the team behind the smiles
Meet Dr. Erik & Dr. Beth
Two board-certified pediatric dentists dedicated to making every visit positive, comfortable, and fun.
Quick facts
Dr. Erik Balster, D.D.S.
Dr. Erik Balster founded Balster Pediatric Dentistry in 2007. He earned his B.A. in Religion and B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Iowa before graduating from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in 2004 and completing his pediatric dental residency in 2006.
Dr. Balster is board certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and served as Past President of the Linn County Dental Society. He also serves as Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Iowa and received the 2019 DentaQual Leaders in Quality Award.
His commitment to the Cedar Rapids community extends beyond the office — he serves on the HACAP Health Services Advisory Committee and the St. Luke's Dental Health Center Advisory Board. Outside of work, Dr. Balster enjoys running, biking, cooking, and spending time outdoors with his family.
Credentials & Affiliations
- University of Iowa College of Dentistry, D.D.S. (2004)
- Pediatric Dental Residency, University of Iowa (2006)
- Board Certified, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
- Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Iowa
- Past President, Linn County Dental Society
- 2019 DentaQual Leaders in Quality Award
- Member, AAPD & Iowa Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Quick facts
Dr. Beth Pfohl, D.D.S.
Dr. Beth Pfohl joined the practice in 2021 after completing her pediatric dental residency at the University of Iowa. Before dentistry, she earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Iowa and an M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Tennessee, bringing an analytical precision to her approach to care.
Dr. Pfohl is board certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She spent over six years as Grants and Scholarships Coordinator at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa and currently serves as Dental Director of the Healthy Kids School-Based Clinics. She also earned 1st Place in the ADA Post-Doctoral Table Clinics Competition in 2021.
Outside the office, Dr. Pfohl loves traveling, reading, running, and spending time with her family. Her warmth and patience make her a natural with children, especially those who are nervous about visiting the dentist.
Credentials & Affiliations
- University of Iowa College of Dentistry, D.D.S. (2019)
- Pediatric Dental Residency, University of Iowa (2021)
- Board Certified, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
- B.S. Civil Engineering, University of Iowa
- M.S. Civil Engineering, University of Tennessee
- Dental Director, Healthy Kids School-Based Clinics
- 1st Place, ADA Post-Doctoral Table Clinics (2021)
- Ronald McDonald House Charities — Grants & Scholarships Coordinator
- Member, AAPD & American Dental Association
what sets us apart
Built for families, not just teeth
Gentle-first approach
Every procedure starts with connection. We take time to explain, demonstrate, and earn your child’s trust before ever picking up an instrument.
Two specialists, double the expertise
With Dr. Erik and Dr. Beth on your team, your child benefits from complementary strengths—engineering precision meets compassionate intuition.
Special needs trained
Both doctors completed advanced residencies in treating children with special healthcare needs, sensory sensitivities, and medical complexities.
Hospital privileges
For complex cases requiring sedation or general anesthesia, we have full privileges at St. Luke’s Hospital—keeping care seamless and safe.
After-hours emergencies
Dental emergencies don’t wait for office hours. We provide after-hours emergency care so your family is never left without help.
Community-rooted
From the Ronald McDonald House to school-based clinics, we’ve invested years giving back to Cedar Rapids children who need it most.
two doctors, one mission
Making every visit an adventure
our shared philosophy
“We believe every child deserves to discover excitement for their smile. Our job is not just to fix teeth. It is to build trust, reduce fear, and create a foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits.”
Dr. Erik & Dr. Beth
ready to meet us in person?
Schedule your child's visit today
We are accepting new patients and would love to welcome your family to our practice.