MEET OUR DOCTORS
Dr. Steve Olmstead
As a native to the area, Dr. Olmstead is honored to serve the Hampstead, Topsail, and surrounding communities. He graduated locally from Topsail High School and received a Bachelor Degree in Biology from UNC-Wilmington in 2006. Dr. Olmstead is a graduate of East Carolina University- School of Dental Medicine. He became the proud owner of Topsail Dental in 2016, and since then has become one of the most trusted dentist in the area.
Most recently, Dr. Olmstead received a Fellowship from the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI). The ICOI was founded in 1972 and has 12,000 members worldwide in 89 countries. It is the world’s largest dental implant organization, as well as the world’s largest provider of continuing dental implant education. Dr. Olmstead is currently a member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the North Carolina Dental Society. He participates in the Cape Fear Dental Study Club and is committed to continuing education and the pursuit of excellence in the oral healthcare that he provides.
Dr. Olmstead and his wife, Carrie reside in Topsail Island and are the proud parents of their sons Stephen and Porter. Apart from dentistry, Dr. Olmstead enjoys spending time with his family and friends and participating in the many outdoor activities that this area has to offer, especially surfing.
Dr. Asani Palamaru
Dr. Alexandra Palamaru (Dr. Asani) was born and raised in a small town in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. Along with her family, she moved to the United States when she was 10 years old. Her childhood and adult life was spent in Michigan where she went to college and dental school, graduating from The University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. During dental school, Dr. Asani met her husband, Eric who is a dentist for the U.S Navy. Dr. Asani has wanted to be a dentist since she was very young and loves every aspect of dentistry. From the initial patient interaction and getting to know patients personally to designing new smiles using veneers/crowns. Dr. Asani especially loves working with and treating pediatric patients. Most recently Dr. Asani has been certified through the American Academy of Facial Esthetics in the treatment of Orofacial Pain, migraines/headaches, grinding/bruxims using Botox/Xeomin therapy. In her spare time, Dr. Asani loves to camp and hike with her husband and her dog Honey. Her hobbies include running and playing golf.
Meet Our Team
Melissa
Practice Administrator/Registered Dental Hygienist
Melissa has been a part of the Topsail Dental Team since January 2018 and joined our staff as Practice Administrator. Melissa is originally from Washington, N.C. and received her Associate Degree in Science from Peace College in 2003, followed by a Bachelor Degree in Science/Dental Hygiene from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2006. Melissa has been a practicing Dental Hygienist for the past 14 years and involved in Practice
Management/Administration for the past 9 years. She has received a variety of dental training throughout her dental career from companies such as The
Coaching Center, Productive Dentist Academy and The Scheduling Institute. These companies are well known to help practices and their team achieve excellent in patient care, efficiency, and growth strategies. Melissa relocated from the Raleigh area and now resides in Hampstead with her husband Chris, and two kids, Mary Addison (9) and Luke (5). For fun, She enjoys time with friends and family, group fitness classes, and boating on the intracoastal.
Carrie
Patient Care Coordinator/Executive Assistant
Carrie began with the Topsail Dental Team in 2016. She received her Bachelor Degree in Business Management from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2010. Carrie got involved in Dentistry when her husband, Dr. Steve Olmstead was accepted into Dental School. That led her to patient care coordinating, where she worked in administration for 5 years. In 2017, Dr. Olmstead and Carrie took ownership of Topsail Dental. Carrie enjoys getting to know the patients of the practice and helps aid in making sure our team and patients have a exceptional experience when they visit Topsail Dental. In her spare time, Carrie is taking care of her and Dr. Olmstead's four year old son, Stephen and one year old, Porter. For fun Carrie enjoys spending time outside, the beach and hanging out with family and friends.
Kate
Patient Care Coordinator
Kate joined the Topsail Dental Team as a patient care coordinator in January 2019. She grew up on Topsail Island and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Operations Management from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2016. After working in property management for the last five years, Kate decided to take on a different challenge and learn the business operations of dentistry. With over ten years of customer service, Kate is eager to provide excellent care to all of our patients here at Topsail Dental. She currently resides in Wilmington with her two dogs, Maverick and Harper and in her free time enjoys, boating, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Laura
Patient Care Coordinator
Laura join the Topsail Dental in July 2019. She is originally from Florence, SC, but has lived most of her adult life in North Carolina. Over the past five years Laura has worked as a patient care coordinator and her favorite part about dentistry is the relationships she forms with patients. Laura recently relocated back to this area, and resides in Hampstead with her husband. Her son Ross and daughter-in-law McLaren live nearby in Wilmington and in her spare time, Laura enjoys running, writing, relaxing by the ocean and spending time with family and friends.
Brandy
Patient Care Coordinator
Brandy began her career in dentistry in 1997, she has experience in both clinical and administrative aspects of dentistry. Brandy’s dentistry career has taken her to work in various specialty practices around the U.S. to include, general dentistry, orthodontics, prosthodontics, and pediatrics just to name a few. When Brandy is not in the office she enjoys traveling to new places with her husband of over 25yrs and their 3 sons.
