Meet Our Dentists

Rafael Mendez, DMD

Dr. Rafael Mendez graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, in 1998 with a degree in Natural Sciences. He then attended the University of Puerto Rico, School of Dental Medicine, where he graduated in 2002 and won the Raymond Baralt Award for his professionalism, leadership, civism, and love for the dental profession.

Dr. Mendez is a member of the International Association for Orthodontics. From 2008-2009, Dr. Mendez was the Vice President of the Lions Club in his hometown of Manati, Puerto Rico. Before joining Earp Dentistry in 2014, Dr. Mendez practiced at the Kinston Community Health Center, the Bernstein Community Health Center, and The Dental Care Center.

In his spare time Dr. Mendez enjoys spending time with his wife, Wanda, and his two children, Cesar and Gaby. As a family they enjoy traveling and visiting the beach. Photography is one of Dr. Mendez’s passions, and he enjoys taking pictures of their travels to make the memories last a lifetime.

Rafael Torres, DMD, FICOI

Dr. Rafael Torres obtained a bachelor’s degree in Biology in 1999. He then graduated with honors from the University of Puerto Rico Dental School in 2004. After graduating from dental school, Dr. Torres worked as a lieutenant and Chief Dental Officer for the U.S. Public Health Service in Three Rivers, Texas. During this time he also graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement training center in Georgia.

Later, he practiced in Washington, D.C. where he enjoyed treating personnel from foreign embassies, the Spanish Catholic Center and the Hispanic community in general.

After moving to North Carolina, he practiced for several years at the Bernstein Community Health Center and at a private practice in New Bern. Dr. Torres is also a member of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI). In 2014, he obtained his fellowship status with the ICOI.

Dr. Torres enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters, and participating in water sports and scuba diving.

Karen, Dental Assistant

Karen has been in dentistry since 1984, when she graduated with her DAI from the Lyons Institute in New Jersey. She has been working with Earp Dentistry since 2006, after working for the Greenville Dental Clinic for several years. Karen enjoys working with our great patients because of the pride she takes in helping others with treatment, as well as assisting and comforting anxious patients. Karen enjoys cooking, baking, and spending time with her daughter and granddaughter in Wilmington.

 

Adel, Dental Assistant

Adel has been working in dentistry since 2007 and joined the Earp Dentistry team in 2013. She brings a lot of experience and is able to communicate with patients in both English and Spanish. She enjoys working with patients in orthodontics as well as crown and bridge procedures. Adel enjoys spending her free time with her husband and three kids.

 

Latisha, Dental Assistant

Latisha is a native of Washington, NC. She graduated from Martin Community College in 2013 as a dental assistant and later that year became a part of the Earp Dentistry family. Latisha truly enjoys working with all of her patients and all aspects of dentistry. When she is not bringing smiles to the patients and staff at Earp Dentistry, she enjoys spending time with her husband and four children. She is also a very active member of her church.

 

Kelly, Dental Assistant

Kelly started her dental career in 2000 as a Certified Dental Assistant working in community health. She grew up in Trenton, NC and moved to Greenville in 2016. Kelly began working with Earp Dentistry in 2018, where she looks forward to staying for a very long time. She especially enjoys working with children and patients who feel uneasy in the dental chair. Kelly always has a positive attitude and you will never see her without a smile on her face. She enjoys outdoor activities and is also a proud fur baby mother of two.

Hollie, Dental Assistant

Hollie is a native of Roper, NC and currently resides in Pantego, NC with her husband Bradley. She graduated from Martin Community College in 2012 as a Dental Assistant II and became a member of the Earp Dentistry family later that year. She began full time at our Greenville office and currently works primarily in the Plymouth office. She enjoys all aspects of her role at Earp Dentistry. On summer weekends, you can find her and her husband boating or at the beach with family and friends.

Rhonda, Dental Assistant

Rhonda went to Wayne Community College in Goldsboro and has been a dental assistant for 24 years. She has been a part of Earp Dentistry since 2013. She works primarily in the Plymouth office and love being involved with patient care. Rhonda resides in Williamston with her husband Jim and daughter Allie. They enjoy the outdoors, ball games and family time.

 

Caroline, Dental Assistant

Caroline is a native of Blounts Creek, NC. After graduating from Martin Community College in 2020 as a Dental Assistant II, she joined the Earp Dentistry Team. She enjoys her part in helping patients find their confident smile. In her spare time, Caroline can be found on the water with family and friends, whether it’s the Pamlico River or the ocean.

Candice, Dental Hygienist

Candice began her dental career in 2012 after graduating from the Dental Hygiene program at Wayne Community College. As soon as you sit in the chair to work with Candice, you know she is a great people person. She strives to give each patient a personal experience and loves the relationships she forms with her patients. While not at the office, Candice enjoys spending time with her husband, Ray, and their two young children, Maci and Wyatt. 

