Dr. Puffer is a Minnesota native. He attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Mn., and continued his education at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, graduating with honors. He completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery residency in 1990 and began practice with one of his instructors, Dr. Brandjord, in Burnsville, Minnesota until 1994, when he accepted an offer to join Dr. Babst in Duluth.

Dr. Puffer is board certified in oral surgery by ABOMS. He is certified in Dental Anesthesiology by the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology. He is a member of the ADA, AAOMS, ACOMS, and the ADSA. Dr. Puffer has served as president of the N.E. District Dental Society of Minnesota, and president of the Lake Superior Study Club.