Lauren

Co-Owner

Lauren brings both heart and experience to the Magnolia Family Dental team. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, she met her husband Matthew while they were students at Tulane University. After braving a few snowy New York winters, the two eventually made Charleston their forever home.

Lauren’s healthcare journey began in patient experience at a busy radiology practice, but her passion for hands-on care led her to NYU’s School of Nursing. She spent several fulfilling years as an obstetric and public health nurse before transitioning into the world of practice management following the birth of her first child, Allie.

Since co-founding Magnolia Family Dental, Lauren has blended her clinical background with her love for operations, all while continuing to grow in the dental space. Her top priority is making sure both patients and staff feel truly valued, supported, and excited to be part of the Magnolia family.

At home, Lauren and Matthew are proud parents to four amazing kids—Allie, Lucas, and twin girls Sophia and Emma—and two sweet pups, Molly and Mimi. Outside the office, you’ll find her running, spending time with family and friends, and soaking in all the joy that comes with a full (and happy!) house.

Tristan

Practice Manager

Tristan leads the team with positivity, heart, and a natural talent for keeping everything running smoothly. Originally from Latta, SC, she studied Communications at the College of Charleston before finding her way into dentistry—a path inspired by years of great experiences at her childhood orthodontist’s office. The upbeat, welcoming atmosphere left a lasting impression, and now Tristan works every day to create that same kind of environment for others.

Her favorite part of the workday is watching how the team’s energy and laughter effortlessly spread to the patients, creating a space where everyone feels comfortable and cared for. She’s passionate about building a practice that feels like home—for both the team and the community.

Outside of the office, Tristan loves being outdoors, whether that means soaking up the sun or enjoying a long walk. She’s married to her husband, Chad, and together they have a sweet daughter named Palmer. Their family also includes two adorable pups: Greta the pug and Maple the black lab.

Jessica

Clinical Manager

Jess is the Clinical Manager and a calm, steady force in the office—known for her caring nature, determination, and ability to keep everything running smoothly. Originally from Summerville, SC, Jess has a background in both pediatric and general dentistry as a trained dental assistant. Her passion for the field comes from her desire to help patients feel comfortable, confident, and right at home in the dental chair.

Her favorite part of the workday is getting to collaborate with an amazing team of doctors and coworkers while building strong relationships with her patients along the way.

Outside of work, Jess enjoys spending time with her partner, Tylor, and their daughter, Ellie. Whether she’s thrift shopping, enjoying the outdoors, or discovering great food spots, she loves making the most of her free time.

Fun fact: Jess is left-handed—and proud of it! Her coworkers would describe her as organized, determined, and deeply caring, which perfectly sums up the way she approaches everything she does.

Chelee

Front Office Manager

With nearly a decade of dental and customer service experience, Chelee brings a bright smile, sharp attention to detail, and a genuine passion for helping others to our front office every single day.

Born in New Jersey, Chelee spent part of her childhood in Nicaragua before returning to Sayreville, NJ. She’s fluent in both English and Spanish—and is currently learning Korean! Her love of sunny beaches and southern hospitality brought her and her husband, Brandon, to Charleston, and they haven’t looked back since.

Chelee has always believed in treating others the way she’d want to be treated and showing up with a smile. That positive spirit, paired with her deep knowledge of scheduling, insurance, and the ins and outs of dentistry, makes her an essential part of our team. Whether she’s helping a patient navigate their appointment or ensuring the front office runs smoothly, Chelee always goes the extra mile to make every experience seamless and welcoming.

Outside the office, she’s a proud mom to her two wonderful sons, Jaxon and Xaden, and an animal lover with a house full of playful pups and cuddly cats. In her downtime, she loves sipping coffee, catching up on classic films, and diving into a good book.

Ashleigh

Accounts Manager

Originally from Texas, Ashleigh earned her Bachelor of Science from Wilmington University in Delaware and quickly found her way into the dental field after graduation. When her husband, Zack, was relocated to Charleston Air Force Base, we were thrilled to welcome Ashleigh to our team.

