About Us

Dr. Gerald Coates

Dr. Coates earned his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1976. He went on to obtain his dental degree from the Medial University of South Carolina in 1983. To stay current with the ever-expanding dental field, Dr. Coates attended these continuing education programs:

Esthetic Epitome Continuum 2006 at the Nash Institute for Dental Learning
Full-Mouth Reconstruction at the Nash Institute with Dr. Bruce Crispin of Esthetic Professionals and UCLA
Dawson Academy Alumni

Dr. Coates is a good standing member of the American Dental Association (ADA), North Carolina Dental Society (NCDS), Craven Jones Pamlico Dental Society, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD).

Born in Raleigh and raised in Greensboro, NC, Dr. Coates is a lifelong nature lover and enjoys visiting the beach, fishing, and hunting. Dr. Coates makes his home in Davis with his wife, Valinda, and their sons, Jerry and Anderson.

Holly Hyatt, Dental Assistant II

Holly has been with our practice almost three years and works directly with Dr. Coates assisting in patient care. She has been in dentistry since 1993 working as both a dental assistant and lab technician. She holds certifications as a Dental Assistant II in CPR, X-rays and coronal polishing. She also serves as a notary public. Holly lives in New Bern with her son, Christopher.

Dee Dee Quinn, Dental Assistant II

Dee Dee began with our office in 2007 during which time she has worked as a hygiene assistant, front desk personnel and her most current position as a chairside assistant with Dr. Coates. She graduated from Coastal Carolina Community College, Jacksonville, NC in 1993 with a degree in dental assisting. Dee Dee holds certifications as a Dental Assistant II in CPR, X-rays and coronal polishing. Dee Dee lives in Newport with her husband Joe, daughter Hailey and stepdaughter Katie.

Candace Roche, Scheduling Coordinator

Candace joined our team in 2006. When you call our office she is most likely the voice you will hear. She works at our front desk as our scheduling coordinator. She Candace has a vast dental experience spanning more than twenty years from dental assisting to working in a dental lab. Candace is both X-ray and CPR certified. Candace lives in Morehead City with her husband Bob; together they have a daughter Keli, son-in-law Tom and niece Madyson.

Linda White, Financial Coordinator

Linda began with Dr. Coates more than twenty four years ago as a dental assistant but she is now one of the voices that may greet you when you call. Linda works at our front desk as our financial coordinator working with both the insurance companies and our patients to realize dental health. Originally from Boston Linda moved to North Carolina in 1987 as a military spouse. She completed her dental assisting education in 1986 but soon found that she enjoyed the opportunity to engage with all the patients at the front desk. She maintains her CPR and X-ray certifications as well as HiPAA training. Linda resides in Havelock with her husband Jeff.

Raelynn Scott, Hygiene Coordinator/Assistant

Raelynn came to work with us in 1998 as a dental assistant with Dr. Coates. She received her dental assisting certification through the American Red Cross at Cherry Point while her husband was an active duty marine. She began her dental career in oral surgery but soon appreciated a change for general dentistry. Raelynn may have begun as a dental assistant but soon found her calling working as our hygiene coordinator/assistant. She enjoys the relationship building that the hygiene appointments give her the opportunity to do. Raelynn holds certifications as a Dental Assistant II in CPR, X-ray and coronal polishing. She lives in Havelock with her husband Cameron; together they have five children and five grandchildren.

Sandra Garner, Registered Dental Hygienist

Sandy joined our team as a hygienist in 1998. Graduating in 1979 from Wayne Community College with a degree in dental assisting Sandy worked in her hometown of Kinston as a dental assistant until returning to Wayne Community College to attend hygiene school where she graduated in 1991. Sandy has always loved dentistry and found that hygiene offered a one on one interaction with patients that she appreciates. Sandy holds a NC hygiene license, CPR certification and attends annual continuing education to stay current on the trends in dentistry. She lives in New Bern with her children Cayla and Judson along with Abby her Teacup Yorkie.

Kerrie Pearson, Registered Dental Hygienist

Originally from Detroit, Michigan Kerrie moved to North Carolina in 1994 with her husband Anthony, a then active duty marine. She joined our team in February 1995 as a dental hygienist however her career in dentistry began as a dental assistant in 1984 where she worked until her acceptance into hygiene school in 1988. Kerrie graduated in 1990 with her degree in dental hygiene from St. Petersburg College, St. Petersburg, Florida. She has held a license in Florida, California and currently North Carolina. While in California she completed her local anesthetic training. Kerrie maintains her NC hygiene license with CPR certification and annual continuing education. Kerrie calls Cape Carteret her home along with her husband Anthony, daughters, Abigail and Anna and Jack Russell, Gus.

Dawn Whitlow, Practice Administrator/Registered Dental Hygienist

Joining our practice in 1996 as a dental hygienist, Dawn now serves as our Practice Administrator which she began in 2005. She has been in dentistry since 1986 initially starting as a dental assistant in Morehead City until she graduated from high school and went to Coastal Carolina Community College in 1989. Dawn graduated from Coastal’s hygiene program in 1991. Dawn holds her NC hygiene license with CPR certification and continuing education. She appreciates the technology changes and that dentistry is continually evolving. She resides in Newport with her husband, C.D. and three boys, Cameron, Carter, and Lathan.