In Docs presence, you immediately notice her attention to you, as if nothing else is going on around her. The backdrop of her achievements and awards hanging on the wall of the hallway backs the confidence you sense from her genuine attention. Her attention to detail in her patient care plans stems in part from her extensive training and experience, yet remains tempered by her compassion. She advocates for oral health with all of her patients, helping to clear disease and disrepair to make way for healthy smiles. Above all, she loves to spend time with her patients and initiate a friendship that develops with mutual trust over time.

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Born in the U.S. and raised in Lebanon, she speaks Arabic, English and some rusty French. She has experienced the human side of civil war as a first responder in Lebanon, and founded the first English speaking Girl Scout troop in Lebanon at the age of 17. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biology at theAmerican University of Beirut, where she was on the Deans list several times, but the degree was awarded to her in her mothers kitchen since the ceremonies were cancelled again due to political unrest in Lebanon.

She came to the US and was unanimously accepted intoTufts University School of Dental Medicinein Boston, MA. There, she graduated in 1987 with herDMD degree(Doctor of Dental Medicine) in the top 10% of her class and quite a few awards:

Degree in hand, Dr. Makhlouf came to theUniversity of North Carolina(UNC Chapel Hill) for a 2-year Hospital General PracticeResidency, which included 3 months serving as chief resident. That is where she became familiar with the medical management of her dental patients who had significant medical conditions such as cancer, dry mouth, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, diabetes, bleeding disorders, blood thinners, head injuries, strokes, renal failure, transplants, heart disease, open heart surgery, HIV/AIDS, and other serious illness. In 1989, she became afellow of the American Association of Hospital Dentistryacknowledging her experience and training in caring for medically complex dental patients.

Dr. Makhlouf was then accepted into a jointGeriatric Fellowship program between UNC and Duke University Medical Center, and after 2 years of learning more about particular issues facing the elderly, she added another year to complete aPostdoctoral Masterswhile supervising dental students at the Special Care Clinic at UNC. Her research was in communicating with elderly dental patients.

While she was wrapping up her thesis, Dr. Makhlouf was diligently starting up aHospital DentistryDepartment at Moses Cone Hospital, a regional cancer center, now part of the Cone Healthcare system. She served as thefounding director, for almost 8 years at which point she settled intoprivate practicein Nov 1998 in Graham, NC. Between 1993 and 2003 she maintained a UNCAdjunct Assistant Professor position at UNC as well.

At this point in2012, Dr. Makhlouf moved her practice to a more pleasant office space in Burlington that has better access for larger wheelchairs in the treatment areas so that care could be provided without a transfer where necessary.

Also in 2012,25 years after graduation, Dr. Makhlouf was honored at an induction ceremony into theInternational College of Dentistsfor conspicuous and meritorious service to the profession of Dentistry and for striving to maintain and elevate the dignity of the profession through the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct. Only 3-4% of dentists worldwide are inducted into this collegiate fellowship.

In 2014 Dr. Makhlouf was inducted as a fellow in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, having completed her year-long training in Implants and fulfilled all the required criteria for that recognition.

It becomes apparent, that Dr. Makhlouf is dedicated to continuing her education without restraint. She is a member of Spear education and has consistently exceeded the state required 15 hours a year. Dr. Makhlouf has averaged over 80 hours of continuing education in recent years.

Dr. Makhlouf is a hot air balloon pilot in her spare time, and her goals are to get more involved in hospice memorial flights, Relay for Life, Victory Junction gang, and other balloon-related fundraising.

As a dental hygienist, Ashleys goal is to provide quality dental care to each patient by creating an extraordinary dental experience. She helps educate patients on optimal dental hygiene and motivates them to continue their journey to full oral health. She has been in the dental field since 2004, and she has been with our practice since 2011. Ashley has a degree in Dental Hygiene from UNC-Chapel Hill and takes pride in her profession by being involved in continuing education throughout the year. She has always wanted to help people in life, and she feels that dentistry allows her to do so. She is a people person who is great at building relationships with patients. Ashley fits right in with our professional and caring staff. Dr. Makhlouf sees in Ashley an astute sense of how things function and interact. Ashley and her husband Jack were married in June of 2013. She has a beautiful young daughter of her own and has been blessed with a handsome step-son. Ashley and Jack recently welcomed a beautiful baby girl in October of 2016.

Johanna joined our practice in March of 2016. She graduated from Alamance Community College Dental Assisting Program in 2006 and came to us with 10 years of dental assisting experience in general and periodontal (gum health) dentistry. She has a passion for both dentistry and her patients and enjoys helping our Patients with their smiles and oral health. Johanna has brought so many good attributes to the practice and is master at keeping supplies and the clinical setting well organized! With her calm and sweet demeanor, she keeps Patients happy and at ease chairside. Johanna lives in Graham with her husband Michael and they have 2 little boys. She is very involved in church, and her hobbies consist of reading, cooking for her family, crafting and spending as much time as she can with her little boys.

Kims versatility helped Dr. Makhlouf in many roles over the years. She is a long time dental assistant and is now assisting with delivery of patient care. Shes from Haw River, and shes has been in the dental field for over 20 years. Kim joined our practice in 2007, and she has a diploma in dental assisting from Alamance Community College. Kim likes working for a dental practice that is patient focused and treats everyone like family. She loves getting to know all of our patients. According to Dr. Makhlouf, Kims never met a stranger, and she has a natural ability to connect with people. Shes been married to her husband Rodney known as Charlie Brown for 20 years, and they have three sons. She spends time watching her sons play sports, and with a pastor for a husband, shes very involved with church activities.

Dr. Dillon Atwood provides general anesthesia and sedation services for our Mary H. Makhlouf DMD, MS, PA patients. He is one of only a few dentist anesthesiologists in North Carolina. Some of the procedures you may need sedation dentistry includes: bone grafting, multiple dental implant placement or wisdom tooth extraction. In addition if you have several procedures you would like completed at once, Dr. Atwood and Mary H. Makhlouf DMD, MS, PA can assist and address your needs.

Dr. Atwood studied at Davidson College and attended the University of North Carolina School Of Dentistry before completing his postgraduate training in Anesthesiology at Lutheran Medical Center in New York City. During that time he also practiced pediatric anesthesia in Arizona and special care anesthesia at Helen Hayes Hospital in New York. He is a member of the American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists and lectures regularly on multiple aspects of anesthesia practice.