Dr. Mike Thornton has been practicing in Hall County since 1976. He attended Emory University and the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry. He graduated in 1974 and served as a dentist in the U.S. Naval Dental Corps. He came to Gainesville in 1976 and has been serving the people of Hall and surrounding counties ever since as a general dentist.

Dr. Thornton is a member of the American Dental Association, The Northern District Dental Society of Hall County, Academy of General Dentistry and Trout Unlimited. He spends many hours each year at continuing education courses staying current in his profession.

In Dr. Thorntons words, Now is the best time to be both a patient and a dentist. Advances are coming so rapidly in the field that it makes the patient experience better and more pleasant. The advances in the field make it an exciting time to be a dentist.

Dr. Thorntons father was in the U.S. Forest Service and the family moved frequently as he was growing up. They were stationed in California, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina. Dr. Thornton graduated from Aiken High School in Aiken, SC, before moving on to Emory and then Medical College of Georgia.

Dr. Thornton has three grown children who all live in the nearby area. He has two grandchildren, who help keep him busy in his spare time. His other interests include fly fishing, fly tying, photography, travel and most importantly, time with his family.