Dr. Helgeson is one of four co-founders of Apple Tree Dental and has been the CEO since the organization's inception in 1985. He majored in Physics at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, and completed pre-dental coursework from 1975 to 1979, when he received advanced admission to attend the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. The University awarded him a Bachelor of Sciences degree in 1982 and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1984. Following dental school, he completed a two-year Graduate Fellowship in the Oral Health Services for Older Adults Program.

The four founders of Apple Tree Dental were all passionate about oral health for older adults and adults with disabilities who suffered from tremendous barriers to care that impacted their overall health and well-being. The need to engineer new delivery systems, form partnerships beyond dentistry, improve education in geriatric and special care dentistry, and advocate for oral health as a basic human right, drove the creation of Apple Tree Dental.

Dr. Helgeson is a member of the American Dental Association, Minnesota Dental Association, Special Care Dentistry Association, American Association of Dental Public Health, and the International College of Dentists.

After having founded Apple Tree, Dr. Helgeson served four years in the United States Public Health Service. During that time, he provided leadership at Apple Tree Dental without compensation.

His favorite part of his job is solving problems with so many incredibly talented people who are committed to the mission. This work extends from Apple Tree's volunteer Board members, to the Executive Team, to the Clinical Teams, to the Innovation Teams and to hundreds of community partners locally and nationally that roll up their sleeves and try new things. Overcoming barriers isn't easy, but it is deeply rewarding.

Dr. Helgeson's background in math and physics has equipped him with some problem solving and system design skills that haven't been applied very often to solving oral health challenges by other organizations.

Outside of work, Dr. Helgeson is an amateur carpenter, having worked in construction and antique restoration. He and his wife and daughter all love the outdoors, and especially enjoy spending time at Minnesota's North Shore.