At Steven W. Smith, DDS, PLLC, we value our patient relationships, making it our priority to deliver gentle compassionate care that you deserve. We work hard to make you feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere. We strive to develop lifelong relationships with our patients by combining the latest dental technology with a professional and compassionate staff. The result is a beautiful, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime.
Our Mission
Our practice is working together to realize a shared vision of uncompromising excellence in dentistry.
To fulfill this mission, we are committed to:
- Listening to those we are privileged to serve.
- Earn the trust and respect of patients, profession and community.
- Exceed your expectations.
- Ensure a creative, challenging and compassionate professional environment.
- Strive for continuous improvement at all levels.
Dr. Steven W. Smith, DDS
Dr. Smith was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. As a youth, he participated in several sports such as wrestling, soccer and ballroom dancing. He also learned to play the piano which is a hobby he enjoys today. He decided that he wanted to be a dentist while he was in HighSchool. His decision was influenced by his experience getting braces. He realized how much of a difference a good smile made in his self-esteem and social life and wanted to be able to help others improve their smiles. He met his beautiful wife Kenna while in High school and was married soon thereafter. They were blessed with 3 children, Teva 20, Olivia 16, Marcus 9.
Teva is currently a Junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is pursuing a degree in Biology with a minor in chemistry, and also playing on the school's water polo team. He graduated from Dixon High School where he held the position of Senior class treasurer. While at Dixon, Teva was a student-athlete competing in the sport of wrestling while maintaining a strong GPA.
Olivia is currently a Senior at Dixon High School. She runs track and cross country and plays on the school's varsity soccer team. She enjoys soccer, reading and playing the bass clarinet for her school band.
Marcus is 9 years old and currently working on his masters of Pokemon battling degree while completing his minor in Yu-Gi-Oh combat theory. He enjoys anything Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Bionacle, or Mario related. He has recently started a mission in Minecraft and will be involved with that for the foreseeable future.
Dr. Smith attended Salt Lake Community College for his associate's degree and completed his dental prerequisites at the University of Utah. He attended the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 2005 and was awarded a Doctorate in Dental Surgery in 2009. Following his graduation from dental school, he served 4 years as a Navy dentist before associating with a private practice in Leland, NC. He loves having his own practice in Sneads Ferry and helping those in the community in which he lives and has raised his family.
Dr. Smith has had the opportunity to become a member of the American Dental Association as well as the North Carolina Dental Association. He has participated in several continuing education courses and continues to participate in courses to remain current and on the cutting edge of new technologies and concepts in dentistry.
His hobbies include coaching wrestling, diving, racquetball, mountain biking, and being involved with his kids sports programs. He also enjoys gardening, playing piano and spending time with family and friends.
Dr. Dakota James Peachee
Dr. Peachee grew up in NC with his parents Jim and LaVee, and 3 siblings, James, Jennifer, and Christine. Growing up Dakota found special interest in several extracurricular activities including track & field, wrestling, painting, and fishing, although it was his track and field achievements that paved the way to a scholarship at High Point University where he studied Biology.
While attending HPU Dr. Peachee became the 2010 Jr National track & field Champion which qualified him to compete at the World Jr. Championship. In his final year he earned all-American status by placing in the top 5 at the NCAA championship finals in the 3000 meter steeplechase. It was also during his time at HPU where he found dentistry; a profession that fuses his artistic vision and high aptitude for learning with his passion for serving others.
While attending HPU Dr. Peachee met his wife, Lilla, who was a student athlete from Hungary on a full track and field scholarship. Lilla is an an entrepreneur performing business re-branding.
After graduating collage Dr. Peachee remained in North Carolina and worked as a chemist in R&D for two years until receiving acceptance to attend East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine where he graduated to become a licensed dentist. Dr. Peachee found passion in learning and performing all facets dentistry, which prompted him to become a General Dentist.
Dr. Peachee and his wife are very active and have always loved the Carolina coast so making the move was an easy choice. When Dr. Peachee is not providing dental care to the people of eastern NC, you can probably find him somewhere in the intercostal waterway fishing with his lovely wife Lilla!
