Dr. Darren Koch has been working as a dentist for the past 17 years, and he views his career as an interesting and challenging mix of art, science, psychology, and physical dexterity. As your local Cary, NC area family and cosmetic dentist, hes proud to offer patients of all ages a wide range of general and cosmetic dental services.

Dr. Koch is a graduate of The Rochester Institute of Technology, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree with the highest honors in the field of Biotechnology. He then pursued his dental education at The University at Buffalo and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree with honors in 2001, while graduating in the top 15% of his class. During dental school, Dr. Koch received scholarships based on academic performance and professional service, as well as awards for excellence in restorative dentistry and periodontology. Additionally, he completed externships in both pediatric dentistry and oral surgery at local hospitals in the Buffalo area.

In order to obtain further training in cosmetic and implant dentistry, Dr. Koch completed a one-year advanced general dentistry residency at UNC-Chapel Hill and earned his Advanced Education in General Dentistry certificate.

Dr. Koch strongly believes in the value of continuing education, and this dedication is most strongly exemplified by his membership in the Southern Wake Dental Institute. This study club of thirty general dentists and specialists meets nine times annually for clinical treatment planning sessions, problem-solving workshops, hands-on demonstrations, and panel discussions. The members are committed to excellence in their profession and are dedicated to team treatment planning and total case management as tools for achieving ideal comprehensive care for patients. The Southern Wake Dental Institute is affiliated with the national Seattle Study Club (SSC).

Dr. Koch is currently pursuing further education and training in several important areas of patient care, including Invisalign, sleep apnea therapy, and implant dentistry. He is an avid member of Spear Education and frequently uses their online webinars and forums to enhance his knowledge of cosmetic, restorative, and interdisciplinary dentistry.

Dr. Koch is originally from Rochester, NY and currently lives in Holly Springs with his loving wife named Joanna and son Colin. Outside of the office, he enjoys playing tennis, listening to music, watching movies, and traveling. He also loves watching NFL football, Carolina Hurricanes hockey, and Carolina Tarheel basketball.

During his high school and college years, Dr. Koch had an interesting variety of jobs as a handyman, website designer, network support specialist at IBM, and genetics lab technician at the University of Rochester. He hopes to one day be able to coach tennis or provide amateur tennis instruction in his free time.

Dr. Buttler has been working in our practice for the past 15 years and has an incredible 47 years of experience. He primarily performs dental hygiene examinations and emergency evaluations. Growing up in Columbus, OH, he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Miami University in 1968 before obtaining his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 1971. From 1971 to 1974, he served as a Captain in the United States Army Dental Corp. Dr. Buttler went on to continue his education and completed both his Masters of Science and Certificate in Endodontics at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry in 1977, becoming a diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics in 1982. He had a successful private endodontic practice in Raleigh, NC from 1977 to 2001 and has been a part-time clinical instructor at the Department of Endodontics, UNC School of Dentistry since 1977. He also became a clinical instructor at East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine in 2012. Dr. Buttler is a fellow in the American College of Dentistry and the International College of Dentistry.

Dr. Buttler enjoys being part of an office that provides exceptional care to interesting, pleasant patients in a friendly, non-hurried environment. He is a member of several professional organizations, including:

Dr. Buttler and his wife of 28 years have four children, nine grandchildren, one dog, and one cat. Outside of the office, he enjoys scuba diving, cycling, playing golf, international adventure travel, gardening, photography, and sailing. He also enjoys keeping up with North Carolina and Duke Basketball.

Dr. Dengler has an impressive 48 years of overall experience in the dental field, first joining our team in January of 2013. Alongside Dr. Koch and Dr. Buttler, he provides dental hygiene examinations, emergency treatment, restorative care, and surgical care for our valued patients. His formal education was at Northwestern University, The University of Minnesota, and The United States Army. In 1972, he began a private dental practice in Minnesota. He then moved to Raleigh, NC in 1983 and began another private practice while also serving as a part-time clinical instructor in the Department of Periodontics at the UNC School of Dentistry. He was forced to stop practicing in 2004 because of spine and back problems; during this time, he entered the world of real estate. Thankfully, physical therapy and neurosurgery have allowed him to return to the dental world. Most recently, he completed an Implant Continuum with the Triangle Dental Institute.

