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. Chandler Grove was born and raised in Dunwoody, Georgia. He received his Bachelors of Science in Biology from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2020, where he graduated with Highest Honors. He attended the Dental College of Georgia, where he received his DMD in 2024. Dr. Grove is an Eagle Scout and outdoorsman who enjoys reading, painting, and board games. Dr. Grove and his fiancée Grayson are both avid bassoonists.

Dr. Kara Johnson grew up in Acworth, GA, where she graduated as valedictorian of Allatoona High School. She discovered an early love of dentistry from her grandfather and father, both dentists.

She is excited to be back in Athens, as she graduated in 2020 from the University of Georgia. She was very involved with her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, and graduated Summa Cum Laude. Dr. Johnson then attended The Dental College of Georgia and graduated this past May as a Doctor of Dental Medicine. She is a member of the American Dental Association and Georgia Dental Association.

In her spare time, Dr. Johnson enjoys spending time with her husband and two goldendoodles - Finley and Gus. She enjoys baking, and has a side hustle “Sweet Tooth Cookie Company”. She is excited to serve the Athens community as a dental resident. Go Dawgs!

Dr. Diana Rausch was born and raised in Lilburn, Georgia. After graduating high school, she attended Newberry College and received her bachelor of science degree in chemistry. She then attended dental school at the Dental College of Georgia, receiving her doctorate. She enjoys cooking new recipes, attending concerts, singing, gardening, and photography.