Sam Akhrass, DDS, FAAID, DABOI/ID
“So much more than a Family Dentist...”
Dr. Sam akhrass, a canadian native, relocated to the knoxville area in 1995. He attended the university of tennessee, knoxville, where he received his undergraduate degree in biology, and then attended the university of tennessee, college of dentistry in memphis, where he was on the dean’s list, and graduated with honors. Dr. Akhrass has been practicing dentistry for 20 years, and specifically, in lenoir city for 17 years.
Dr. Akhrass is a member of the tennessee dental association, the american dental association, the american academy of cosmetic dentistry, and with his passion and constant desire for knowledge and education, Dr. Akhrass has continued to advance his office to become one of the most all-inclusive dental practices in the surrounding areas, which utilizes the most advanced techniques, and cutting-edge technology available.
He has pursued multiple post graduate certifications covering a multitude of dental disciplines from extensive courses in clear aligner therapy, full mouth reconstruction & occlusion, botox & dermal fillers, to mastering and implementing digital dentistry to include 3d printing and in-office crown milling, as well as oral & i.V. Sedation, and a wide-reaching surgical & prosthodontic knowledge. As a diplomate of the american board of oral implantology, which is the highest honor bestowed upon a dental professional involved in oral implantology, he has become a leading expert in the field.
Dr. Akhrass completed an Implant Residency from Georgia Regents University, (now known as the Medical College of Georgia, located in Augusta). Along with being an ABOI Diplomate, he also is a Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, he is a Certified Teeth Xpress Provider, and is an Alumni of the Pikos Implant Institute. In 2016, Dr. Akhrass won the ACE Award, which is an esteemed recognition of achievement that is granted to the one dentist who has completed the most amount of Continuing Education for the entire state of Tennessee. Dr. Akhrass has and will continue to broaden his scope of expertise by learning from the most prestigious names in dentistry worldwide, including Dr. Michael Pikos, Dr. Istvan Urban, Dr. Carl Misch, & Dr. Howard Gluckman, to name a few. Dr. Akhrass also plans in the future to teach and share his knowledge and expertise by offering his own courses to fellow dentists who are eager to learn.
Preston McCary, DDS
Dr. Preston McCary grew up in Kingsport, Tennessee. He attended Dobyns-Bennett High School and earned an Eagle Scout rank. He received his pre-dental bachelor’s degree in Biosystems Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he received the Professional Promise Award.
Dr. McCary then attended the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry in Memphis where he received the Dr. W.C. Lady Dental Scholarship Award and the Dental Endowment Scholarship Award. He served as the vice president of the American Dental Education Association.
After graduation he moved to Denver, where his wife was pursuing her medical residency training. He completed a general practice dental residency at Denver Health Medical Center where he learned advanced dental treatment techniques. He then worked in Denver for several years as a general dentist. While he loved snowboarding and hiking in the Rocky Mountains, he and his wife decided to return home to the beautiful Smoky Mountains. When they moved back to East Tennessee in 2014, Dr. McCary decided Lenoir City was the perfect community for him to practice dentistry.
Dr. McCary prides himself on providing the best dental care possible with an emphasis on communication and comfort. On weekends he enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and two young daughters. They enjoy hiking and cheering on the Vols! Dr. McCary is committed to providing the same high-quality dental care to his patients as he provides to his own family.
Jessica Akhrass
Design, Marketing, & Advertising
Jessica & Dr. Akhrass were married in the summer of 2003, and have two beautiful children, Riley-Addison and Jameson Jeffrey ( J J). Jessica is a Knoxville native, who attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and graduated Magna Cum Laude with Bachelor degrees in both Advertising & Marketing, as well as a Business Administration minor.
Jessica is a professionally published author, having written her memoir, “Sincerely, Addison’s Sister,” (Sincerely, Addison’s Sister: a memoir), detailing her journey through grief and passing legislation in Tennessee following the death of her brother from an accidental prescription drug overdose in 2012. Jessica is also the creator of The Half Pint Sous cooking channel with their 6 year old daughter, Riley-Addison, which is located on Facebook, (halfpintsous), Instagram, , and YouTube, . The Half Pint Sous not only shares recipes and cooking videos online, they also enjoy small time catering and big time party planning. Their first co-authored cook book is in the works for the near future.
Jessica handles all of the advertising and marketing for the Akhrass Dental Implant & Cosmetic Center, as well as all of the social media accounts. She is in charge of all employee event planning, as well as any patient appreciation promotional events. Jessica is most excited about heading up the major renovation, design, and redecorating of the office in 2023. Apart from cooking and party planning, Jessica’s hobbies include working out, watching football, and horseback riding, which has been a passion and part of her life for over 30 years.
Martha Moctezuma-Munger
Front Office
Martha, (also known around the office as, “Mama Martha”…) was born and raised in Yuma, Arizona and has a bilingual Hispanic heritage, of which she is very proud. In Arizona, she accumulated over 25 years of experience in the Medical & Special Needs fields, from Williams Urgent Care, to Camp Civitan for Special Needs. She is a veteran mother of 4, with 3 grandchildren. She was thankfully brought to Tennessee in 2016 through her husband’s culinary career and plans to make Tennessee their “Forever Home,” She enjoys the seasonal color changes of the Great Smoky Mountains, along with the other activities that East Tennessee has to offer. Though relatively new to the Akhrass Dental Implant & Cosmetic Center, she has always found self-satisfaction through helping others in need, and “there is no better way to do that than to start with a nice healthy smile.”
