The Local Start Dental team is committed to delivering the highest quality care and service to a diverse community of patients. Our highly qualified dental professionals use the latest technology to ensure the best possible outcomes.
We are proud to have a team of passionate, skilled, and caring professionals who work tirelessly to provide our patients with top-notch care. We are dedicated to continuing education and training so that we can provide our patients with the most up-to-date treatments available.
Our Local Start Dental staff achieves phenomenal outcomes with dental prosthetic procedures because:
- Our entire team exists to delight patients – this means treating patients like cherished family
- Local Start’s dentists are specialists (Prosthodontists) with years of advanced clinical training
- They are compassionate and care greatly about their patients
- They also train and mentor UNC Adams School of Dentistry dental students and provide advanced clinical education
- All three of our providers completed surgical implant fellowships
- Delighting patients includes a dedication to safety, comfort, and cleanliness, including complete COVID prevention procedures
Our Local Start Dental Team, Including Three Prosthodontists
Dr. Mahmoud Serag
DDS, MS, FACP // Clinical Director
Former Director of Prosthodontics,
East Carolina University of Dental Medicine
Board-certified Prosthodontist
Dr. Lauren McKay
DDS, PhD // Assistant Clinical Director & Clinical Prosthodontist
Assistant Professor, UNC Adams School of Dentistry
Dr. Anna Mcilwain
Prosthodontist
Gail Stone, RDH
Hygienist and Clinical Supervisor
Jenny Marler
Executive Director
Mauria Kurian
Office Manager
Dr. Neha Shrestha
General Dentist
Letesea Perez
Lead Dental Assistant
Jeff Robinson
Lab Technician
Nate Bibiase
Lab Technician
Jessie Zheng
Dental Assistant
Maylin Peguero
Dental Assistant I
Jahquel Pullen
Dental Assistant II
Yanina Cespedes
Treatment Coordinator
Mary Ha
Intern CE Coordinator Dental Assistant I
Ana Rojas-Gabriel
Receptionist
Karmen Heath
Intern Dental Assistant I
Local Start Dental Team Members
Board of Directors
1. Dr. Mark Scurria * Durham Dentist
2. Doug Brown, Treasurer *
3. Dr. Wendy Clarke * UNC Adams
4. Dr. Vincent Allison * Durham Dentist
5. Dr. Desiree Palmer Durham Dentist
6. Lee Culp Sculpture Studios
7. Dr. Dan Fenton Affordable Care
8. Greg Harris, Chairman of the Board & Executive Committee Independent
9. Dr. Gail Belvett Durham Dentist
10. Dr. Joe Mehranfar Implant Education Company
UNC School Of Dentistry
Paul Gardner
Dr. Wendy Clark
NCDS Representation
Dr. Alec Parker (advisor, NCDS)
Lisa Ward (advisor, NCDS)
Carbon
Dr. Joe DiSimone
UAB/The Foundry
Dr. Mike McCracken
Moss+Ross
Susan Ross
Ann Simpson
Elizabeth Hopkins
Allieway Marketing
Allie Balling
Meredith Martindale
The Local Start Dental Team Mission
At Local Start Dental, we are committed to community engagement and providing the highest quality oral care possible. Our state-of-the-art facility employs the latest technology, and our highly trained and qualified dental professionals are experienced prosthodontists. Conventional dentures, overdentures, or implant-supported dentures are our specialty, and changing lives by changing smiles is our passion.
Our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable dental care to the underserved community in the Triangle area. We are dedicated to continuing education and training so that we can provide our patients with the most up-to-date techniques and procedures.
Our Mission is:
- Restoring smiles and confidence for neighbors in need; while advancing the clinical skills of dental professionals.
It informs everything we do – from the type of cases we take to how we mentor dental students.
We are proud to have a local impact while also serving as a resource for the dental community.
The Local Start Dental team is committed to providing comprehensive, high-quality and affordable dental care to our community. We also provide training to dental professionals and students so they can provide the best possible care to their patients. Our goal is to restore smiles and confidence for our patients, while also advancing the clinical skills of dental professionals.
Join Us!
There’s a place for everyone to partner with us as we seek to meet a significant community need by restoring smiles, health, and confidence for all community members and making our vision an accessible reality. Join us!
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