Dr. Michael Bender earned his Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Marquette University and his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1986 from the University of Minnesota. He then attended a one-year Advanced General Dentistry Program at the Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, New York. He has been proudly practicing dentistry in Fort Atkinson since 1987.
He was recognized by the Academy of General Dentistry with its highest honor, the LLSR – Life Long Service Recognition, in 2020. He is was one of only 368 of the organization’s 39,000 members to achieve this honor since its inception in 2005. The recognition is presented to AGD members who have gone above and beyond their Mastership by completing an additional 1600 hours of continuing education in 16 different dental disciplines as well as completing at least 100 hours of dentally related community service.
Dr. Bender believes in the importance of community support and is involved with the Chamber of Commerce, Fort Atkinson Rotary, his Church, Scouts, the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation, and other service organizations as well.
Note from Dr. Bender:
“I feel blessed to work in a vocation that I love so much and to be able to work together with our team to share our skills and knowledge with our patients. I feel a deep sense of gratitude to our patients for the trust they place in us and the relationships we have built with them and their families throughout the years.”
Dr. Bender also was recognized locally receiving the Small Business Person of the Year Award from the Chamber in 2015. He also received the Al Haukom Service above Self Award I, 2019, and the Five Avenues of Service Award in 2020 from the Fort Atkinson Rotary Club.
He and his wife Donna, live in Fort Atkinson and have three adult children. They enjoy traveling, boating and water sports, biking and hiking, and in the winter they enjoy skiing. They are thoroughly enjoying their new role as grandparents of three grandchildren.
Dr. Bender is a member of the following organizations:
- American Dental Association
- Wisconsin Dental Association
- Jefferson County Dental Society (past and current President)
- Wisconsin Implant Association
- Chicago Dental Society
- International Association for Orthodontics
- Academy of General Dentistry (received Fellowship-1993, Mastership-2003, LLSR in 2020)
- American Laser Study Club
- Academy of Sports Dentistry
- All-Star Dental Academy
