Meet the caring & experienced staff team at Ashby P. Clanton, DDS

Mary Ann works as our front office/appointment and scheduling coordinator.  She is a graduate of Science Hill High School and attended East Tennessee State University and the Pride Dental Management Institute.  Mary Ann has great “people experience” from her work as a flight attendant in earlier years prior to becoming involved in dentistry.  She returned to Johnson City in 2001 upon leaving the Nashville area and joined Dr. Clanton’s practice at that time.

Mary Ann has two adult daughters and one granddaughter and enjoys spending time with her family.  Her hobbies include cooking, gardening, decorating, and traveling along with hosting gatherings for friends and family.

Mary Ann is committed to assisting patients with their scheduling needs in order to help provide for their optimal dental health.  Her warm and caring personality is enjoyed by all.

Nikki works as our front office financial/insurance coordinator.  She grew up in this area and graduated from David Crockett High School.  She then attended East Tennessee State University where she received an Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene.  Nikki has been in the dental field for over 20 years.  She has 8 years of front office experience and enjoys the challenge of insurance claims management, patient accounts, and assistance with financial arrangements along with patient scheduling.

Nikki lives in Erwin with her husband and son and especially enjoys spending time with her family.  She is also an avid sports fan, enjoys the outdoors and travel. Nikki and her family are actively involved in Embreeville Church of Christ where she has served as the Children’s Ministry/Activity Coordinator for several years.

Nikki expresses thanks that she is able to be part of a team that shows true care and concern for their patients and always strives to provide them the best dental care possible.

Melissa is a Registered Dental Hygienist and a native of Middlesboro, KY where she graduated from Middlesboro High School. She received an Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of Kentucky Dental Hygiene School in 1983.  Melissa and her family relocated to the Kingsport area in 2002.   In 2003, she joined Dr. Clanton’s practice where she has since received additional certification in local anesthesia and nitrous oxide administration.

Melissa has served on a mission team to Panama as well as accompanying Dr. Clanton on several dental mission trips to Mexico.  Melissa truly enjoyed being able to assist with preventive dental care needs for the less fortunate in these underserved areas.

Melissa is married with two adult daughters and one grandson.  Her hobbies include cooking, entertaining, shopping online, travel, spending time with family, and cuddling with her grandson Xander.  Melissa enjoys playing the piano and performing as a vocalist in contemporary worship.  She currently serves on worship team rotation at Christ Fellowship Church in Kingsport.

Melissa enjoys providing preventive care to her patients and finding out what makes each of them unique.  Her personal mission statement is to perform the most comprehensive and thorough dental care possible and to promote a healthy mouth through all of the stages of her patients’ lives.

Debbie is a Registered Dental Hygienist who is a native of the Johnson City area and a graduate of Science Hill High School.  She attended East Tennessee State University where she received a BS degree in Health Education and an Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene.  She has worked as a Dental Hygiene instructor at ETSU and has been working as a hygienist since 1979 in the areas of general dentistry and periodontics.   Debbie joined Dr. Clanton’s practice in 2007.

Debbie is passionate about mission work and is thankful that she’s been able to serve with Dr. Clanton on Dental Mission trips to Mexico and Guatemala.  She has a heart for helping people in these areas who would otherwise never be able to receive preventive dental care.

Debbie is married with three adult sons and two grandsons and dearly enjoys her family time with them. She is also thankful that she able to provide care and spend time with her mother who resides with her.  Her hobbies include photography, gardening, any type of outdoor activity, and her grand dogs.  She is an active member of Tri-City Baptist Church and loves teaching Pre-K Sunday School.

Debbie is dedicated to providing preventive dental care for her patients and helping them achieve optimal dental health so they can enjoy a beautiful smile throughout their lifetime.

Desiree is originally from Morristown, TN where she graduated from Morristown East High School.  She is a Registered Dental Hygienist with a BS Degree from East Tennessee State University.  After graduation, Desiree worked as a dental hygienist in Bristol, TN for 3 years. She currently resides in Jonesborough with her family and has been with Dr. Clanton’s practice since 2017.

Desiree is married and has one son, Hudson.  She also has a family dog, Gracie. Desiree enjoys spending time with her family, outdoor activities, and traveling.  Her hobbies also include accompanying her husband to the race track where he is involved with racing dirt late model vehicles.

Desiree is dedicated to making each patient comfortable while providing individualized preventive dental care.  She also enjoys using technology in educating patients about their oral hygiene needs so they can have a healthy, beautiful smile.

Laura is a Registered Dental Hygienist who is originally from Norton, VA and graduated from Bernau Academy High School in Gainesville, GA. She received a BS Degree in Dental Hygiene from Va. Commonwealth University School of Dentistry where she graduated in 1973.  Since then, Laura has worked for several years as a hygienist in four states in both general dentistry and periodontics. She has also received some specialized training in patient education using microscopes.  Laura joined Dr. Clanton’s practice in 2015.

Laura is the mother of one daughter.  She also takes care of her mother who resides with her in the Kingsport area. Laura loves music and was almost a music major.  She keeps her “finger” on it by singing with “Voices of the Mountains Symphony Chorus”.  She enjoys attending various concerts of different genres from classical to folk to R&B and jazz.  Laura has always had a special interest in nutrition, wellness and total body health and prides herself in staying educated in this area.  She is an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

Laura is committed to providing her patients with excellent preventive dental care and helping them maintain their oral health. She especially enjoys meeting new people and forming relationships with her patients.

Ava was born and raised in the Elizabethton/Stoney Creek area and is a graduate of Unaka High School.  She is a Registered Dental Assistant and graduated from the ETSU Nave Paramedical Center.  She has worked as a dental assistant since 1984 and with Dr. Clanton since he established his practice in 1987.

Ava has a heart for missions and has been on many Dental Mission trips with Dr. Clanton to Mexico and Guatemala as well as the Appalachian Region here in the states.  She really enjoys helping people who would otherwise not be able to receive the benefit of dental care.

Ava has one son, Evan who she is very proud of for becoming an Eagle Scout. She enjoys spending time with her family and her hobbies include reading and working in her flowerbeds in her yard, and helping with scouting activities.   She is very active in her local church, Southside Baptist, and is a leader in their Children’s Ministry Department.

Ava is very dedicated to helping people with their dental needs and maintaining healthy smiles.