All professionals at Fantarella Dental Group maintain the highest levels of accreditation and pursue ongoing education to stay abreast of the latest trends in the medical field. Read on to learn more about our staff's experience and training.
Meet the Doctors
Dr. David Fantarella, DMD
Dr. David Fantarella has been in practice as a general dentist in Hamden and North Haven, Connecticut for the past 20 years. His general dentistry practice has an emphasis on implant, cosmetic and laser dentistry.
Dr. Fantarella received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Physics from Dartmouth College. He received his degree as a Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. He completed his residency training at the University of Connecticut Medical Center in Farmington, Connecticut. His awards include the American Association Award for Excellence in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the National Society of Dental Practitioners Award in Law and Ethics in Dentistry, and the American Academic Periodontology Award for Outstanding Achievement in Periodontics.
Integrating cutting edge technologies and techniques into the practice of dentistry is core to Dr. Fantarella's mission. He employs some of the industry's most advanced systems in his practice including the hard and soft tissue laser, Solea, the E4D CAD/CAM scanning and milling system, laser teeth whitening, the Velscope oral cancer fluorescence screening device, high quality intra-oral photography, DIAGNOdent Caries Detection system, CariVu portable caries detection device, digital panoramic radiography, and a 3-dimensional conebeam CT scanner. His office is completely paperless and features a state-of-the-art sterilization system.
As one of the first five dentists worldwide to adopt the CO 2 hard tissue Solea dental laser, Dr. Fantarella is particularly well-versed in the advantages and techniques associated with this new medium. He has performed thousands of procedures with Solea and he continues to use it on every patient, every day. Dr. Fantarella has positioned himself as a Key Opinion Leader in Laser Dentistry and travels the country teaching and demonstrating this groundbreaking technology. His office is an education center for Convergent Dental and Solea; dentists from across the country travel to Dr. Fantarella to experience and learn Solea in an office setting. Prior to his pioneering experience with Solea, Dr. Fantarella served as a rescue trainer for Biolase.
Dr. Fantarella has recently published a scientific review article in the Journal of Laser Dentistry, The 9.3- µm CO 2 Dental Laser: Technical Development and Early Clinical Experience .
He is a member of the American Dental Association, the Connecticut State Dental Association, and the New Haven Dental Association.
Dr. Fantarella lives in North Haven, Connecticut with his wife and children.
Dr. Michael Garaffa, DMD
Dr. Garaffa obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut. He attended the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine where he received his Doctor of Dental Medicine. Following his graduation, he was a resident in a General Practice Residency at the University of Colorado with advanced training in endodontics, oral surgery and implantology.
After the completion of his residency Dr. Garaffa worked for three years in a private practice in the Denver suburb of Littleton, Colorado. Dr. Garaffa and his wife then decided that it was time to return home to Connecticut where he was born and raised and where his extended family still resides. He, therefore has strong ties to Connecticut and due to his long association with UCONN, tries to attend as many football and basketball games as possible.
Dr. Garaffa is licensed by the Dental Board of Connecticut and is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association and the Connecticut Dental Association. In 2011, he participated in a five-day dental service trip and provided oral healthcare to indigent children and adults, in Tobati, Paraguay.
Dr. Vincent Raucci, DMD
Dr. Raucci graduated from the University of New Haven with a B.S. in Biology. He then went on to receive his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Boston University School of Dental Medicine, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude.
Dr. Raucci was the recipient of the American Association of Endodontics Award, the Dr. Lloyd B. Chaisson Memorial Award, and the Award for Excellence in Digital Dentistry. He was also inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon, National Dental Honor Society.
He is currently a member of the American Dental Association, CT State Dental Association, New Haven Dental Association, Mass. State Dental Association and The Academy of General Dentistry.
Dr. Raucci is a passionate dentist and is invested in the wellbeing of his patients. His focus is on prevention and comprehensive care, which he feels are extremely important to achieve the best oral health. In his spare time, Dr. Raucci is an avid golfer and enjoys spending time with his wife and family.
Dr. Lindsay Albino, DMD
Dr. Lindsay Albino grew up in Cheshire, CT and attended Occidental College in Los Angeles. She was a member of the Div III Women’s Varsity Water Polo team for four years and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. She then received her Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Lindsay graduated Magna Cum Laude and was the recipient of the 42 North Dental Award for Clinical Excellence and Chairside Manner.
