As the owner of the Ashton Dental Group, Dr. Ashton has worked very hard to create an environment where patients feel respected, cared for and comfortable. “When I became a dentist I wanted to provide the absolute best dental care for my patients and I felt I wasn’t able to do that working in other offices.” Dr. Ashton started the Maple Lawn office in 2005 and purchased the Columbia office from Dr. Anthony Hatch in 2007.

A native of Baltimore, Dr. Ashton grew up in Catonsville, where she graduated from The Seton Keough High School in 1995. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Saint Joseph’s University in 1999. While attending SJU she played field hockey. Dr. Ashton graduated with her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, University of Maryland, Dental School in 2003. During dental school she was privileged to complete a pre-clerkship in pediatrics and a clerkship in periodontics. She was also a member of the Psi Omega Dental Fraternity. At graduation Dr. Ashton received The American Association of Public Health Dentistry Dental Award for Community Dentistry and Public Health, as well as the Northeastern Society of Periodontists Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Undergraduate Periodontics.

Since graduation Dr. Ashton has remained on the cutting edge of dentistry by completing many continuing education courses. She is a member of the American Dental Association, the Maryland State Dental Association, the Howard County Dental Society, the Academy of General Dentistry and the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation.

While Dr. Ashton enjoys all aspects of dentistry, she has taken a special interest in working with patients who have a fear of the dentist. She says, “My philosophy is to partner with each of my patients to help them achieve optimal dental health.”

“I am very proud of our office. I am privileged to work with some of the finest clinicians and support staff in Maryland. We created this office for our patients and it is our goal to provide each patient with the best that modern dentistry has to offer at an affordable cost. To that end, I believe we’ve succeeded,” states Dr. Ashton.

When she’s not at the office, Dr. Ashton enjoys bike riding, playing golf, watching sporting events, and spending time with her family, friends, and her Boxer, Brutus.

As the newest member of the Ashton Dental Group, Dr. Alison Baker is happy to be meeting such a wonderful community of patients.

Dr. Baker was born in Baltimore and grew up in Anne Arundel County, graduating from Old Mill Senior High School in 1992. She then attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she specialized in medical and technical writing and wrote for the Daily Tarheel newspaper, earning a Batchelor of Arts Degree in Journalism in 1996. While at Chapel Hill, Dr. Baker helped to petition the school to start a women’s lacrosse team, and was honored to earn a spot on the inaugural Carolina Women’s Lacrosse team when it started in 1995.

It was Dr. Baker’s childhood dream to become a dentist, and that dream was fulfilled in 2000 (Tooth-thousand!) when she received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, University of Maryland, Dental School. While in school she was awarded both the Maryland State Senatorial and Maryland State Professional scholarships. Academically, Dr. Baker was selected as a member of Gorgas Odontological Honor Society and Gamma Pi Delta Prosthodontic Honor Society.

After graduating from dental school, Dr. Baker completed a Post Doctorate General Practice Residency in 2001 at the San Francisco Veterans’ Affairs Hospital in San Francisco, California. While in California, Dr. Baker passed the California Board exam and earned her California license to practice dentistry in private practice.

After moving back to Baltimore in 2001 to be close to her family, Dr. Baker worked as an Associate Dentist in the White Marsh area for almost eight years prior to joining the Ashton Dental family. She enjoys giving back to the local community and abroad. In fact, she has participated on two dental missions to Vietnam with Operation Smile. As a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, the ADA, the MSDA and the Progressive Study Club, Dr. Baker works hard to stay current with the latest advanced dental techniques by attending continuing education courses.

Here at Ashton Dental Group, Dr. Baker looks forward to building lasting relationships with her patients. “It is an honor to have patients place their trust in me,” she says. “My philosophy is to really listen to what my patients have to say, and then to treat each patient how I would like to be treated.”

Dr. Baker lives in Federal Hill with her husband, Jason, who is also a dentist, their daughter, Isabella, and their Airedale Terrier, Flossie. She enjoys creating mosaic art, whimsical pottery sculptures and stained glass windows. When not at the office, Dr. Baker can be found cheering on the Orioles and the Ravens!