Dr. Cathern Krupinski, DDS
Dr. Katie Krupinski was born and raised in West Virginia. She studied Biology and Chemistry at Wheeling Jesuit University and was granted her Bachelors of Science Degree in 2008. Dr. Katie received her Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree from West Virginia University in 2013. After dental school, Dr. Krupinski commissioned into the United States Navy and proudly served as a Dental Officer for over seven years. Her Navy career took her to Parris Island, SC, Okinawa, Japan, and Camp Lejeune, NC. In 2015, Dr. Katie won the 3rd Dental Battalion Clinical Excellence Award, distinguishing herself from her peers.
Dr. Krupinski is a member of the American Dental Association and the North Carolina Dental Society. She enjoys furthering her knowledge and skills in the always changing world of dentistry to better treat her patients. Dr. Krupinski’s focus is on comprehensive dentistry while educating her patients on the importance of oral health and its correlation to total body health. Dr. Katie and her husband, Patrick, married in 2013 and currently reside in Hampstead with their son, Declan.
Dr. Cathern Krupinski DDS has received AAFE training and certification to perform Botox and Xeomin injections and services.
Dr. Amanda Gill, DDS
Dr. Gill was born and raised in Alaska but moved to North Carolina in the early 2000s with her husband and son. She attended Wake Technical Community College for her associate’s degree and graduated with honors. Next, she went on to North Carolina State University, graduating number one in her class with a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and a minor in Classical Studies. After finishing her undergraduate work, Dr. Gill and her family spent five years enjoying the Arizona desert. She attended Midwestern University, first obtaining her master's degree in Biomedical Sciences, followed by her Doctorate of Dental Medicine, graduating with honors both times. After graduation, Dr. Gill was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society, which recognizes clinical and academic excellence.
Dr. Gill takes pride in her gentle touch and ability to connect with her patients. She loves treating people of all ages and working together to help everyone achieve their healthiest, happiest smile.
When Dr. Gill isn’t caring for patients, she loves spending time outdoors with her family. She’s also an avid baker and enjoys riding bikes - even her dog likes to ride along. She and her family love the NC coast and look forward to enjoying all it has to offer
Dr. Nicholas Lenker, DDS
Dr. Lenker grew up outside our nation’s capital in Northern Virginia. He developed a love for science, sports, and the outdoors. Athletics became a huge part of his youth, playing both ice hockey and lacrosse at a high level. Drawn to the natural beauty of coastal North Carolina, he attended the University of North Carolina Wilmington as an undergraduate, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in biology. Seeing the impact dental care had on patients’ lives, while volunteering with the UNCW Pre-Dental Club, he decided dentistry was the right profession for him. He went on to receive his Master of Science degree in physiology from North Carolina State University before pursuing his passion for dentistry. Dr. Lenker attended LECOM School of Dental Medicine in Florida for his Doctorate in Dental Medicine. Following graduation, he returned to Wilmington to start his career in General Dentistry.
Dr. Lenker met his wife, Mallory, while attending UNCW and they share a dog and two cats. Together they enjoy spending time with friends and family, traveling, and exploring North Carolinas natural wonders. Dr. Lenker is also an avid hockey fan and has played the sport at the position of goalie since the age of seven. In his time at UNCW he helped his team reach the ACHA Division III national tournament, becoming the first college in North Carolina to do so.
Dr. Lenker is an active member of the American dental Association and the North Carolina Dental Society. Dr. Lenker enjoys all aspects of general dentistry and is dedicated to helping his patients feel comfortable and confident about their smiles.
He looks forward to serving the people of coastal Carolina and taking care of your dental needs.
Dr. Duke Zander
Dr Zander was born and raised in New Orleans, near Tulane University. He moved to the West Coast as a
teen, growing up in Huntington Beach, CA and completing his undergraduate studies at the University of
Southern California. Dental school took him to UCLA, where he graduated with honors having earned
both his Doctorate of Dental Surgery as well as his Master of Business Administration from the Anderson
School of Management.
He began practicing dentistry in Los Angeles, but soon moved north to Sacramento, CA to follow his
wife’s acceptance to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. They settled in the Foothills outside of
Lake Tahoe raising two daughters and a farm full of horses and goats and chickens, and of course a
menagerie of dogs and cats!
After 20+ years of practicing dentistry in California and owning two dental practices, a desire to return
to the ocean and for new adventures brought Dr Zander and his family to North Carolina in the Summer
of 2023. Now settled in Wilmington, he strives to treat all patients with the high level of care he would
want for his own family. Dr. Zander values a minimally invasive approach to dentistry that prioritizes the
individual needs and goals of each patient.
