Meet Our Team

Melissa , FAADOM

Practice Manager

Melissa joined the GFD team with a wealth of experience in dental administration, having come to us from New Jersey by way of her military husband. A proud member of a military family, she’s quickly become a valued part of the GFD family, bringing with her a strong work ethic and a knack for leadership.

With years of experience in both specialist’s offices and multi-specialty practices, Melissa thrives under pressure and excels at managing teams. Her organization skills and calm demeanor help her navigate the dynamic environment of a busy dental office, and she’s excited to bring her expertise to GFD. After starting her career as a medical assistant, Melissa discovered her true passion for dentistry, and she’s since turned that passion into a thriving career in dental office management.

A strong advocate for professional development, Melissa is a lifetime member of the American Association of Dental Office Management (AADOM), where she holds her FAADOM credentials and is currently working toward her Masters. She is also deeply involved in not only the dental community but our local community, serving on three non-profit boards, including AADOM’s Dental Professional Learning Networks; Professional Dental Administrators of SNJ and Dental Connection of Delaware Valley, as well as the Calvert County Chamber of Commerce’s Women 2 Women group. Additionally, she is an active member of BAM Leadership League, where she continues to expand her leadership skills and make meaningful connections.

When she’s not in the office, Melissa adores spending time with her husband of almost 20 years and their three children, who are the center of her world. Outside of family time, she’s an avid crafter and enjoys tending to her 22’ x 22’ fruit and vegetable garden. 

With a Puerto Rican and Italian heritage, Melissa’s love for cooking is as strong as her love for her family. From savory empanadas and arroz con gandules to hearty lasagna, she’s known for creating delicious meals that reflect her diverse cultural roots. We’re all looking forward to the next office potluck!

Fun Fact: I have a passion for crafting and turned it into a business.

manager@dunkirkdental.com

Hunter

Office Manager

As Office Manager at GFD, Hunter brings over four years of experience in the dental industry, with nearly three years spent leading the administrative team here at GFD. Known for his personable nature and impressive knack for numbers, Hunter excels at reading accounts, tracking financials, and making sense of complex insurance details. His ability to simplify these processes for patients and ensure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes plays a key role in the office's day-to-day operations.

Hunter is particularly passionate about the insurance side of dentistry. He thrives on working with treatment plans and helping patients understand their benefits, so they can get the smile they deserve without confusion or frustration. His dedication to making sure patients receive the maximum benefits available is one of the many reasons he’s so highly regarded at GFD.

As an active member of the American Association of Dental Office Management (AADOM), Hunter continuously seeks to expand his knowledge and stay up-to-date on the latest trends in insurance and office management. This commitment to ongoing education allows him to better serve both the practice and its patients.

Outside of the office, you can find Hunter spending time with friends, re-watching his favorite movies and TV shows, or just enjoying some downtime. A lifelong resident of Southern Maryland, Hunter is deeply connected to the local community and enjoys being part of an area that feels like home.

Hunter invites current and prospective patients to reach out with any questions they might have about their billing or insurance benefits. He’s always happy to help guide you through the process and ensure you’re getting the most out of your coverage.

Hunter@dunkirkdental.com

Samantha

Financial Coordinator

Sam, as she's known around the office, is Gentle Family Dentistry's Financial Coordinator. She has been in the dental industry for 20 years. Sam is a wonderful patient advocate who strives to help a patient understand their benefits. She is happy to submit claims to reap the maximum benefit from your plan. Sam takes pride in being a problem-solver, and will answer questions for a patient at any time. Her knowledge of benefits is extensive, and she is a true asset to the practice.

Sam first came to Maryland when her spouse, who was then in the military, transferred to Maryland. Sam grew up in South Jersey, but she and her husband have come to love the Maryland lifestyle and decided to stay. And it really helps that there is a Jersey Mikes in Dunkirk now...it's like a little taste of home! Sam is always active. When not in the office, you will find Sam hiking, sewing, playing Xbox, or working on the latest home project with her husband. She loves rustic vacations that include hiking, mountains and pine trees...Colorado is a favorite travel destination of hers, but her trip to Banff takes the cake for her! And Sam recently had a baby...a beautiful boy! She'll have the mom/work balance down to a science in no time!

FUN FACT: "I am a music lover...I've played 5 different instruments...2 of which were self-taught. I have been to tons and tons of concerts, and I have downloaded roughly 20,000 songs."