Kaitlyn, Dental Hygienist

Kaitlyn began her dental hygiene career in 2018 after graduating from Wayne Community College. She was a long-time patient of our office and joined our team as a hygienist in early 2021. She currently resides in Winterville, NC with her wonderful husband, Joe, their one-year-old son, Judah, and their 3 dogs. She truly enjoys bringing her patient’s smiles back to full health and loves to get to know and develop a relationship with every person who comes to her chair.

Emily, Dental Hygienist

Emily grew up in Ayden, NC and currently resides in Farmville, NC with her husband. She graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene. Emily first started with the Earp Dentistry team in 2009, working for a short summer as a Dental Assistant and helping with our transition from our old office on Charles Blvd to Emerald Place location. She returned as a Dental Hygienist after graduating in 2010 and stayed with us until she moved to Fayetteville, NC in 2012. Emily happily came back to Pitt County and Earp Dentistry in 2015. She loves seeing patients of all ages and genuinely enjoys being able to serve our community. In her spare time, Emily enjoys spending time with her many nieces and nephews, crafting, volunteering in the kids’ ministry at her church, and event coordinating for her friends.

Diana, Dental Hygienist

Diana graduated from Wayne Community College in 1997 with a degree in Dental Hygiene. She joined Earp Dentistry in 2020 with over 20 years of experience. She has been married to her husband Jack for 23 years and they have a son and a daughter. When she isn’t working, Diana enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

Temetra, Dental Hygienist

Born and raised in Williamston, NC and currently resides in Greenville, NC. Graduated from Martin Community College in 2006 with a diploma as a Dental Assistant. In 2010 I decided to further my education to become a Registered Dental Hygienist at Halifax Community College and received my Associate's Degree. In 2012. I started at Earp Dentistry in 2021 with over 14 years of experience in the dental field. During my leisure time, I enjoy hanging out with my family, exercising and most importantly, building a closer relationship with God. 

Courtney, Dental Hygienist

Courtney is a native from Spring Hope, NC. She graduated in 2019 with an Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene from Halifax Community College. Courtney joined Earp Dentistry in 2021. She is very passionate about educating patients on their oral health and making her patients feel comfortable during each visit. During her leisure time, she loves spending time with family and friends, traveling, and helping out in the community. 

Lynn, Office Manager

Lynn has been working in dentistry since 1989. She enjoys working with patients and getting to know them. When she is not working she enjoys spending time with her husband and their 3 year old grandson.

Caitlin, Check Out, Insurance Coordinator, Receptionist

Caitlin grew up in Snow Hill, NC and went on to start a career as a Nurse Aide II. After several years of working in a pediatric medical office, she joined the Earp Dentistry team in May of 2019. She enjoys the interaction with our patients and staff daily.  Currently, Caitlin lives in Ayden, NC with her husband Blake, their daughter Autumn, and dog Coast. She enjoys trying new activities and foods with family and friends, being involved in her community and leading the children’s youth group at her church.

Audrey, Check Out, Insurance Coordinator, Receptionist

Audrey became a member of Earp Dentistry in January 2017. Her work involves assisting patients at check out and handling their treatment plans. She greatly enjoys helping others and the face-to-face interaction she gets to have with patients. When she is not at work, she spends most of her time with family, enjoys reading a good book, and helping out at church functions. Audrey currently resides in Kinston with her husband, Donald and her daughter, Erin, and their three dogs Gigi, Coco, and Paxton.

Evelyn, Check Out, Insurance/Claims Coordinator

Evelyn joined Earp Dentistry in the summer of 2018. She has always had an interest in dentistry and has a strong background working in medical offices. Patient care and customer service are areas she has a very strong commitment to and strives to uphold every day. In her leisure time, she enjoys playing golf, spending time with her husband, Burney, daughter, Monica, and grandsons, Tyler and Jordan.

Brittney, Check Out, Insurance Coordinator, Receptionist

Brittney grew up in Lumberton NC and now resides in Ayden NC with her fiancé Noah, daughter Adalyn and their dog Rocket. She became a member of Earp Dentistry September 2020. Her work involves assisting patients at check out and handling their treatment plans. She greatly enjoys helping others and the face-to-face interaction she gets to have with patients. When she is not at work, she spends most of her time with family, enjoys walks with her family and traveling.

 

Temesia, Office Manager/Bookkeeper

Temesia is a native of Kinston and has an Associates Degree in Accounting. While she has over 25 years of Accounting experience, the last 14 years have been working with medical/dental practices. Temesia started her career with Earp Dentistry in 2017 and enjoys working with the patients and staff on a daily basis. She resides in Ayden with her husband, Harold, and their dog, Barrett. She enjoys traveling to Florida to visit her daughter, Michelle, and son, Jeffrey.