If you are searching for a dental provider who will listen to your concerns about your child’s oral health, makes them feel empowered when it comes to their own care, and makes certain you are always well informed when it comes down to making a decision, we are the dental home for you.
Here at South Gaston Pediatric Dentistry, we want every visit to be enjoyable, educational, and 100% positive for your child. Our mission is to help children develop the right habits for a healthy future while addressing any problems present, doing it all in an environment that is safe and welcoming. If you feel your child would best be served by a pediatric dentist, give us a call.
Simply put, children have different needs than adults, both physically and emotionally. To be a pediatric dentist, one must complete a standard dental school program and then complete an additional two to three years of training focused exclusively on the treatment of children from infancy through their teenage years. Our doctors have completed this training and know how to create early dental experiences that put your child at ease while building confidence and knowledge. We are confident that we offer the best care for your child.
Dr. Cooke is a pediatric dentist, which means he specializes in offers gentle and reliable oral health care to patients from birth until the age of 18, as well as those with special needs.
Dr. Cooke received his specialization in pediatric dentistry at Temple University Hospital, located in Philadelphia. He obtained his doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry. However, his interests extend beyond dentistry; in fact, he received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Duke University, so if your child loves music, they will have a lot to talk about.
Dr. Cooke is also focused on giving back to his community and helping the less fortunate worldwide. He has served with various local organizations to provide area residents with much-needed dental care even when the cost was out of their reach. Internationally, he has served on global dentist missions, traveling to Florianopolis, Brazil and Lilongwe, Malawi.
While he is a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Dr. Cooke now calls Gastonia home. He is an avid Duke basketball fan, and he enjoys sports, music, cooking, and traveling with his beautiful wife Beatrice.
Dr. Mvula earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in 2007 and received his Doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry in 2011. During his dental training, he visited a pediatric dental practice and realized that this is where he wanted to focus his career. As a result, as soon as he had his dental degree in hand, he began pursuing additional training to become a pediatric dentist.
He completed his pediatric dentistry training program at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center in New York. Upon completion of this program, he became a board-certified pediatric dentist and a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. He is incredibly proud of his accomplishments and honored to serve young patients in the Gastonia area.
Dr. Mvula is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo but has called North Carolina home for the last 13 years. He speaks English, French, Lingala, and Sango. In his free time, he enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Working with kids has always been a large passion for Dr. Rutledge. At a young age he began volunteering with a therapeutic horseback riding program in his hometown of Virginia Beach, VA where he served as a mentor for kids with special needs.
He attended Clemson University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2010 and went on to earn his Doctorate at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2015. Following graduation, Dr. Rutledge moved to San Diego where he completed a two-year postdoctoral program in advanced education in pediatric dentistry through NYU Lutheran Medical Center in conjunction with Rady Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Rutledge grew up in a very active family and sports have always been core outlets for him. In his free time Dr. Rutledge enjoys traveling, snowboarding, watersports, horseback riding, and playing basketball and soccer.
Dr. Lisa has always had a passion for working with kids, and looks forward each day to helping children with their dental needs.
A native of Charlotte, Dr. Lisa is thrilled to be practicing dentistry in her hometown! She attended UNC Chapel hill for her undergraduate studies, and later received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Maryland. After receiving her doctorate, she then completed a pediatric dental residency at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital which is often ranked as one of the top children’s hospitals in the country. As a pediatric dentist, Dr. Lisa specializes in treating the dental needs of infants, children, adolescents, and patients with special healthcare needs.
When not treating patients, Dr. Lisa enjoys hiking, sports, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends.
Dr. Stephanie Hukill grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina and is excited to serve her hometown community. She attended Duke University where she graduated with a B.S. in Psychology with a focus on developmental psychology. After graduating from Duke, Dr. Stephanie began her dental training at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where she received a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. She then continued her specialty training in pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. She is a proud alumni of Cincinnati Children’s which is ranked as one of the top pediatric hospitals in the nation!
Dr. Stephanie is board certified and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry and the North Carolina Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
When she is not treating patients, Dr. Stephanie and her husband are busy chasing around their little boy, Luke. They love anything outdoors, traveling, and cheering on Michigan and Duke sports teams!
Fun Fact: Dr. Stephanie and Dr. Lisa are sisters and it has always been their dream to someday practice together in their hometown!
Dr. Monica Patel is very excited to call the Queen City home. She looks forward to bringing happy, healthy smiles to this community.
Dr. Monica attended Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio for her undergraduate education and graduated with honors. She completed her dental school education at the University of Pennsylvania, where she was awarded the Dean’s Scholarship and the Henry B. Robinson Award in restorative dentistry.
She then moved to Columbus, Ohio where she completed her residency training in pediatric dentistry at The Ohio State University and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. While there, she received a Master’s Degree and served as Chief Resident.
When she is not treating patients, Dr. Monica enjoys traveling, cooking, trying new restaurants, yoga and cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buckeyes!
Dr. Cangemi was born to be an anesthesiologist in a dental practice. It might sound odd, but he has been interested in both anesthesiology and dentistry since as far back as he can remember. He completed dental school at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, where he received the Grover C. Hunter Jr. Award for academic and clinical excellence in Periodontics. He then completed a residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry, also at the University of North Carolina. It was after he began his private practice that he decided to get his certification in intravenous sedation.
He soon decided that he needed to truly pursue both of his passions, and as a result, he sold his practice and began his anesthesiology residency and a masters program in anesthesiology at Ohio State University. This was a comprehensive program that allowed him to become a master in all areas of medical anesthesiology. After obtaining a Certificate of Residency in Anesthesiology as well as a Master’s Degree in Anesthesiology from Ohio State University, he began providing anesthesiology services for general dentists, pediatric dentists, and oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
Dr. Cangemi is a Diplomate of the National Dental Board of Anesthesiology, an American Dental Society of Anesthesiology Fellow, a member of the Anesthesia Advisory Committee and an Anesthesia Examiner for the North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners, an author of publications in dental and anesthesiology journals, and an anesthesia lecturer. He is certified in pediatric advanced life support, advanced cardiac life support, and basic life support.
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