Jennifer

Financial Coordinator

Natalie

Insurance Coordinator

As an Insurance Coordinator at GFD, Natalie brings over 3.5 years of experience in the dental industry, including two years with our team. Known for her keen attention to detail, Natalie is dedicated to going above and beyond for every patient. Her ability to carefully navigate the complexities of insurance, paired with her commitment to providing exceptional care, helps ensure that each patient has a seamless experience.

Natalie is passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of others. She finds true fulfillment in seeing the confidence boost and pure happiness patients experience after receiving the care they need. Her dedication to helping others is evident not only in her work but also in her academic pursuits—she is currently enrolled at UMGC, working toward a Bachelor's in Business Administration to further advance her career and serve as a role model to her family.

Outside of work, Natalie enjoys spending quality time at home with her children, exploring new recipes in the kitchen, and enjoying a fun shopping trip. She’s also a fan of live music and can often be found at concerts. Born in Arlington, VA, and a lifelong resident of St. Mary's, Natalie is proud to be a part of the local community, where she strives to lead by example, excel academically, and always give her best.

Judith

Patient Care Coordinator

Meet Judith – Patient Care Coordinator

Judith joined Gentle Family Dentistry (GFD) just over a year ago, bringing her passion for helping others to the dental industry. Known for her exceptional communication skills and warm personality, Judith has a knack for making patients feel at ease and leaving them with a smile.

In addition to her CNA/GNA Certificate, Judith has earned two certificates for excellence in customer service, highlighting her dedication to providing outstanding patient care. She is most excited about seeing the transformation in a patient’s smile after completing their dental work, finding immense joy in helping others achieve confidence through their smiles.

Originally from Southern Maryland, Judith spent some time in New York before returning to her roots in 2019. Outside of work, she cherishes time with her husband of 23 years and their three children, aged 22, 20, and 9. A lover of family traditions, she enjoys cooking with her husband and creating memories together.

For Judith, family is everything. She credits her success and happiness to the unwavering support of her loved ones and is grateful to share that same care and dedication with every patient she meets at GFD.

Barbara

Registered Dental Hygienist

Joined GFD in 1979

Barb is a Registered Dental Hygienist who has been practicing her craft for 40 years! She has been with the practice since 1979, and has been with Dr. Sclater since 2008. Barb's favorite part about being a Dental Hygienist is getting to see a patient make a complete turnaround towards excellent dental health with a little education and regular dental care. Barb has a knack for great sealants on teeth, and believes they are an important part of optimizing the benefits of regular visits to the dentist. Barb is Laser Certified.

Barb moved to Calvert County in 1979 and she's never looked back. She raised her family in Calvert County, and is lucky to still have all her grown children living close by. When not in the office, Barb spends as much time as possible with her grandchildren...which keeps her very busy! Barb really values the connection she has with her patients, and being a part of this community is very important to her. And she loves to row with the GFD team when we do the End Hunger Dragon Boat races. But being a grandmother is her absolute favorite thing!

FUN FACT: "I am a life-saver! I saved 4 people back in my lifeguard days. And I never wore a stitch of sunscreen back then...except zinc on my nose. Now I won't leave the house without sunscreen."

Sandi

Registered Dental Hygienist

Joined GFD in 2004

Sandi is a Dental Hygienist with Gentle Family Dentistry and earned an A.A.S. degree. She has been with our practice since 2004 and has been in the dental industry for 38 years. Sandi is a truly gentle hygienist. She feels that gaining the trust of a patient is one of the most important aspects of her job. She takes great satisfaction in restoring a mouth to total health and seeing how it impacts the lives of her patients. Sandi is laser and anesthesia certified. 

Sandi originally hailed from the Hudson Valley in NY. She has lived in Maryland for the past 30 years. Sandi is very active in her church, and she loves to spend time with her family.  Sandi likes to spend her free time attending plays or working on puzzles. She also likes to squeeze in a little girl-time with her friends when she gets the chance. Sandi was a part of the dental team that volunteered for Mission of Mercy in 2012 and 2014, and is a supporter of The Autism Project.

FUN FACT: "I love spending time at church with the seniors - they have such great stories!"

Jessica

Registered Dental Hygienist

Joined GFD in 2009

Jessica is one of our amazing Dental Hygienists. She is a natural teacher and has a knack with children. Jessica has her laser, nitrous and anesthesia certification. She has a passion for oral health. She will put you at ease before you even sit in her chair, and will educate you as she makes your smile look and feel more beautiful. Jessica's motto is, "If the eyes are the windows to the soul, the mouth is the door to the body" and uses this to emphasize her oral-systemic health philosophy.

