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Local Start Dental Team

Meet the team photoThe 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
  • Both 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

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Dr. Mahmoud Serag

DDS, MS, FACP // Clinical Director

Former Director of Prosthodontics,
East Carolina University of Dental Medicine
Board-certified Prosthodontist

Dr. Neha Shrestha

General Dentist

Gail Stone, RDH

Hygienist and Clinical Supervisor

Jenny Marler

Executive Director

Letesea Perez

Lead Dental Assistant

Jeff Robinson

Lab Technician

Nate DiBiase

Lab Technician

Yanina Cespedes

Office Manager

Karmen Heath

Intern Dental Assistant I

Jordyn Niewold

Jordyn Niewold

Treatment Coordinator

Kristine Palacios

Dental Assistant

Arianna Luna

Patient Care Coordinator

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Local Start Dental Team Members

Board of Directors

  1. Doug Brown – Chairman of the Board
  2. Greg Harris – Vice Co-Chairman of the Board
  3. Dr. Mark Scurria – Vice Co-Chairman of the Board
  4. Dr. Wendy Clark – UNC Adams
  5. Dr. Vincent Allison – Durham Dentist
  6. Dr. Daniel Fenton – Affordable Care
  7. Paul Gardner – UNC Adams
  8. Dr. Gail Belvett – Durham Dentist
  9. Dr. Desiree Palmer – Durham Dentist

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.

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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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