Laura join the Topsail Dental in July 2019. She is originally from Florence, SC, but has lived most of her adult life in North Carolina. Over the past five years Laura has worked as a patient care coordinator and her favorite part about dentistry is the relationships she forms with patients. Laura recently relocated back to this area, and resides in Hampstead with her husband. Her son Ross and daughter-in-law McLaren live nearby in Wilmington and in her spare time, Laura enjoys running, writing, relaxing by the ocean and spending time with family and friends.
Amy
Registered Dental Hygienist
Amy is a native to the Sneads Ferry area, and graduated from Coastal Carolina Community College in 2009, receiving her degree in Dental Hygiene. Soon after graduating, she moved to St. Louis, Missouri where she worked in General and Pediatric Dentistry for 10 years. Amy loves working and educating patients of all ages to maintain a happier and healthier smile. After a decade in the city, Amy and her husband, Brandon decided that there is truly no other place like Eastern North Carolina and decided to move back in 2019. Now, she resides here in Hampstead with her husband, 3 boys, and 2 dogs. In Amy's free time, she enjoys going to the beach and camping with her family.
Rita
Registered Dental Hygienist
Rita has been a part of the Topsail Dental Team since January 2017. A native of Jacksonville, N. C., Rita graduated from Coastal Carolina Community College and received her degree in 2005. Prior to that she served proudly in the United States Army for 7 years as a Food Service Specialist. For the past 13 years Rita has greatly enjoyed educating her patients on maintaining beautiful smiles through proper oral hygiene. In her spare time she volunteers with a local cat rescue group and enjoys spending time with family and friends. She resides in Jacksonville with her husband Andrew and their cats Shrek and Edie.
Jenn
Registered Dental Hygienist
Jenn joined the Topsail Dental in April of 2018. Originally from Akron, Ohio, Jenn graduated from the University of Michigan with an Anthropology/Zoology degree. She worked for various nonprofits for five years, engaged in special event planning, grant writing and fundraising. After some time in the work force, she decided it was time to go back to school and focus on a particular skill set which she truly enjoyed, customer service. This led Jenn into the dental field and in 2012 she graduated from Lorain County Community College in Ohio with her Dental Hygiene degree. She and her husband, Jeremy, relocated to Wilmington N.C. and Jenn has been a practicing hygienist for the last 6 years. When she's not working, Jenn stays busy with her wonderful children (Owen 5, Audrey 3, & Elise 1 year). She loves spending time outdoors with her family, especially local parks and the beach. Jenn also enjoys trying new restaurants and breweries in the area, while cheering on Michigan in football!
Slater
Dental Assistant
Slater has been a part of the Topsail Dental Team ever since the doors opened in April of 2009.. He graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor Degree in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. With Slater's Father being the original founder of the practice, he became involved in Dentistry and became a trained Dental Assistant. He prides himself on making each encounter with his patients a professional and exceptional one. Slater is a native to Topsail Island and still resides there with his wife Michelle and one year old daughter Valyn. In his down time, Slater enjoys fishing, scuba diving and hunting. He is a avid surfer, teaching lessons and winning the East Coast Surfing Championship 3 times.
Muriel
Dental Assistant
Muriel is a native to the Hampstead/ Topsail Island area and a graduate of Topsail High School. She began her dental career in April 1986 in Greenville, N.C. After 13 years in Orthodontics, Muriel began assisting in general dentistry and became passionate about helping patients with high dental anxiety. This led Muriel to volunteer for a nonprofit organization, Mercy Ships, where she traveled and used her dental assisting skills and calming chair side manner to help those fearful of dental procedures. Muriel now resides in Sneads Ferry with her husband, Randy and their 3 dogs, Kayla, Sissy and Buster. Muriel has 2 beautiful daughters, Gwen, Elizabeth and step daughter Sarah and husband Edwin. She has 5 grandchildren, Alex, Elise, Cheyenne, Charlotte (Charli), Kayden and 2 step grandchildren Taryn and Ryan. For fun Muriel loves spending time with her friends and family, going to the beach, and boating. In her spare time, you can find her gardening or traveling. Muriel has traveled to 7 different countries, on 20+ trips, over the last 20 years!
Meridith
Dental Assistant
Meridith joined the Topsail Dental team in July 2019. Meridith was born and raised in Chinquapin N.C. and now resides in Warsaw N.C. She attended Coastal Carolina Community College and graduated in 2004 as a certified Dental Assistant. Her main reason for loving her career in dentistry is the smile she helps creates and places on her patient’s faces. In her spare time, Meridith enjoys spending time with her two daughters, Fallon(13) and Willow-Grace(5). Meridith looks forward to meeting and getting to know all of our wonderful patients, here at Topsail Dental.
Our Office
Our Technology
Digital Radiography
Intraoral Camera
Cloud Based Dental Software
3D Imaging
