As the son of a Baha'i family, he was denied any opportunity to advance his education, a privilege that was only available to Muslim students. Faced with a choice between being drafted into the Iranian army, or working a menial job for the rest of his life, he left Iran as a refugee, traveling through Turkey and being granted entrance to the United States at the age of 21.

Arriving in North Carolina speaking very little English, he found work, and years later at last enrolled at Wake Technical Community College. He completed his Associates Degree in Biology, and was accepted to the University of North Carolina, graduating with a B.S. in Biology, minor in Chemistry. While completing his undergraduate degree, his passion for dentistry grew.

Dr. Khani joined the Pre-Dental Honor Society at UNC, where he assisted as a volunteer with Mission of Mercy Clinics in rural North Carolina, and traveled to the Dominican Republic to participate in clinical work with dentists volunteering from throughout the United States. He also volunteered in the Craniofacial Clinic at UNC, where he was able to witness the work of dentists and prosthodontists in the care and treatment of children with cleft palates.

After such a long and difficult journey, Dr. Khani reached the fulfillment of his dream when he was accepted to the UNC School of Dentistry and graduated with his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. His next mission became finding a position where he could provide the highest level of dental care,with the compassion and empathy he often found lacking in the field. Dr. Khani accepted a position at Piedmont Dental Clinic in Carrboro where he was able to provide care to patients from every background and nationality.

Dr. Khani was fortunate to meet Dr. Keith Taylor at a Mission of Mercy clinic years ago and recently reconnected through a mutual friend. As hewas transitioning into retirement, Dr. Taylor was looking for just the right individual to transfer his longstanding Chapel Hill private practice to. Drs. Taylor and Khani found that they have a mutual philosophy in the manner in which they provide dental care, conservatively, ethically and compassionately.

Dr. Khani is honored to have the opportunity to work with Dr. Taylor and to continue to serve the patients in his practice. It continues to be hisgreatest mission to provide the highest level of conscientious and professional dental care to every patient.

Dr. Taylor is a member of both the American Dental Association and the North Carolina Dental Society. In 2009, he was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, an honor based on leadership, ethics, service to dentistry and service to the community. In 2011, he was inducted as a Fellow of the International College of Dentists, an honorary organization for recognition of outstanding service to the profession and community. Also in 2011, he was honored to be awarded the Lifetime Presidents Call to Service Award and the NC IMPACT Excellence Award, for lifetime achievement in volunteering and providing dental care to those in need.

Dr. Taylor has enjoyed providing care to the Chapel Hill community for over 35 years in his private practice. As he prepares to enter into retirement, he began the process of finding the right person to whom he could transition his practice. It was of primary importance to him that he find the dentist who will ethically take care of his patients and staff. He finally found that person in Dr. Arash Khani.

Some of you have met Dr. Khani already, he joined the practice in July 2021. Dr. Khani and Dr. Taylor first met at one of the charity dental clinics several years ago. Dr. Khani has demonstrated his passion for patient care and ethical dentistry through his adherence to performing work that is always in the best interest of the patient. Both doctors are excited about how that initial meeting has come full circle and that Dr. Khani will be the one to continue what Dr. Taylor has tried to accomplish over the past 36years.

Dr. Taylor has enjoyed introducing Dr. Khani to those of you who have recently been in the office, many of you have been patients for 25 years or more. He knows he will be putting you in good hands. The staff will all remain and they are enjoying working with Dr. Khani.

It has been a privilege to have been in practice all these years. Dr.Taylor has enjoyed building relationships with all of his patients and certainly will miss hearing about vacations, kids, grandkids, etc.

Each member of our team has years of experience in treating patients with the highest level of care. We strive to stay abreast of the very latest in technology and advances by regularly attending continuing education courses and seminars.

Gail, Registered Dental Hygienist,has been with our practice since 1990. Gail earned her dental hygiene degree from Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte. She brings her many years of experience to our practice, and enjoys the patient interaction a great deal. Gail and her husband have two grown children, Miles and Meredith, and two adorable grandchildren, Parker and Davis. She and her family are avid Carolina fans, and are actively involved in the music and women's ministry of their church.

Donald, Registered Dental Hygienist,joined our practice in 2007. He graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 1997 with a dental hygiene degree, andhas over 20 years experiencein hygiene in the Triangle area. He and his wife, Shannon, are the proud parents of two boys, Cole and Kasen. They live in Mebane where Donald enjoys coaching Pop Warner football and both of his sons travel baseball teams. Donald loves attending UNC events, and vacationing at the beach.

Cheryl, Dental Assistant II,joined our practice in 2013. Cheryl is a 2005 graduate ofAlamance Community Colleges Dental Assisting Program. She and her husband, Greg, live in Chapel Hill and they have a beautiful daughter named Ava. They enjoy camping, UNC basketball, and travel. In her spare time, Cheryl is an enthusiastic travel planner specializing in Disney Vacations.

Joanna, Office Administrator,joined our practice in 2016. She has enjoyed working in dentalofficeadministration for over 20 years. While originally from Chapel Hill,Joannanow lives in Mebane with her husband Mark and is the proudmother of Colin and Maggie who keep hervery busy with soccer and dance.Joanna enjoys reading, being outside (preferably in the woods) and spending time with family.