As our Accounts Manager, Ashleigh works diligently behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly on the financial side of the practice. Her sharp attention to detail, strong work ethic, and genuine passion for helping others make her an incredible asset to both our team and the patients we serve. She especially enjoys building connections with patients and helping make sense of the financial side of dental care.

Outside of work, Ashleigh enjoys spending time with her husband Zack, their daughter Savannah, and their two adorable dogs—Vina, a rescue pup, and Ducie, their fun-loving corgi. She loves baking (especially anything involving sourdough), tending to her houseplants, and taking long walks with the whole family.

Natalie

Assistant Manager

Natalie is the heart of the office and brings a warm, welcoming energy to her role as Assistant Manager. Originally from Virginia Beach, VA, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Public Health from the College of Charleston. Her passion has always been helping others, and she finds true joy in connecting with patients and creating genuine, lasting relationships.

Her favorite part of the workday? Laughing and catching up with patients—it’s what keeps her smiling every day.

When she’s not at the office, Natalie can usually be found browsing the aisles of Target or T.J. Maxx, enjoying pool days, or trying out new local restaurants. She and her husband stay busy (and happy!) with their two daughters, Heidi and Hazel, along with their dog Bruno, cat Harlow, and a tank full of fish.

And if you ever need a lunch buddy, Natalie’s your girl—as long as it’s Chipotle. She could eat it for every meal and never get tired of it!

Catherine

Hygienist

Catherine is originally from Allentown, Pennsylvania. She started out studying Psychology at Kansas State University but quickly discovered her true passion in dental hygiene. After finishing her training at Northampton Community College, she’s been caring for smiles for over 20 years—and has been happily practicing here in South Carolina for several years now.

Catherine absolutely loves what she does! She’s all about helping her patients keep their smiles healthy and bright, and she stays up-to-date on the latest dental research to make sure she’s giving the best care possible. Her sunny personality and positive energy make her a joy to have around the office.

When she’s not busy taking care of teeth, Catherine loves spending time with her husband Jerod and their two kiddos, Avelyn and Jaxen. Their days are full of school runs and activities, but she always finds time for gardening, running, biking, beach trips, golfing, traveling—and yes, even more gardening!

Deanna

Hygienist

Raised in Columbia, SC, Dee moved to the beautiful city of Summerville several years ago. She began her dental career by attending the Expanded Duties Dental Assistant program at Midlands Technical College, where her passion for dentistry—and especially hygiene—really took off. Continuing her education, Dee graduated from Dental Hygiene school in 2014 and was honored with the Mary Clary Hygienist of the Year award for the state of South Carolina.

Dee’s skill as a dental hygienist is matched only by her gentle approach that helps even the most nervous patients feel comfortable and cared for during every visit. Known affectionately as the “Office Mama,” she loves supporting both the Magnolia team and the amazing patients we serve. The most rewarding part of her job is helping patients build confidence in their smiles and supporting their journey to better oral and overall health.

Dee spends most of her free time loving on her beautiful boys, Louie and Dom. She also loves cooking for her coworkers and treating them to homemade goodies, traveling, and camping with her family.

Ciara

Hygenist

Ciara was born and raised right here in the Lowcountry, and she brings over 8 years of experience as a Registered Dental Hygienist to our team, including 6 years in general dentistry and 2 years working with pediatric patients.

Her inspiration for choosing the dental field? Her amazing childhood dentist, Dr. Brent — someone who made such a lasting impact that Ciara knew she wanted to create that same positive experience for others.

Her favorite part of the workday is when a patient says, “That was the best dental visit I’ve ever had.” Especially when it comes from someone who’s never had a good experience before — those moments mean the world to her.

