop a bond and friendship after the 36-year dental veteran gave the rookie a tour around Charles City.

“One of the reasons we kind of hit it off is we both are kind of more lighthearted, like to joke around and have some fun. I think it puts patients at ease,” said Faldet.

Earney said one of the hardest things for him to let go will be the relationships that he’s created over the decades with his patients – some that have been getting their teeth worked on by him since day one.

“I have been noticing since we’ve been saying goodbye to patients, that how many of them were here 36 years ago,” said Earney. “I have really appreciated the loyalty and the camaraderie and the friendships I’ve developed here over the past years. That’s what I’ll miss more than anything as I retire.”

Terri Castle, Earney’s dental assistant for over 30 years, will stay on with Faldet in her current position. Earney said the hours for Hometown Dental will remain the same – open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. He also said new patients are welcome at the 114 N. Main office.