Our Story
The history of our practice dates back to the days following World War II when Dr. Albert Puerini opened his first office in late 1945 in the predominantly Italian community of Knightsville in Cranston. The son of immigrants, Dr. Al spoke fluent Italian, attracting area patients to his one room office above Cardi’s Drugstore on Cranston St. Soon after, he opened a second, larger office on Park Ave. across from City Hall. In 1965 the practice was moved to the new Medical Arts Building on Reservoir Avenue.
Dr. Al was joined in practice there by his son, Dr. Stephen J. Puerini in 1973. The practice flourished and by the time Dr. Al retired in 1986, there was a pressing need for more space. The office on Reservoir Ave. was expanded and re-equipped to reflect the growth of the practice and the changing face of dental care.
In 1992, Dr. Steven Saccoccio joined the practice further guaranteeing our commitment to the highest quality, state of the art dental care. Then, in 2003, we were excited and fortunate to have Dr. Stephen J. Puerini, Jr. join the team, bringing with him new techniques and new ideas aimed at maintaining a “cutting edge” approach to care. The focus of the practice continued to be fine-tuned with the goal of affording our patients the most competent, comprehensive dental care in a compassionate, caring atmosphere. Part of this effort was to create a dental “team” of the highest quality, dedicated to that goal. Our staff has always been and continues to be one of our proudest hallmarks and we maintain excellent relationships with some of finest specialists in the state.
To further our mission and expand the vision of the practice, we embarked on an ambitious project in 2003, the construction of a new, state of the art facility on Budlong Road in Cranston. Amidst great local and national reviews, and with the help of an incredibly dedicated group of staff members, suppliers and installers we had our grand opening in mid-2004.
As with any business or profession, change is inevitable and ongoing. Anticipating the impending retirement of the senior Dr. Puerini, a new associate joined the team in 2011, Dr. Ibrahim Shihadeh. A native Rhode Islander, his addition made certain that the health and future of the practice was further insured.
We continue to grow and adapt in a changing environment never losing sight of our original core mission, providing compassionate, comprehensive care of the highest quality to our family of patients.
