Meet the Five Points Family Dental Team
Merissa Nelms, DDS, CCA
Dr. Nelms is a natural-born perfectionist with an eye for detail. She loves the human connection within dentistry and looks forward to seeing patients to help them achieve better oral health and beautiful smiles each day. She graduated at the top of her class from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) School of Dentistry, earning awards in prosthodontics, and was inducted into the prestigious national dental honor society Omicron Kappa Upsilon.
She completed her undergraduate degree in studio art at the University of Pittsburgh and was awarded for her sculpting abilities. Combining her love for art with her expertise in science, she is board-certified in anaplastology (CCA), a branch of medicine dealing with the prosthetic rehabilitation of absent or malformed parts of the face. She completed her anaplastology training at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and the Bronx VA Hospital and earned her CCA while working in the Department of Prosthodontics at UCSF.
Dr. Nelms believes that learning should be a lifelong commitment, especially in a field as dynamic and evolving as dentistry. She regularly attends advanced workshops and conferences to stay at the forefront of modern dental technology and techniques, and is committed to bringing these innovations to her patients. She is passionate about thoughtfully modernizing the dental practice experience while never compromising the quality, precision, and personalized care all patients deserve.
A native New Yorker, Dr. Nelms met her husband while they were both completing their education in Northern California. They are both foodies with a love for the outdoors and traveling. They relocated to Athens where Professor Nelms runs a research lab and teaches plant biology and genetics at The University of Georgia – Go Dawgs! They love the food, art, and music culture that Athens offers and couldn’t imagine a better place to raise their two young children.
Dr. Nelms is a member of the Georgia Dental Association, American Dental Association, Athens Dentofacial Interdisciplinary Study Club, and the International Anaplastology Association. She also serves as a board member for the the Board for Certification in Clinical Anaplastology.
Alyson
Registered Dental Hygienist
Alyson is a Georgia state board licensed and registered dental hygienist. She has been practicing for over five years, joining our team in June 2021. She received her associate’s degree in applied science in dental hygiene at Central Georgia Technical College in Macon, Georgia in 2018. Alyson loves getting to know her patients and educating them on oral health. She has additional experience in pediatric dentistry as well as periodontics.
She grew up in Madison, GA but now resides in Bishop, Georgia with her husband Connor and their two daughters, Lilly and Lucy. Alyson enjoys hunting, spending time with family and friends, and playing with her two dogs!
Macy
Registered Dental Hygienist
Macy is a Georgia state board licensed and registered dental hygienist and a 2022 graduate of Lanier Technical College. During her time in school, she proudly served as Class President and was honored with the Beacon Award in recognition of her leadership, professionalism, and dedication to excellence. Macy is passionate about patient education and periodontal therapy, and she enjoys helping patients understand the connection between oral health and overall wellness. She is committed to creating a comfortable, welcoming environment where patients of all ages feel at ease and genuinely cared for.
Outside of the office, Macy enjoys spending time with her husband, Austin, and their two young sons, Jeremiah and James. In her free time, she loves crocheting, baking, gardening, traveling, and making meaningful memories with her family. Guided by her Christian faith, Macy values compassion, kindness, and serving others both in and out of the dental office.
Brandi
Lead Dental Assistant & Clinical Coordinator
Brandi is our chairside dental assistant and calls the charming town of Gillsville, Georgia her home. With 24 years of experience as a dental assistant, her career has been dedicated to the dental field, where she has found immense joy in providing exceptional care to patients. Brandi graduated from Lanier Technical College in 2000 with an expanded functions dental assistant diploma, which has been the foundation of her ongoing commitment to advancing in the dental profession.
Brandi brings a wealth of experience and energy to the team, shaped by years of working alongside a variety of doctors in multiple practice settings. Her dedication to continuing education keeps her current with the latest technologies, systems, and patient care philosophies, allowing her to bring fresh perspective and refined expertise to the practice. Known for her strong professional network and well-rounded knowledge of the dental field, Brandi plays an essential role in supporting a seamless, high-quality patient experience.
She loves ATV riding, camping, cooking and cherishes these moments spent with family and friends. At home, Brandi is greeted by her husband Dustin and two beloved dogs, Winston, and Zara, who add joy and companionship to her life. She has two grown children, two young grandkids and a heart for adventure!
Lisa
Registered Dental Assistant
Bio coming soon!
