Dr. Lee Ayers is a native of Rock Hill, South Carolina and has been in practice with Columbia Periodontal Associates since 1990. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Presbyterian College in 1979, and a DMD degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1984. Upon graduation from dental school, he practiced General Dentistry in Lake Wylie, South Carolina from 1984-1988. He then entered and graduated from MUSC division of periodontics and implantology in 1990. He also holds a Masters in Health Science Degree and a Certificate in Periodontics from the Medical University of South Carolina from 1990.
Dr. Ayers is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. Dr. Ayers has been in many leadership positions in the state and has served as the President of the Greater Columbia Dental Association, the Central District Dental Society and the South Carolina Society of Periodontology and the South Carolina Academy of Dental Practice Administration. Dr. Ayers has been inducted into the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. He has completed continuing education at the Pankey Institute & the Pikos Surgical Institute. He has served in leadership roles of the annual SCDA convention for years 2001 and 2005. Dr. Ayers is also a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, the Southern Academy of Periodontology, the South Carolina Periodontology Society, the American Dental Association, the South Carolina Dental Association, the Central Relations Dental City Club, the Enoree River Dental Study Club, and the Columbia Dental Diagnostic Study Club.
Dr. Ayers is happily married to the former Diana Best of Chattanooga. They have three sons. He is a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia where he has served on the Vestry, as a Sunday School teacher, and Sr. Warden. He enjoys golf and Clemson football.
Dr. Dustin Hedgpeth is a native of Meridian, Mississippi. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Mississippi College, graduating with high honors in 2006. He completed his Doctor of Dental Medicine and graduated Cum Laude from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2010. He went on to complete his specialty in periodontics from the Medical University of South Carolina Division of Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, earning his certificate in periodontics and a Masters of Science in Dentistry in 2013. Dr. Hedgpeth is an active diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. His honorary awards during his academic training include memberships in Omicron Kappa Upsilon and Phi Kappa Phi.
Dr. Hedgpeth is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Periodontology, the Southern Academy of Periodontology, the Academy of Osseointegration, and he has served as the president for the South Carolina Society of Periodontics. He frequently attends continuing education courses related to implant dentistry, bone and soft tissue grafting, and full arch restorations. Dr. Hedgpeth has maintained an activeAffiliate Assistant Professor position with the Periodontics and Implant Dentistry residency program at the Medical University of South Carolina since 2014. He is a fellow in the Institute of Advanced Laser Dentistry.
Dr. Hedgpeth and his wife, Brittney, have been happily married since 2010. In 2013, they welcomed their son, Boston, and then their daughter, Mary Katherine, in 2015. He enjoys outdoor activities including hunting, watersports, golf, and snow skiing. Dr. Hedgpeth is an avid Red Sox baseball fan.
Dr. Mark McEntire is a native of Newberry, South Carolina and joined Columbia Periodontal Associates in August 2011. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Presbyterian College in 2004. He completed his Doctoral of Dental Medicine at MUSC in 2008 and continued his education at MUSC where he received a Master of Science in Dentistry and a certificate in Periodontics in 2011.
Dr. McEntire is a member of the American Dental Association, The South Carolina Dental Association, the American Academy of Periodontology, the Southern Academy of Periodontology, the South Carolina Society of Periodontics and the Academy of Osseointegration.
A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Dr. Park graduated from Spring Valley High School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Duke University. Upon earning her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the Medical University of South Carolina, she completed a one-year residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry from the State University of New York. She completed her academic career with a three-year residency in Periodontics and Dental Implantology, receiving extensive training in bone grafting, sinus lifts and ridge augmentation. She earned her Postgraduate degree in Periodontics and her Masters of Health Sciences degree from the Medical University of South Carolina.
Dr. Park is happily married to her husband, Won. They have three beautiful children. They enjoy spending time with their family and friends, fellowship with their church, playing music, traveling, cooking, running, hiking, and outdoor activities.