Meet the Kent Island Pediatric Dentistry Team
Margaret C. McGrath, DMD, MPH |
Dr. McGrath earned both her undergraduate and dental degrees from the University of Connecticut. In addition, she has a Masters Degree in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. McGrath obtained her specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry from Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital in conjunction with Yale University School of Medicine. There she received specialty dental training for children, patients with special needs, and in sedation dentistry and hospital dentistry.
Dr. McGrath is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She holds hospital privileges at Anne Arundel Medical Center and Shore Health System at Chestertown for children who require general anesthesia for dental treatment. Dr. McGrath has both worked and volunteered for organizations that promote access to dental care. She has been a Chesapeake Family Favorite dentist each year since 2010, a What’s Up Eastern Shore’s top dentist each year since 2010 and the Shore Updates favorite dentist. She opened Kent Island Pediatric Dentistry in 2010 and loves being involved in the Eastern Shore Community. |
Karen Benitez, DDS |
Dr. Benitez joined our practice in the spring of 2014. She grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and attended dental school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. After completion of dental school Dr. Benitez set off for New York City and completed a General Practice Residency at Jacobi Medical Center and then went on to complete her specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry at St. Barnabas Hospital. She received extensive training in all aspects of pediatric dentistry and completed her board certification in 2009. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Benitez is very enthusiastic about providing the highest quality of care for our patients. She often can be heard singing songs to patients during treatment. She loves helping our patients learn to achieve a happy experience at the dentist! Outside of work, Dr. Benitez enjoys spending time with her family and children. She looks forward to meeting you! |
Stella Chukwu, DDS, MS |
Dr. Stella Chukwu (Dr. Stella) grew up in Washington, DC and received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Spelman College in Atlanta, GA. While at Spelman, she volunteered at local dental offices and served as president and co-founding member of the Spelman Pre-Dental Institute. After college, she returned to DC to attend Howard University College of Dentistry. While there, she was also involved in numerous community outreach programs including “Give Kids a Smile Day” and the Robert Wood Johnson Summer Medical and Dental Enrichment Program Where she served as a mentor to help expose undergraduates to the field of dentistry.
Dr. Stella has always had a passion working with children and adolescents in underserved communities that she desired to specialize in both dental public health and pediatric dentistry. After receiving her DDS, Dr. Stella earned a MS in Dental Public Health, and completed the Dental Public Health Residency at the University of Iowa. After the completion of her dental public health residency, she completed a General Practice Residency at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. She then completed her pediatric dental residency with NYU Lutheran Medical Center at the Holyoke Health Center and Baystate Medical Center in Massachusetts. She enjoys spending time with her family, finding new ways to keep in shape and traveling. |
Our Dental Hygienists
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Tesa
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Jillian
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Jennifer
Jennifer is an Eastern Shore native. She grew up in Cambridge, Maryland and has resided on Kent Island for almost twenty years. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a BS in dental hygiene. Jennifer has twenty years of working in the pediatric dental field and loves working with children.
Her greatest joy is being a mother to her four children. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends and always tries to live each day to the fullest.
Jennifer is an Eastern Shore native. She grew up in Cambridge, Maryland and has resided on Kent Island for almost twenty years. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a BS in dental hygiene. Jennifer has twenty years of working in the pediatric dental field and loves working with children.
Her greatest joy is being a mother to her four children. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends and always tries to live each day to the fullest.
Christie
Christie was born and raised in Annapolis, MD and recently moved to Kent island with her husband. Christie received her dental hygiene license in 2015 and was rewarded the Maryland Dental Hygienist scholarship. She was president of her dental hygiene class and graduated with a leadership award.
Christie loves teaching that a healthy smile is the most beautiful smile you can have. Christie was previously a Washington Capitals cheerleader, and can be found cheering as a fan for the hockey team with her husband.
Christie was born and raised in Annapolis, MD and recently moved to Kent island with her husband. Christie received her dental hygiene license in 2015 and was rewarded the Maryland Dental Hygienist scholarship. She was president of her dental hygiene class and graduated with a leadership award.
Christie loves teaching that a healthy smile is the most beautiful smile you can have. Christie was previously a Washington Capitals cheerleader, and can be found cheering as a fan for the hockey team with her husband.
Office Manager
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Debbie
Debbie grew up in Millersville, Maryland. Debbie has played a vital role in the practice, having been with us since we opened in 2010. She has worked hard to help the office grow but still pay attention to the small details that are important to our patients. Debbie has been in the dental field since 2005 and studied business management at Anne Arundel Community College. Outside of work she loves spending time with her family and dogs. She loves the outdoors, boating, running, and fishing! |
Patient Coordinators
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Emily, Treatment Coordinator
Emily grew up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Emily joined our staff in 2011 and is responsible for coordinating any needed dental work. She helps ensure that all dental treatment is thoroughly explained and all options have been reviewed with our parents. She has been in the dental field since 2004. Emily enjoys reading, going to the movies and spending time with her family. Her biggest joy in her life is her daughter, Allie. |
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Carolyn, Scheduling Coordinator
Carolyn grew up on the Eastern Shore. She graduated from Kent Island High School in 2007 and has been working in the dental field ever since. Carolyn joined our office in February 2012. She assists with hygiene and front desk. During her spare time she enjoys baking, reading, and going to the movies. Carolyn loves spending time with her family, husband and her cats, Norman and Elliott. |
Our Dental Assistants
JenniferJennifer grew up on the Eastern Shore and has been a Dental Assistant since 2014. In her spare time, she enjoys hunting, fishing and spending quality time with her son Easton!
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TammyTammy started with the practice in 2010 and has been a dental assistant for 20 years. She brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to our patients! In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two sons.
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Aubrey |
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Aubrey grew up on Kent Island. She graduated from Kent Island High School in 2009 and obtained her dental assisting and radiology license from AACC. She enjoys spending time with her family, boyfriend and her dog!
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Madeline, Maddie for short, was born and raised on the Eastern Shore. She graduated from Easton High School in 2015. Maddie is excited to enter the dental assisting field and will be taking courses to expand her skills this spring at Chesapeake Community College. Maddie's favorite things to do outside of work are reading, figure skating and crocheting.
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Lisa has been in the dental/medical field for over 25 years. She has lived on Kent Island for 15 years. Lisa loves spending time with her husband and children, watching football and riding her tractor!
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Gina
Gina grew up on the Western Shore and graduated from South River High School in 2011. Shortly after, she obtained her dental assisting certificate at Fortis in Towson, MD. She has been a dental assistant for four years. In her spare time, she likes spending time with her family, fiance and watching sports! |
Brandi
Brandi is local to the Eastern Shore. She graduated from Kent Island High School in 2007. Brandi received her dental assisting training from Chesapeake Community College and the Maryland State Dental Assoc. She has over nine years experience. Brandi spends most of her free time with her son, Chase. She also enjoys reading, sports, fishing and going to the beach! |
Jasmine
Jasmine obtained her radiology and dental assisting training from Anne Arundel Community College and loves working in pediatric dentistry. Jasmine comes from a military family and has traveled the world. She, her fiancé and daughter love the Eastern Shore and hope to settle here for the long term. In her free time she enjoys running and spending time outdoors. |
