Whether you are walking in or calling our office, there is a very good chance you will be talking to Carla, our newest patient coordinator. She was born and raised in Wisconsin and moved to Georgia back in 1982 and has been here ever since. She has been with our GDIS family since 2019 and has been in the dental industry for 36 years! Seeing patients leave our office happy with new, beautiful smiles is the biggest reason why she chose to have a career in dental. Gardening on a beautiful day or doing art projects is what Carla likes to do in her spare time. In the summer, you can find her at her happy place, relaxing at the lake with her dog.

After you hear the lovely way she pronounces your name, you will not be surprised to learn that Dental Assistant, Shirnette Emerson sings in her choir. Coming from Jamaica, West Indies, Shirnette was originally interested in nursing, but her career has been in the dental field since 1998. She was drawn to Prosthodontics because it drew on elements of both dentistry and nursing. Shirnette enjoys the laid back nature of working for Dr. Berne and admires the way he takes the time to explain every step to a new patient. Family, Church and Football (Atlanta Falcons, please and thank you) fill the hours not at the office.

The desire to learn the process of removable prosthodontics is what first brought Lori to Georgia Denture and Implant Specialists. The patients, family atmosphere and amazing doctors are why she has stayed. Originally from New Jersey, Lori eventually moved to Florida and received her dental assisting education at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. Her gentle nature makes her a favorite with patients and her fellow team members. Lori brings more than 16 years of general dentistry experience in office management and dental assisting to her role. In her down time she enjoys going to her sons basketball game with his church team. She cherishes the opportunity to work with two knowledgeable prosthodontic specialists and such a close-knit team of professionals.

Tricia has been another great addition to our team and immediately became a part of the GDIS family. She was born in Florida and raised in metro Atlanta, more specifically, the Dunwoody area. Once she graduated from Sprayberry High School, she decided to get her certification as a dental assistant. Tricia loves working in the dental field because she loves helping people and how happy patients are when they leave our office with the smile they always wanted. In her time off, Tricia enjoys playing with her kids and being outside by the lake, hiking or going for walks.

Sheron was born and raised in Lebanon, Pennsylvania and before settling down in Atlanta, she spent many years living along the Florida coastline. Over the past 15 years, marketing, dental assisting and managing the purchase of a prosthodontic office are just a few of the many positions she has held while working in the dental industry. She has been a part of the Georgia Denture and Implant Specialists family since 2013 and her main goal is to provide patients with the best possible care so everyone leaves with a great smile. Some of her favorite weekend activities are wine tastings, relaxing hikes and trying new restaurants around Atlanta.

Originally from Preston, GA, William Holloman studied at the Atlanta College of Medical and Dental Science and in 1975 attained his certification as a dental technician (CDT). Bill brings his years of experience to every facet of custom prosthodontic fabrication, from denture setups to finishing, polishing and denture repair. Bill shares that in his ten years at GDIS, he most enjoys seeing the positive impact their professional care has on patients lives. Caring doesnt end at the lab door, this proud, married father of one, volunteers at the Briarcliff Nursing home, when not enjoying golf or music.

Whether youre getting new teeth or having a repair done, David, our in house lab technician is part of the reason why our patients teeth will always look amazing. He is behind the scenes in our lab, setting teeth, doing repairs and helping to make sure every set of teeth makes our patients happy. There is no better feeling than seeing a patient come in with no hope and leave happy and confident because of the work we do, he says. A native of Wisconsin, David was born, raised and graduated college in his home state. He has a specialized Board Certification in crown and bridge, ceramics and denture repairs, which makes him an integral part of our lab team. In the off hours, he enjoys spending time with his wife, two children and their pet guinea pig.

Another fundamental part of our lab team is Rosa. She was born in Lima, Peru and has spent the last 27 years living in the United States. While helping with repairs, she also makes custom trays, pours models and helps with impressions. Rosas work ethic, expertise and personality are what makes her so important to our in house lab and family. She earned a Dental Laboratory Technician degree that gives our lab technicians a vast array of experience and know how. She enjoys many different activities and working with her hands which makes this the perfect job for her.

Our lab staff grew a little bigger recently with the addition of Patty. Her 34 years of experience as a lab technician is a great addition to our team here at GDIS. She fits right in with her happy demeanor, big laughs and great work ethic. She has been married for 27 wonderful years and is a mother to four children and a grandmother to six, with a seventh on the way very soon! Patty has always liked making people smile and turned that love into a career by becoming a lab technician. In her free time, Patty loves playing with her grandchildren and spending time with her family, crafting and gardening on nice days.

With roots deep in Georgia, you may not know that Dr. Berne was born in Miami and raised in South Florida. His compassion and professionalism come naturally as his father is also a dentist and his sister is a dental hygienist. Dr. Berne attended the University of Georgia from 1982-1986, but returned south to do his graduate work at the University of Florida. A short period of private practice from 90-93 convinced him his heart and talents were best utilized in helping patients with dentures, partials and implants. Warren Berne, DMD, returned to the University of Florida School of Dentistry to complete his residency in Prosthodontics (an additional two year study) and began his specialization in removable prosthodontics in 1995.

Dr. Berne opened the current practice of Georgia Dentures & Implant Specialists in 1996. As one of only 3,200 prosthodontists in the United States (compared to 170,000 general dentists), Dr. Bernes specialization in removable dentures, partials and implants, is a welcome and unique resource for Atlanta and NorthGeorgia.

Our practice is patient focused, not production oriented. The bulk of our patient base is 50-70+ years of age and our patience, compassion and genuine interest in them and in restoring their smiles and confidence is what we believe is the distinguishing mark of our office.

When you ask Warren Berne to describe his family, a large smile covers his face and his firstword is awesome! Dr. and Mrs. Berne have been married for over twenty five years and are proud parents of two children currently at the University of Georgia, and one in grad school. The Berne household is busy with travel, family time and all that goes with being a UGA supporter. Come by the Georgia Denture and Implant Specialists office any Thursday to see the doctor and staff in college logo scrubs (spoiler alert, there is a lot of red and black in this office!)

Although away from Atlanta since Emory University School of Dentistry graduation, Dr. Anderson kept his Georgia dental license active since 1975. The reasons were twofold. First was military service from 1971 through retirement as a full Colonel in 1994. The then Lieutenant Anderson received acceptance to a highly competitive military scholarship program to attend Emory, but the Air Force never allows anyone to stay in one place for long. Second, he loved Atlanta and hoped to return one day which has indeed happened.

Dr. Anderson began a three year prosthodontic residency at University of Texas Houston and received a postdoctoral M.S. in 1980. After practicing full range prosthodontic procedures for over 20 years in both the military and private practice, he has sub-specialized in dentures, partials and implant retained dentures since 2002. When asked about the reason for this subspecialty choice, he says it is his 'true calling'.

Facial expressions are often viewed as windows into one's soul. A pleasing smile is a vital part of self esteem and overall quality of life. It continoues to be my privilege to serve not only a person's chewing needs, but their cosmetic desires as well.

John and his wife Sheron, along with their Westie named Bella, have settled in Buckhead to again experience an active big city lifestyle, after living on Jacksonville Beach for the past 13 years. Personal interests include travel, physical fitness and healthy organic cooking. But most of all, they enjoy spending time with family and their two grandchildren, Alycia and Tyler.