Dr. Dengler is committed to helping facilitate Dr. Kochs vision of a dental practice committed to excellence that provides appropriate care to anyone seeking improved oral health. He is a Fellow of both the Academy of General Dentistry and The International Congress of Implantologists, as well as a member of the American Dental Association and the North Carolina Dental Society.

Dr. Denglers wonderful wife is named Judy. An elementary teacher by degree, she has a masters degree from Southeastern Baptist Seminary in Biblical Counseling. Together, they have four children and ten grandchildren. When he has free time, he enjoys woodworking, fishing, hunting, gardening, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Diana first joined our practice in June of 1983 as a Registered Dental Hygienist providing many years of dedication and service that helped our practice grow in numerous ways. In 1996, she opened a new door by becoming the offices first practice manager. With 35 years of experience in the dental field, she has provided many employees with guidance to help them grow and improve personally and professionally. Her education and devotion to excellence are a dramatic influence in our office and continue to make our dental team strive for perfection.

Originally from Lenoir, NC, Diana received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1983. Additionally, she achieved her Masters Degree in Adult Education-Training and Development from North Carolina State University in 1998. She served as President of the UNC Dental Hygiene Alumni Association in 1991 and was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1993. She has also served on the Advisory Committee of the Wake Technical Community College Dental Hygiene School and is a former member of the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Caring Dental Professionals, as well as the American Dental Hygienists Association and the North Carolina Dental Hygiene Association. Currently, she is a member of the National Association of Professional Women and the American Association of Dental Office Managers.

Diana serves as a Consultant Member for the CDCA (The Commission on Dental Competency Assessments), participating in clinical dental hygiene board examinations in various states. Additionally, she served as Past Chairman of the (TSA) Test Site Administrator Committee for The Council of Interstate Testing Agencies, Inc. by administering both clinical dental and dental hygiene board examinations for licensure. She has participated as a dental hygiene examiner and/or an administrator in North Carolina, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan, and New York.

Diana and her husband have two children. When she has free time, she enjoys working out, being on the beach, traveling, keeping up with her beloved Tarheels, and especially watching her son on the baseball field, and daughter on the soccer field. She holds a previous certification from the American Council of Exercise and participated as a group fitness instructor in a local health club from 1988 to 2008.

Originally from Fuquay-Varina, Megan has a wonderful mom, a sister and brother-in-law, and three nieces. In her free time, she enjoys doing puzzles, watching old movies, cross-stitching, and singing in the church choir.

Originally from Durham, Amy has been working in the dental field for 8 years, first joining our practice in July of 2014. She completed her training at the NCDATS (North Carolina Dental Assisting Training School) in 2010. Her favorite part of her job is being able to help people feel better about their smiles and themselves!

Originally from Currituck County, Kristen has a rich dental history as her father, uncle and brother are all dentists. She has been practicing Dental Hygiene since 2009 and joined our practice in 2016. Kristen earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from UNC Chapel Hill before going on to achieve her Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene from Wayne Community College. She loves being able to meet new people through her job and educate them about oral health.

Kristen is married with one son. Outside of the office, she enjoys reading, hot yoga, crafting, and cooking. In the past, she lived in New Orleans for 2 years and actually had to evacuate because of Hurricane Katrina.

Lindsay has 13 years of dental experience, with six spent at our practice. Originally from Fayetteville, she completed her Associate in Applied Science for Dental Hygiene at Fayetteville Technical Community College in 2006. She also completed the dental assisting program at the same campus in 2004. Her favorite part of her job is getting to meet new people and educate them about dental health.

Lindsay has a wonderful niece and nephew, as well as a beloved Shih Tzu. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach, shopping, and spending time with her friends and family. She also has a love of real estate and has recently left our office to pursue her dream of being a realtor. She will continue to work for Dr. Koch on a part-time basis.

Jennifer joined our team in 2020 as a Certified Dental assistant and has fifteen years of dental assisting experience. Having grown up in Montcalm, West Virginia, she has called North Carolina home since 1997.

Jennifer is certified by DANB, the Dental Assisting National Board and her gentle and warm personality is immediately recognized by patients while putting them at ease during dental procedures. She has two daughters and is proud to announce the recent arrival of new granddaughter, Danni Catherine.