Dr. Walter Goodell was born in Vermont. His family moved to Michigan when he was five years old. His parents were both educators and his father came here to work on his PhD in Elementary Education at the University of Michigan. After high school, Dr. Goodell attended Central Michigan University and Michigan State University. He was drafted in 1968 and served in the U.S. Army.  From 1969 to 1970, he served in the Vietnam War. He graduated from Central Michigan University in 1972 and the University of Detroit School of Dentistry in 1975.  After graduation, he became an associate with Dr. Dennis Freeman in Livonia, MI.  In 1980, he opened his own dental practice in Brighton, MI.   

In December 2007, Dr. Goodell became the 5th dentist in Michigan to be fully certified at the Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry.  This certification allows him to perform FDA approved LANAP®, a laser-assisted new attachment procedure.

Dr. Goodell is a member of the American Dental Association, the Michigan Dental Association, the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation, Academy of General Dentistry and Dentists Who Care, a grass-roots movement to rid the world of childhood dental decay, the only disease in the human body that is completely preventable.

Dr. Goodell enjoys skiing and scuba diving.  Since 2004, he has been on ski patrol at Boyne Highlands in Northern Michigan.  He is an Advanced Scuba Diver and is certified as a Rescue Diver.  He is also an avid dog lover.  He has 3 poodles and 6 show collies.  In 1993, he had Pedigree's number one Rough Collie.

Dr. Goodell's vision is to provide the highest quality dentistry and to deliver it in the most caring of environments.