Outside of the office, Ciara loves spending time with her family, especially relaxing by the pool whenever the sun is shining. She’s a proud mom of two kids and shares her home with two sweet dogs, making life busy, full, and wonderfully fun.

Jennifer

Hygienist

Jennifer is one of our amazing dental hygienists, bringing a bright and bubbly energy to every patient she meets. Originally from the “Great White North,” she was born in Canada and still loves the cold and snow—despite now calling sunny Charleston home (and yes, she misses winter… kind of).

She earned her 4-year degree from East Carolina University and has been working in the dental field for over a decade. Since becoming a hygienist in 2019, Jennifer has loved every moment of helping patients improve their smiles and oral health. Her inspiration to join the dental world came from a fellow hygienist named Susan, whose passion for patient care left a lasting impression.

Jennifer’s favorite part of her workday is the time she spends getting to know her patients—their families, stories, and lives—while making a real difference in their health and confidence.

Outside of the office, Jennifer stays busy with her two beautiful daughters, Camryn and Charlotte, and their sweet Labrador, Oakley. Her family loves beach and pool days, exploring Charleston, and sneaking in a round of golf when they can.

Fun fact: Jennifer can juggle (yes, really), and her coworkers would describe her as funny, upbeat, and always snacking. She lives by the quote:

“Believe in yourself. You are braver than you think, more talented than you know, and capable of more than you imagine.”

Marissa

Hygienist

Marissa is a proud Charleston local, wife, and mom to two amazing kids, Sawyer and Hallie. She recently graduated from the Trident Tech Dental Hygiene program in 2025 and brings over a decade of experience in the dental field. Helping people feel confident in their smiles is truly her passion.

When she’s not caring for patients, Marissa loves spending time outdoors with her family or diving into a new DIY project. She and her family are big foodies and enjoy exploring Charleston’s amazing restaurant scene—there’s always a new favorite spot to try!

A fun fact about Marissa? She’s a huge fan of interior decorating. Whether it’s hunting for unique pieces or rearranging her home, she finds joy in making spaces feel beautiful and welcoming.

Chloe

Hygienist

Chloe was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and spent much of her childhood on Bainbridge Island, Washington. She’s been in the dental field for several years—starting out as a hygiene assistant before graduating from Trident Technical College’s Dental Hygiene program in 2024, where she proudly earned the Golden Scaler Award.

Inspired by her mom’s journey through dental challenges and anxiety, Chloe truly understands how kindness and empathy can make all the difference. She loves being a voice for her patients and helping them feel comfortable, confident, and cared for.

When she’s not brightening smiles, Chloe enjoys hiking, running, camping, traveling, and catching country music concerts. She also loves exploring downtown Charleston whenever she can. At home, she shares her life with two furry friends—Winnie, a gentle Great Pyrenees, and Belle, a playful Boston Terrier.

Her coworkers describe Chloe as kind, considerate, and a true team player. The best part of her day? Seeing her patients leave with healthier, brighter smiles and boosted confidence.

Morgan

Dental Assistant

Originally from the small town of Walterboro, SC, Morgan grew up surrounded by country roads, Southern charm, and the kind of community where everyone knows everyone.

A proud graduate of Trident Technical College, Morgan is a Certified Dental Assistant with expanded functions training. She’s always had a passion for healthcare — and as someone who genuinely enjoyed going to the dentist growing up, the dental field felt like the perfect fit.

Outside of the office, you’ll likely find Morgan with an iced coffee from Dunkin’ in hand, doing a little shopping (often walking out with a new plant — whether it survives is another story!), or browsing her favorite antique shops.

Her favorite part of the workday? Getting to know her patients and making sure they feel comfortable and informed by taking time to answer their questions and explain treatments. Around the office, Morgan is known for being organized, caring, and thoughtful — and she brings all three to every patient she meets.

At home, Morgan shares her life with her two fur babies: Bentley Cooper, a sweet yellow lab, and Luna, a beautiful white Siberian cat.

