Dr. Coker received his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina with a major in biology. He earned his Doctorate of Dental Medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina, College of Dental Medicine in Charleston, in 1988. Dr. Coker has been practicing general and cosmetic dentistry since that time.
Dr. Coker and his wife, Margaret, have four children, Matthew and Emily Coker and Julia and Cameron Washburn. Emily is a junior at Cary Christian School; Matthew is a junior in the North Carolina State University Business School; Julia Washburn graduated in 2012 from North Carolina State University and works for RedHat, Inc.; and Cameron graduated in 2014 from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where shewas a member of the Seahawks swim team and now is a senior in the Cape Fear Community College Dental Hygiene Program. Dr. Coker and his family live in Morrisville and attend Apex Baptist Church.
When not in his office, Dr. Coker enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, exercising, running, biking, boating, snow skiing, and wheeling on his EUC Electric Unicycle (a one wheel Segway with no handle). You may see Dr. Coker driving his wheel on a beautiful-weathered day.
Dr. Coker is a member of the Wake County Dental Association, North Carolina Dental Association, American Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. He has enjoyed participating in the Give Kids a Smile program (which provides dental care and education to underserved children in the Lee County area), Baptist Mens Dental Bus, as well as Donated Dental Services of Wake County.
Proficient in the latest treatment techniques, Dr. Coker has completed Core I Advanced Functional Restorative Dentistry at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute (LVI) for Advance Dental Studies. He has received training and is certified in conscious sedation, and completed a 216-hour dental implant continuum. This satisfies the requirements for the International Congress of Oral Implantologists Fellowship.
Diana joined our front office team in July 2020. She has more than 15 years of experience as a Medical Assistant in the front office as well as the referrals coordinator. Diana enjoys working in the family oriented atmosphere with a staff dedicated toward optimal health of the patients.
Margaret CDA, RDH, & Clinical Manager Margaret joined our practice in 2010. She graduated from Cape Fear Community College in 2001 with a degree in dental hygiene, and received the Gold Scaler Award for excellence in clinical skills. She loves that we are a small owned-and-operated practice dedicated to families and individuals meeting their dental needs.
Margaret has extensive experience in dentistry, beginning dental assisting 1984, with two years in oral surgery, seven years in general dentistry, and seventeen years of dental hygiene, as well as instructing on dental assisting at Central Carolina Community College for five years. In 2010, she left the community college to come to work full-time at Parkway Dental. You may find her working at the front office as well as working in hygiene or assisting in clinical areas.
In her free time, Margaret enjoys spending time with her husband; their four children; and their two Maltipoos, Bentley and Louie. Her hobbies include walking, working out at the gym, chalk painting furniture, boating on the North and South Carolina shores, or just planting her feet in the sand on the beach. Margaret and Dr. Coker attend Apex Baptist Church.
Kristen Registered Dental Hygienist Kristen joined our practice in August 2003. She is a graduate of Guilford Technical Community College with a degree in Dental Hygiene. Prior to joining Dr. Cokers team, she worked in Winston Salem and Wilmington. After a few weeks working as a temporary hygienist, she knew that Parkway Dental was where she wanted to work permanently. Kristen enjoys the atmosphere and professionalism in our office, and enjoys working with caring and kind coworkers. She strives to establish bonds and lasting friendships with our patients, meeting their individual needs in a comfortable, caring manner and helping them achieve optimal oral health.
Kristen and her husband Kevin have a daughter, Charlee, and a son, Layton. Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and visiting her hometown, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Kay Registered Dental Hygienist Kay has been with our team since 2008. She earned her degree as a Registered Dental Hygienist from Pensacola Junior College. She served as a Florida Dental Hygiene Board Examiner for 10 years, and owned and operated Dental Direct, a dental employment service, for fifteen years in Tallahassee, Florida. Kay feels that she has found her professional home at Parkway Dental, and feels privileged to work with this talented group of dental professionals. Her coworkers are Kays favorite part of our practice!
When not at work, Kay enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, and participating in family sport and church activities. She also plays tennis and takes great pleasure in going to the movies and spending time with friends.
Suzanne Registered Dental Hygienist Suzanne has been with our team for three years. She received her certification as a Registered Dental Hygienist from the University of Pittsburgh, and has a Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining Parkway Dental, Suzanne worked for several years as a clinical instructor at Wake Technical Community College. She enjoys being part of a practice that listens to the patients needs and desires and provides quality, customized service. Suzanne works hard to provide gentle, thorough cleanings and motivate our patients toward lifelong good oral health.
Carolyn Front Office Assistant Carolyn has been working with Dr. Coker since 2006. She met the team as a patient after moving from Michigan to Cary. Impressed with the excellent dental care and family-friendly atmosphere, Carolyn was happy to join our practice.
Sandi Dental Assistant II Sandi has been with our team for three years. She attended the Charron William College and the University of Florida dental assisting programs. Sandi helps our patients to feel relaxed and comfortable with their treatment, answering questions and explaining procedures to give them a better understanding of their treatments. For Sandi, the best part of our practice is the friendliness and earnestness of the staff in caring for our patients.
Sandi has two sons, one daughter, and ten wonderful grandchildren! Several of her grandchildren are adopted from around the world! She enjoys traveling and volunteering for Dental/Medical mission trips, and has assisted in 17 countries around the world.
Bentley Meet Bentley! Bentley loves coming to work at Parkway Dental. He has the cutest underbite smile and loves every patient he meets. A one-and-a-half-year-old, hypoallergenic Maltipoo, Bentley has been visiting patients in our treatment room since he was only a puppy. He hopes to start therapy school this fall!
Louie Meet Louie! Our re-homed puppy, Louie, loves cuddling with our patients at Parkway Dental. A 10-month-old, hypoallergenic Maltipoo, he has really taken to his many new friends at our office. If you sit by Louie, get ready to receive some kisses they might be wet!