Dr. Roderick VanSurksum, D.D.S.
Meet Our Board-Certified
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
Dr. VanSurksum is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon with over 35 years of experience in dentistry. Dr. VanSurksum specializes in Total Design!™ Teeth for Life rehabilitation. He uses oral surgery services to develop a customized treatment plan for you.
Board-Certified Oral
& Maxillofacial Surgeon
In 2020, Dr. Van sold his large multi‑office practice and relocated to the Twin Cities to be closer to family and build the kind of practice he always envisioned: small, patient‑focused, and uncompromising in quality.
Today, he leads Facial Designs, P.A. with locations in Minnetonka and Excelsior, where patients receive advanced oral surgery and restorative care in a welcoming setting supported by an experienced team. Proudly serving patients from Excelsior, Minnetonka, Minneapolis, the Twin Cities, and surrounding Minnesota communities, Dr. Van emphasizes comfort, efficiency, and exceptional outcomes.
His full‑scope practice includes tooth extractions, wisdom teeth removal, jaw surgery, dental implants, and full‑mouth rehabilitation with fixed prosthetics. He collaborates closely with referring dentists and ensures every patient has a trusted “dental home” for long‑term follow‑up after their Total Design!™ Teeth for Life treatment. Facial Designs, P.A. is designed for patients who want high‑quality, experienced care delivered with the latest technology and materials.
Why Choose a Board-Certified
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon?
Your choice of surgeon directly impacts your treatment plan and outcomes. Board certification is the highest credential in the specialty, signifying rigorous training, demonstrated expertise, and advanced surgical skills. A board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon is uniquely qualified to perform complex procedures with accuracy, safety, and care.
Dr. VanSurksum’s Training, Service, and Surgical Background
Dr. Roderick VanSurksum began his career in 1990 after graduating from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. He resigned his commission in the Iowa Army National Guard, where he served in an airborne infantry unit, and accepted a commission in the U.S. Air Force. There, he completed a one‑year hospital residency in advanced dental training at Ehrling Bergquist Strategic Hospital and subsequently practiced full‑scope general dentistry in the Far East and Middle East.
After 12 years of military service, “Major” VanSurksum transitioned to specialty training and was accepted into the oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin, graduating with distinction in 2000. He became board‑certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in 2003 and has maintained his certification ever since.
From 2000 to 2020, Dr. VanSurksum practiced full‑scope oral and maxillofacial surgery in central Minnesota and served on staff at the CentraCare Hospital system for 20 years. He managed facial trauma cases and served as the oral surgeon for the cleft lip and palate team. He is a fellow of both the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
Dr. VanSurksum is also a participating member of Health Volunteers Overseas and was selected to teach complex orthognathic surgery to Vietnamese oral surgeons at their national university in Ho Chi Minh City.
Big Waters Study Club
The Big Waters Study Club brings high‑quality, collaborative continuing education to the Twin Cities dental community. Hosted by Dr. Roderick VanSurksum and Dr. Zane Clark‑Gold, the club is part of the nationally recognized Spear Education Study Club network, one of the most advanced CE groups in the country.
Our mission is to create a supportive space where dentists can learn together, discuss real‑world cases, and strengthen interdisciplinary communication. By sharing knowledge across the entire dental team; dentists, hygienists, assistants, and administrative staff, we grow as a community and elevate the level of care we deliver every day.
