Meet the Team

Melanie is most likely to be the first smile to greet you when you visit or call our practice. She works at the front desk to schedule appointments, go over treatment plans and provide billing and insurance assistance. She is always happy to answer any questions you may have. She lives in Athens with her husband, Michael, who is her childhood sweetheart and best friend. Her daughter, Cheyenne, currently lives in Portland, Oregon, since graduating from Georgia Southern University, and her son, Austin, lives in Conyers. Melanie enjoys reading while snuggled up to her cat, going on her Christmas trips, going to the beach and just spending quality time with her husband.

Kari is one of our registered dental hygienists. She joined our team in November 2017. Kari graduated from Clayton State University in 1998, earning her bachelor’s degree in English and historical literature, and associate degree in dental hygiene (RDH). Kari has practiced dental hygiene for over 20 years in Covington, Atlanta and Madison. She enjoys keeping up to date with new studies and technologies in the dental health field. Her main goals are to educate her patients while helping them feel at home, providing a pain-free, thorough and comfortable cleaning. She is committed to listening to her patients’ concerns and planning for a healthy future. Kari and her husband were both born and raised in the Texas Hill Country. They moved to Georgia in 1991 and have enjoyed all the outdoor activities that Georgia has to offer!

Renee is one of our registered dental hygienists. She joined our team in May 2017. She graduated from Valdosta State University in 2010 with her dental hygiene degree. She practiced in general and periodontal offices around the metro Atlanta area prior to joining our office. Renee has a passion for helping her patients achieve the best oral health possible. Renee and her husband live in Rutledge with their son, Carter, and their two dogs, Toby and Munson. When out of the office, she enjoys spending time with family at the lake, baking, gardening and cheering on the Bulldogs and Falcons!

Valerie joined our staff as a dental assistant in 1994. She has received her Expanded Duties of Dental Assistant Certificate through the Georgia Dental Association and is CPR certified. She has also attended numerous continuing education seminars to broaden her knowledge and skills. Valerie resides in Rutledge with her husband, Wes. She has one daughter, Brittany, and two grandchildren, Riley and Jackson. She enjoys reading, being outdoors, fishing and spending time with family and friends.

Meet the newest member of our team — Hattie. She joined our team in July 2021 with the greatest enthusiasm to learn dentistry from the ground up. She was born and raised in Morgan County. She lives in Rutledge with her fiancé and her daughter, Emberly. When she is not learning all there is to know about dentistry, she loves being outside and riding dirt roads and hanging out with her amazing family. She thanks God every day for all that she has!