Smoky Mountain Dentistry Team Members

Meet Our Dentists
Dr. Milas Ferguson Dr. Ferguson is originally from Waynesville, graduating form Tuscola High in 1967. He received a degree in Chemistry from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He then attended Dental School at Chapel Hill where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1975. He participated in a General Practice Residency at Philadelphia General Hospital from 1975 to 1976. In October of 1976 he and his wife Patty moved back to Waynesville and opened his practice, where he has practiced for 31 years. Dr. Ferguson enhances his education and training by attending continuing education courses and seminars, and by reading and researching the latest in dental technology. Dr. Ferguson has severed as President of the United Fund and on the Haywood County Board of Health. He has been a Deputy Examiner for the North Carolina Dental Board. Dr. Ferguson is also an Associate Professor at the UNC Dental School, where he teaches dental students in the clinical setting. He is member of the Western North Carolina Dental Society, the First District Dental Society, North Carolina Dental Society, and the American Dental Association. Dr. Ferguson has three daughters; Elizabeth, Sarah, and Rebecca. Elizabeth is a practicing dentist in Waynesville, Sarah has her Doctorate of Physical Therapy and travels around the United States, and Rebecca is currently working for Quintils, a pharmaceutical testing company in Research Triangular Park. In his free time, Dr. ‘Skipper’ Ferguson enjoys reading, traveling, and watching Tar Heel basketball. Go Heels!
Dr. Elizabeth Ferguson Dr. Elizabeth Ferguson was born and raised in Waynesville. She graduated from Tuscola High School. She attended University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she excelled in Art and Biology. After graduating with a degree in Biology, she worked at Duke University in genetic research before entering Dental School at UNC. While at UNC, Dr. Ferguson gained experience in all aspects of dentistry, but excelled in cosmetic dentistry and prosthodontics. While pursing her dental degree at UNC she met her future husband, Dr. Jed Lambert. They moved back to Waynesville and joined the practice of Dr. Milas Ferguson, making Smoky Mountain Dentistry a family affair. Dr. Elizabeth Ferguson enjoys the outdoors, hiking and camping. In her free time she loves to travel and visit art museums. Dr. Ferguson spoils her only child, Denali, a Great Pyrenees dog. She too, like the rest of her family, is a huge Tar Heel fan!
Dr. Jed Lambert Dr. Jed Lambert is originally from Natchitoches, Louisiana, a small town in the middle of the state. After completing his final two years of high school at the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts, Dr. Lambert enrolled at North Carolina State University. While there, he pursued a degree in biology while working several part time jobs. During this time, he began working for an orthodontic practice that eventually steered him towards dentistry as a career. Dr. Lambert then traded his NC State red for UNC blue when he attended the University of North Carolina Dental School, where he graduated with honors with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree. While at UNC, Dr. Lambert gained experience in all aspects of dentistry, but excelled in prosthodontics and implant dentistry. He has completed over 100 hours of continuing education and has presented many topics to different student groups at the UNC School of Dentistry. He is member of the Western North Carolina Dental Society, the First District Dental Society, North Carolina Dental Society, and the America Dental Association. Dr. Lambert enjoys the outdoors and along with Elizabeth, likes to spend time hiking and camping. He is a recreational runner that enjoys 5 and 10K races. Being from Louisiana, Dr. Lambert enjoys trying to cook authentic Cajun and Soul food dishes.
Meet Our Hygenists
Patty Ferguson Patty is originally from Miami, Florida. She attended Palm Beach Junior College for dental hygiene in 1973 where she received “Outstanding Clinician Award.” She continued her education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and entered the Dental Auxiliary Teacher Education program. She taught dental hygiene at UNC-Chapel Hill, Clayton College in Atlanta, Georgia, and University of Pennsylvania. Patty was also a Radiology Certification Instructor at A.B. Tech in Asheville, and a deputy examiner for the North Carolina State Board for Hygiene. Patty has been married to Dr. Milas Ferguson for 32 years and has practiced dental hygiene with him for 30 years in Waynesville, NC. She has three daughters, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Rebecca. All three girls attended and graduated from UNC-Go Heels! Patty enjoys piano, gardening, swimming, and traveling. She is a member of St. John’s Church in Waynesville.
