Our Team

  • Dr. John Fornetti

    DDS, Owner

    Although Dr. John began this practice in 1983, his roots had been planted many years earlier. John's father graduated from dental school in 1944, and returned to Iron Mountain after World War II. There has been a strong family heritage ever since. Dr. John has the distinct pleasure of practicing with his son, Dr. Dan. He has been blessed with a powerful education, which has helped him earn numerous diplomate and fellowship distinctions. John belongs to various dental organizations. After graduating from dental school and returning home with his wife, Terese, they began their family and now have four beautiful children. His favorite hobbies are hunting, fishing and camping.

  • Dr. Dan Fornetti

    DDS

    Continuing in family tradition, Dr. Dan graduated from Marquette University School of Dentistry in 2011. He then moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and married his beautiful wife, Mary. After practicing in St. Louis for a year, Dr. Dan decided to move back home and practice with his father. He is a member of the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Dan is very excited to provide excellent dental care to the people of the Upper Peninsula and Northern Wisconsin. He enjoys spending time with his three children: Emma Ann, George Henry and Catherine Elizabeth. His hobbies include reading, cooking, gardening and hiking with Mary.

  • Dr. Nicole Hartwig

    DDS

    As the first doctor in her family, Dr. Nicole graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry in May of 2019. Dr. Nicole grew up in Iron Mountain, and is excited to be practicing dentistry in her hometown. She is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the American Academy of Facial Aesthetics. Dr. Nicole loves spending time with her husband, Luke, and their children - Reid, Brooks, and Beaux - as well as doing art projects and spending time with her dogs, Gracie and Pepper.

  • Meghan

    Registered Dental Hygienist

    A 'Yooper' since birth, Meghan enjoys all outdoor activities the U.P. has to offer, especially loving its natural beauty. Meghan knew she wanted to be a dental hygienist since she was in 2nd grade, and has been with our office since 2012. Her whole world is her husband and three children so naturally outside the office she savors being a wife and mom.

  • Karen

    Registered Dental Hygienist

    An Indiana native, Karen's been a hygienist for over 25 years. Hide your dark chocolate because that's her favorite treat! She enjoys working with stained glass, four-wheeling, and downhill skiing.

  • Jill, Registered Dental Hygienist

    Jill

    Registered Dental Hygienist

    Another Indiana transplant, Jill's been a hygienist for nearly 35 years! Married with 2 sons, she enjoys reading and horseback riding. Jill's very passionate about helping our guests with their oral health care needs.

  • Lissa

    Registered Dental Hygienist

    Lissa originally hails from Houghton, and now is creating a life for her and her new husband in the Iron Mountain area. When not spending time with family and friends, you'll find her walking her beloved dog or strumming a few songs on the guitar.

  • Paula

    Registered Dental Assistant

    Paula’s been a cornerstone of The John Fornetti Dental team for over 30 years. “It’s wonderful to see guests who we have cared for since they were kids still coming here as adults, and now they bring THEIR kids to see us!“, she says. At home Paula enjoys baking, reading and a variety of outdoor activities. The most important thing in her life? “That’s easy to answer: My husband and kids, but especially my grandkids!”

  • Cheryl

    Dental Assistant

    If you ever hear someone referred to in our office as "Pip", that's our Cheryl. Dental Assisting was a new career for her when she joined us in 2019 after an extensive background in Banking. She loves spending her free time by developing her new horse farm, having fun with her two grown daughters, or indulging in getting her nails done. "Every day should be 'Spa Day'," according to Cheryl, "If you've never had a manicure, pedicure or massage, I highly recommend treating yourself soon."

  • Lexi

    Dental Assistant

    Born and raised in the Iron Mountain area, Lexi is the oldest of four children. A self-professed movie fanatic, her two all-time favorite movies are “Mamma Mia!” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”. Lexi enjoys road trips, and says beef jerky is the best road trip snack.

  • Grace

    Dental Assistant

    Though she misses her family back in New Mexico, Grace loves all the outdoor activities the U.P. has to offer. She joined our team as a brand-new Dental Assistant in 2024, and her favorite part of the job is interacting with our guests each day. Grace delights in savoring a big dream come true: Owning her own home! Items yet on her bucket list are a getaway to Boston, perhaps a honeymoon to Bali, and someday having a large family of her own. She is a self-proclaimed “old soul”, and her all-time favorite movie is “Young Frankenstein”. 

  • Tori

    Dental Assistant

  • Lisa

    Dental Assistant

    Photo coming soon.
    In addition to successfully endeavoring on a new career as a Dental Assistant, Lisa can be proud in her mastery of the English language and culture as she was born and raised in Russia! She’s also a talented pianist, having taken lessons much of her childhood. To her co-workers’ delight, Lisa will bring in Russian treats and recipes to share. Outside of work, Lisa enjoys taking lots of pictures as she and her husband, Slava, go on many adventures hiking, camping, and such, and on their list of possible vacations they hope to visit Florida and Hawaii.

  • Lauren

    Operations Manager

    2024 was a big year for Lauren as she moved from Helena, Montana, to Iron Mountain with her husband, Dan, who grew up here. Not too long after settling in, they added to their family with “Harvey”, a rescued kitten. While their goal is to visit all the National Parks they can, Lauren also hopes someday to travel to Iceland, Ireland, Greece, and go skydiving! On her off hours, you might find her savoring her favorite treat (gummy bears) while working on some resin art (her favorite craft) or perhaps outdoors doing some hiking, fishing, or disc golfing.

  • Aricka

    Director of First Impressions

    Photo coming soon.
    While she enjoys living around the U.P., the Door Peninsula in Wisconsin has captured Aricka’s heart, and she tries to visit any chance she can. Perhaps someday, though, she can cross Hawaii and skydiving off her bucket list of adventures/destinations! Aricka is an enthusiast movie buff, enjoying a good thriller or romantic comedy film. She also has dreams of owning a llama, her favorite animal, and can’t wait for Starbucks to finally make it to Iron Mountain!

  • Jordan

    Jordan

    Hygiene Coordinator

    Our resident “techie”, Jordan brings his I/T savvy and skills to our team as well as managing our Hygienist’s schedules. He actually built his first computer at age 12! Jordan hails from Indiana, moving to Iron Mountain in 2024, and enjoys exploring the 906 on his weekends. While out exploring the U.P. or playing video games, you might find him enjoying a favorite snack: chocolate chip cookies or Kwik Trip glazer donuts.

  • Becky

    Guest Services Partner - Front Office

    Becky is our resident “teacher”, as she has been and continues to be a homeschool tutor and curriculum director. An avid reader and researcher on a plethora of topics and interests, Becky also takes joy in rural homestead farming with her husband and daughter. Giving a nod to both her Irish and German heritages, if she indulges in a “pint” for a special occasion she appreciates a good stout. In recent years, Becky discovered she enjoys curling; she jokes, “it’s the only sport where you can throw ‘stones’ at ‘houses’!”

  • Sara

    Sara

    Marketing & Recruiting / “The Muffin Lady” #themuffinlady906

    A wife, mom, "Jack-of-all-trades", and farm girl at heart, Sara wears a lot of different hats in her life. She enjoys encouraging people any way she can along with her passions for marketing, business development, and continuous improvement. A lover of good cheesecake and sushi she enjoys cooking when she gets the chance, and hopes to someday experience vacations in England and Italy.