Jessica is a proud mother to her son who is a senior in high school. When she is not at work, you will often find her working on home improvement projects and taking her dogs for a walk. She carves out time for herself by enjoying a healthy lifestyle that is filled with fitness and fun...including rock climbing and scuba diving! She loves to make bone broth and shop local when she can for ingredients to make delicious meals. She also finds the time to volunteer for Mission of Mercy and had a blast at the United Way Day of Caring in 2019.

FUN FACT: "I believe everyone should skip and touch their toes every day...and I sing in the shower!"

Ashley

Registered Dental Hygienist

Joined GFD in 2018

Please help us welcome Ashley! We are very excited to expand our hygiene department so we can accommodate our patients in a more timely manner. We love that Ashley is bringing to our team a fresh perspective. Ashley, like the rest of our team, is patient-focused, and is incredibly empathetic to patients with dental anxiety (she said she has dental anxiety too, which really helps with comforting her patients). Ashley is laser, nitrous and anesthesia certified. 

Ashley committed to her goal of being a hygienist at 14. She's been in the dental field for 9 years, and worked as an oral surgery assistant while pursuing her degree. She is passionate about oral health, and even received the Hu-Friedy Golden Scaler Award… which was presented to a graduating dental hygiene student showing the greatest proficiency in the performance of clinical dental hygiene services. Ashley is a Southern MD native, and recently married her best friend! She has a passion for animals, family and crafting. She couldn’t live without ice cream, and grilled cheese is her favorite food! And we are very excited for her...she recently had her first baby! She and her husband are over the moon...they love every minute of being a parent!

FUN FACT: "I cannot eat a sandwich if anything is hanging over the side...all sandwich fillings have to be tucked into the bread and not showing."

Christina

Registered Dental Hygienist

Joined GFD in 2020

Emily

Lead Dental Assistant

Emily began her dental career here at GFD! She joined our team as a Dental Assistant in August 2021, and we couldn’t be happier! She is a quick learner and a dependable team member. The entire office adores her sweet personality. Emily loves seeing the smile on her patients' faces after dental work is complete.

Emily was born and raised in Calvert County. Both of her daughters attend the same middle school she did! Emily spends most weekends at the football field watching her daughters cheer, playing softball, or enjoying a hike.

Fun Fact: “My husband and I are middle school sweethearts!”

Hillary

Dental Assistant

Hillary's journey into the dental field began after working for 10 years at a previous office. Seeking a less stressful, more supportive environment where she could truly engage with patients, she made the move to her current role, where she feels right at home. Known professionally as a dedicated and detail-oriented dental assistant, Hillary has a natural knack for cleaning and organizing, ensuring that everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.

What excites Hillary most about her work is the opportunity to help people feel better about their smiles and their overall oral health. She finds joy in watching a patient transform—both physically and emotionally—after seeing the positive impact that dental care can have on their confidence.

Outside of work, Hillary is most at peace at home, where she enjoys spending time tending to her plants and garden. She’s a true homebody, relishing the simple pleasure of nurturing her indoor and outdoor greenery. You can also find her spending time with her husband, their puppy, and their chickens, whether it's relaxing at home or enjoying the beauty of the Calvert County area, which they fell in love with after moving from Brandywine, MD.

When she's not gardening or spending time with family, Hillary loves to support local businesses. Every week, she visits Chesapeake Bounty for her grocery shopping, where she enjoys connecting with the local community.

Starra

Sterilization Technician/Assistant

Alyssia

Sterilization Assistant

Alyssia's journey to GFD started with a desire to learn how to better care for her own teeth and, ultimately, to help educate others in the process. With a strong belief that good dental health is a key part of feeling confident and beautiful, she has dedicating herself to not only improving her own smile but also empowering others to take charge of their oral care. Known professionally as a hard worker, Alyssia brings that same determination and drive to GFD and personal endeavors.

Passionate about helping others feel beautiful, Alyssia channels that energy into her work and strives to create spaces where everyone can feel their best, inside and out. Outside of her professional life, she's focused on her personal goal of owning her own business and has big plans for the future.

When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her shopping or exploring new stores and trends. Alyssia grew up in Annapolis, where she was surrounded by a large, loving family—she's one of ten siblings, with 5 sisters and 4 brothers, so family is an important part of her life.

With a relentless drive to succeed and a deep passion for helping others, Alyssia is on a mission to make the world a more confident and beautiful place to smile at a time.