Meet the Doctors

I was born in 1954 in Iron Mountain to Marvin and Janet Santini. My family which includes a sister Sandra and brother Dean, enjoyed living in this area throughout the years. It was the love of the area and my familys roots that prompted me to seek a profession that would allow me to return home. Dentistry provided me the chance to live where I wanted, be my own boss and help people - what a deal! I attended the Iron Mountain schools where I was active in athletics, student government, keeping my car running, working at Shopko and courting my future wife, Jane. I moved on to Central Michigan University for my pre-dental training and after three years I was accepted into the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Jane and I married after I completed my freshman year of dental school. (I was broke and Jane, a registered nurse, had a job: what a great deal!) In 1979, with the struggles of dental school behind us - and Jane pregnant!- we moved back home to Iron Mountain to start our family and professional career.
Since moving back home, Jane and I have been blessed with two daughters - Angela and Kristina and a son, Louis. We often remind ourselves that the decision we made to return to our hometown was a very wise one; we really do love this community. I believe in giving back as much as possible and have been as active as time allows in community service: I am a long term Kiwanian, serving as president in 1986. I also served as president of the University of Michigan Alumni Club, four years on the Iron Mountain School Board and three years on the Chamber of Commerce Board. I was a founding memeber of the Wildlife Unlimited Board of Directors, a committee member of the Izzo-Mariucci Classic since its inception and a member of the Immaculate Conception Church.
Professionally, I've been a ravenous attendee of continuing education courses and very involved in two study clubs. I've completed the prestigious Conitnuum Courses on Dental Excellence at the L.D. Pankey Institute and have studied with renowned endodontist Clifford Ruddle in mastering root canal therapy. I am currently Co-directore of the Greater Green Bay Chapter of the Seattle Study Club, Past President of the L.D. Panky Masters Study Club, and past member of the Lord's Dental Studio advisory board. I am a long standing member of the American Dental Association and Academy of General Dentistry. I spend approximately two weeks per year in advanced training to better serve my patients.
When not busy with my family or practice, I like to spend a few free hours in a variety of hobbies. I enjoy skiing, snowmobiling, hunting, watching athletic events, traveling and most of all raising and training English Springer Spaniel hunting dogs. I also golf, but don't list it with the hobbies I like - I haven't quite mastered that crazy game, but the walks in the woods are great! I also consider dentistry a hobby: when I am doing my life's work on wonderful people who value and appreciate my efforts, I feel as though my work is actually a vacation.

Meet Dr. Angela Santini

Greetings from the most recent addition to the practice! As you may have guessed, I am Dr. Dennis Santini's eldest daughter and now the newest associate dentist. I am a recent graduate from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry where I received my Doctorate of Dental Sciences. But to go back to the beginning.... I was born in Iron Mountain, Michigan where I was raised by my parents Jane and Dennis. It was actually while growing up in Iron Mountain I realized that I found the field of dentistry fascinating. While attending Iron Mountain High School (Go Mountaineers!) I was designated the after-school and summer job as a lab assistant as well as dental assistant at this very practice. Learning one task led to another, and with each new endeavor I found my interest in dentistry growing. I enjoyed every aspect of the dental profession. I graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1997. I continued to follow my aspirations all the way to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan where I attended Central Michigan University for the next four years (fire up Chippewas!). I graduated and received my Bachelors of Science degree in Biology in 2001. From there it was on to Ann Arbor, Michigan where I would attend dental school at the University of Michigan's School of Dentistry (Go Blue!). I graduated from dental school in the spring of 2005 and headed back home to the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan to begin my new life and new profession. While not practicing dentistry I enjoy any and all outdoor activities (including biking, snowmobiling, skiing, riding ATV's...so many ways to enjoy all that the area has to offer!). I also love to cook and of course nothing is more fulfilling than spending time with family and friends (and my new puppy Sugar).