Meet the Team
heidi cook, D.M.D.
Born and raised in the Boston area, Dr. Cook has always had a love for science and art. She pursued her interests in biology and art at college earning a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Lawrence University in upstate New York. A desire to serve people along with her background in science led her to a career in dentistry. She earned her D.M.D. at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston.
After dental school, she stayed in New England where she began her career in private practice. In 2009 she and her family relocated to Chapel Hill. Upon moving to North Carolina, she continued her dental work in a community health center as an Assistant Dental Director and as adjunct faculty at UNC Adams School of Dentistry. She is a member of the North Carolina Dental Society and American Dental Association.
Outside of the office she serves on the Board of Directors for multiple local non-profit organizations and is a volunteer service dog trainer. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, hiking, working in the garden, cooking, and supporting local food.
Rachel Ungaro, D.D.S.
While originally from Rochester, NY, Dr. Ungaro has been glad to claim the triangle area as home since early childhood. Growing up, her love for anything active and disposition toward adrenaline culminated in her first passion - skateboarding. Working as an instructor at the local skatepark, Sk8-Cary, provided opportunities in coaching children as well as gaining appreciation for people from diverse backgrounds. It became her goal to be invested in community regardless of demographics, reputations, or stereotypes.
Dentistry showed itself as a means to serve people while also developing long-lasting relationships, bringing this desire to fruition. She attended UNC-CH for both her undergraduate and dental training, earning a B.S. in Biology and her D.D.S. with honors. In dental school, Dr. Ungaro was actively involved in the Student Health Action Coalition as well as the Global Girls Empowerment Foundation, allowing her to provide care to those in need both locally and abroad.
She sought advanced training in general dentistry at the Prisma Health Richland Hospital in Columbia, SC. While there, she gained experience in the treatment of medically complex patients, hospital dentistry, surgical procedures, and conscious moderate sedation. Dr. Ungaro is honored to now be serving the community where she first fell in love with dentistry.
Shaina Holman, D.D.S., Ph.D.
Dr. Holman graduated from East Chapel Hill High School where she also met her husband. Her passion for science, teaching, and art was on clear display early in her life. During high school she was able to do research at Duke University, resulting in her first publication in a peer-reviewed journal! Since then, she’s been fortunate to publish over a dozen peer-reviewed research articles.
She went on to graduate with distinction from Duke University with a degree Biological Anthropology and Anatomy. Her passion for dentistry began during college while doing a project for her Ethnobiology class in Costa Rica. She saw how dentistry combined her love for people and her love of science, research, art, and community impact.
She later earned her D.D.S. and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. After her post-graduate schooling, she completed a fellowship at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center and University of Maryland School of Dentistry in Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and General Dentistry. While there, she worked with medically compromised patients and performed advanced procedures including implant placement, bone graft placement, root canals, and biopsies. In 2022, she became a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, achieved by completing extensive coursework, examination, and submitting case studies.
Dr. Holman loves giving back to the dental community and currently serves as the President of her sorority chapter, Eta Phi Zeta in Chapel Hill, part of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. She is a member and past-president of the Durham Orange County Dental Society, a member of the American Association for Dental Sleep Medicine, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Dental Association.
She is married to her high school sweetheart, Trevor Holman. They live in Chapel Hill with their three children.
whitnee, office manager
Whitnee was born and raised in Chapel Hill NC. She is the mother of a single and three sets of twins. As our office manager, she makes sure that every patient has a wonderful experience and she also can answer just about any question concerning insurance. When she is not working she enjoys spending time with her husband and children. She also enjoys going to church, reading, walking and doing Herbalife.
Administrative Team
Front Office Manager
Erica earned her degree in Healthcare Management at Campbell University in 2016 with a minor in Biology and Art. She is also a Certified Nutritionist and Personal Trainer. Erica was born and raised in Erwin, NC. She is a proud dog mom to a happy puppy named Zeus. She has been working in Dentistry for 5 years and enjoys helping patients receive their dream smile. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. She also enjoys going to church, hiking, horseback riding, and reading.
Patient care coordinator
Cherickee is from Cumberland, MD, and is a graduate from Allegany College of Maryland where she earned a certificate in Medical Coding and Billing. She and her fiance moved to North Carolina in June 2021 to settle down and to continue growing individually in a community so full of opportunities! In her spare time, Cherickee likes to travel and sightsee in the city she now calls home.
Treatment Coordinator
Janiceé R. Willis was born in Columbus, Ohio, 3 minutes apart from her identical twin sister, but raised in Wilson, NC. She graduated from Hunt High School in 2012 and went on to earn an Associates degree in Criminal Justice from Wilson Community College. On September 22nd 2018 she married the love of her life, Dwight. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with her family, travel, and expand her gift in playing drums.
insurance Coordinator
Jessica was born and raised in Durham, NC, and recently relocated back to NC from VA with her 3 children (ages 17,11, and 10). She has been in the dental field for over 7 years, and insurance and finance for over 10. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family while finding time to be a part-time consultant to small business owners in the area.
Treatment coordinator
Monelle earned her degree in Healthcare Management at Campbell University in 2016. Even though she is fairly new to the dental field, she enjoys helping patients and learning new things every day. When she's not at work, Monelle loves to hang out with friends or family, listen to music, or go to the gym.
Patient Care Coordinator
Tyler was born and raised in Chapel Hill, NC. His favorite thing to do is spend time with his family. His passion is helping others and fashion. Tyler is always happy to connect with people, and his favorite saying is “Let your smile change the world, but don’t let the world change your smile.” He looks forward to meeting new patients, assisting them, and seeing their lovely smiles.
