Meet Dr. Henry J. Ernst, DMD
Dr. Ernst is a general dentist who lives in Union County with his wife, Lisa, and their four daughters. He graduated with honors from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Medicine. He then attended Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where he earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine.
After undergoing extensive training in the field of placing and restoring dental implants, oral surgery, and sedation, Dr. Ernst was awarded the title of Fellow in the American Dental Implant Association in 2011. He has been affiliated with the Atlantic Coast Research Clinic in the department of Oral Implantology, and he holds a sedation certificate from the North Carolina State Board of Dentistry.
Dr. Ernst is dedicated to providing his patients with the most up-to-date and effective treatments available in all aspects of their dental health. What he enjoys most about his profession is the challenge of curing dental anxiety in even the most fearful of patients so that everyone can get the quality dental care they need and deserve. Services such as Invisalign® orthodontic treatment, wisdom tooth removal, porcelain veneers (including Lumineers®), root canal treatment, and implant placement and restoration are all performed in a gentle, caring manner.
Dr. Ernst's Memberships & Affiliations:
- American Dental Association
- North Carolina Dental Society
- Academy of General Dentistry
- American Orthodontic Society
- American Dental Implant Association
- Union County Chamber of Commerce
Meet Dr. Sarah Drew, DMD
Dr. Drew is a general dentist originally from suburban Chicago. She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science degree in human health sciences and patient advocacy. She then went on to graduate from the College of Dental Medicine- Illinois at Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Illinois, with a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. In her free time away from practicing dentistry, Dr. Drew enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, and exploring Charlotte and the surrounding areas.
Meet Dr. Paul Kim, DMD
Dr. Paul Kim was born and raised in the Chicago area. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and obtained a Bachelor of Science in engineering. Dr. Kim then moved to Michigan and worked as an automotive engineer for eight years. After deciding on a career change, he attended Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, MA. His active-duty commitment as a U.S. Army dentist began soon after. There, Dr. Kim obtained additional training through a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry program. His experience in the Army also included a tour in Korea and a six-month humanitarian mission on the USNS Comfort Navy Hospital Ship. After spending five years in the Army, Dr. Kim decided to move to Charlotte due to the great people, weather, and growing community.
Meet Dr. Henk Grobbelaar
Dr. Grobbelaar grew up in Pretoria, South Africa and immigrated to North Carolina during high school. He attended UNCC where he completed his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Biology. He then graduated from The Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University, with a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. After dental school, he decided to move back home to Charlotte to be closer to family. Dr. G enjoys spending time with his wife and 1-year-old daughter. He also enjoys going on trips to the mountains for hiking and snowboarding.
The Pleasant Plains Dental Team
Paris
Practice Manager
Paris was born and raised in Union County, NC. She holds a certification in medical billing and coding and worked in the medical field for ten years before transitioning to dental in 2018. Paris spent four years learning and growing as an insurance coordinator before stepping into the management role. In her free time, she loves to spend time making memories with her two sons, Tristan and Princeton.
Chan'nel
Assistant Practice Manager
Chan'nel was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. She attended Dental Assistant Academy in 2015. Chan'nel started at Pleasant Plains Dental in the summer of 2015 as a Dental Assistant. She spent the past eight years working alongside the doctors, all while being cross-trained for front desk duties before the opportunity of being in a management role arose. In her free time, she loves spending time with her friends and family, crafting, and traveling.
Brittany
Front Desk Coordinator
Brittany was born and raised here in Union County. She graduated in 2015 from the Dental Assistant Academy of Charlotte where she received her Dental Assistant Certificate. Brittany enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, being outdoors and traveling.
Miranda
Front Desk
Miranda was born and raised here in Union County. She hopes to further her career in the dental field by attending college for Dental Assisting. She has two fur babies; a Boxer named Kota and a cat named Biggie. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends.
Kely
Front Desk
Kely was born in the Carolinas. She loves hanging out at the beach and spending time with her Labrador Retriever, friends, and family. She has a passion for helping everyone around her, and she hopes to grow in the dentistry world.
Rachel
Front Desk
Rachel grew up in Charlotte, NC. She has a positive attitude and looks forward to speaking with our patients each day. Rachel and her daughter love to spend time at the park and make new friends.
Kristin
Insurance Coordinator
Kristin was born and raised in Chesterfield County, SC, and currently lives in Union County. She has worked in the medical field with a focus on insurance since 2015. Her passion at work is to help patients understand their insurance to make their appointments stress-free. In her free time, she enjoys reading, baking, playing video games with her husband, and cuddling with her dog.
Jaclyn
Treatment Plan Coordinator
Jaclyn was born and raised in Union County. She is currently attending Central Piedmont Community College to become a dental hygienist. In her free time, she loves to exercise and take long hikes in the sun with her three dogs.
