Staff
Tim Powell, DDS
Tim Powell's educational background include a high school degree from Burgaw High, BS degree in Biology from UNC-Wilmington, MS degree from East Carolina University in Biology, and a DDS degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. Immediately after graduation from UNC at Chapel Hill and upon passing NC State Dental Board exam, began an associateship with Drs. Ryan Stanley and Jim Overton at their Wrightsville Beach location. He began to practice one day per week in Holly Ridge which evolved into a full time practice. The current location was occupied in April, 2009 in order to modernize the practice to state-of-the-art condition. The practice name, “Topsail Dental” was adopted for this location.
As a practitioner in a rural area, he elected to offer full dental services to his patients from the beginning, covering all disciplines of dentistry. Over the years, he has developed full competence in most phases of dental treatment modalities. With the increasing development of the rural area in which the practice lies, two orthodontists have located nearby and receive most tooth-straightening procedures from the Topsail Dental office. Most other procedures used in dentistry from oral surgeries and endodontics, to removable and fixed prosthetics, and most cosmetic services are provided with 26 years of experience. Emphasis in continuing education is placed on those procedures that are performed most commonly within the office in order to have a current knowledge base of those subjects.
Tim Powell enjoys life to the fullest of his abilities both at work, and at play. He has been a lifelong SCUBA diver, saltwater fisherman, an aircraft pilot for twenty years, and most recently appears regularly with a local music group.
He is a lifelong member in good standing of The American Dental Association and the North Carolina Dental Society.
Deborah Slater Powell
is originally from Richmond, Virginia. She received a BS in Art Education from East Carolina University where she met and married Tim Powell. While living in Chapel Hill she taught public school and worked in the NC Memorial Hospital Jaycee Burn Center before returning to school to earn a degree in Dental Hygiene. Deborah has raised two beautiful children, son Slater and daughter Bimini while living a wonderful life in the Topsail Island area.
Slater Powell
Slater Powell functions as a chair-side assistant, lab tech, and a business manager. He has aspirations to attend dental school. He was born and raised on Topsail Island, NC, attended Topsail High School, then graduated with a B.S. degree in marine biology at UNCW. While attending UNCW he won the Eastern Surfing Championships in Cape Hatteras, an achievement he worked toward since he was a young child.
Bimini Powell
Bimini is currently our front desk Patient Coordinator/chairside assistant. After attending Topsail High, she acquired her B.S. Degree in Biology at UNCW, then her radiology certification through the NC AHEC program. She is an accomplished classical violinist who has many years experience in music instruction. Bimini has a gentle soft spoken manner that puts patients at ease and allows them to relax.
Annette Erny
Annette attends to patient needs at chair side with Dr. Powell. She attended University of North Carolina School of Dentistry in cooperation with the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers Program and received her Intraoral Radiology Certification in 1981. She has been involved in dentistry for over 20 years. Annette is originally from Sanford, NC but has been an active member of the Surf City community for approximately 15 years. Annette has one son named Kane and the most precious grand daughter named Kana. Her husband Darrell also owns a business in the Surf City community.
Stephanie Grafius
Steph is a very competent, gentle caregiver. She received her Dental Hygiene degree from Coastal Carolina Community College in 2007. She also has a diploma from Miller Motte Business College in Microcomputers and a degree from Cape Fear Community College in Marine Biology. She has lived in the Holly Ridge area for 24 years. Stephanie has been happily married to Chuck for 17 years and has two wonderful boys, Avery and Dylan.