Ashton Dental Group is privileged to have a wonderful board certified Periodontist as part of our team. Dr. Burstein joined the practice in 2007. Dr. Burstein grew up in the Pikesville area and graduated from McDonogh in 1993. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Science from George Washington University in 1997. Dr. Burstein received both her undergraduate and post-graduate dental education from the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, University of Maryland, Dental School. She received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2001 and completed her periodontal residency in 2004. While at Maryland, Dr. Burstein was selected to be a member of the periodontal clerkship program and received the Northeastern Society of Periodontics Award. She earned a Master’s Degree in Oral Biology, defending a thesis on periodontal regenerative materials. Dr. Burstein has earned the distinguished honor of becoming a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and was elected as a Fellow in the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Dr. Burstein is a member of the American Dental Association, the Maryland State Dental Association and the American Academy of Periodontology.

In addition to working in private practice, Dr. Burstein is also a part-time clinical instructor at the University of Maryland Dental School.

In her spare time, Dr. Burstein can be found having fun with her two daughters, Abigail and Ella. She enjoys being outside, working in her garden, cooking, running, and spending time with her family.

We are lucky to have a hygienist with international experience in the dental field. Nicole was born and raised in Gladbeck, Germany, a little town near Cologne. After high school, Nicole went to school for dental assisting and worked as a Dental Assistant for 6 years in Germany. She realized early on that anxiety was a big obstacle for her patients.

Nicole moved to the United States as an AuPair to experience the American culture and, she says, she met many wonderful people along the way. She earned her degree in Dental Hygiene from the Baltimore City Community College in 2003. Now, Nicole says, “being a hygienist has given me the opportunity to show patients that they can have a pleasant experience in the dental chair.” She also works hard to educate patients about the link between gum disease and overall wellbeing. “It is rewarding to give patients the knowledge to achieve good oral hygiene, which can positively impact their overall health,” she says.

Although Nicole joined the Ashton Dental team in 2006, she and Dr. Ashton already had an excellent rapport from working together previously. When not helping patients to feel comfortable at the office, Nicole enjoys outdoor activities, exercising and taking her Black Labrador, Charlie, on long walks.

Bridget’s warm and positive energy puts patients at ease as she cares for them. “I really enjoy our patients,” she says. “We have great conversations about what’s going on in their lives as well as their oral health.” Bridget says she is proud to be part of a dental group that stays current with the changing profession. “We work to provide excellent dentistry that is innovative and progressive within our field.”

Originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, Bridget earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Hygiene in 2001 and has two Master’s Degrees in Public Administration and Dental Hygiene from West Virginia University, in which she earned in 2003 and 2004, respectively. She has been practicing hygiene since 2001, and moved to Columbia where she joined the Ashton Dental team in early 2007. She is active in the American Dental Hygiene Association and has served as Vice President of the Howard County Dental Hygiene Association. She is currently on the West Virginia University School of Dentistry Visiting Committee.

Bridget feels it is important for patients to understand their dental treatment and the impact their dental care can have on their overall health. “I want every patient to feel comfortable with the work that is being done and understand the benefits of their treatment,” she says. “It is also rewarding when I can help patients figure out a workable home care routine that they will benefit from for the rest of their lives.”

When not helping patients at the office, Bridget enjoys traveling with her husband, Alan, gardening, reading, and playing with their dogs, Mollie and Annie, and their cats, Sophie and Maggie.

As one of Ashton Dental Group’s chair-side assistants, Sabrina makes sure patients feel safe and comfortable while in the dental chair. “I really enjoy my job,”, she says. “I like the staff and patients at both locations, and I really look forward to helping patients feel better and improving their smiles.” She has been with the practice since 2007 and is a Certified Expanded Function Dental Assistant and is also certified in Dental Radiology.

Sabrina was born and raised in Maryland, and graduated from Northwestern High School in Hyattsville in 1999. She then worked with four and five-year-olds as a day-care teacher for four years while she took classes at Prince George’s Community College for Dental Assisting. Her experience with young children is evident when she puts anxious young patients at ease. “I want to make sure that all of our patients have a good experience when they are here,” she says. Sabrina is now taking classes to become a dental hygienist.

When not at the office, Sabrina can usually be found at the gym or doing some outdoor activity. She loves to shop, roots for the Redskins and has a cat named Tulsi.

Assisting since 2001, Michelle helps keep things flowing smoothly at Ashton Dental Group. Her friendly smile and calming nature puts patients at ease. Michelle joined the team in 2008. “I really enjoy the people at the practice, and it is so fulfilling when a smile makeover really improves someone’s life,” she says.