Kendra Greene
Dental Assistant
Kendra is Dr. Akhrass’ lead assistant, and has been a Registered Dental Assistant for 4 years. She obtained her EFDA (Expanded Function Dental Assistant) certification two years ago from the University of Tennessee, Memphis. She is passionate about helping people gain their confidence through a brand new smile, and takes pride in her work. She especially enjoys placing composite restorations, helping design full mouth rehabilitation crown cases, and working with 3D printing & implant prosthesis’. Kendra is married to her high school sweetheart, they have 3 dogs, and welcomed a precious baby girl in July of 2023. On days off she enjoys spending time with family and friends gathered around a table eating delicious food.
Alexis Mayeux
Dental Assistant
Originally from Louisiana, Alexis has been in Knoxville for almost 14 years. She attended Ross Medical for her Dental Assistant training and has been a dental assistant for almost 5 years. Alexis has been an assistant for Dr. Akhrass for 2 years and loves it. Her favorite part of working in the field of dentistry is helping others and building relationships with patients. She and her fiancé, Kyle, share 2 dogs, and are planning their wedding for November of 2024. In her her free time, Alexis loves to hang out with family and friends. She also loves watching sports and is a huge fan of the SEC.
Lisa Cobb
Dental Assistant
Lisa was born and raised in Roane County, Tennessee. A true veteran dental assistant, she has worked in the field of dentistry since 1988. Her favorite part of dentistry is surgical assisting, but loves helping people in anyway. . Lisa is up for anything, and usually has a story to tell in every situation, and is incredibly hard working. She loves to travel, and whether it’s the beach or boating, she loves anything to do with water. Her favorite thing to do is to spend time with her 3 daughters and 6 grandchildren.
PJ Harris
Dental Assistant
PJ grew up in Illinois and moved to Tennessee in 2019. She attended Ross Medical for Dental Assisting School, graduated in 2021 and joined our Team in the summer of 2023. PJ’s infectious laugh can be heard throughout the office, and her favorite part of the field of Dentistry is helping to change patients lives. She and her husband have been married for 12 years, and have a son and a daughter. They also have 6 cats, 3 dogs, chickens, & geese. PJ enjoys being outdoors, kayaking, & watching movies.
Christina DeFur
Dental Assistant
Christina is a native of Blount County, and currently resides in Maryville. Christina has been in dentistry for 27 years, and has done it all. From Office Manager, Clinical Coordinator, Surgical Assistant, Dental Assistant, & an Instructor for Dental Assisting School. The Akhrass Team has been blessed to have gained such a professional and knowledgeable new member to our office. Christina has been married for 15 years, she has 4 children, a grandson, and a dog named Ruthie. She enjoys motorcycle adventures with her husband, baking, playing with her Grandson, and College Basketball.
Makayla Hill
Dental Hygienist
Makayla is from Lenoir City and graduated from Hiwassee College with a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene in 2019. Since then, she has worked as a general and pediatric hygienist. What she loves about dentistry is the ability to improve someone’s health and self confidence, as well as the relationships that are built with patients that can last a lifetime. She and her husband, Brandon, have a 1 year old son, and in their spare time they love to go hiking as a family with their dog named Geese.
Melody Gentry
Hygienist
Though she resides in Lenoir City, Melody has worked the majority of her Dental Hygiene career in Knoxville. Finally realizing it was time to “come home,” she has joined our team! Melody has degrees in Biology & Music from Carson-Newman University and a Dental Hygiene degree from East Tennessee State University. She and her husband Paul, are parents to 17 year old triplet boys who will be finishing high school this spring.
Melody also teaches High School Biology at Masters Monday Co-Op in Knoxville. When she isn’t here cleaning teeth, you can find her hiking around the lake with her dogs, caring for her flock of sheep and brood of chickens, or performing in musical theatre. Melody’s name simply personifies her personality, and we are blessed to have her on our team.
Robin Miller
Dental Hygienist
Robin (Robbie) is a New Jersey native, but happily escaped eighteen years ago, and is proud to call Maryville, TN her home. She graduated from the University of Medicine and Dentistry in NJ and also East Tennessee University, obtaining a B.S. in Dental Hygiene. Robin started as a dental assistant, but was soon drawn toward the disease prevention side of things.
She also earned her certifications as a running (RRCA), nutrition (PN), and strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS). Robin is a two-time Boston Marathon finisher and continues to lead a very active lifestyle. She has two adult children and two beautiful grandchildren. She also enjoys Bible study, knitting, home remodeling, and gardening.
After being retired for one year, Robin missed being a part of a quality dental practice and the Lord provided by bringing her to Akhrass Dental Implant and Cosmetic Center. Robin puts the patient first. Listening to their concerns and making their visit a pleasure is her goal. “The technology here is amazing, but more importantly is working with such a caring dental team.”
Skyler Shipstad
Hygienist
Skyler was bon in Sun Valley Idaho, but has lived in Knoxville for most of her life. She graduated from Tennessee Wesleyan, and has been a hygienist for almost 2 years. Making relationships with her patients and helping people with their oral health are her favorite parts of being a hygienist. Skyler was a competitive figure skater from the age of 5 until her senior year of high school. When she is not cleaning teeth, she loves to workout, try new restaurants, and binge watch new tv shows.
The Team
Dental Assistants
Hygiene
Dr’s
Sam & Jessica
