Never Enough New Milford

Local Dentists Return Home to Practice and Raise their Families

Like myself, the readers of New Milford Living have chosen to make their homes and raise their families in a wonderful town we know so well, New Milford, Connecticut, because it’s a beautiful, family-centric place to work and live. But, you might not have realized that several of your local dental practices have made the same choice for several generations. 

Caceci Family Dentistry opened its doors in 1969. Dr. John P. Caceci, Sr., received his dental certificate in 1948, and practice in New York for many years before moving his family to Brookfield, where they had a longtime home on Candlewood Lake. He practiced at 184 Danbury Road, New Milford, for many years, and his sons Paul J. Caceci and John P. Caceci, Jr., eventually joined him in 1976 and 1985, respectively. John met his wife, Julie (who you might know from her many years as a nurse at Candlewood Family Pediatrics) in 1978, at Brookfield High School, married in 1983, and now have 4 kids, 3 grandkids, and 1 more grandkid on the way. Paul and John graduated from Georgetown Dental School in 1976 and 1985. In 2012, they moved their dental practice to the third floor of the 30 Bridge Street building (right above my own office!). And in 2017, they were delighted to welcome a third-generation member to the practice, Paul’s son, Matt. Matt graduated from the Boston University School of Dental Medicine and knew right away that he wanted to bring his family back home. 

John’s favorite part of being a dentist is working with the patients that he meets. He has treated some patients’ families for generations. He loves being his own boss and working with good people. It does get a little confusing for patients with three Dr. Cacecis. But this confusion creates his very, very favorite part of working with his brother and nephew- the look on their faces when patients describe John as “the handsome one.”

Paul and Matt also love working and practicing together, almost as much as they love cooking, hanging at the pool, and traveling. In fact, they even vacation together. On the rare occasions when they close the practice, their favorite family spot to unwind together is Aruba. Last year, they had a wonderful time together (for the first time in a while, due to Covid), and one young member of the family (Matt’s daughter, Mia) traveled directly from the family vacation to join her New Milford Chaos 10 U teammates in Florida to win 2nd place at the Cal Ripken 10U World Series of youth softball.

Mullen Family Dentistry opened its doors just 4 years after the Cacecis. Robert Mullen received his D.D.S. from the University of Maryland Dental School in Baltimore in 1965, joined the Navy, practiced in Brooklyn and Haiti, and then (after exploring Connecticut to decide which town would be the most attractive place to raise 4, and later 5, children) chose New Milford in 1973. He said that he and his wife, Barbara, stumbled on New Milford by chance but they always remarked that this is the best town to raise a family. His father, George Mullen, graduated from Columbia Dental in 1939, and later closed his Brooklyn practice and joined him in New Milford in 1976. His youngest brother, Peter Mullen, joined him in 1983 after graduating from NYU Dental School and his general practice residency at Flushing Hospital in Queens, NY. His youngest son, David Mullen, joined him in 2004. Dave followed his father at the University of Maryland Dental School, and later completed a general practice residency at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Minneapolis. All of their children attended New Milford Public Schools (Bob has 5 children, Peter 3, and David 2). At one time, there were five members of the Mullen family on staff at New Milford Hospital, which they always joked might be a record. David has remarked that, “It’s a bit of a unique experience to sometimes find a patient record that has notes from my dad, my grandfather, and my uncle- that probably doesn’t happen too often in life…taking care of people in New Milford has made the last twenty years a real joy.”

Bob Mullen has found that being part of a family team is very rewarding, “There is very little tension and there is a comforting feeling that we always have each other’s back.” Bob practiced in New Milford from 1973 until 2020. Peter and Dave kept the practice open for emergencies every day during the pandemic, but sent him home to keep him safe, and somehow, he decided to stay retired. Peter and his wife, Jolene, love to travel; Peter especially loves to travel to chilly places to ski, but they also like to visit Arizona, to visit his oldest daughter and grandchild, to Massachusetts, to visit his youngest daughter, and his son lives close enough to bring their three sons to visit them! Peter and David practice 6 days a week on Sunny Valley Road, right by Sarah Noble I.S. Peter has served on the continuing education committee for the Connecticut State Dental Association for many years, and between patients, he and David are equally likely to discuss upcoming dental lectures as they are to sneak a few peeks at Mets games and PGA golf events in the doctor’s lounge. 

After graduating from SUNY Buffalo and the University of Buffalo Dental School, Chris Carlone joined Dr. Gellella’s practice in 1983. He and his wife had two children, that attended Hill and Plain, Sarah Noble, Schaghticoke, and NMHS. They are a very musical family. His wife, Susie, has sung in the church choirs at Our Lady of the Lakes and more recently, St. Francis, for many years. His son, Chris is the music teacher at the Sherman School. His daughter, Mia, played in the college band at the University of Connecticut, where she continued on to complete dental school. She then completed a general practice residency at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Park Slope, Brooklyn, where she focused on her favorite aspect of dentistry, esthetic anterior cases (cosmetics on the upper front teeth). She has brought that love to her patients at their New Milford practice, Carlone Family Dental.

Mia joined Chris in practice this past summer, and you may have heard her playing “Carol of the Bells” at Christmas Eve Mass. Chris has said that, “having Mia joining me in my practice has been such a joy in my life.” He loves to watch UConn basketball with his dog, Luigi, especially if he has one of Susie’s Italian dinners to enjoy at the same time. Mia is an avid crossword puzzle solver and reader, and she also speaks French. She loves to walk around town on her lunch hour and is looking forward to the New Milford Library reopening, since it’s such a short walk down the hill from their practice.

It's a common phrase to hear that a business or medical practice is “like a family”, but in these cases, it couldn’t be more true. The Cacecis, Mullens and Carlones have dedicated their lives to treating the residents of their very favorite place, New Milford, CT, and they’ve somehow managed to remain true to their historical roots while introducing the latest technology at the same time.