View our Dentist Spotlights Below
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Dr. Desiree T. Palmer
Desiree T. Palmer, DMD, PA and Associates
Durham, NC
www.anewreasontosmile.com
www.localstartdental.org
Tell us a little about yourself and your practice:
Dr. Palmer is a practicing dentist and the owner of Desiree T. Palmer, DMD, PA and Associates since 1985. In August of 2015, she opened a second practice, Bull City Dental, on Historic Parrish Street, downtown Durham. A Washington, DC native, she graduated with a degree in biochemistry from Mount Holyoke College and received her professional education from Tufts School of Dental Medicine. After graduating, she practiced for four years in Boston, Massachusetts as a commissioned officer in the Public Health Service Corp.
Dr. Palmer, and her all-female team of 18 professionals, strive to provide their patients with state of the art dental care and exceptional service. As a team, they are committed to community service and have done projects such as: back to school back pack/supplies drive, coats/scarves and hats for kids, adopted families for Christmas and volunteered at both Urban Ministries and the Baptist Men’s Dental Bus.
Why did you decide to go into dentistry:
I chose dentistry to be able to use my scientific and creative skills to promote and deliver high quality oral health. My dental practice has enabled me through the many relationships I have developed with my patients to further my love and commitment to the Durham community.
What are you doing to improve oral healthcare in your community:
Dr. Palmer serves on the boards of the Community Health Coalition, Local Start Dental, and the Durham County Library Foundation. She holds professional memberships with the American Association of Women Dentists, the Academy of General Dentistry, the National Dental Association, and the Spear Education Study Club. In her spare time, Dr. Palmer lectures on dental health and especially enjoys mentoring young women who plan to enter the dental profession.
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Dr. Rebecca Sykes
Tell us a little about yourself and your practice:
Dr. Rebecca Sykes is the Director of the Wake County Health and Human Services Dental Clinic. Dr. Sykes is a graduate of NCSU and attended Dental School at UNC. The Dental Clinic provides services for children ages 0 to 20. The Clinic sees patients with Medicaid, Healthchoice and patients with no dental coverage. Dr. Sykes has compassion for children and stresses providing a high-quality dental care for children.
Why did you decide to go into dentistry:
Dr. Sykes has been interested in dentistry from a young age. Having dental issues including needing orthodontics she found the importance in having healthy teeth and the confidence that braces gave her. In turn, she wanted to give other children that confidence. She believes having a smile you are proud of gives you confidence. Working in Public Health gives her an opportunity to break barriers and help all children have a healthy smile.
What are you doing to improve oral healthcare in your community:
In 2018, the Dental Clinic was awarded a grant for uninsured children thanks to Dr. Sykes! This grant provides an exam, x-rays, cleaning, and fluoride at no cost for the patient. Dr. Sykes realized there were many children not coming to the dentist because of the cost and they did not have Medicaid or dental insurance. Dr. Sykes has great empathy for children in need of dental treatment.
Part of the grant also allowed the Dental Clinic to take Dental Buses to three of the Regional Centers several times a year. Dr. Sykes coordinated a team of Dentists, Hygienists and Dental Assistants to provide dental treatment for no cost for children without dental coverage.
In February 2023, Dr. Sykes brought a mobile dental unit to the Northern Regional Center of Wake County. This service is also for uninsured children. Dr. Sykes plans on expanding this service to other Regional Centers.
Dr. Sykes has been on the Wake Tech Dental Assisting Advisory Board since 2021.
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Dr. Sharon Harrell
Dr. Sharon Harrell
FirstHealth of the Carolinas
www.firsthealth.org
Tell us a little about the dentist you are nominating and their practice:
Dr. Sharon Nicholson Harrell is the founding director of FirstHealth Dental Care whose purpose is to provide comprehensive dental care to underserved children aged birth to 21. The 6-chair traditional flagship office is located in Southern Pines, NC. The two School-based Dental Care Centers each have two operatories and are located in modular units on the campuses of East Middle school and West Middle School in rural Montgomery County, and the new portable dental program services the elementary schools and high school in Montgomery County. The practice philosophy is "To treat each patient with the utmost respect while delivering the highest quality of comprehensive, preventive-focused care.
Why did the dentist you are nominating decide to go into dentistry:
It is surprising to my patients to learn that as a child, I was actually afraid to go to the dentist! However, when I was in tenth grade, I began wearing braces, and I found the instruments on the tray, the rubber bands, and the entire process fascinating and set an initial goal of becoming an orthodontist. Nonetheless, in time, I realized that my true interest was in public health and in providing a broader range of procedures to underserved patients. I know what it feels like to be anxious about dental care, so I am able to be even more empathetic to my patients' fears. One of my greatest areas of fulfillment is transforming a patient who is very nervous to one who is comfortable coming to the dental office.
What is the dentist you are nominating doing to improve oral healthcare in your community:
The mantra in public health is that "the community is the patient." Accordingly, FirstHealth Dental Care is providing much needed access to dental care in the typical brick and mortar setting as well as positioning our services on the campus of middle schools and "rolling in a portable dental office" to elementary schools and a high school. FirstHealth Dental is grateful for the many years of partnership with the Delta Dental Foundation to secure dental care for uninsured patients, to cover the cost of premolar sealants not covered under Medicaid for high risk kids, and to furnish supplies and educational materials as the portable dental office expands to preschoolers.
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Dr. Mahmoud Serag
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Dr. Mahmoud Serag
Local Start Dental
www.localstartdental.org
Tell us a little about the dentist you are nominating and their practice:
Dr. Serag works to provide dental care to underserved, low-income, and veteran patients. At Local Start Dental, we offer high-end dental treatments, including dental implants.
Why did the dentist you are nominating decide to go into dentistry:
Dr. Serag had a childhood incident where he broke his front tooth in fourth grade and was embarrased to smile. After he went to a dentist and fixed his tooth, he fell in love with the profession.
What is the dentist you are nominating doing to improve oral healthcare in your community:
We give the confidence back to patients who are not comfortable with their smiles. Local Start Dental treats many patients from drug rehab centers and people who are recovering drug users. This helps them get back on their feet to pursue a better future.
