Meet the Specialists

Walt Pfitzinger, DDS, MS – Sleep Medicine

Dr. Pfitzinger founded Plaza Dental Group in 2008 with a vision for incredible customer service, patient convenience, and high quality of care standards. His objective was to create a general and multi-specialty dental group practice in the heart of Missouri. In this group practice model, dental specialists and general dentists work together in an environmentally friendly facility that encompasses all the technology that today’s dentistry has to offer.

After completing his undergraduate work at Mizzou, Dr. Pfitzinger graduated from St. Louis University School of Dentistry. Following two years as a general dentist in the U.S. Army, he completed his residency in pediatric dentistry at Marquette University and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, in Milwaukee. He then founded a multi-specialty group practice in St. Charles, MO, Family Dental Services, where he practiced for 25 years.

Dr. Pfitzinger’s practice today is focused solely on the emerging field of dental sleep medicine, in which dental appliances give relief to patients with obstructive sleep apnea. In addition, he is an assistant professor at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine.

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Colin Boswell, DDS – Pediatric Dentist

Dr. Boswell was born and raised in the small town of Pella, IA and graduated from Truman State University with a BS in Biology. He received his DDS degree from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry where he discovered tremendous joy in treating children and patients with special needs.

Dr. Boswell pursued his specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage, AK; there he treated children from across the state and was named Chief Resident by his attending faculty.

Dr. Boswell is happy to be back in the Midwest, join an amazing dental team, and contribute to the wonderful community of Columbia!  He enjoys spending time with his family and friends: cooking meals and conversation, playing pickup soccer and basketball, climbing, hiking and traveling to engage and take part in different cultures.  The photo below is from a recent trip to Switzerland to visit his brother!

Christian Francis, DDS, MS – Orthodontist

“The power of a healthy, attractive smile really enhances self-confidence.  I learned this personally as I finally opened up with my smile after years of not showing my teeth when I smiled due to embarrassment.  That personal transformation that accompanied my own orthodontic treatment led me to begin working at an orthodontic office from the age of 16.  To this day, that contagious smile from a patient with newly aligned teeth is still the most exciting and rewarding aspect of my work.” –Dr. Francis

Dr. Francis supports the American Association of Orthodontists’ recommendation that children be seen by an orthodontist beginning at age seven.  Certain dental and jaw relationships can only be treated early to avoid surgery or further compromise later.  However, research shows that orthodontic treatment is most efficient in a single phase of comprehensive treatment when possible and that is Dr. Francis’ preference as well.

Dr. Francis grew up in Bozeman, Montana.  He received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Brigham Young University and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Texas School of Dentistry.  It was during his orthodontic residency at the University of Kentucky that he and his wife first visited central Missouri and considered relocating to the area.  Dr. Francis and his wife Shannon have three sons: Tyson, Austin, and Neal.  They love hiking and camping and spend most of their family time playing games together and riding bicycles and tricycles around the neighborhood.

 

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Arthur Misischia, DDS - Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

Dr. Misischia is a graduate of Washington University Dental School, and an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon certified by the Missouri Dental Board to perform general anesthesia in an outpatient setting. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the National Board of Anesthesiology, and a Fellow of the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and in Pediatric Advanced Life Support.

Dr. Misischia is certified to administer General Anesthesia for patients in the convenience of our office.