Dr. Norton attended Oxford College of Emory University to complete her A.A. degree, and she continued her education at the University of Georgia, receiving a B.S. in Biology in 1985. She attended dental school at Medical University of South Carolina and received her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree (D.M.D.) in 1990.
After dental school, Dr. Norton initially practiced in Athens and Lawrenceville, and then started her own practice in Dacula in 1991. Dacula Family Dentistry moved to our new, larger facility in 2005. Dr. Norton continually pursues education and training in technology, materials, and services that benefit her patients oral health and smile confidence. She has achieved Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD), an honor which is awarded for completing 500 course hours of continuing education requirements and successfully completing of a written exam.
Her studies at the Dawson Academy for TMJ (temporomandibular/jaw joints) and the American Academy of Facial Esthetics have broadened her skills in assisting patients with TMJ disorders and the management of TMJ/TMD symptoms, including facial and jaw pain and migraine headaches.
Dr. Lana Tran grew up and currently resides in Lawrenceville, Georgia. She graduated from the University of Georgia and the Dental College of Georgia at the top of her class. She had the opportunity to enroll in the Honors Endodontics course, where she gained valuable experience in root canal therapies. She was elected to the Omicron Kappa Upsilon national dental honor society for her class rank, service, leadership and outstanding character. She was also inducted into Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society for the same reasons. Throughout her career, she received multiple awards for her hands-on skills and academic achievements. These include the Ronald Goldstein Esthetic Dentistry Award, the Student Achievement Award in Endodontics, the Hinman Scholar for four years, the OKU Academic Achievement, the Love of Learning Award, and the Golden Molar Award.
As a big empath, she treats her patients like her family and strives to deliver the best dentistry. She emphasizes preventive dentistry to educate her patients on ways to protect their oral health. She is passionate about aesthetic and conservative dentistry and continues to improve her craft through evidence-based dentistry and continuing education. She pursued further post-graduate education in Invisalign clear aligners, vital pulp therapy, complex veneer aesthetic cases and full-mouth rehabilitation. She is working towards earning an AGD fellowship.
Shanda, Practice Manager Shanda became part of our dental family in April 2019. She is proud to be a part of a team that is full of compassion, energy and that enjoys continuing education in dentistry. She brings over 20 years of experience to our practice, which enables her to provide our patients with education and guidance.Shandas family is originally from South Carolina but relocated to Georgia. She loves to spend time outdoors, she is a nationally ranked member of the American Pool Players Association, and she loves spending time with her friends and family.
Karen, Registered Dental Hygienist I love helping my patients with understanding their oral health needs. It is really encouraging to observe the transformation from an unhealthy condition to well-managed dental health. We all celebrate the results! This just reinforces the value of the partnership between the patient and their dental team.We have the best patients in our practice! Our priority is making each person comfortable, and we do this by addressing their concerns first. We so enjoy sharing great moments with our patients; a favorite memory for me was a special needs patient that was able to stand still enough to have a dental X-ray. We were so proud of her accomplishment!
Karen has been with Dacula Family Dentistry since 2000. She originally joined the dental profession in 1982; our patients and team all benefit from her wealth of experience as a dental hygienist. She clearly enjoys what she does and wants to help her patients in any way that she can. Karen has a wonderful family. She and her husband, Jerry, have been married for 33 years; they have two daughters, Brooke and Kayla, and a son, Justin. Karens favorite hobbies are gardening, fishing and spending time with her children.
Jessica, Lead Dental Assistant Jessica is proud to say that she has been working with Dr. Norton for over five years now. She really enjoys the relationships that we get to build with patients and the connection she has with her amazing coworkers. Dentistry has always been an interest of hers, and she feels confident in her abilities. Jessica also enjoys baking cookies and sweet treats and spending time with her family. You may find her working alongside the doctors in the back office or answering calls and greeting patients at the front desk!
Ingrid, Dental Assistant Ingrid has been a dental assistant for seven years. She was born in Colombia. Ingrid enjoys fitness, dancing, and spending time with her husband and two beautiful daughters. She joined Dacula Family Dentistry in January 2019 as an expanded duties dental assistant. Dentistry is her passion, and she enjoys making patients laugh!
Timetra, Dental Assistant Timetra entered the dental field in 2012 after earning her dental assisting certification, along with her expanded duties certification, her CPR certification and her radiology license. She attended Purdue University Fort Wayne in Indiana, where she was born and raised. Her family moved to Lawrenceville, Georgia, in September of 2020. She joined Dacula Family Dentistry in August of 2021. Her favorite aspect of her job is being a part of an amazing team and having the opportunity to help people feel confident about their smiles. Outside of dentistry, Timetra loves spending time with her husband and their five beautiful children, reading, and sewing.