The brief descriptions below are designed to familiarize you with our staff’s training, professional credentials and work experience.
Laurence R. Mester Jr. DDS
General Dentist
Dr. Mester was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from St. John's University in Jamaica, New York, graduating Summa Cum Laude. He was awarded a Health Professions Scholarship by the United State Army to attend dental school and he graduated with a DDS degree from Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery in 2004. He received several awards upon graduation including the Outstanding General Practicioner Award, and Divisional excellence in Oral Radiology Awards.
In June of 2004, Dr. Mester went on Active Duty in the Army. As the Chief of Operations for the 257th Medical Company (Dental Services), Captain Mester has deployed in support of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort and in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His ribbons include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Humantitarian Service Medal.
As a General Dentist, Dr. Mester has practiced dentistry Fayetteville and Spring Lake since 2005. From various crowns, bridges, molar root canals as well as implants and wisdom teeth extractions, Dr. Mester enjoys improving and maintaining every patient’s total oral health. He is dedicated in continuously practicing and improving his knowledge and mastery of the latest dental technologies, and providing a wide range of dentistry services to our community.
Dhwani Patel, DDS
General Dentist
Dr. Patel graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University
School of Dentistry International Dental Program and relocated to Raleigh, NC. Prior
to studying at VCU, Dr. Patel received her first dental degree abroad in India
from Dharmsinh Desai University in 2016. Dr. Patel has displayed a passion for
her patient’s overall oral health care and it is displayed as she curates each
treatment plan for individual patient needs. Dr. Patel selected dentistry as
her career choice as she believes that dentistry is a combination of art and
science. A balanced combination of Dr. Patel’s dental training and her own
personal interest in nature and arts explains much of her dental success.
When Dr. Patel is not in the office, she enjoys the outdoors
by going on hikes, spending the day at local parks, farmers markets and
gardening. If the weather does not permit outdoor activities, Dr. Patel
will snuggle with a good book and coffee in hand.
Dr. Patel is excited in becoming part of the Carolina Lakes
Family Dental family and a member of the community as she promotes and educates
her patients in attaining and maintaining optimal oral health.
Poornima Vasireddy, DDS
General Dentist
Dr. Vasireddy graduated from University of Minnesota/ School of Dentistry, program for advanced standing students and relocated to Sanford, NC. Dr. Vasireddy graduated from NTR University of Health Sciences, India with a dental degree. Educating patients on Oral health awareness is one of the top priorities of Dr. Vasireddy in addition to providing excellent comprehensive treatment.
When not at the clinic, Dr. Vasireddy enjoys cooking, hiking, and gardening. Dr. Vasireddy is excited to be joining you at Carolina lakes Family Dental and looks forward to providing to you and your family’s dental needs.
April
Dental Hygienist
April was born in Massachusetts. She grew up in Massachusetts, New York, Washington State and Ohio. She served in the U.S. Army for 4 years before attending college for dental hygiene. She graduated dental hygiene school in 1999 from Armstrong Atlantic University in Savannah, Georgia. She has lived in North Carolina since 2007. She has 3 children and enjoys hiking, gardening, biking, and singing. She has section-hiked parts of the Appalachian trail and tried hang gliding, but spends most of her time now playing with the hummingbirds in her yard, planting trees with her husband, and enjoying her garden.
Natasha (Tasha)
Dental Hygienist
Natasha (Tasha) was born and raised in Fayetteville, NC and she has made Cameron her home for the last 17 years. She went to FTCC to become a dental hygienist and graduated with honors in the spring of 2008. After passing her state board for licensure with a perfect score, Tasha gained experience as a dental hygienist by working at multiple offices around the triangle area. Tasha is very excited to be a member of the Carolina Lakes Family Dental family. She is dedicated to providing best dental care to her patients and is very compassionate about her job. She loves to spend time with her family and reading and is the proud mom of two children.
Whitley
Dental Hygienist
Whitley was born and raised here in Cameron N.C. She attended Central Carolina Community College and graduated in 2017 with an Associates in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene. After graduating she filled in at various offices around the triangle. When she is not working she enjoys outdoor activities from riding horses to days at the lake or beach with her two children. Whitley is thrilled to become a member of Carolina Lakes Family Dental. She’s very passionate about her job and makes patient care her number one priority. She enjoys getting to know her patients individually and making them feel at ease. She can’t wait to meet you and your family and make your smile bright!
Samantha
Dental Hygienist
Samantha was born in Jacksonville, NC. She grew up in Illinois where she enlisted in the Army shortly after high school. After getting stationed at Fort Bragg she met her husband and they decided to make North Carolina their home. Samantha attended Central Carolina Community College and got her Associates in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene. Initially working as a hygienist in Raleigh, Samantha was excited to join the Carolina Lakes Family Dental team and get to work and make a difference in the community that she has made home. In her off time Samantha enjoys spinning yarn and knitting, and camping, mountain biking, and hiking with her husband and two dogs.
Mikaela
Dental Hygienist
Mikaela was born and raised in the suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota. She later moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and graduated from the Academy of Arts, Science, and Technology where she participated in Fastpitch softball. She completed her degree in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene at Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) and earned her license to practice in 2022.
She now resides in Spring Lake, North Carolina. She is married and has two children, Jeremiah and Jericho. She enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, traveling, and working out.
Mikaela presents herself to her patients in a deliberate, calm, and well-organized manner as she renders a high level of care. Her execution of her treatment plan is done in a fastidious and orderly manner. She wants to provide her patients with preventative dental care and make sure they know all the keys to maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile.