Julie Lovett Julie is a native of Waynesville, North Carolina. She graduated from AB Tech in 1990 with an Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene. Julie has worked with Dr. Milas Ferguson for 16 years, starting in March 1991. Julie is married to David and has one daughter, Tori. Her interests are mainly in music and voice. She is currently serving as music director as Ninevah Baptist Church. Julie also enjoys traveling and her favorite place to visit is the beach.
Kristen Ann Smith Kristen is a native of Haywood County. After completing the dental assisting program, she went on to obtain her Associate of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene from AB-Tech in 2003. Kristen worked in Waynesville and Asheville before joining Smoky Mountain Dentistry in November 2007 as a full time hygienist. In her free time, Kristen enjoys gardening, growing orchids, and horseback riding. She also stays active in boxing, mixed martial arts, and running.
Meet Our Dental Assistants
Doris White Cathey Doris was born in Norfolk, Virginia and lived briefly on the Outer Banks of North Carolina before her family moved north. She lived 3 years in New York, 27 years in New Jersey and 8 years in Pennsylvania before moving back to North Carolina in 1994. She and family currently reside in Bethel. Doris has been working in the dental field for 33 years. She worked the first 20 years as an Orthodontic Assistant. She received her Dental Radiography training and certification at Bergan Technical College in Hackensack, N.J. and her Dental Assistant training at the College of Medicine and Dentistry in Newark, N.J. She is certified by the Dental Assisting National Board. She has worked for Dr. Milas Ferguson for over 12 years and is excited to be joining the Smoky Mountain Dentistry Team. Doris is married with two children. She is an active member of Piney Grove United Methodist Church. Her interests include Girl Scouts, antiques and gardening.
Tabitha Hartley Tabitha and her family moved to WNC in July of 2006. She is originally from Cape Town, South Africa, and spent the last 30 years in Contra Costa County in California (About 35 miles east of San Francisco). Tabitha entered into the health care industry as a dental assistant in 1991. She completed her education, passed her board exams in 1992, and has been a registered dental assistant ever since. Her experiences include all phases of general dentistry, as well as time spent in specialty fields including orthodontics, oral surgery, prothsodontics, and cosmetic dentistry. In her free time, Tabitha enjoys spending time with her horses, showing her Dobermans, reading, making soaps and incense and playing MMORG computer games.
Stefanie Mauldin Stefanie is originally from Albemarle, North Carolina and moved here with her family in December 1999. She currently resides in Maggie Valley. Stefanie first joined our practice in January 2008. She is our newest dental assistant and is very excited to be a part of Smoky Mountain Dentistry. Stefanie enjoys snowboarding and playing video games. She is also a huge Star Wars fan!
Meet Our Front Office
Debra Chastain Debbie is a Western North Carolina native, born in Andrews, NC and currently lives Sylva. She graduated from Sylva-Webster High School. She began working in dentistry with Dr. James Herren and was trained both as the Office Manger and a dental assistant. After taking time off with her children, she re-entered the dental field at Jackson County Health Department Dental Clinic, where she meet Dr. Elizabeth Ferguson. Together with Dr. Ferguson they served and treated many individuals in Western North Carolina. Debbie joined Smoky Mountain Dentistry just before the move to the new building. You will meet Debbie’s smiling face at the front desk. Debbie is married with two children, Andrew and Samantha. She is an active member and organizer of Relay for Life in Jackson County.
Betty Cozart Hawkins Betty is originally from Richmond, Virginia and the Outer Banks of North Carolina where she lived for 25 years before moving to Waynesville, North Carolina 4 years ago. Betty worked a short time in the dental field many years ago. Her expertise is the accounting and the business field. She took early retirement from the Town of Kill Devil Hills where she was an accountant for 22 years. She became a patient of Dr. Ferguson’s three years ago and now has joined our fine family of Doctors and staff as the front desk receptionist. Betty is married and she and her husband Dickie have four daughters, Nicole, Candace, Ronda, and Cynthia. They also have three grandchildren, Ariel, Jessica and Nathan. Betty enjoys watching NASCAR races on TV and she in years past attended race tracks to watch the races live. She also enjoys watching college and NBA basketball, softball, baseball, reading and going to the beach. Her ambition one day would be able to travel.