Dental Staff

Dr. Michael has been practicing dentistry for almost 40 years in Warwick, where he was raised with his eight siblings. He graduated from the University of Vermont, where he received his bachelors, and Tufts University School of Dental Medicine for his doctorate. He has three great children, Rachel, Mia, David and a wonderful wife Maureen. 

Dr. Michael and his family have loved living in Rhode Island.  They grew up enjoying summers on his boat on the Bay and visiting Block Island, the Vineyard and Nantucket.  He is grateful to have been able to give his children these wonderful Rhode Island memories.  In his free time, he plays A LOT of golf, in Warwick in the summers and in South Carolina in the winters. 

Dr. Michael feels blessed to have had an incredibly gratifying career thus far.  After four decades of dentistry, he still enjoys going to work everyday just as much as the day he started.  He is continuously investing in bettering himself and his practice.  Over the years, he has attended countless continuing education courses at institutions including, but not limited to, L. D. Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, Dawson Center for Advanced Dental Studies, Seattle Institute for Advanced Dental Education, Spear Institute, and Cerec Academy.  He has also held teaching positions at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, as a clinical instructor in Restorative Dentistry in 2000 and 2001, and is currently a Cerec Academy Mentor at the Spear Institute.

In addition to his extensive achievements in advanced dental education, Dr. Michael has always strived to stay current with the latest in dental technology.  He has been nothing short of enthusiastic about the nuances digital dentistry has brought to the profession.  In 2015, he brought CAD/CAM intra-oral scanning technology (CEREC) into the office and began practicing in-office digital restorative dentistry.  In 2020, he brought the Itero intra-oral scanner to the practice to expedite Invisalign treatment.  In the near future, he plans to bring a Cone Beam CAT (CBCT) scanner into the practice so he can provide surgical implant procedures to his patients.

With the future of the practice always on his mind, Dr. Michael was thrilled to have his daughter, Dr. Mia, join him in 2018.  They have enjoyed working together in Warwick and are excited to continue to grow in Rhode Island.  As of 2020, they have opened a second location in Wakefield, RI and look forward to serving the patients of South County.

Professional Organizations:

• American Dental Association
• Academy of General Dentistry
• Rhode Island Dental Association
• Kent County Dental Society
• Providence Plantations Dental Study Club – Founding Member
• Rhode Island Network for Dental Excellence – Founding Member
• Pierre Fauchard Academy – International Honor Dental Organization – Fellow

Dr. Mia was born and raised in Warwick, RI with her parents and two siblings.  She received a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics from Gettysburg College in 2014.  In 2018, she graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, with a doctorate in dental medicine.  She is thankful for the time spent and relationships she made in Charleston, but is happy to be back home in Rhode Island for her career.

Dr. Mia shares the same drive to keep up with the latest in dental education and technology as her father.  She is fortunate to have been educated in CAD/CAM dentistry during her time at MUSC and has begun attending courses at the Spear Institute in Scottsdale, AZ.  She is grateful to be in a career that encourages lifelong learning and looks forward to the new advancements in dentistry that will come.

In addition to dedicating her time to continuing education, Dr. Mia is passionate about giving back to her community.  During her time at MUSC, she went on dental mission trips to Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Peru.  Since being back in RI, she has participated in RI Mission of Mercy’s Free Dental Clinic access day and volunteers monthly at the RI Free Dental Clinic in Providence.

Outside of work, Dr. Mia leads an active lifestyle.  When she’s not running, woodworking, or competing in triathlons, you can find her spending time at the park with her two dogs, Marvin and Barney.  In the summertime, she enjoys golfing with her father and spending time with friends in Newport and Providence.  She loves being outside and is always up for exploring new parts of the beautiful state we live in.

Dr. Mia couldn’t be happier to have her father as a mentor.  She has worked in his practice as a dental assistant over school breaks since she was sixteen.  She is continuously reminded of how hard he works and his commitment to the patients.  She feels incredibly blessed and excited to continue to grow their practice together.

Erin Malloy is a registered Dental Hygienist who has been with the practice of Dr. Michael M. Gooding upon graduation from The Community College of Rhode Island in 1998. She is proud to say that, that is long enough to see Dr. Gooding’s daughter, Dr. Mia Gooding, make her debut two years ago. 

Erin holds two Associate Degrees, the first being an Associate of Arts, the second, An Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene. Both were earned at CCRI where Erin was also bestowed with the Professionalism Award. This award was voted upon by her professors which represented the student’s unquestioned integrity coupled with the care and treatment of her patients throughout the program. Erin is also a member of the Rhode Island Dental Hygienists Association as well as the Providence Dental Hygiene Study Club, An Affiliate of Seattle Study Club. Dr. Michael Gooding also provides a series of continuing education classes throughout each year to every member of the dental team. 

