Staff

Dentist in Iron Mountain, MI

The brief descriptions below are designed to familiarize you with our staff's training, professional credentials and work experience.

PAUL J. FORNETTI, D.D.S.
a few words about your dentist

“I believe that the need for quality dental care is something that cannot be understated. Without a healthy smile, people suffer both physically and psychologically. Nothing can ruin a good night’s sleep more than aches and pains associated with tooth decay and dental abscesses. Many people have lost the ability to throw their head back and laugh out loud, or give a wide smile to a loved one, because they are so embarrassed by the appearance of their teeth. Some have even lost the basic ability to chew their favorite foods because of missing teeth.

It is my goal as your dentist to offer you treatment of the highest quality; comfortable, long lasting, and esthetically pleasing. I believe that this treatment when combined with regular cleanings can help you maintain an attractive, healthy smile for years to come.”

Education

Dr. Paul graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1998 and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in biology from the Lyman Briggs School of Science at Michigan State University in 2002. Following in the footsteps of his family, Dr. Paul then attended Marquette University School of Dentistry in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In addition to treating patients in the Milwaukee area, he also spent time at community health clinics in Eau Claire, Appleton, and Ladysmith, treating patients with limited access to dental care. Dr. Paul received training in endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, oral surgery, restorative, and implant dentistry. He graduated in May of 2006 and received an award from the American Academy of Implant Dentistry for his interest and achievements in implant dentistry. 

Anthony Fornetti Cosmetic Dentistry

Dr. Anthony Fornetti graduated from the Marquette University School of Dentistry in 1976 and later received a fellowship from the Academy of Orthodontics. For over 25 years, Dr. Fornetti has been practicing general and orthodontics dentistry- delivering smile-enhancing care to the thousands of patients he has served.

In order to provide the highest quality of dentistry, Dr. Fornetti utilizes the most advanced concepts in dentistry and is dedicated to patient satisfaction. Utilizing the most state-of-the-art technologies and techniques, he is specialized in providing his patients the healthiest and most comfortable dental care possible. From tooth whitening and veneers to crowns and bridges, Dr. Fornetti's years of experience in the field coupled with a strong commitment toward continuing education enables him to provide his patients outstanding, quality comprehensive dentistry.

Staff

We are proud to introduce you to each member of our dental team who works to their full capacity to keep our office running smoothly and to make our patients feel welcomed and relaxed. The longevity of our employees has become a stronghold which our patients have come to rely on and whose presence and character enhances trust in our office.

STACY
Stacy is the first smile to great you upon entering our dental office. We are so pleased to have Stacy back in our office since Nov. 2008 as our receptionist and hygiene coordinator. Her previous position with us as a Certified Dental Assistant only enhances her knowledge of keeping the front office running smoothly. Don't let her Associate Degree in Criminal Justice scare you away; it only makes her more aware and in tuned with patient needs and concerns, while accomplishing her duties in an efficient and accurate manner. Stacy has been in the dental field for 6 years and presently schedules Hygiene patients, confirms appointments for the following day, answers phones, checks in patients, prepares schedules & routers for following working day, and sends out Recall cards and reminders. In her spare time, Stacy enjoys downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, walking her dog, traveling and spending time with her family.

SHEILA
Rounding out our front office, Sheila's smile and quick laughter has been part of our office for 9 of the
20 years she has worked in the dental field. She brought with her all of the basic knowledge of office management to our team. In Nov. 2008, she transitioned from Business Assistant to Patient Advocate where she efficiently works to find financial assistance for patients to make their dental work affordable.
She facilitates patient insurances to take the stress and complications away from patients, thus enabling them to have the healthiest smile possible.

DEBRA
Debra is one of Dr. Tony's main dental assistants and has been a loyal employee for 21 years. Deb is a Certified Dental Assistant from Bay College and is certified in taking dental x-rays. She assists the doctor during treatment of patients, takes x-rays, cleans and sterilizes operatories and instruments, orders supplies which never run low and trains new employees. Years of experience have gifted her with knowledge of each patient and with insight into individual concerns and needs. She has been a cheerful, faithful and trusted right-hand employee. Deb relaxes with camping, gardening, sewing and traveling.

ANDREA
Andrea, Dr. Tony's daughter, has worked in the past summers in our office for many years in different capacities. She learned the ins and outs of the front office and put her artistic talents to work in the lab. Andrea received an Associate Degree in General Education with a concentration in Fine Arts from Finlandia University in 2007. Andrea worked in Hygiene as Dental Assistant. In the past year, she has become Dr. Tony's other main Dental Assistant whose duties include assisting the doctor during treatment of patients, cleaning and sterilizing operatories and instruments, doing lab work and taking x-rays. Andrea became proficient in taking dental x-rays and is certified in x-ray from Kalamazoo Community College. Andrea loves glass blowing, oil painting, hunting & fishing, downhill & cross-country skiing, walking, bowling, swimming, and singing & playing flute solos in church choir.

Our Hygiene Department is graced with three Registered Dental Hygienists who are shared with the other doctors in our office. Each one is an expert in making your smile sparkle. Our Hygiene Department is enhanced by two Hygiene Assistants who work diligently to keep our Hygienists on schedule.

KATHY
Kathy has been a Dental Hygienist in our office for over 30 years. She came to us young, single, and fresh out of Ferris State University where she had earned her Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene and was a member of the Dental Hygiene Honor Sorority. We witnessed her marriage and saw her family grow, but throughout these 30 years she has remained ever faithful to our practice. Kathy is proficient in oral cancer screenings, oral hygiene instruction, dental cleanings and root planing. She enjoys cross-country skiing, biking and gardening in her spare time.

MELISSA
Melissa has been impeccably cleaning teeth for our patients for 12 years. She graduated 1996 with an Associates Degree in Applied Science Dental Hygiene from Ferris State University with High Distinction. She was also Michigan licensed in local Anesthesia from the University of Michigan in 2005. It has been a pleasure to have her expertise in oral cancer screening, oral hygiene instruction, soft & hard tissue exam, cleaning of teeth and implants for our patients. Melissa enjoys reading and traveling.

RUTH
Ruth is a master of the art of dental hygiene and has been with us for 20 of her 22 years in the dental field. Her bright and shining personality quickly puts her patients at ease. Ruth received her degree as a Registered Dental Hygienist from North Dakota State College of Science. She is meticulous in her oral cancer screening, oral hygiene instruction, and soft & hard tissue exam and cleaning of teeth and implants. Ruth loves skiing and gardening.

WENDY
Wendy has been a Dental Assistant with our office for 17 years and has 24 years of experience in the dental field. She earned her degree from the Academy of Health and Science, San Antonio, TX. She is certified in taking dental x-rays. Her military training has given her exceptional skills and she is a real asset to our team, always knowing what needs to be done and making sure it is done right. She is very caring and involved with the well-being of our patients. Wendy assists the hygienists, takes x-rays, schedules patients, cleans operatories and instruments, and orders supplies for Hygiene. Wendy enjoys gardening.