Dr. Despina Markogiannakis, affectionately called Dr. Marko by her patients, is the owner and operator of Smiles of Chevy Chase, where she treats patients from all across Chevy Chase, MD and the greater Washington, D.C. areas. Boasting over a decade of experience and excellence in the field of dentistry, Dr. Markogiannakis has built a reputation for being one of the leading dentists in the whole of the Washington, D.C. area. This accomplishment was cemented when she was voted as a Top Dentist by the Washingtonian magazine. Throughout her flourishing career, Dr. Markogiannakis has committedly put her patients first on her list of priorities. She has worked hard to create a comfortable, professional environment built upon a foundation of trust between her and her many charges.
After receiving her Bachelor of Science from the prestigious Georgetown University, Dr. Markogiannakis went on to receive her doctor of dental surgery from the School of Dentistry at Howard University. Dr. Markogiannakis received the highest honors and earned multiple clinical excellence awards during her tenure in school. In addition to this, Dr. Markogiannakis received perfect marks on the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (formerly called the North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners) following graduation, further proving her excellence in the field of dentistry and her commitment to dental education as a whole.
Dr. Markogiannakis is highly skilled in several areas of modern dentistry, specifically specializing in restorative, cosmetic, general, and implant dentistry. In addition to this, Dr. Markogiannakis and her team at Smiles of Chevy Chase also offer comprehensive dental care to families and patients of all ages. Over her years in the field of dentistry, Dr. Markogiannakis has refined her technical skill in performing a range of procedures. These includedental crowns, tooth-colored fillings, dental implants, in-office ZOOM teeth whitening, Lumineers, dental bonding and contouring, and dental bridges, as well as being a trusted provider of the ever-popular clear aligner orthodontic Invisalign.
When Dr. Markogiannakis is not in the office, she eagerly involves herself with her community in a variety of ways, namely by offering dental care to uninsured children. In addition to her deep community involvement, Dr. Markogiannakis likes to spend her time with her husband, three children, and two dogs. Although Dr. Markogiannakis primary passion in life is dentistry, she also enjoys sports, traveling, and photography.
'I have had a lot of dentists over the years and too much dental work - cavities, root canals, crowns, implants. Dr. Marko is as good as I 've found. She 's attentive, comprehensive and personable and has assembled a good staff in a nice office near the Friendship Heights subway stop. She 'll help you create a plan and timetable to meet your budget and annual insurance limits. And she can reference other great dentists for more elaborate treatments She 's on the younger side but very experienced. So she 's a great dentist to choose for the long-term. As a bonus, she also accepts Aetna and other insurance. Many dentists of her high quality do not.'
Meet Yvette, our certified dental hygienist. Yvette attended the dental hygiene program at Hagerstown Community College and is responsible for administering teeth cleanings, instructing patients about proper dental care, performing x-rays, and assisting all of our patients with their dental needs.
Meet Katya, one of our Dental Hygienists. Katya is from Bethesda and went to Loyola University Maryland to pursue a Bachelors degree in Psychology and then attended Howard University for a certificate in dental hygiene.
Katyas go-to dental care routine starts with flossing her teeth, applying Fluoridex toothpaste to her Phillips sonicare toothbrush and brushing gently for 2-3 minutes. She ends with Act anticavity mouthwash and she follows this routine 2x daily - just look at those pearly whites.
Meet Katrina, our Front Desk team member. Katrina is from Germantown, MD and went to Montgomery College. She values the relationships she has built with every patient at Smiles I Chevy Chase and really enjoys helping our patients throughout their entire dental visit.
Nicolls go-to dental care tip? Flossing is an absolute MUST and brushing twice daily is very, very important. Her favorite hobbies include listening to music, playing volleyball, and spending time with family - family is everything to her.
Anne Taylor, Registered Dental Hygienist - Joining us from Dr. Chick's office and taking care of her patients for over 16 years. We are lucky to have Anne join our team and continue her vision of providing excellent care in our office.
Tyrese Stevens, Registered Dental Assistant - Joining us from Dr. Chick 's office where she has perfected her chairside skills for over 18 years we are excited to have Tyrese continue her 'mind-reading' of Dr. Chick and Dr. Markogianankis chair side in performing excellent dental care.