During her time at school, Dr. Lindsay spent time volunteering in Teacapán, Mexico, where she provided dental care and oral health education to underserved children and adults alike. She is currently a member of the American Dental Association, the Connecticut State Dental Association, and the Massachusetts Dental Society.
Dr. Lindsay currently resides in Newington, CT and enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.
Dr. Jeralyn Fantarella, DMD (currently on medical leave)
Dr. Fantarella received her Bachelor of Science degree from Fairfield University. After graduation, she taught Biology at Fairfield College Preparatory High School from l983 to l985. She received her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. She completed her residency at the Hospital of St. Raphael in New Haven and the Veterans’ Memorial Hospital in West Haven, Connecticut.
For the past twenty-five years, Dr. Fantarella has been a member of the New Haven Dental Association, American Dental Association, and the Connecticut State Dental Society serving as a state representative for that board. She also participated in the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine and Boston University School of Dental Medicine Mentoring Programs. Always active in her community, Dr. Fantarella is the creator of The Silver Moon Smiles, an intergenerational program that fosters friendships between senior citizens and children.
One unique aspect of Dr. Fantarella’s approach to dentistry is her keen awareness of the connection between oral health and overall body health. She served as a professional mentor in a study published in The Journal of Experimental Secondary Science . This study focused on the correlation between poor periodontal health and Type II Diabetes, Osteoarthritis and inflammation throughout body systems. This study further delved into the connection between one’s diet and periodontal health. Dr. Fantarella considers the correlations proven in the study on a daily basis as she collaborates with patients to establish their overall health and well-being. Dr. Fantarella holds the United States and International patent formula for a dry mouth rinse.
Currently, Dr. Fantarella resides in North Haven, Connecticut with her son, William Raccio.
Dr. David Fried, DMD
Dr. Fried is a native of Wallingford, CT. He attended The University of Connecticut, graduating in 1986, and was fortunate to be selected as a U.S. Air Force General Practice resident. After tours in Washington D.C; Sicily, Italy; and Portsmouth, NH, he returned to Wallingford to open a practice dedicated to provide quality dental care.
Dr. Fried is retired from the Connecticut Army National Guard and served a total of 23 years in the military. He has been active in the Wallingford Kiwanis Club and serves in leadership positions with Connecticut State Dental Association. Dr. Fried has been a member of the Connecticut Study Club for Excellence in Dentistry for over 10 years and is a Clinical Instructor at the UCONN Dental School in the restorative department. For the past 3 years, he has mentored dental students on mission trips to Honduras and has been an active participant in all of the Connecticut Mission of Mercy free dental clinics. Dr. Fried maintains his proficiency by attending numerous continuing education seminars.
Dr. Fried is a member of Ryan’s Inner Circle, a charitable foundation dedicated to children, and has been an ice hockey coach for the Wallingford Hawks and a coach for Wallingford Little League. He is also a sponsor of Wallingford Center, Inc/ Wallingford Board of Education Credit for Life Program.
Dr. David Powers, DMD
Dr. David Powers grew up in Woodbridge, CT and has been a patient of Fantarella Dental Group since the age of three. For his undergraduate education, he attended Clark University in Worcester, MA. Throughout his four years at Clark, he competed as a member of the Div III Men’s Swimming team and graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with High Honors. He then went on to receive his Doctor of Dental Medicine from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, where he graduated in the top of his class.
Dr. Powers was drawn to the field of dentistry from a young age. While in high school, he worked with Dr. Jeralyn Fantarella on a study closely relating periodontal health with overall body health. The study was published in The Journal of Experimental Secondary Science.
During his time at Tufts, Dr. Powers was actively involved in cutting edge dental research and was selected to travel to a world-renowned dental laboratory in Australia, where he conducted materials research on soon-to-be released crown and veneer cements. He was inducted into the Robert R. Andrews Research Society as well as the Omicron Kappa Upsilon, National Dental Honor Society.
He is currently a member of the American Dental Association, CT State Dental Association and the Massachusetts Dental Society.
Dr. Powers has an affinity for technology and art and is passionate about combining these skills, with his love of dentistry to provide the best possible comprehensive care. On the weekends, Dr. Powers enjoys hiking, travelling and spending time with his family.
Dr. Lisbeth Steen, DMD
Bio coming soon.