Michelle grew up in Catonsville and now lives in Columbia. She graduated from the Western School of Technology and Environmental Science magnet school with a major in Environmental Science in 2000. Michelle then studied at the Community College of Baltimore County. After which she became a Certified Expanded Function Dental Assistant and earned her Radiology Certification. She continues to further her education in a rapidly changing dental field. “At Ashton Dental Group, we are always learning new techniques and keeping up with the latest advances in dentistry,” she says. “It’s refreshing to offer the most updated options to our patients.”

When not at the office, Michelle enjoys spending time with her family and friends, trying new recipes and rooting for the Ravens!

As the youngest member of our dental team Karina will brighten your day with her cheerful smile and is always willing to lend a hand. She graduated from Western Senior High School in Baltimore City and took Dental Assisting at the Medix School in Towson. She is also certified in Dental Radiology.

Karina chose the dental field because she wanted to help people in a discipline that was hands on. “I really like the people and the atmosphere here,” she says. “I love helping people feel better about themselves and being present to our patients while they are having their dental work completed.”

When not helping out at Ashton Dental Group, Karina can be found hanging out with her friends, going to the movies, roller-skating and bowling. She also has a cat named Precious.

Marianna helps put the “family” in family dentistry! She is honored to work with her daughter, Dr. Ashton, and also makes everyone who enters the office feel like family. She says, “Our office should be a pleasant place to receive treatment and to work,” and Marianna helps to keep it that way! You know she answered you call when you hear, “Marianna speaking, how can I make you smile?”

Born and raised in Baltimore, Marianna graduated from Mercy High School and Villa Julie College. She then worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers until her first daughter was born. A mother to three daughters, she enjoys golf and family get-togethers.

Shelly works hard behind the scenes to make sure that the Ashton Dental Group operates as smoothly as possible. Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, she has been assisting in dental offices since 1993 and earned her Management Degree from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee in 2003.

The dental field is a perfect fit for Shelly, who has seen that patients’ lives can really be improved through dentistry. “I love the way it makes me feel inside when I see patients come out of the treatment room with a new smile and thanking us for changing their lives,” she says.

Shelly has had a very diverse dental career, including working for the Military Dental Clinics in Hawaii. Upon returning from Hawaii in 2003, she worked with the High Tech Institute of Nashville, Tennessee, creating and implementing a Dental Assistant Program. She taught and managed this program for two years, and then became the Director of all Allied Health Programs at Daymar Colleges Group of Tennessee and Kentucky. In 2007, a military move with her husband, Jeremy, and her daughter, Tori, brought Shelly to Maryland. She has been with the Ashton Dental Group since 2008.

She feels fortunate to work in such a comfortable atmosphere. “I absolutely love working for the Ashton Dental Group because it is like working with family everyday,” she says. “We treat our patients like family and all of the staff go above and beyond to provide excellent customer service.”

In her spare time, Shelly enjoys horseback riding, water and snow skiing, photography and watching classic movies with her daughter.

Rose works hard behind the scenes to keep the office finances on track and to ensure proper payment from insurance companies. She enjoys the problem solving aspect of her role and does whatever possible to maximize each patient’s insurance benefits. “We do our best from the first conversation to the office visit to finally filing the insurance claim,” she says. “I know we are the best dental office in our area and I know if you come to see us you will agree, too!”

Rose is from Baltimore County and grew up on the water. She studied business at Catonsville Community College. Rose has been with Ashton Dental Group since 2007. She has always enjoyed being on the water, swimming, fishing, crabbing and ice-skating. When she’s not in the office she can be found on the golf course, at the gym or spending time with the love of her life, her granddaughter, Keira.

At our Maple Lawn office patients are greeted by Theresa’s bright smile and welcoming demeanor. Theresa had more than a decade of dental experience when she joined the Ashton Dental team in 2008.

Born and raised in Calvert County, Theresa graduated from Northern High School in 1991 and since then, has achieved a very well-rounded understanding of the dental field. Her resume includes experience in office management, dental assisting, financial coordinating and dental consulting. Her versatile dental background has given her a passion for helping people to understand their dental insurance. “I feel that the best gift I can give out patients is a full understanding of their dental benefits,” she says. “I want people to be able to fully utilize what is theirs without unnecessary surprises.” Theresa is known for her clear and easy to understand explanations of insurance forms and financial options.

Theresa’s favorite thing to do is spend time with her daughter, Shanova, and son, Deandre. Together, they can be found watching movies, playing tennis, fishing, or rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers!