Meet the Dentists at Mitchell Dentistry in Fort Myers, FL
Mitchell Dentistry is a family-owned practice built around three dentists who bring together decades of combined experience, a shared philosophy of patient-first care, and deep roots in the Fort Myers community.
Joe Mitchell, DDS
Dr. Joe Mitchell continues his parent’s tradition of making Mitchell Dentistry a cutting-edge, patient centered, and comfortable experience. Having taken the best continuing education the country has to offer, learning from his parent’s vast experience, and earning a Fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry, has positioned him to lead the practice with a clear vision into the future.
Born and raised in Fort Myers, Dr. Joe is a graduate of Bishop Verot High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Notre Dame, where he met his wife, Teresa. The couple married at Notre Dame before Dr. Joe went on to attend Marquette University School of Dentistry in Milwaukee, training at a newly built, state-of-the-art dental facility within an 80-plus-year-old program that combined strong tradition with the latest technology.
Dr. Joe and Teresa moved back to Fort Myers, where they’re raising their daughter and three sons. The family enjoys traveling and spending time with each other. He joined his parents’ practice in 2008, carrying the family legacy forward, and is an active member of the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, the West Coast District Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, as well as a past president and board member of the Lee County Dental Society.
In his own words: “One of the greatest joys of my dental profession is interacting with the families I treat. I enjoy watching the many families in my practice grow up as I watch my own family grow up. This has truly been a blessing.”
Jim Mitchell, DDS
Dr. Jim Mitchell—Dr. Joe’s father—established Mitchell Dentistry in 1980 and now practices part-time, in the office about two days a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
A Fort Myers native since childhood (born in Ann Arbor, MI), Dr. Jim studied chemistry at the University of Florida before attending Emory University School of Dentistry in Atlanta, where he met his wife, Dr. Yolanda. Partners in work and in life, they raised their three children in Fort Myers, and the family has since grown to include six grandchildren and two puppies. They enjoy frequent trips to the Florida Keys, where they relax, fish, and snorkel together.
With a career spanning more than 30 years, Dr. Jim has a particular interest in complex restorative cases, fearful patients, detailed cosmetic work, and patients returning to dental care after time away. He’s an active member of the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, the West Coast District Dental Association, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the American Academy of General Dentistry and is president emeritus of the Lee County Dental Society. He also volunteers with Project Dentist Care, providing dental care to underserved members of the Lee County community, and is active in the broader Southwest Florida community, including his work with the Dr. Piper Center for Social Services.
In his own words, “Dentistry is a passion! It is an exciting profession with an explosion of new technology, technique, and materials. But my favorite reason for loving my profession is the people. Every person is interesting and has a story, and dentistry gives me the privilege to get to know them and help them. I enjoy helping people with their basic preventive dental care, but I especially like a challenge: the complex restorative patient, the fearful patient, the detailed cosmetic patient, or the dentally neglected patient. Helping these people gives me a great deal of satisfaction.”
Dr. Erik Skates, DMD
Dr. Erik Skates joined Mitchell Dentistry in 2024, bringing a hands-on, empathetic approach to patient care.
Raised in Fort Myers, with family roots in Southwest Florida spanning generations, Dr. Skates graduated from Fort Myers High School and initially studied building construction at the University of Florida before deciding to pursue a career he was more passionate about—dentistry was a natural fit, given his empathy and hands-on approach to solving problems. He trained at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston and returned home to Fort Myers after graduating in 2017. Outside the office, he enjoys traveling, playing music, and spending time with family and friends.
Dr. Skates is an active member of the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, the West Coast District Dental Association, the Lee County Dental Society, and the Seattle Study Club. He also volunteers with Project Dentists Care, helping the underserved population.
In his own words: “My favorite part of being a dentist is having the opportunity to meet and help so many people. The satisfaction I get from being able to help patients overcome their fear of the dentist and restoring their smiles makes me realize that I have chosen the right path.”
Whether you’re a longtime patient or new to Mitchell Dentistry, Dr. Joe Mitchell, Dr. Jim Mitchell, and Dr. Erik Skates are here to provide the same personal, unhurried care the practice was built on in 1980.
