Meet The Staff

Melanie Tolson - Implant Treatment Coordinator

I was born and raised in southern Kentucky. I graduated from Western Kentucky University Dental Hygiene Program in 1994. I have truly enjoyed being in dentistry for the past 12 years.

I moved to the Outer Banks in 1995 when I met my husband, Richard. We live in Kill Devil Hills with our pug Louie. We enjoy the beach, boating and the steady stream of company that comes from living at the beach. When we are away from the water I spend as much time as I can with my horse, Lucky.

I have worked for Dr. Blanchard for the past 5 years. I find being in a practice that puts patient education and comfort first to be very fulfilling. Watching people get excited about improving their dental health is the ultimate reward. I look forward to meeting with you. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Joan Bryan – Financial Administrator

Born into a military family, my father retired to Virginia which became my new home. I was introduced to dentistry as a teenager as a dental assistant where I worked until the birth of my children.

I then entered the bookkeeping field after working as a bookkeeper with my husband of now 35 years. I returned to my first love working with a periodontist where my experience furthered my knowledge to include periodontal concerns.

I later worked with Dr. Richard Blanchard in Virginia Beach. There I combined my dental and bookkeeping knowledge, which gave me the opportunity to help patients in scheduling, financial and insurance needs.

I have worked part-time for Dr. Scott Blanchard since 1991 and full time as a financial coordinator/bookkeeper since 2001. I look forward to the opportunity to help ease your dental and financial concerns.

I my spare time, quilting is my passion. I enjoy making wearable art and creative quilts. I have two daughters, two grandchildren and enjoy the activities and love that surrounds them.

Shea Whitehead – Patient Coordinator

Born and raised in Elizabeth City, I have lived here all of my life. I have been married to my husband Robbie for 16 years, and we have one daughter, Amber. We live on a 30-acre farm, where we have horses, cow, and pigs. Amber raises cows and pigs for 4-H, but we spend most of our spare time with our horses. Amber has been barrel racing since she was 7 years old, winning NC State 4-H Gaming Champion. We go to competitions all over North Carolina, and we have even been as far as Memphis, Tennessee.

I have been the patient coordinator for Dr. Blanchard for over 3 years and have learned a great deal from my experiences with him. I have enjoyed working in the dental field and will be more than happy to help everyone with any questions that they might have. I look forward to working with you.

Kit Lewis – Financial Coordinator, Nags Head

I was born in Norfolk, Virginia where I lived until 4 years ago. I have been in the dental field for 41 years. My father was a dentist and I worked with him for 20 years. My husband Jim and I met in our dental office. I have an adorable Shih Tzu named Princess, 2 sons, a grandson and a granddaughter. I enjoy crafts and working in the yard. I also spend a lot of time with my granddaughter Cori, we love to bake and play with Princess.

I have been with Dr. Blanchard for 4 years as his office administrator in his Nags Head office and enjoy coming to work every day. I look forward to working with all of you and am available to help at any time.

Deborah K Lawrence, CDA – Surgical Assistant

I was born and raised in the Philadelphia suburbs. (GO EAGLES!) After attending two years of college I decided to move into the dental field. I started working for a general dentist in 1997 and earned my National Dental Assisting Certification.

I moved to North Carolina in 1999 and started working with Dr. Blanchard. I have thoroughly enjoyed working in the field of periodontics and implants.

When out of the office I spend my time with my husband Michael and our two children, Camryn and Luke. We enjoy riding our horses and often travel to barrel racing competitions up and down the east coast.

I look forward to meeting our patients and being able to provide them with a great dental experience while achieving their dental needs and goals.

Deborah Thorne – Surgical Assistant

I have recently moved from Tidewater, Virginia to the beautiful Outerbanks, where I share my life with two wonderful sons. I enjoy meeting new friends, reading, and relaxing by the ocean.

I have seen extraordinary changes in the dental field. Working with Dr. Blanchard has allowed me too experience first hand improvements in the quality of life for our patients.

I look forward to providing care and answering any questions you might have.

Dawn Szulewski – Surgical Assistant

I was born and raised near Buffalo, NY. I met my husband, attended college and entered the dental field by 1993. In 1995, I got married and we moved to Elizabeth City where I received 8 years of valuable surgical experience. After taking a short break from working in the operating room, we moved to Kitty Hawk and I returned to the dental field part time with Dr. Blanchard.

Although I only share half of my week with Dr. Blanchard in Nags Head, this allows me to spend the rest of my time helping my husband with his business, raising our two girls, Amy and Rachel, and playing on the beach with our two “boys” Zeppy and Halo (both Great Danes).

Periodontal and implant surgery sure have come a long way in 14 years and I enjoy every minute working with our patients and friendly staff. It is very satisfying for me to help our patients with their needs (and smiles) and make their experience in our office as wonderful as it can be.

MaryAnne Brown - Surgical Assistant

I was born and raised in Patchogue, NY, but have lived the last 23 years in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. I have recently moved to North Carolina with my Coast Guard husband, our 2 daughters, Hanna and MaKenzie, one son Adam and two 4 legged children, Cypress and Samantha. I have been in the dental field for 17 years and truly love my job. I enjoy meeting new people and helping them meet their dental goals. When away from work I enjoy spending time with my family, camping, fishing and boating. I also love to read and work in my yard.

M’Liss Miller, RDH – Dental Hygienist

I made a decision at age 11 to be a dental hygienist. After much negotiating (pleading actually) my family dentist agreed to start my training as a dental assistant. Finally at 21, with my small daughter Brooke, we went to “college”. Then it was kindergarten for her and a dream come true for me. All these years later it’s still great. Working with Dr. Blanchard these past 6 years has taken my clinical skills to a new dimension. It’s wonderful to work with someone committed to improving the patients’ dental and overall health.

Just as dental hygiene has changed for me over the last 25 years, so has my life since my move with my husband, Mike, from the mountains in Pennsylvania to the ocean in North Carolina. I am looking happily to many more years by the ocean and with Dr. Blanchard.

Cheryl P. Armstrong, RDH, CDA – Dental Hygienist

I was born in Richmond, Virginia but I have lived in the Albemarle area since I was three years old. I currently live in Elizabeth City with my husband of twenty-five years, Vic and our two dogs, Teddy and Duke. I have one wonderful daughter, Jennifer and just recently gained a son-in-law, Kelly. I enjoy waterskiing and am part owner of Beaver Lake in Gates County where our club holds water ski tournaments each year. I also enjoy fitness, camping, NASCAR, and ATV trail riding.

I have been in the dental field for twenty-two years. I started out as an office trained dental assistant and worked enough hours to test and obtain my national dental assisting certification. I worked as a certified dental assistant for seventeen years in general, pediatric, and oral surgery practices. For some time I wanted to become a dental hygienist and after our daughter graduated high school and was going to attend college, I decided it was time for me to attend college also. I graduated from Wayne Community College in 2003 and have been a practicing dental hygienist for the last five years. I have a license to practice dental hygiene in North Carolina and Virginia.

I look forward to meeting you and helping you achieve optimum dental health. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing someone work hard and realize his or her goals.

Professional Associations: American Dental Hygiene Association, NC Dental Hygiene Association, Dental Assisting National Board, NC Dental Assistants Association