Mariela
Treatment Plan Coordinator
Mariela was born and raised in Pageland, South Carolina. She is fluent in both Spanish and English. In her spare time, Mariela likes to read, cook, travel, go to concerts, and spend time with her family, friends, and dogs.
Steve
Sedation RN
Steve has lived in Charlotte for the past 55 years, the vast majority spent in the medical field. He has worked at Charlotte Memorial Hospital in the operating room, emergency room, and then on the I.V. team running the outpatient/endoscope department. Later, he was hired as Mecklenburg County’s deputy director and established the service we have today known as "Medic." He also worked part time as an investigator for the Medical Examiner’s office for 27 years. He has 2 grown kids, Mitch and Kim, both are out on their own and doing very well.
Steve was a patient of Dr. Ernst for several years and medicine always came into their discussions. Impressed with his credentials and experience, Dr. Ernst had Steve join our sedation team. During IV sedations, Steve assists the doctor in starting the IVs and monitoring our patients.
Kayla
Dental Hygienist
Kayla was born and raised in Union County. She graduated from Central Piedmont Community College with her associate's degree in dental hygiene. Her favorite part of her job is building personal and professional relationships with her patients, while encouraging good oral hygiene, and overcoming dental anxiety. Kayla strives to help others have a beautiful and healthy smile. She spends her free time with friends and family, traveling with her husband, and volunteering to give back to the community.
Kristina
Dental Assistant
Kristina is originally from Russia, she has spent the last 19 years in the U.S. She attended Myers park School of Dentistry, where she completed her certification. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, volunteering at her local church and spending time at the beach, enjoying the sun and the fresh air!
Tatiana
Dental Hygienist
Tatiana was born in south Florida and moved to North Carolina where she graduated from Porter Ridge High School. She started off as a dental assistant and loved the field so much she continued her education at Central Piedmont Community College with an Associates in Arts and Associates in Dental Hygiene. Tatiana loves building one-on-one relationships with her patients to make the experience pleasurable and stress free. Her joy as a Dental Hygienist is to see her patient's great improvement at their follow up appointments because of her dental care advice. Tatiana loves spending time with her family and friends as well as her two fur babies.
Kelsey
Dental Assistant
Kelsey was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. She graduated from the Dental Staff Institute in June 2018. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, as well as traveling.
Lexy
Dental Assistant
Lexy was born and raised in Union County, NC. She graduated from Arch Dental Assistant Academy, where she received her Dental Assistant Certification. Lexy never fails to put a smile on everyone's faces. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family in her spare time, as well as participating in outdoor activities such as hunting and riding ATVs and four-wheelers. Lexy plans to return to school in the future to continue her education in the dental field.
Sapan
Dental Assistant
Sapan was born and raised in Pageland, SC. He worked in pediatrics for four years before switching to general dentistry. He enjoys traveling and riding dirt bikes with his 5-year-old son.
Amber
Dental Assistant
Amber was born and raised in Concord, NC. She has been a Dental Assistant for 22 years. She loves helping patients get their smiles back. In her free time, she enjoys being with her daughter, working on the farm, riding her tractor, and hay season.
Allyson
Dental Assistant
Allyson was born and raised in Indian Trail, NC. She attended Dental Staff Institute in 2014. Allyson worked in pediatrics for four years and then switched to general dentistry, where she expanded her knowledge in the dental field. In her free time, Allyson likes spending time with her one-year-old son, being outside, and going to church.
Kolu
Dental Assistant
Kolu was born in Africa, and she moved to the United States in November 2005 when she was seven. Kolu is one of six kids; she has three brothers and three sisters. In middle school, Kolu did wrestling and was first in her weight class, which allowed her to go to the state championship. She graduated from Union County Early College with her high school diploma and Associate of Science degree. Kolu started at Pleasant Plains Dental in May of 2021. She is currently in school to be a massage therapist and hopes to go back to school to be a hygienist in the future.
Vanesa
Dental Assistant
Vanesa was born and raised in Monroe, NC. She graduated from Dental Assisting School in 2021 and is interested in pursuing a degree in dental hygiene. She has a love for practicing make-up on her friends in her free time.
Cassandra
Dental Assistant
Cassandra was born and raised in Union County. She graduated from Dental Assisting school in 2021 in hopes of becoming a Dental Hygienist. In her free time, she enjoys walking her dog and exercising at the gym.
Megan
Dental Assistant
Megan was born and raised in New London, NC. Megan began her career as a Dental Assistant at Pleasant Plains Dental. Megan takes pride in going the extra mile to ensure patient satisfaction and quality of care. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with friends and spending time with family.
Alina
Dental Assistant
Alina was raised in North Carolina. She graduated from Charlotte Dental Assisting School in 2021. She hopes to progress in her dental career. She speaks fluent Russian and is great at translating. Alina plays in the orchestra in her free time. She enjoys spending time with friends and family.