Dr. James A. DiPerna graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine in 1987 and pursued his specialty training in Periodontology at the University of Pennsylvania. After graduating, he opened his practice in 1989. He has been serving Pittsburgh and its surrounding communities ever since.

Dr. Amber Marie Sabbatini Foronda completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Kings College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. She went on to obtain her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree and her Certificate of Periodontics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. While there, her achievements were recognized with the Dr. Lee P. Johns Outstanding Achievement in Periodontics award, among others. After graduating in 2007, she joined Dr. DiPerna in his practice.

Dr. David C. Hay is a native Pittsburgher, born and raised in the northern suburbs. After graduating from Mars Area High School, he attended Washington and Jefferson College, graduating Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Cell and Molecular Biology. He then went on to obtain his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree, graduating Summa Cum Laude, from Temple Universitys Kornberg School of Dentistry. Dr. Hay completed his post-doctoral training in periodontics and dental implants at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine.

Dr. Kara Dragone was born and raised in Pittsburgh. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at La Roche University in 2009. She then continued on at Duquesne University in a graduate program studying Molecular Genetics. She defended her thesis and graduated with a Master of Science in 2013.

Dr. James A. DiPerna has been practicing periodontics and placing dental implants for over 30 years. After completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry at Allegheny College, he received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and his post-doctoral training in periodontics and dental implants at the University of Pennsylvania.

While at Penn, he received Branemark Prosthetic and Surgical Certification. Dr. DiPerna is also a graduate of the Misch Implant Institute, which is world-renowned for dental implant training of graduate dentists. He is board certified in Periodontics and Dental Implant Surgery and is a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Dr. DiPerna is also a Fellow of the American College of Dentists which is the oldest national honorary organization for dentists.

While at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Dr. DiPerna was accepted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society and maintains a current membership. He also received the Certificate of Merit in Periodontics from Quintessence Publishing Company. Dr. DiPerna also completed a summer fellowship through the St. George Oral Cancer Society at Presbyterian University Hospital (now UPMC Presbyterian) in the Department of Radiation Oncology.

Currently, Dr. DiPerna is a Clinical Instructor ofDental Medicine in the Dental Medicine Residency Program at Allegheny General Hospital. He lectures on topics such as gingival grafting, crown elongation, bone grafting, interdisciplinary careand dental implants.

In addition to teaching commitments, Dr. DiPerna remains engaged in continued and extensive training of current techniques to provide patients with state of the art care, procedures, and equipment in the constantly advancing field of periodontics and dental implants. He also has administered study clubs for sharing new information with referring general dentists and specialists, including the current Spear Study Club along with Drs. Foronda and Hay. Dr. Foronda and Dr. Hay focus on providing optimal care for their patients through proper communication and coordination of treatment with patients, referring dentists and specialists. Areas of interest include:

Dr. Amber Marie Sabbatini Foronda completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Kings College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. She went on to obtain her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree and her Certificatein Periodontics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. While there, her achievements were recognized with the Dr. Lee P. Johns Outstanding Achievement in Periodontics award, among others. After graduating in 2007, she joined Dr. DiPerna in his practice.

Dr. Foronda is board certified in Periodontics and Dental Implant Surgery and is a Diplomate and Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Shehas also taught asClinical Assistant Professor at her alma mater in the Department of Periodontics.

While in residency at Pitt, Dr. Hay also obtained his Masters of Public Health degree from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. This gives him a unique perspective to view both periodontal disease and tooth loss as public health problems while treating his patients. Dr. Hay was selected and served as Chief Resident for the final year of his residency and also received training in IV sedation.

While at Temple, Dr. Hay was awarded the Martin N. Kravitt Award for Outstanding Senior in Clinical Dentistry. He also received the Academy of Osseointegration Award for Outstanding Senior in Implant Dentistry and was accepted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society.

Dr. Hay isboard certified in Periodontics and Dental Implant Surgery and is a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He is also certified by the state of Pennsylvania to provide IV sedation to his patients.

Dr. Hay stays at the cutting edge of his field by regularly attending continuing education courses and trainings. He, along with Dr. DiPerna and Dr. Foronda, leads a Spear Study Club which focuses on a multidisciplinary, team approach to comprehensive dentistry in order to provide the best possible care for patients.