Erin was encouraged to pursue Hygiene by her childhood Dental Hygienist, who spoke highly of the profession, telling her that it was “fun and easy”, Ha. Although it can be described as both at times, it is more challenging than one might think. Both Doctors expect and accept nothing less than the truth to be given to the patients so that they are well informed and come out of each visit having a better understanding of their individual dental needs. Their message to patients is given with respect and encouragement and lets the patient feel comfortable and confident to proceed with their treatment plan. Erin considers herself a liaison for both the patient as well as the Doctors she is representing. She knows the dental office can be a very scary place for patients, it can be for her as well, she knows, ha. It is all about gaining the patient’s trust and putting them at ease. Erin loves her patient’s and has had a lot of laughs getting to know them over the years. 

When Erin is not at work, you can find her at home with her THREE daughters, trying her best to raise them right, so far, so good. When she is not counting the three strands of hair left on her head, she has a passion for music, playing the drums with a limited audience and doing housework all day, everyday.

Lynn is a lifelong Warwick resident. She was raised with her two brothers, Tom & Ed, in the Buttonwoods area. A product of public schools K-8, she then attended Prout Memorial High School.

Lynn attended the University of Rhode Island for Dental Hygiene. She has been a Registered Dental Hygienist since 1981. She is married to Bob Kissinger and they have two children Robert & Katherine.  Robert is a graduate of Wheaton College and lives in the Boston area working for Sloan Graduate School at MIT. Kate is a graduate of American University and she and her husband Thomayne recently returned to Rhode Island from Washington, DC. They are now proud new parents of Teddy Grant and Lynn loves being a Nana!

Lynn has been a proud employee of Dr. Michael Gooding since 2000. She is passionate about her career and several of her patients have been with her since 1981.

Sarah has been a member of our team since 2018.

'I enjoy helping patients understand the importance of oral health and helping to give them confidence in their smile.  Working with doctors Michael and Mia Gooding has been wonderful as they are both very kind, informative and even have a sense of humor.  There is a marvelous staff here as well and everyone has their own splendid and unique personalities.  Some of my office responsibilities include chair side assisting, taking x-rays, sterilizing equipment, cleaning/resetting rooms, and taking impressions.  I have completed a liberal arts degree from CCRI and also have a certificate in Radiography.  Prior to assisting general dentistry, I assisted in Orthodontics and was an administrative assistant in the fields of Endocrinology and Colon Rectal Surgery.  I also supervised a call center for 8 years and, for 5 glorious years stayed home with my children. 

My husband Michael and I have 2 children, Abigail and Henry, whom we love spending time with.  I also love spending time with mom, dad, my brothers, other family and friends.  I love to tinker in the garden, cook healthy foods, camp, hike, swim and I really enjoy yoga and working on our very slow going home renovations.'

Sarah has been a member of our team as a dental assistant since May 2019.  She is x-ray certified through CCRI and is currently taking courses online to become a registered dental hygienist.

'Being employed in this office has been an exciting, worthwhile experience and I am very lucky to be guided by such motivated, talented doctors and staff members.  My roles at the office include assisting the doctors for all procedures, taking dental x-rays, taking digital impressions, pouring up dental models and making in-house lab products.  I have learned many new skills working alongside the Gooding doctors and I look forward to furthering my career with them in the future.  Aside from my life at the office, I spend most of my free time cooking, crafting, hanging out with family, and chasing my 4-month old Rottweiler, Nova around our lovely state on outdoor adventures. I am currently still a part time student working towards an eventual degree in Dental Hygiene.”

Elissa began working in an orthodontic office in high school completely by chance. What started as an after school job quickly turned into a passion for helping patients care for their dental health and all things dental. All of her professional training and certification was acquired through hands on training and at CCRI, Lincoln RI.  After assisting in the same orthodontic practice for 16 years she decided to expand her dental experience and leave to learn more about modern General Dentistry, managing a dental practice and patient insurance and treatment coordination. Even though she was born, raised and currently still residing in Warwick, RI she took a job in Portsmouth, RI to gain that experience. After almost 3 years of a truly gorgeous commute to Portsmouth and with even more dental experience under her belt a job opened up with Dr. Michael Gooding that would utilize all of her past and newly acquired experience. Elissa has now been working at Dr. Gooding’s office for over 5 years. In her spare time she enjoys getting out for runs, yoga, more yoga, spending time with her 17 year old son, Alec and 3 yorkies and pot-bellied pig, Pipa.