Outside of the office, Dr Zander enjoys spending time with his family, racing old sports cars, boating and
travel adventures.
Dr. Sarah Crump
Dr. Sarah Crump graduated with the Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD) degree from East Carolina University in 2024. Previously awarded the Bachelor of Science degree, Summa Cum Laude in 2017 from North Carolina State University, with a minor in Psychology.
Dr. Crump considers Folsom, California as her childhood home, however she has also lived in Virginia, Iceland and Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Raised by military parents (Navy and Air Force) she possesses a strong work ethic, perfectionism and commitment to compassionate care. She realized early that her interests in biology and the natural world combined with an artistic perspective made her well suited for the profession of Dentistry.
When not at work, Dr Crump can be found enjoying nature through hiking, fishing and traveling. Additional interests include painting, nature photography and caring for her beloved Pug - Mahalo.
Dr. Lindsay Robertson
Dr. Robertson is a dedicated general dentist who grew up in South Carolina. She earned her B.S. in Exercise Science with a minor in Chemistry from the University of South Carolina. After college, Dr. Robertson moved to Charleston, SC to continue her education at the Medical University of South Carolina, where she earned her dental degree. During dental school, she was actively involved in student life, serving as the fundraising chair for all four years of her program.
Outside of the office, Dr. Robertson enjoys spending time outdoors and on the water. Her favorite activities include fishing, playing tennis and pickleball, traveling, and taking her two dogs, Tucker and Chance, for walks.
Dr. Spenser Myers
Dr. Spenser Myers was born and raised in Charleston, West Virginia. He found his passion for dentistry while volunteering at an Elementary School’s dental clinic during his senior year of high school. He received his bachelor’s degree in biology from West Virginia University and then received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery, also from WVU. His family moved down to the Wilmington areas with his dad settling into St. James. His brother moved down shortly after, and his dad and brother started a moving company called Luggers of Wilmington. Over summers, Dr. Myers would come visit during summers and help with the moving business. Recently, Dr. Myers had moved to Wilmington to continue his dental career. He is enjoying getting to know the area and would love any recommendations of places to go to or try.
Dr. Myers has a passion and drive for continuing his education within the dental field and is a member of the American Dental Association. He is excited to expand his knowledge and skillset within the dental field to offer his patients the best care possible.
In his free time, Dr. Myers enjoys spending time with his friends and family, working on his golf game, working out, going to the beach/pool, and boating with some water sports. Dr. Myers is also a movie lover. Some of his favorites are the Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Harry Potter. He loves movies and is always looking for new ones to watch.
Dr. Danielle Gough Tooker
Dr. Danielle Gough Tooker has called the coast home since 2018. She grew up in Wake Forest, NC and was born in Philadelphia, PA. She proudly cheers for her Philly teams, especially the Eagles!
She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for her undergraduate degree and went on to receive her degree as a doctor in dental medicine from East Carolina University. Her list of sports team to support grew to include the Tar Heels and the Pirates!
Dr. Tooker strives to put the needs of others first, carrying that into her work life too. She wants to make sure her patients are well cared for and treated like family!
In her free time, Dr Tooker enjoys cooking, reading, going to the beach, or doing something active around town with her husband, Matt, and their sons, Patrick and David. She is always ready to share a photo of her family or her pups…just ask!
Dr. Ochenrider
Dr. Ochenrider was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. While growing up he was heavily involved in athletics and the performing arts. After high school Dr. O attended the University of South Florida where he studied microbiology. In 1997 he became part of the first dental class at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. While there he fell in love with dentistry and his future wife, Jennifer, who was studying physical therapy. He also formed a cover band with fellow classmates and played gigs regularly.
In 2001 Dr. Ochenrider and his wife earned their respective degrees, got married, and moved to Richmond, Virginia where they lived and practiced for six years. In 2007 following the birth of their daughter, Catherine, he and his family decided to relocate to the southwest in Albuquerque, NM. It was here that Dr. O helped build a group practice of general dentists and specialists over the next 18 years. During this same time he and his wife developed a passion for traveling, both locally and internationally. After many years of living in the desert, the pull of the ocean brought them back to the east coast. In June of 2025
Dr. O and Jennifer set their sites on Wilmington, NC, as their daughter begins her own new chapter a few hours away at High Point University. Dr. Ochenrider has been a musician his entire life—composing, and playing both piano and synthesizers. He is also a competitive pickleball player, competing in leagues and tournaments whenever possible.
