Meet the Team
DR. SHELLY CLARK
Dr. Shelly Clark grew up in Kerrville, Texas. She received her dental degree from Baylor College of Dentistry in 1995, and went on to complete her pediatric dental residency training at Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, and Children’s Medical Center of Dallas.
Dr. Clark is a Board Certified pediatric dentist and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, the Southwest Society of Pediatric Dentistry, and the Texas Academy of Pediatric Dentists. Her passion is delivering high quality dental care while creating a kid-friendly, fun environment.
Dr. Clark and her husband met in dental school and have been married since 1994. They have three children (Brian, Charlie, and Rachel), and two golden retrievers. Dr. “Shelly” enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and cooking.
Dr. Shelly truly has a heart the size of Texas and her kindness and love for her patients is evident in the exceptional care she provides. It is this passion for her patients, along with her southern hospitality that makes her practice feel more like going to visit an old friend rather than just going to a dental appointment.
Dr. Shelly’s husband, Brian is a general dentist and practices next door to her. Their two sons, Brian and Charlie are both in dental school as well and planning to join the practice soon. Their daughter Rachel is studying to become a physician and is attending UT Southwestern Medical School.
Looking for an Adult Dentist?
Dr. Shelly Clark’s husband, Dr. Brian Clark, has a general dentist office in Midlothian and Cedar Hill. If you’re looking for a general dentist check out Clark Dental Group.
DR. LINDSAY LEPORE
A graduate of the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Dental Medicine, Dr. Lepore has impressive credentials which include completing a one year general practice residency at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital in New York City and simultaneously working in three pediatric offices in the tri-state area. Dr. Lepore completed her pediatric dental residency at Columbia University New York Presbyterian Hospital and is board certified. She is an active member of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Lepore is an exceptional practitioner of Pediatric Dentistry who puts you and your child at ease with her tranquil demeanor. She truly enjoys working with children and their families to ensure a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Dr. Lepore lives with her husband Chris who works at Baylor Heart Hospital in Denton, her daughter Finley and three dogs Sunny, Gemma and Snoop in the Dallas area.
Dr. SARA VAN ARSDALL
Dr. Van Arsdall received her dental degree from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. She went on to complete her pediatric dental specialty training through NYU Lutheran Medical Center in Hawaii and is a Board Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Van Arsdall and her husband love to golf, travel, and spend time with their daughter.
Dr. MERILA ATARODI
Dr. Merila Atarodi, known as “Dr. A,” is a board-certified pediatric dentist. After receiving her DDS degree, she moved to Rochester, NY, where she completed a two-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency, and a two-year Pediatric Dentistry residency at Eastman Institute For Oral Health, University of Rochester, NY. After finishing her pediatric residency program, she moved to Louisville, KY, and worked as a full-time faculty at the University of Louisville. During the three-year period of her academic career, she trained many dental students and residents. She then moved to Dallas in 2015 and has been a part of Dr. Clark’s team since then. Dr. Atarodi has a very caring and compassionate personality and believes that all children deserve to have excellent care. During her spare time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Dr. DEBORAH BUTLER
Dr. Butler is a proud graduate of Waxahachie high school, Class of 1990. Two weeks after graduating from high school, Dr. Butler was on a plane to Parris Island, South Carolina for a five year tour with the US Marines. While in the Marines, Dr. Butler met and married her husband. Dr. Butler followed her husband to duty stations all over the world for 28 years of active duty service. In that 28 years, Dr. Butler had three beautiful children, got a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences and obtained licenses to practice dentistry in five states.
Moving around with the military and practicing dentistry in multiple states was quite difficult, but has given Dr. Butler a uniquely broad and diverse perspective on dentistry and behavior management. On top of practicing in multiple states, Dr. Butler has had the privilege of practicing dentistry in other countries as well. While in dental school, Dr. Butler was awarded the position of exchange student in Finland where she studied dentistry at their college of dentistry in Helsinki, Finland. During a three year tour in Japan, she joined the military’s dental clubs and studied with the Air Force and Navy dentists as well as attended CE courses and dental meetings in Singapore. She also participated in multiple mission trips throughout the years in Central and South America.
Retiring from the military allowed Dr. Butler and her family to fulfill a dream of returning home. She has now settled down with her family in Midlothian where her youngest is a Junior at Midlothian high school. Her middle child is a US Marine, currently stationed in Quantico, VA and her oldest son is finishing his degrees at UTA.
Dr. Butler graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry in 2005. As an active duty military spouse, it took thirteen years of general dentistry practice (and five state licenses) for her to finally obtain her dream of becoming a pediatric dentist. As soon as her husband announced his intention to retire, Dr. Butler started the grueling application process for pediatric dentistry. The University of Texas, Houston Science Center accepted her application from hundreds of others and gave her advanced training in pediatric dentistry and bestowed on her the certificate in Pediatric dentistry in June of 2020.
Dr. Butler likes to spend her free time with her large extended family. She also likes to donate her time and skills as much as possible with those that are less fortunate. Free weekend clinics, mission trips and support of local sports teams are just a few of the volunteer opportunities Dr. Butler enjoys on a regular basis.
Dr. Butler is a proud member of the AAPD, ADA and Flying Doctors.
Dr. TASHEKA PRITCHETT
Dr. Pritchett was born in Germany and spent much of her childhood years in Fairbanks, Alaska. She attended the University of Texas at Austin for her Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Ecology. She then received her dental degree from Baylor College of Dentistry, followed by her certificate in Pediatrics and Master’s in Dental Sciences from the Center for Advanced Dental Education at Saint Louis University. Dr. Pritchett has a deep passion for working with children and the lightness they bring to her workdays.
As a mother of three and her years of experience as a practitioner, Dr Pritchett provides a calm, positive, and nurturing environment for treatment. Her free time is filled with yoga, meditation, and creating memories with her husband, Christian and their young, energetic children.
“The only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work hard for them.”
