I am passionate about bringing integrity, compassion, and empathy to the dental field. I love encouraging my patients to work through their dental fears and phobias, transforming them into healthy, happy dental patients.
I feel that I have a unique ability to work with those who suffer from dental anxiety. I am gentle, compassionate, and patient, all qualities that allow me to stand out amongst my peers. I especially enjoy working with children, though I strive to make patients of all ages feel as though they belong to our practice’s family.
Education and Continuing Education
In 1991, I received a fellowship from the National Science Foundation and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. I then attended the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, graduating in 1995 with a Master’s degree in Public Health. I earned my Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 1999 from the University of Maryland Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. When my father retired from private practice in 2004, I was more than happy to continue his tradition of excellence in dentistry in the Sykesville, MD community.
During my dental education, I took part in various externships and internships, and was part of a team that fabricated complete dentures for Native Americans with the Indian Health Service. I also actively taught CPR to my fellow students and colleagues. While earning my Master of Public Health degree, I participated in the development of a book entitled, “Choices in Risk Assessment: The Role of Science Policy in the Environmental Risk Management Process.”
Continuing to expand my base of dental and medical knowledge has made me a better practitioner and has allowed me to treat my patients with the utmost confidence. I have taken numerous clinical and online educational courses sponsored by various organizations including the Carroll County Dental Society, Maryland State Dental Association, Carroll County Female Dentists Study Group, the American Dental Association, Official Mommy Dentists, and DMV Dental Group.
Most recently I have enrolled in the University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy's Master of Cannabis Science and Therapeutics Program. I will graduate in 2024. Currently I am a certified Cannabis Doctor and am here to aid patients in understanding cannabis and other forms of alternative medicine.
Honors and Awards
- Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental Society
- International College of Dentists Award
- American Academy of Periodontology Award
- American Society of Dentistry for Children Certificate of Recognition
- Academy of Dental Materials Award
- Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges
- Gorgas Odontological Honorary Society
- Gamma Pi Delta Prosthodontic Honor Society
- William and Howard Reid Hayden Fellowship for Dental Biomaterials Research
- “Occlusion of Dentin Tubules by 45S5 Bioglass,” Bioceramics, Volume 10, October 1997.
- CCCT Mentor
- Previous President Carroll County Dental Society
- Dandy Advisor
- Certified Cannabis Doctor
- Notary Public of Maryland
Family and Community
I was born and grew up in Mount Airy, Maryland and have lived here my entire life. I have a wonderful husband, George, four children, Luke, Blake, Emilee, and Lily, and three Rottweilers and a Lab named Cam, Boh, Reilly and Gideon. With four kids, I am constantly on the go! We’re often at one of their extracurricular activities or sporting events; I’m their biggest fan!
I am always looking to give back to the community. Whenever possible, I can always be counted on to volunteer my time and services for dental care for orphans or to open my home to students and orphans from countries such as Russia, Latvia, and France.
Along with my passion for orphan care, I am a Sunday school teacher at Winfield Bible Chapel, VBS leader, and children’s nursery teacher. I volunteer my time and services treating and educating the community and orphans through non-profit organizations such as Mission of Mercy, Open Hearts and Homes, New Horizons, and Carroll County Young Marines. I also reach out to local classrooms during February to teach elementary students about dental health. I take pride in enriching my community through dentistry.