Jay Lala is an Iowa native originally from Cedar Rapids. Jay attended Mount Mercy College and the University of Iowa Dental school where he graduated in 1988. Jay completed his residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry in 1989 in Iowa City. In 1993 Jay opened Central Park Dentistry here in Mason City and quickly became recognized as o­ne of the top dentists in Northern Iowa.

When Jay isn’t seeing his dental patients he enjoys snow skiing, water skiing, sporting clays, golf, ATVs, and hunting with his Golden Retriever. If Tommy Bahama ever holds an amateur golf tournament we’re pretty certain Jay will be there sporting his best Magnum P.I. inspired outfit by Tommy B. Go Jay! If you are a current patient or plan o­n becoming o­ne you’ll know (or quickly learn) what we mean by that comment! Jay is not your typical strait laced dentist. Be prepared to smile or even laugh during your dental visit. Jay’s carefully selected staff and partners are all receptive to patient’s fears and concerns.

Going to the dentist should be enjoyable and no more stressful than getting a hair cut. Jay learned early o­n how to treat fearful patients and this is just o­ne of many attributes that make Central Park Dentistry such a successful practice today. Dr. Lala will be working in Sheffield on Thursdays.

 

Matt accepted a full-ride scholarship for Dental School from the Air Force in 1997, and entered active duty Air Force service in June of 2000. He was assigned to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. During his time at Wright-Patterson, he was a resident in the Advanced Education in General Dentistry program. Dr. Hansen graduated as “Top Grad” in July, 2001 when he also accepted his assignment to Rhein-Main Air Base, near Frankfurt, Germany. Matt and his family enjoyed his 3-year tour in Germany immensely, taking full advantage of living overseas in a small, German village and sight-seeing all over Europe.

Outside of the dental clinic, Dr. Hansen is an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, along with other collegiate sports. He likes to try his hand at any sport including golf, basketball and softball. He enjoys going to the gym and running. He is an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where he teaches high school Sunday school. After growing up on an acreage in northwest Iowa, Dr. Hansen enjoys the Iowa pace of life, friendliness, and the moral values associated with agriculture centered communities.

Mason City is the perfect place for Matt to raise their five children. Professionally, Dr. Hansen is a member of the Iowa State Dental Association, the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry and Seattle Study Club. Dr. Hansen regularly volunteers his time and talents at the North Iowa Free Dental Clinic. Dr. Hansen will be working in Sheffield on Thursdays.

Jennifer Thackery (Nelson) D.D.S. is so happy to be a part of the Central Park Dentistry family! Jennifer was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She attended The University of Iowa for her undergraduate education, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Integrative Physiology and a minor in Spanish. Dr. Thackery graduated from The University of Iowa College of Dentistry in June of 2015. While attending school, she stayed active playing in many softball and volleyball leagues. She was also selected to participate in an international exchange program where she spent three months studying at the dental school in Aarhus, Denmark.

Her husband, Seth, is a Clear Lake native. She is happy to be living near so many of her relatives in Mason City and having her in-laws and extended family in the Clear Lake area. She and her husband enjoy traveling, trying new breweries, and pheasant hunting with their black lab, Macallan Scotch Whisky- Mac for short. Dr. Thackery has also been known to do a little deer hunting- bow and shotgun- and even got her first deer with a bow on her first day out!

Being a mama is Dr. Thackery’s true joy (right next to dentistry, of course)! She and Seth have two boys, Gabriel and Asher. The boys are 19 months apart, so they keep their parents BUSY BUSY and always on their toes! Gabriel especially loves pouring and being outside, and Asher loves trying to keep up with his brother in whatever Gabriel is getting into! Both boys are incredibly talkative, a trait we’re sure they get from their mother.

Dr. Thackery loves taking care of patients of all ages. She is especially conscientious of kids and people who may be fearful of having dental treatment. Her compassion will put you at ease, and her sociable nature will keep you calm and comfortable throughout your visit.

Dr. Thackery is very excited to be a part of the outstanding staff at Central Park Dentistry. Dr. Thackery works in Mason City on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, in Sheffield on Wednesdays, and happily works in Osage when she is needed!

Dr. Briana (Lage) Brayton was born and raised in north central Iowa. She grew up on an acreage between Meservey and Thornton where her parents, Bret and Sue Lage, still farm. She graduated from West Fork High School in 2009 then attended Wartburg College, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2013 with a B.A. in Biology. Briana was drawn to dentistry because of the lasting relationships that can be formed with patients and the ability to make a difference in people’s lives. After college, Briana completed her professional studies at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and graduated with her D.D.S. in 2017.

Briana and her husband, Alex, couldn’t be happier to be back in north Iowa. They enjoy living close to family and being a part of the community that helped raise them. They have a little girl named Gloria who lights up their world. In her free time, Briana enjoys spending time with her family, spoiling her dog George, skiing, golfing, baking, and going to Iowa Hawkeye sporting events.

Briana was initially drawn to Central Park Dentistry because of its outstanding reputation. The dentists at CPD exhibit great character and have proven to be committed to lifelong learning. She loves being a part of Central Park Dentistry and providing exceptional dental care for patients in Mason City, Sheffield, and surrounding communities.

Dr. Rick Young is an Iowa lifer. Born and raised in northern Iowa, Rick is ready to get back to the area he loves and practice dentistry at Central Park Dentistry. Rick graduated from Garner Hayfield in 2012. Afterward, he attended Waldorf University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He completed his professional studies at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in 2021. Rick pursued a career in dentistry because it allows him to make a positive impact in other’s lives. He also loves working with his hands, so dentistry is the perfect meld of these two.

Dr. Rick is particularly drawn to restorative dentistry, such as composite fillings and fixed crowns. In his final year of dental school Rick was awarded the Brasseler USA award for excellence in restorative dentistry. Restoring a patient’s smile and giving them confidence through their oral health drives Rick to provide the best dental work possible. Rick was able to volunteer at several events while in dental school and hopes to continue to give back to his community throughout his career.

When Rick isn’t in the office, he enjoys spending time outdoors and with his family. Rick married his high school sweetheart, Vanessa, in 2017 and together they have two children, Teagan and Emerson. Rick loves to golf and lately his favorite activity is taking his 2 year old son, Teagan, to the driving range. On a weekend in the fall you can find Rick cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and Minnesota Vikings. A fun fact about Dr. Rick is that he is a self taught juggler – it’s his hidden talent!

Dr. Rick is excited to be back in Northern Iowa and looks forward to forming lasting relationships with his patients at Central Park Dentistry.