Birmingham brothers Drs. Ted and John Poczatek, both graduates of UAB School of Dentistry, opened their first dental practice in 2005. Their vision was to create a practice that would benefit the community and the patients.
The brothers were joined in 2007 by Dr. Holt Gray, a good friend and a specialist in dental restoration procedures (prosthodontist), and a Resident Professor at UAB School of Dentistry. The practice grew again in 2009 with the addition of Dr. Johns wife, Dr. Wendy, who is also a UAB School of Dentistry graduate.
In 2018, the team combined their three locations, McCalla Dental, Cahaba Dental and Southlake Dental to form Luma Dentistry. Today, the practice continues to grow and now includes over a dozen doctors at several convenient locations across central Alabama.
From providing volunteer dental services for the Give Kids a Smile and The Foundry Rescue Mission programs to helping to raise funds for hurricane and tornado relief, our dentists and staff are all very interested in giving back to our community.
Dr. Mendez graduated from the University of Alabama School of Dentistry in 2014 and joined Mahan Creek Dental in 2016 after practicing in Montgomery for two years. Before he began his career in dentistry, Dr. Mendez attended Auburn University and graduated in 2008 with a degree in software engineering. He completed a second major in
Dr. Marshall Hartzog graduated from the University of Alabama School of Dentistry in June of 2021. After graduation, Dr. Marshall entered practice in Sylacauga, Alabama at Dental Associates of Sylacauga. He has so far thoroughly enjoyed his time in Sylacauga, and is excited to be able to continue serving dental needs of patients in the
Dr. Nolen attended Auburn University and graduated magna cum laude in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences. He went on to earn his dental degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry in 2013. After graduation, he completed a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry program at the Foundry
Dr. Ted grew up with his brother, John, in Birmingham, Alabama. He received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Birmingham-Southern College and graduated from the University of Alabama School of Dentistry in 2003. After working for several years as an associate dentist at Oneonta Dental Center, he founded Luma Dentistry with his brother, John.
Dr. John grew up with his brother, Ted, in the Birmingham area. He graduated summa cum laude from Birmingham-Southern College with a degree in computer science before receiving a DMD with honors from the University of Alabama School of Dentistry, where he met and married fellow graduate, Dr. Wendy. He received a Certificate in Advanced
Dr. Gray was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. He is a graduate of Birmingham-Southern College and the University of Alabama School of Dentistry. He completed an additional three years of study as a Prosthodontic Resident at UAB School of Dentistry. Dr. Gray taught as part-time faculty at the UAB School of Dentistry in the
Dr. Soon Yoon graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a degree in Chemistry. He went on to graduate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry in 2007 through a Naval Dental scholarship. He served as a dental officer in the Navy for five years before going into private practice. Dr. Yoon has been
Dr. Filler was born and raised in Hoover, Alabama. As a college student, he spent one year living in Argentina and studied Spanish in an immersion program before returning to Southern Adventist University in Tennessee to complete Bachelor of Arts degrees in Biology and Spanish in 2014. He graduated from University of Alabama at Birmingham
Dr. Chang is board-certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine by the American Board of Anesthesiology. He completed his residency at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York and received advanced training by leaders in the field during his pain medicine fellowship at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Chang enjoys helping fearful patients feel
Dr. Deborah Sema is a native of the Mobile area and has been helping create beautiful smiles with braces and Invisalign since 1998. She is a graduate of Spring Hill College in Mobile and received her dental degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1994. She remained at UAB for an additional four
Dr. Huggins was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. He attended Auburn University, graduating with honors in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. He went on to earn his dental degree from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, in 1980. After graduation, Dr Huggins began his private practice in eastern Birmingham, in
Dr. Aaron Yarnell grew up in Harvest, AL where he graduated from Sparkman High School in 2002. In 2006, he completed his undergraduate work at Auburn University with a Bachelors Degree in Biomedical Sciences. He continued his education at the University Of Alabama School Of Dentistry in Birmingham. After graduating in 2010, he was an
Dr. Marta moved to Birmingham in 1994 where she attended Graduate School at UAB and earned a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Pathology. During this time, she developed a passion for direct patient interaction, which prompted her to pursue a career in dentistry. Dr. Marta graduated from the UAB School of Dentistry in 2005 and
Dr. Gomez was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. She completed a fiveyear dental program in 2013 where she obtained her first dental diploma. She later moved to the United States where she attended the International Dentist Program at the University of Alabama in Birmingham School of Dentistry and obtained her Doctor of Dental Medicine
Dr. Amanda Spradley was born and raised in Michigan, but she has called Alabama home for the last 11 years. Dr. Spradley attended the University of Alabama for undergrad, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Biology. She continued her education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry and received a
Dr. Ayah Alkhatib was born and raised in Indiana, but has called Birmingham, Alabama her home for the last 10 years. She attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and Psychology. Dr. Ayah continued her education at UAB School of
Dr. Hunley majored in Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville before pursuing his dental education at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry at Memphis. He is a member of the American Dental Association and the Alabama Dental Association. Dr. Hunley is married to Christina and enjoys golf
I chose Dr. Gray for several reasons. First, he has had wonderful training. Something that makes him stand out amongst prosthodontists is that he is recently trained, and remains affiliated with the University. Because he teaches there and interacts with the faculty, he keeps up with the literature is familiar with all of the new developments in prosthodontics and can take advantage of this.
Secondly, Dr. Gray understands that dental treatment works best when it is approached as a partnership between the dentist and the patient. He has been very willing to listen to my ideas, and discuss treatment options that I have read about. He has researched the options, and discussed the pros and cons with me.
Our plan is to work out what we are going to do in what sequence, and according to my budget. In this manner we have worked out a treatment plan that I feel confident about and that I am very happy with.
I feel confident when I come to this office that I will be listened to, and that I will get the best possible dental care. With a prosthodontist and three other dentists with advanced training, they have an excellent multi-disciplinary practice. And the facilities speak for themselvesbrand new, spacious and the space plan is comfortable and homey. I feel comfortable here, and I think you will too.
Luma Dentistry is completely different. The facilities are very modern, cordial and inviting. The entire staff have made my visits more relaxed, and my dentists have exhibited concern and care for my comfort to the highest extent.
I decided to straighten my teeth with Invisalign because I was having multiple problems with my gums, teeth getting loose, and bone loss. My periodontist and Dr. Gray recommended that I do it for that reason.
I also love the way that Invisalign is changing my looks. I never used to smile with my mouth open. I smile differently now, and Im only halfway there! Im not so self-conscious any more about my crooked teeth. They have moved so quickly for someone my age. It has been very fast.