𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆

Dr. Michael Pruett served as Director of the General Practice Residency Program at The Dental College of Georgia for 21 years. He received his DMD from the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry in 1992, and then completed a two-year General Practice Residency at the University of Virginia. Upon completion, he became the Director of Dentistry at Mount Sinai Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut. While in Hartford he also served as the Assistant Program Director of the General Practice Residency at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center. 

Dr. Pruett has placed and restored dental implants for the last 31 years. He is the co-director of the Augusta University / American Academy of Implant Dentistry Maxi-Course and several other hands-on continuing dental education courses.  Dr. Pruett lectures nationally and internationally on a variety of topics. 

He is a Fellow in the International College of Dentists, American College of Dentists, the Pierre Fauchard Academy, Associate Fellow in the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and a Diplomate in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He is also active in many dental organizations including ADA, Georgia Dental Association, Hinman Dental Society, American Society of Dental Anesthesiology, Academy of Osseointegration and the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Dr. Pruett was the 2013 recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award for The Dental College of Georgia and was also the recipient of the Prestigious Hinman Medallion in 2018. 

Dr. Pruett’s extensive experience in the placement and restoration of dental implants, adjunctive surgical procedures, third molar extraction and sedation will benefit the residents and their patients.  

Dr. Brad Hall earned his DMD from the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry in 2003 and completed a 1 year General Practice Residency at MCG (now the Dental College of Georgia). In 2004, he accepted a position as the assistant director of the same residency program and served in that capacity until the summer of 2006 with Dr. Mike Pruett. 

Dr. Hall opened his private practice in 2006. His primary clinical interest is conservative rehabilitation and reconstruction with a focus on maintaining physiological harmony.  Specific areas of focus related to this are implant dentistry, removable prosthodontics, management of TMJ disorder and occlusal pathology, as well as care of the medically compromised. Dr. Hall has privileges at Piedmont Athens where he treats patients with special needs under general anesthesia.  

Dr. Hall remains active in dental education and has had the privilege of lecturing on various topics related to comprehensive general and implant dentistry.

Dr. Hall is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), Georgia Dental Association (GDA), American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), Academy of Osseointegration (AO), Pierre Fauchard Academy (PFA), Hinman Dental Society and the Clarke County Dental Society. He is also an Honorable Fellow of the GDA, has served as President of the Eastern District Dental Society and is a current Board of Trustees member.  

Dr. McDonald has devoted his life to dentistry and the improvement of knowledge in the field of dentistry. In addition to his private practice which began in Athens in 1985, Dr. McDonald lectures frequently throughout the country in the areas of restorative dentistry, esthetics, occlusion (the functional interaction of the teeth), and TMJ therapy. 

Dr. McDonald is a graduate of Athens Academy, the University of Georgia and received his Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry from the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry in 1983. Dr. McDonald’s practice is dedicated to comprehensive oral health care. 

Dr. McDonald is a member of many local, national, and international dental organizations. He has served on the faculty of oral rehabilitation at the Augusta University Dental College of Georgia (formerly Medical College of Georgia) since 1983. He has received many honors in the field of dentistry including distinguished alumnus of the Medical College of Georgia, fellowship in the American College of Dentists, honorable fellowship in the Georgia Dental Association, fellowship in the International College of Dentists, and membership in the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry.  

A dedicated clinician and teacher, he serves as an opinion leader for several dental manufacturers, publishes technique articles and webinars, and serves on the editorial review board of the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry. 

Dr. McDonald will play an integral role in guiding the residents to develop long term strategies for optimum health, function, and esthetics for their patients.

Dr. McCullough was raised in Fayetteville, Georgia. He earned his undergraduate degree from Georgia College, where he studied biology and chemistry, graduating with honors. He went on to receive his Doctor of Dental Medicine from The Dental College of Georgia in 2025.

Dentistry runs in his family—his grandfather was a dentist and taught at the University of Michigan—which helped spark his early interest in the field. Before dental school, he gained hands-on experience working as a dental assistant in the Endodontics Department. During dental school, he was actively involved in several student organizations including ASDA, the Endodontics Club, and CMDA.

Dr. McCullough is passionate about building trust and forming personal relationships with every patient who walks through the door. He values clear communication and enjoys creating a comfortable, welcoming experience.

Outside of dentistry, he enjoys golf, camping, rock climbing, fishing, going to concerts, and playing both guitar and piano. Although he didn’t attend UGA, he’s excited to now call Athens home and looks forward to getting involved in the community.

Dr. Jonathan Scaringe was born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida. He completed his undergraduate studies at Birmingham-Southern College, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology, where he was also a member of the football team. 

After college, he took a couple of

years off to travel and work as a dental assistant before attending the Dental College of Georgia.

He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree in May 2025. During dental school, Dr. Scaringe was an active member of the Christian Medical and Dental Associations and took part in both international mission work and community outreach in Augusta and Athens, Georgia. 

Dr. Scaringe and his wife, Vickie, enjoy spending time outdoors with their mini goldendoodle, Crouton (yes, named after the salad topping), and playing golf. Outside of dentistry, he loves to golf, fish, and is a hobby mechanic. He enjoys hiking, traveling, and exploring new places with his family. One of his lifelong dreams is to fully restore a 1966 Ford Bronco.

Dr. Kaitlin Thrift was raised in Pearson, Georgia, a rural community in South Georgia, where she spent much of her childhood on her grandparents' farm. 

She graduated as Salutatorian from Atkinson County High School before continuing her education at South Georgia State College and the University of Georgia, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. 

Dr. Thrift went on to receive her Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree from The Dental College of Georgia.  She is a member of the American Dental Association and the Georgia Dental Association.

Outside of dentistry, Dr. Thrift enjoys painting, fishing, and golfing with her husband. She is also a proud dog mom to two energetic Australian Cattle Dogs, Bear and Aspen.