Dr. Smith has earned a reputation as being one of the premier cosmetic and restorative dentists in the Midlands. His commitment to excellence and friendly, personal character makes patients feel comfortable and confident in the care they receive.

During his studies at the University of Oklahoma, he was president of his class his sophomore, junior and senior years. Dr. Smith received advanced training in dental forensics, and he was a key part of the dental forensic team that identified most of the 168 victims of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building bombing disaster. Dr. Smith has continued his forensic studies and frequently aids the Lexington County Coroners Office in forensic identification cases. He has also served as the chairman of the South Carolina Dental Association bioterrorism task force.

Since entering into private practice in 1997, Dr. Smith has become passionate about cosmetic dentistry. He attends numerous continuing education courses in the field and has had the opportunity to learn from and study with the best cosmetic dentists from across the country. He has been voted Best Dentist by the readers of The State Newspaper and Lexington Life Magazine.

Dr. Smith is committed to staying at the forefront of cosmetic dentistry and helping to further advance the field to benefit the people he serves. His full-smile makeovers were even featured as part of WOLO ABC Columbias Extreme Makeover, giving a lucky Midlands resident a beautiful, confidence-boosting smile.

An active member of his community, Dr. Smith regularly participates in community outreach programs and missionary works. He is also a huge supporter of Lexington High School, especially the band, choir, booster club, cheerleading squad, baseball team and soccer teams.

Dr. Hartley is excited to bring her extensive knowledge of the dental profession to Lexington and is dedicated to keeping up-to-date with the latest technology and techniques through hours of continuing education. Her compassionate and gentle nature is combined with modern dentistry to provide the best care possible for her patients.

A South Carolina native, Dr. Caroline Hartley grew up in Aiken, and received her B.S. in Marine Biology at the College of Charleston. She stayed in Charleston to attend the Medical University of South Carolina where she earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine. While in dental school, Dr. Hartley was awarded Outstanding academic achievement in dentistry by the prestigious Pierre Fauchard Academy.

After obtaining her dental degree, she completed a residency ingeneral dentistryat the University of Alabama School of Dentistry in Birmingham, Alabama where she worked in a hospital setting as well as private practice.

Every year, Dr. Hartley participates in extensive workshops and seminars at the Spears Institute in Arizona. She provides treatment and examinations for military personnel to maintain soldiers deploy-able status. She also finds volunteering dental treatment to under served communities an important part of her profession.

She is also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Henry Middleton Chapter. She loves to travel, knit, and read. Dr. Hartley is married to Jimmy, who is an Episcopal priest. They have three children, William, Robert, and Sinclair.

Dr. Cleary is a native of Lexington and is excited to return to his hometown and bring his expansive dental knowledge to Southern Shores Dental. He graduated from Lexington High School and went on to receive his Bachelors of Science in Finance and Management from The University of South Carolina and furthered his education by completing a year long Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences at The University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia, SC. Dr. Cleary then went on to complete his doctorate of Dental Medicine at The Medial University of South Carolina in Charleston. While in dental school, Dr. Cleary was awarded, 2019 Best of the Best Prostodontic Student by the Oral Rehabilitation Department at MUSC.

After obtaining his dental degree, Dr. Cleary traveled to St. Petersburg, FL to enhance his dental training by completing the Advanced Education in General Dentistry residence at The University of Florida, St. Petersburg where he received invaluable experience in dental implants, surgial extractions, root canals and cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Through residency Dr. Cleary had the privelge to complete a year long implant training ourse, Implant Educators, along with advanced dental training through the prestigious Dawson Academy.

Dr. Cleary is an avid sports fan and loves following the Gamecocks. He is married to Katie, who is also from Lexington and works in the dental profession as well. Dr. Cleary and his wife Katie love to travel, enjoy being on the water, and spending time with their yellow lan Marshall Luis.

Dr. Merri Gandhis friendly and compassionate nature combined with her dedication to continuing dental education enables her to provide patients with excellent dental care. Dr. Gandhi grew up in the Carolinas and attended Lancaster High School. After graduating from the Georgia Institute of Technology, she went on to obtain her Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1995. While in dental school she was awarded the Junior Dental Student Integrity Award, and as a Senior, the Prosthodontic Award and Oral Surgery Award. In addition, she was the Vice President of her dental class all four years of dental school and President of Psi Omega Dental Fraternity.

Dr. Gandhi was selected for the competitive US Air Force Health Professions Scholarship her senior year of dental school and after graduation completed the Advanced Education General Dentistry residency program at Langley AFB, VA. The following 5 years included rewarding assignments at Osan AB, S. Korea, Rhein Main AB, Germany, and Cannon AFB, New Mexico.

In 2001, Dr. Gandhi and her husband moved to Columbia, SC where she began private practice. During this time, she completed the many hours of continuing dental education and other requirements to be awarded a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry. In addition, Dr. Gandhi was honored to serve as President of the Greater Columbia Dental Association and the Palmetto Dental Study Club.

Dr. Gandhi is a proud supporter of Georgia Tech sports and enjoys spending time with her husband, Abu who is a F16 pilot and Brigadier General for the SC Air National Guard. Both Dr. Gandhi and her husband are incredibly proud parents of their wonderful daughter Amelia. The Gandhi family enjoys traveling especially to the beautiful National Parks in the western United States. They also enjoy time with their four legged children Tucker and Sally.