Her favorite quote is:
“Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be.”

Nadia

Dental Assistant

Nadia was born in Ohio but has called Summerville, SC, home since she was five — so she’s basically a local at this point.

Nadia found her way into the dental world thanks to a close friend who was a dental assistant. After seeing how detailed, precise, and hands-on the work could be, she was instantly hooked. She earned her certification in 2019 and has loved the profession ever since.

Her favorite part of the job? Building relationships with her patients. Nadia loves being a familiar face for people and making every visit a little more personal and comfortable.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find her soaking up the sunshine — whether she’s at the beach, out on the water, or just enjoying the outdoors with her husband Scott and their sweet pup Sully.

Sophia

Dental Assistant

Sophia is originally from Castle Rock, Washington — a tiny town with big charm! She moved to South Carolina after her husband, Tony, enlisted in the Air Force and they were stationed here together.

She studied at Concorde Career College, where she worked hard to become a Certified Dental Assistant. Her journey into dental started after having braces for two years — and being inspired by the amazing dental assistant who helped her through it. From then on, she was hooked on everything teeth, oral hygiene, and patient care!

One of Sophia’s favorite parts of her job is educating patients about oral health and helping them leave the office feeling confident and cared for.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find her spending time with Tony and their sweet cat Juno, learning guitar, or experimenting in the kitchen. She also loves hiking and diving into anything music-related.

And here’s a fun fact that surprises almost everyone: Sophia was once a contestant on Wheel of Fortune! (How cool is that?)

Emma

Dental Assistant

Emma is a proud third-generation Charleston native who brings both heart and experience to our team. She’s been working in the dental and medical field since 2018 and has found her true calling in helping patients feel comfortable, cared for, and confident in their smiles. Whether she’s assisting chairside or connecting with patients throughout their visit, Emma’s calming presence and genuine compassion shine through.

She loves being part of a team that feels like family and finds so much joy in building lasting relationships with the people she helps care for each day.

When she’s not in the office, Emma enjoys traveling to new places, spending time outdoors, and making memories with her husband and close-knit family. She’s always up for an adventure—whether it’s a weekend getaway, a hike through nature, or a cozy evening with loved ones.

Emma can’t wait to welcome you to the practice and looks forward to seeing all of your smiling faces soon!

Erin

Treatment Coordinator

Erin is a warm and welcoming presence in the office, known for her upbeat personality and love for making meaningful connections. She grew up in a charming Amish country town in Ohio and discovered her passion for dentistry early on. After high school, she became a certified dental assistant and spent several years working chairside before stepping into her current role.

She loves getting to know new patients on a personal level and takes pride in creating a comfortable, friendly environment. Her mornings are her favorite time of day—complete with coffee and laughs with her work family.

At home, Erin’s heart belongs to Buckley, her lovable bulldog and unofficial office mascot. His photos (and hilarious pool videos) can be spotted around her space. Erin and her boyfriend Matt enjoy trying new recipes and restaurants, watching NFL games—especially the Packers and Browns—and are always up for a vacation adventure.

Emily

Patient Care Coordinator

Emily is originally from Carroll County, Maryland. Emily joined the dental field with a heart for helping others and a passion for promoting overall health—starting with oral hygiene! She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Public Health from Shenandoah University in 2021 and loves being part of a team that makes patients feel truly cared for.

Emily has been married to her husband Aaron for three wonderful years, and together they share their lives with two adorable dogs: Duke, a spunky Dalmatian, and Sophie, a sweet shepherd-collie mix. When she’s not at work, you’ll usually find her out on a walk with her pups, exploring new coffee shops and restaurants, traveling, or spending time at the beach.

Her favorite part of the workday? Interacting with patients and coworkers—and reading the kind reviews our patients leave (they seriously make her day!).

A fun fact that surprises most people: Emily was born deaf and received a cochlear implant at age five. Her journey has shaped her into the caring, compassionate person she is today!