We would like to take a moment to introduce ourselves to you. At our office, we take pride in having a pleasant, professional, and highly trained staff. From the moment you enter, you will notice that our team and Dr. Walton do everything possible to make your visit comfortable.
Our front office staff will welcome you and will do their best to schedule appointments that suit your needs.
Our orthodontic assistants are trained in state-of-the art technology for treating children, adolescents and adults, including Invisalign.
Dr. Mary Walton
Dr. Walton was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She received her BS in pre-dental studies in 1984 and her DDS in 1987. After a 2 year hospital dentistry residency at the University of Virginia, she attended the University of Michigan for her Master of Sciences in Orthodontics.
She served for 12 years as a clinical instructor at the University of Michigan Department of Orthodontics while maintaining a large private practice in orthodontics in Ann Arbor, Michigan. During that time, she also served 6 years on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Association of Orthodontists and was the 2002-2004 President of the Michigan Orthodontic Alumni Association.
In 2003, Dr. Walton sold her private practice and relocated to Cary, North Carolina in order to be closer to family and to enjoy the milder winters. She enjoys running, yoga, adventure, travel and her two Jack Russell Terriers, Rudy and Lucy. Dr. Walton is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics (see www.americanboardortho.com for more information) and a member of the American Association of Orthodontists.
Michelle Richardson Practice Manager
Michelle was born in Fairmont, NC. She moved to the RTP area in 1994. Michelle has over a decade of administrative experience in the orthodontic field and is certified in dental radiology. She loves being the practice manager with such a great team and has been with Dr. Walton since 2003. Michelle recently became Mrs. Herman Richardson in July of 2008. Michelle likes to shop, travel, and spend quality time with her family and her chihuahua, Peanut.
Nancy Keim Appointment Coordinator
Nancy was born and raised on Long Island, New York. She is married and has three children. Nancy first met Dr. Walton in 2003 when her daughter became a patient. Since then her older son has been a patient and her younger son will soon follow. She joined Dr. Walton's staff in January 2005. She loves the friendly office atmosphere and talking with patients. In her free time she enjoys baking (especially anything containing chocolate), sewing, and reading. She also has been known to solve a crossword or cryptoquote when relaxing.
Niki Atkins Clinical Assistant
Niki lives in Raleigh and trained to become an orthodontic assistant in the office where she had orthodontic treatment. She has over 6 years of experience as an orthodontic assistant and is certified in dental radiology. Niki has a pug named Puglsy and a miniature English bulldog named Addy and often comes to the office with hilarious stories about their shenanigans. Niki loves to shop and be around her family and friends.
Vicki Schoch Clinical Assistant
Vicki is originally from Santa Barbara, California and moved to Raleigh 12 years ago. She is involved with a new church in the Brier Creek area where she works in the nursery. Vicki has been married since August of 2006 and in her free time enjoys working out and spending time with her family and friends.
Amber Durham Clinical Assistant
Amber moved to the Raleigh area from Greenville, SC in 2008 She has five years of combined orthodontic experience. She also has 2 years experience in orthodontic appliance fabrication. She looks forward to her future at Dr. Walton's office and in the Raleigh area.
Amy Trice Clinical Assistant
Amy Trice is originally from Durham, NC. Amy has one daughter, Shaughnessey, who is a rising high school freshman. Amy has been working for Dr. Walton since 2007, but has been in Orthodontics for eight years. She is a current student at Strayer University and is looking to pursue a career in Dental Management. Amy likes to read, roller skate, bake, and spend time with family and friends during her spare time.
Ashley Porter Clinical Assistant
Ashley is originally from Winston-Salem, North Carolina and is currently attending NC State University. Ashley is a Senior at NC State majoring in Zoology with a concentration in pre-dentistry. She is currently undergoing the application process to hopefully attend dental school in the fall of 2009. Ashley is involved not only with the wolfpack club, but is President of the pre-dental club, and is an outreach advisor for the CALS Ambassador program at NC State. She also teaches a computer science lab at NC State that focuses on introduction to computer programs and webdesign which has helped her to assist in designing Dr.Walton's webpage! In her free time she enjoys cooking, reading, swimming, scuba-diving, and spending time with her family and friends.
Laura Andrews Clinical Assistant
Laura Andrews is originally from Chapel Hill, NC and is currently attending NC State University. She is a pre-dental student, majoring in German with a concentration in science and technology and minoring in Spanish and Biology. She is Vice-President of NC State's pre-dental club and enjoys traveling, babysitting, and walking her beagle Bruce in her spare time.
Alyse Dason Clinical Assistant
Alyse is from Knightdale, NC. She graduated from North Carolina State University in May 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Nutrition and a minor in Spanish. She is certified in dental radiology and has been working with Dr. Walton for 3 years. Following four years as a member of the NC State Dance Team, Alyse is currently a member of the Carolina Hurricanes Eye Care Associates Storm Squad and spends much of her free time dancing and running. Alyse recently moved to Boston this summer and shas now started dental school at Tufts University.
Kelly Higgins Clinical Assistant
Kelly, originally from San Jose, CA, is a freshman at UNC dental school and a recent graduate of NCSU. At NCSU she was very involved with Catholic Campus Ministries, American Association of Textile Colorists, and Habitat for Humanity. Kelly is a sports enthusiast who has even represented the USA in an international collegiate volleyball invitational. You can often hear her singing throughout the office or just chatting about her other hobbies: food and travel.
Dana Summers Sterilization Technician
Dana was born in La Jolla, California, but moved to Cary, North Carolina, 13 years ago. She is attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hilll and is majoring in Chemistry. Dana has learned a number of tasks essential to the orthodontic environment including sterilization, chair side assisting, lab techniques, and administration. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Alyse and her sister participating in the Riverwood Triathalon!
Staff playing putt-putt at the Putt-Putt Fun Center
Team 
Out to Lunch!
Dr. Walton and Alyse particpating in the Friesen 5K.
Becky and Alyse at the Friesen 5K. 
Dr. Walton, Nancy & Michelle enjoying food at the State Fair!
The Hurricanes!
Dr. Walton was one of the sponsors of the 2007 Friesen 5K.