INSURANCE COORDINATOR
Erica received my Bachelors in Healthcare Administration from St. Louis College of Health Careers where she also received her Associates in Respiratory Therapy in 2016. When not at work she enjoys going back home to St. Louis where she can see family and friends.
Clinical Team
Clinical Manager
Betsy Watkins is from Mebane, NC she has lived there all her life. She has been a dental assistant for 29 years and loves what she does, she loves helping others love their smiles. She also drives an elementary school bus before work that’s part of her passion for taking care of others. She is very adventurous and loves to travel, she has 6 dogs that are spoiled rotten.
bio Coming Soon!
Dental Assistant I
Isabella graduated from Triangle Dental Assisting School and is bilingual. She has a passion for helping others and making them feel comfortable at their dental visits. She enjoys spending time outside of work with her family, even better while eating one of her favorite foods: tacos and Chick-fil-A. She also loves shopping, dancing, and butterflies.
Dental Assistant I
Originally from Mebane NC, Kaley knew for a while that being a dental assistant was her dream job. Her favorite part about being an assistant is getting to know each and every patient and making sure they feel comfortable during their dental experience. In her free time, Kaley enjoys her time outside, spending time with friends and family, and she's often on the go trying to find new things to enjoy in life.
Dental Assistant I
Cierra attended North Carolina Wesleyan University where she received her prerequisites in dentistry and graduated with a degree in business. She loves to sing and dance, but most of all spend time with family. One of her main goals to accomplish in life is to travel the world, for she is an adventurous person always looking to try new things.
Dental Assistant I
Paulina was born in raised in Massachusetts and moved to NC with hopes of warmer weather and new beginnings. She always had an interest in dentistry and got the perfect opportunity to start her career as a dental assistant here in Chapel Hill. She loves working with her patients to help them achieve a healthy smile that they love. In her free time you can find her at the beach, camping or hiking with her pup, Harley. She also loves exploring new restaurants around the triangle.
Dental Assistant I
Collin graduated from DATC in Graham, North Carolina. He's originally from Pennsylvania, but has been in the Carolinas for 12 years now. He has a son and three fur babies that are his life. He has a passion for dentistry. The greatest feeling is seeing people smiles change for the better. In his free time he enjoys traveling to the beach, being outdoors, or being with his family.
Dental Assistant II
Haley has had a lifelong passion for dentistry. With a deep-rooted desire to work in the dental field, Haley is committed to providing quality care and assisting patients in achieving optimal oral health. Alongside her dedication to dental assisting, Haley cherishes spending quality time with her two daughters and beloved dog, engaging in outdoor activities and embarking on exciting family adventures.
Dental Hygienists
Dental Hygienist
Stephanie graduated Cum Laude from Ferris State University in 2007 with a BS in Dental Hygiene. She grew up in a town of fewer than 1,000 people in rural Michigan and has called NC home since moving to the area, not even a week after graduating college. She is very passionate about dental hygiene and helping patients improve their oral hygiene. She has been the Chair of the Durham-Orange Dental Hygienists' Association, a component of the North Carolina Dental Hygienists' Association, for 2 years and Co-Chair for 1 year. Through the component, she plans and attends many dental hygiene continuing education courses throughout the year. Her next goal, however, is to participate in a dental mission trip in a foreign country, as she has and will continue to participate in mission work throughout our state. She is also passionate about donating blood and would like to plan and organize a local blood drive. Dental hygiene, however, is not her whole life; her family is! She has 2 very active daughters and a wonderful husband that are truly her everything. They share their home with a cat and dog that love to hate each other.
Dental Hygienist
Christina was born and raised in Michigan, but she has lived in the triangle area for the past 10 years. She's worked in the dental field for 20 years, the last 15 of those as a Registered Dental Hygienist. It is a priority for Christina that each and every patient experience is better than their last one - she loves being able to make anxious patients feel at ease and comfortable for every visit! She also has two rescue Pitbulls, Gizmo and Stella, that keep her on her toes each and every day.
lead Hygienist
Valeria has a been licensed hygienist since 1997. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of North Carolina, where she was also on the Dean’s List, and received the Proctor and Gamble Award for Clinical Excellence. She loves continuing her dental education and even makes a special effort to go beyond her yearly requirements to ensure that patients receive the best possible care. Valeria is honored to be a part of a dental team that is dedicated to its patients and makes everyone feel like family. She is married and has one daughter. Valeria loves to read and loves music, but recently she fell in love with all things Peloton!
Dental Hygienist
Nana was born and raised in Salisbury NC. She received a BS in dental hygiene from UNC Chapel Hill in 2021, and a BS in biology from Bennett College in 2016. She has worked in the dental field for 5 years, but dental hygiene is her passion. She enjoys helping patients improve their oral health. During her free time she enjoys watching movies, cooking, and spending time with family.
Dental Hygienist
Natalia was born and raised in Lima, Perú. She graduated from UNC School of Dentistry with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, and has been working to keep her patients with healthy and bright smiles every since. She loves to make the dental setting a more comfortable environment for those patients that have anxiety. With Spanish as her first language, she loves seeing Spanish speaking patients and making their appointments more comfortable and enjoyable. In her free time she enjoys volunteering in dental clinics around the Carolinas; spending time with family and her German Shepherd, Hiro; and taking international trips with her husband.
we can't wait to meet you
(919) 932-7811
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