Michelle is our dedicated Office Manager extraordinaire! She received her undergraduate education from the University of Arizona (Go Wildcats), and continued her journey with post-graduate training at the esteemed University of Chicago, Deerfield. Working in dentistry since 1979, Michelle joined Dr. Pupkin’s team in June 2022.
Michelle is tasked with making sure the day-to-day operation of the practice runs smoothly, but says her top priority is nurturing a warm, comforting relationship with patients and maintaining a positive experience for patients and the team, alike. She can’t imagine a more fulfilling career than one where she can help people look and feel good about themselves.
Beyond the office, Michelle is a family person, cherishing moments with her grandchildren, and traveling. She also finds joy in giving back, volunteering at the United Methodist Food Kitchen.
Stephanie is the warm and welcoming face at our front desk! Working on and off in the dental industry since 2017, Stephanie joined our dental family in March 2023, and we can’t imagine our team without her. From scheduling patients to mastering the art of answering phone calls, managing electronic communications, as well as insurance and billing, she’s our organizational hero.
Stephanie’s enthusiasm stems from the joy of connecting with patients, working as part of a close-knit team, and witnessing the team’s exceptional care in action. Beyond the office, you’ll find Stephanie enjoying quality family time with her husband, Michael, and her grandchildren, traveling with friends, taking in a good college football game.
Shanelle received her education at the Community College of Baltimore County, and additionally received her licensing to administer local anesthesia through the University of Maryland. She started her training as a nursing student but quickly found that she was drawn to dental hygiene instead. She has been in the dental industry since 2010 and most of that has been with Dr. Pupkin.
Shanelle is responsible for providing comprehensive dental care to new and returning patients which includes initial assessments and information gathering, teeth cleanings, gum treatment, and educating patients on maintaining good home oral healthcare routines. Nothing makes her happier in her role than seeing a patient’s oral health improve with each visit.
When not in the office, you may find Shanelle out on walks with her Rottweiler, Jade, shopping, or on a travel adventure with her twin sister.
Nadia received a Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Management from Towson University and an Associate’s Degree in Dental Hygiene from Baltimore City Community College. She is passionate about the healthcare industry and has been working in dentistry since 2011, joining Dr. Pupkin’s team in 2019.
In her role, Nadia is responsible for assessing patients’ oral health, taking x-rays, performing dental cleanings, treating gum disease, and educating patients about their oral health, among other responsibilities. What she enjoys most is working in this community and being able to catch up with patients during each visit. Nadia feels her patients are like family and loves the fact that the focus at the practice is on the quality of care patients receive. She and the team are able to take the time needed with patients to address their dental needs and concerns in a very thorough manner.
Outside of the office, Nadia loves spending time with her husband, Ruben, and their daughter, Lilyana. She also enjoys anything to do with photography and art, as well as traveling with her friends and family, taking in sporting events like football, baseball, and hockey. She is also a big supporter of and has helped with fundraising for Autism Speaks.
Leslie received her education at the University of Maryland’s School of Dentistry. 28 of her 35 years in the field of dentistry have been spent with Dr. Pupkin. Her responsibilities around the office include providing dedicated care to patients by updating health histories, performing comprehensive exams, and conducting oral cancer screenings, as well as professional tooth cleanings, treating gum disease, evaluating patients oral hygiene and diet, and advising on needed improvements.. She works closely with other members of the team to ensure treatments are tailored to meet each patient’s individual needs.
If she weren’t working with the practice, Leslie would consider working with animals or pursuing a career in forensic dentistry. She enjoys the autonomy she receives through this line of work and is fortunate to work with a talented and passionate group of people. Her dedication to the work is driven by a desire to see people experience confidence in their smiles.
Outside of the practice, Leslie spends her time with family and friends. She’s been married to her husband, Jeff, for 30 years and they share two children and several pets. She enjoys hiking with her dog, getting lost in a good book, and relaxing on the beach. Leslie also volunteers with an organization dedicated to trapping, neutering, and returning feral cats in Baltimore County, which maintains between 17-20 cats at a time.
Lori received her training and education at Carroll County Community College and Butler County Vocational Technical Institute. She has pursued additional training in dental radiology, CPR, advanced life support, and the milestone achievement of passing the Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Exam (DAANCE).
She’s been in the field of dentistry for over three decades and has spent 25 of those years with Dr. Pupkin. Lori’s responsibilities include a little bit of everything, which keeps every day interesting and enables her to put her robust knowledge of dentistry to use on a daily basis.
Passionate about providing compassionate and professional care, Lori enjoys building relationships with patients and operating as a team with her coworkers. Since childhood, she has had a passion for dentistry after experiencing firsthand the benefits to one’s health, confidence, and well-being that a dentist’s office could provide.
Lori is married to Doug and together, they have two beautiful daughters — Taylor and Morgan. Outside of work, Lori enjoys traveling and exploring new places with her family and working on DIY projects around the home. Her determined, hardworking, and sometimes stubborn personality allows her the tenacity to effectively problem solve and determine the correct course of action.
Shinkina received her education at Baltimore City Community College and the Community College of Baltimore County. She stumbled into her career in the dentistry field 15 years ago and joined the Pupkin team in early 2022. Shinkina is responsible for assisting Dr. Pupkin and her coworkers and providing education to patients. She is deeply committed to providing thorough patient care, as well as building relationships with each patient that she has the pleasure of assisting.
Apart from her skills as a dental assistant, Shinkina has a knack for photography and coding. She took photography courses at Lifetouch Portrait Studios and enjoys pursuing this creative hobby outside of work.
Shinkina is an invaluable asset to the team at the office. Her warm and friendly personality, as well as her dedication to her profession, create a welcoming atmosphere for patients and coworkers alike. She takes pride in being part of a career that has such a positive impact on people’s health and confidence. She plays a crucial role in office operations that allow for Pupkin’s concierge-style approach to dentistry