Dr. O looks forward to developing lasting relationships with patients, workmates, new friends, fellow musicians, and pickleball players as he begins this new journey within the Wilmington/Leland community
Dr. Jinson Kang
Dr. Jinson Kang was born and raised in South Korea and moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, in 2009. She earned her B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies—focusing on Biology, International Studies, and Spanish—at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She went on to receive her Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from Roseman University College of Dental Medicine and completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency through NYU Langone in Colorado.
Outside of dentistry, Dr. Kang has a lifelong love of water. She was an NCAA Division I swimmer throughout college and later served as a Division I assistant coach following her retirement from competitive swimming. These days, she still enjoys swimming and is excited to learn about more water activities with her husband—like surfing and fishing.
Dr. Kang is passionate about continuing education in dentistry and is committed to helping patients build healthy oral habits. She believes in empowering each person to smile with confidence and is excited to serve the Carolina community with compassion and care.
Dr. Taylor Burchfield
Dr. Taylor Burchfield was raised in North Carolina by her parents, Howard and Shannon Burchfield. As a member of a military family, she experienced the dynamics of moving frequently during her childhood, but North Carolina always felt like home. Dr. Burchfield pursued her passion for health and wellness at East Carolina University, where she earned her degree in Nutrition. After graduation, she worked as a dental assistant at Smith Family and Cosmetic Dentistry while applying to dental schools, taking the first steps toward her dream career.
Driven by a lifelong passion for dentistry and inspired by a family member who spoke highly of the profession, Dr. Burchfield went on to earn her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Midwestern University in Arizona. During her time there, she participated in a life-changing service trip to Tonga, where she provided dental care to underserved communities, further solidifying her dedication to making a positive impact through her work.
Today, Dr. Burchfield is dedicated to providing exceptional care to each of her patients. She is passionate about building meaningful connections and helping her patients achieve their best, most confident smiles. When she’s not treating patients, Dr. Burchfield enjoys traveling, fishing, exercising, and spending quality time with her beloved cat, Stormy.
Dr. Miguel Sanchez
Dr. Sanchez was born in Charlotte, NC to his parents and later became the older brother to 3 little siblings. He grew up playing soccer with his cousins until he got the opportunity to join a travel team playing across the east coast. He continued pursuing other interests like; playing football, running track, practicing muay thai and working as a brick mason with his father until being accepted at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to study biology.
While studying at UNCC, he continued working in construction and becoming the go-between builders and sub-contractor groups. During this time he began shadowing dentists and falling in love with its connections to all the tools he’d used for years, just miniaturized. He met his now wife Tiffany that supported his journey and accompanied him across the state to East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine.
Dr. Sanchez loves the blend of artistry, science and personal connection in dentistry and the opportunity to care for anyone that walks through the door.
Outside of the office, Dr. Sanchez spends his time with his growing family. Staying active practicing muay thai, traveling to the beach and exploring any type of food he hasn’t tried before!
Dr. Aaron Schwark
Dr. Aaron Schwark was born and raised in the Midwest, spending his early years in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Kalamazoo College, and a Master of Science degree in Physiology from the University of Michigan. After that he moved to the west suburbs of Chicago, where he received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Midwestern University.
Dr. Schwark developed a passion for dentistry through his personal experiences as a patient. His smile was transformed through the hard work and dedication of many dentists, and as a result, he decided on dentistry as a career. As an active member of the American Dental Association, Dr. Schwark strives to remain at the forefront of dental techniques to provide the highest quality care across all areas of general dentistry. His goal is to create individualized treatment plans with the patient’s well-being and comfort as the highest priority, leading to a comfortable and positive experience for every patient.
Dr. Schwark moved to North Carolina in 2022 to enjoy the warm temperatures and sunshine at the beach. Since then, he has also started a family with his wife Jessica, his son Grayson, and their two dogs. In his free time Dr. Schwark has always enjoyed taking part in a variety of outdoor activities, including playing baseball, golfing, running, and taking the dogs to the beach.