Dentists – Greenbelt, MD

Four Generations of Dental History in Greenbelt, Maryland

The town of Greenbelt was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1997. It is one of three planned communities that were created during the Great Depression as part of the New Deal to house low income families. Championed by Eleanor Roosevelt, the residences constructed in a park-like setting adjacent to a town center are remarkably preserved today. The Federal Government implemented a health insurance plan with salaried physicians and hired two physicians and one dentist to serve its population. The town dentist was the only private practitioner.

Dr. James W. McCarl, who graduated dental school in 1924, applied for and was appointed to serve as dentist for the town of Greenbelt in May of 1938. He practiced dentistry at the original location, 30 Ridge Road until 1955 when he purchased 28A and 28B Ridge Road.

Dr. J. Taylor McCarl joined his father in practice in 1955. He and his father practiced dentistry in one half of the 28 Ridge Road building. He lived in the other half of the duplex with his wife and children for a short time. Dr. J. Taylor McCarl practiced dentistry until 1988.

Dr. Clayton McCarl Sr. joined his father and brother in 1956. They remodeled 28 Ridge Road to make one large dental building. The three practiced together for 11 years, until Dr. James W. McCarl’s death in 1967. Dr. Clayton McCarl Sr. and Dr. J. Taylor McCarl practiced together for a total of 32 years. Dr. Clayton McCarl Sr. was the President of the Maryland State Dental Association in 1981 as his father had been in 1944. Dr Clayton McCarl, Sr. retired from dentistry in 1998.

Today, Clayton 's sons Dr. Clayton McCarl, Jr. of Millersville and Dr. Jay McCarl of Annapolis, and his daughter Sally McCarl-Moore of Crofton and granddaughter Ashley McCarl Harrison of Millersville, continue the family dental office along with cousin Dr. David J. McCarl of Ellicott City, Dr. J. Taylor McCarl's son.

In May 2003 the third generation of McCarl’s opened a second location for their dental office at the Shipley’s Choice Medical Center in Millersville, Maryland.

As families grow, they welcome new members. What started as a part-time, high school job as a dental assistant for Dianna Lee has grown to a full partnership in our Greenbelt dental office. While working at the Greenbelt dental office, Dr. Dianna Thorstensen known to her patients as Dr. Lee went on to award winning degrees at the University of Maryland College Park and the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.

Our All-Star Dental Team

From the front desk to the back office, the people behind The McCarl Dental Group all have a passion for making your experience comfortable and relaxing.

Our hygienists are exceptional! Lead by Sally McCarl Moore, who graduated from the University of Maryland baccalaureate dental hygiene program and has worked with her two brothers and cousin since 1980. Ashley McCarl Harrison graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry School of Dental Hygiene in 2013. Ashley is the fourth generation from the McCarl family to graduate from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.

All of our hygienists attend continuing education programs regularly to stay current with the latest techniques and information to help keep your smile as healthy as possible. Your routine hygiene visit is vital in maintaining your dental health.

All of our dental assistants are required to pursue ongoing certification and training. More than ten of our assistants have gone on to hygiene and dental school. It is always exciting when our employees return to McCarl Dental Group with advanced degrees.