Our Professional Staff

Dr. David Zelby is an Atlanta-based prosthodontist and current Chief of Staff. When not volunteering at the BMDC, he operates Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry of Atlanta. He is a gifted dentist who taught at Emory University Dental School for more than a dozen years and has perfected the smiles of thousands of patients. He began volunteering one day a month at the clinic in the mid-1970s, eventually upping his time to two days a month. He now supervises a staff of more than 140 volunteer dentists, two full-time hygienists, three full-time dental assistants, three full-time administrators, a manager, seven administrative volunteers and an intern from Year Up, a training program that provides young urban adults with technical and professional business skills.

Keith Kirshner joined the Ben Massell Dental Clinic in January 2012 as its Director. Originally from Pennsylvania, Keith and his wife relocated to Atlanta after many years in Washington, D.C. As Director, Keith has a dual role. His primary focus is expanding capacity for care through the recruitment of new volunteer dentists and engagement with community partners. Additionally, he oversees BMDC staff and management. A graduate of Skidmore College, Keith brings a strong consulting, sales and business development background with him. He has worked with research and development heads of Fortune 500 pharmaceutical and medical device firms as well as elected officials across the country.

Deborah Fluker, an Atlanta native, has been involved in some capacity with the BMDC since she was just 7 years old. In fact, the clinic runs in her family. It started with Deborah’s Aunt Elizabeth, who worked here for several years. Her mother, Blanche, served as the clinic’s manager for more than 40 years. Deborah volunteered at the clinic throughout her teenage years. That led to a job as receptionist here in 1977. Now, Deborah is the Clinic’s Office Manager. Over the years she has forged many relationships within the dental community and serves on many advisory boards for dental schools in Atlanta. Her passion for vulnerable populations extends past the clinic’s doors; she is an active volunteer in her community and her church. It is that love for helping that shines through as she greets every patient coming through the doors of the BMDC with a smile.

Barbara Jones, also from Atlanta, joined the BMDC staff in 1975. She is a graduate of Atlanta Area Technical School, where she now serves as a clinical supervisor for aspiring dental assistants. Barbara has a wealth of knowledge about dentistry, as she has served in many capacities at the clinic. As Clinical Supervisor, she oversees the training of hundreds of dental students, dental assistants and pre-dental students. Barbara, a true “people person” with a great sense of humor, enjoys cooking, dancing and a great game of football.

Joseph L. Smith Jr., LMSW, is a graduate of the University of New Orleans with a bachelor’s degree in sociology/psychology. Joseph joined the BMDC staff in June 2007 as the Program Manager of Social Services, adding social services to the BMDC. He received his graduate degree from Clark Atlanta University in social work with an emphasis in mental health. Joseph is responsible for connecting the clinic’s patients to social services in the community. He also facilitates mental health testing, support groups and psychoeducational sessions at the clinic.

Jen Sarafin joined JF&CS in 2011 as a case manager for the Caregiver Crisis Support and Care Planning program of the Aviv Older Adults - Tools for Aging division. In this role, she is responsible for providing support to low-income caregivers of older adults. Jen holds a B.A. in english and women's studies from St. Olaf College and earned her master's of social work from the University of Michigan with an emphasis on mental health. Jen previously worked as a therapist with adults at the Psychological Clinic at the University of Michigan. She currently is working toward her LCSW.

Elizabeth Davis Henderson is a dental hygienist at the BMDC. A native of North Carolina, she graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor of science in dental hygiene. She joined the clinic’s staff in 2003.

Irina Lindova, the BMDC’s other dental hygienist, travelled a bit further. A native St. Petersburg, Russia, where she worked in the medical field, Irina moved to Atlanta in 2001 and joined the clinic in 2008. She is a graduate of the Georgia Perimeter College School of Hygiene.

Alexis Dunlap, an Atlanta native, assists all the dentist volunteers with their procedures. She is a graduate of the Atlanta Metropolitan School of Dental Assisting.

Eliene Jean, from Miami, assists all the dentist volunteers with their procedures. She is a graduate of the Atlanta Metropolitan School of Dental Assisting.

Tracie Garrett of Houston graduated from the United Education Institute School of Dental Assisting in Morrow, GA.