Ideal Dental clinicians in Basswood

Dr. Ashton was born and raised in California and received his dental degree from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC in Los Angeles.  After graduating he moved with his family to Texas and has practiced dentistry in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for over 15 years.

Dr. Ashton decided to pursue dentistry because it allowed him to combine a love of science, creativity, and problem solving. He quickly discovered that he could best utilize these interests with dental implants. He has completed hundreds of hours of implant-based continuing education, successfully completed thousands of implant-related procedures, and taught many courses to dentists on dental implants.  He currently serves as the Director of Surgery and Implantology for Deca Dental Group, where he actively trains hundreds of doctors to become great implant dentists. He was awarded a Mastership in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists for his dedication to implant dentistry.

Outside of dentistry, Dr. Ashton enjoys time spent with his wife and four children. They love to travel, eat new foods, as well as to play and watch sports. They particularly enjoy soccer, where he has coached each of his children's teams as they have grown. Dr. Ashton also enjoys music and concerts, and speaks fluent French and Tahitian while still working on his Spanish.

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Dr. Arastu grew up in Southlake, Texas. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Master’s degree in Business Administration from Texas Tech University followed by his DDS at the University of Texas Health Science Center of San Antonio.

Dr. Arastu chose to enter the dental field because he loves playing a role in improving patient quality of life and confidence through their smiles. His favorite aspect of dentistry is that he is able to combine artistry wellness, and engineering , and that makes each day refreshing and rewarding.

Outside of the office, Dr. Arastu enjoys modifying and racing cars, cooking, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Dr. Nedda Hifeda’s outstanding clinical skills and combined with unique dental research experience using the most advanced technology in Endodontics, led her to be increasingly recognized as a clinician and researcher.

Dr. Nedda Hifeda attended Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, where she earned her Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry. She also decided to pursue her dream of becoming an Endodontist by completing a two-year Postgraduate Endodontic Specialty Residency. Dr. Hifeda’s priority is to provide the best quality care to all her guests in the most comfortable environment using her unique training in the field.

Outside of the office, Dr. Nedda Hifeda loves to spend time with her husband and four children. As a family, they enjoy baking, watching movies, and playing at the park.

Dr. Charmaine Thompson is a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist with over 15 years of experience in the field. Raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Dr. Thompson has aspired to become a doctor since childhood. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she discovered her passion for pediatric dentistry during her second year of dental school. Inspired by this newfound love, she decided to specialize in caring for children’s dental needs.

After dental school, Dr. Thompson moved to Dallas, Texas, where she completed an intensive two-year pediatric dentistry residency at Baylor College of Dentistry. Today, she is deeply passionate about her work, finding joy in connecting with children and understanding their unique perspectives to provide the best care possible. Dr. Thompson considers herself a master clinician and specializes in creating healthy, beautiful smiles for her young patients.

Outside of her practice, Dr. Thompson’s full-time role is as a devoted mother to her three children: Aasha (8), Jase (2), and Jayden (6 months). In her limited free time, she enjoys reading, shopping, and traveling with her partner, Jose.

Dr. Darryl E. Gilmore, DDS, is an experienced orthodontist dedicated to helping children, teens, and adults achieve healthy, confident smiles. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Howard University in 2007, where he received the Pierre Fauchard Academy Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Academic Achievement, Leadership and Service in Dentistry, as well as the Delta Dental Award for Leadership. He was also inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the National Dental Honor Society.

Following dental school, Dr. Gilmore completed a two-year postdoctoral residency in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics at Howard University, becoming an orthodontist in 2009. He returned to Texas shortly afterward and has practiced orthodontics exclusively ever since. His extensive experience and specialized training allow him to provide personalized orthodontic care focused on creating healthy, functional, and confident smiles.

Dr. Gilmore is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, and Texas Dental Association. He is also fluent in English and French and is currently learning Spanish, allowing him to connect with patients and families from diverse backgrounds.

Before becoming an orthodontist, Dr. Gilmore spent 15 years working in education as a French and theater arts teacher in Arkansas and Texas. He also earned a Master’s degree in Education Administration and served as a junior high school vice principal. His experience working with children and teenagers has given him a unique understanding of how to connect with young patients, build their confidence, and create positive experiences throughout orthodontic treatment.

Dr. Gilmore is passionate about sharing his personal journey and encouraging others to pursue their goals and dreams. Outside of orthodontics, he enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends. He is also an active member of his church, where he serves on the choir and praise team, works as a choreographer in the Music and Fine Arts Department, and serves on the church personnel committee.