Meet our Team!

Dr. Antonio S. Braithwaite (“Dr. Antonio”) grew up in New York City before coming to the Tar Heel State and receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill while majoring in Public Health Nutrition.

Following college Dr. Antonio attended dental school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with Honors. After completing Dental school, Dr. Antonio earned his Master of Public Health degree from the UNC School of Public Health while completing a three-year residency in pediatric dentistry at the University of North Carolina Children’s Hospital and the UNC School of Dentistry. Dr. Antonio is a member of the North Carolina Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the North Carolina Dental Society, and the American Dental Association.

Outside the practice of Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Antonio stays active and enjoys traveling, swimming, watching Tarheel sports, and spending time with his wife Mary, their three children, family, and friends.

Dr. Brandon Knockum (“Dr. Brandon”) was born and raised in New Orleans, LA.

Dr. Brandon earned his Bachelor’s degree with Honors from Morehouse College.  Following college, he moved to North Carolina to attend Dental School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While in dental school Dr. Brandon participated in various organizations that provided dental care to underserved populations in NC and around the world. After graduating from dental school Dr. Brandon completed his training in Pediatric Dentistry at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.

In his free time, Dr. Brandon enjoys traveling, reading, watching football, working out, and spending time with family and friends.

Dr. Nicole H. Nelson (Dr. Nicole) is a native of Cleveland Ohio.

Dr. Nicole earned her Bachelor's degree from Miami University in Oxford Ohio. After college, she attended Dental School and completed her Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency training program at Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Nicole has a commitment to public health and she also has earned a Master of Public Health degree from Cleveland State University. Prior to joining us at SPD, for more than ten years, she served as dental director at a federally qualified health center and as a clinical instructor at CWRU. Dr. Nelson is a general dentist who enjoys restoring smiles. She will be exclusively treating our fast-growing teenage population who need adult dental care services.

Dr. Chad Hannibal (Dr. Chad) is from Brooklyn, NY but grew up on the Caribbean Island of Grenada.

He earned his bachelor's degree from Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, NY. Following college, he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the Meharry School of Dentistry in Tennessee.  Following dental school, he enrolled in his post-doctoral specialty training program in Pediatric Dentistry in Brooklyn N.Y.

Jamie was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala. At the age of 3, her family moved to California. They then moved to Sanford, NC when she was 10. She graduated from Lee Senior High School and attended CCCC for Cosmetology. She enjoys spending time with her daughters Hailey and Sophia during her free time.

Denise was born and raised in Panama. She moved to North Carolina at the age of 17. She has over 18 years of dental experience including: adult and pediatric dentistry and oral surgery. She enjoys spending time with her daughter and friends. Her hobbies include yoga, reading and journaling.

Born and raised in Sanford, Michelle started her journey at SPD in 2025. She graduated from CCCC with a Medical Office Administration Associates Degree and Office Administration Diploma. She enjoys spending her free time reading, gaming and traveling to visit family. 

Lisset is a young lady from a small town with big dreams and a huge heart! Lisset was born and raised in Robbins, NC. She is a huge Harry Potter and Stitch fan. Her favorite hobbies consist of reading, shopping, and Starbucks runs. Lisset’s favorite moments in life are spent with her husband, family, and fur babies.

Ahtziri started at Sanford Pediatric Dentistry in 2024. She graduated from CCCC with an Associates in Arts. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching movies and spending time with friends. 

Christina was born in Fayetteville, NC.  She graduated from the CCCC Dental Assisting program in 2010.  Christina has worked for Sanford Pediatric Dentistry since 2010 and you may know her from the clinic or in the operating room.  In her free time she enjoys spending time with her 2 kids, traveling, and reading.

Halie was born and raised in North Carolina. She graduated from MCC in 2012 as a DA II. She has been with SPD since 2017. She loves going on trips, cooking and spending time with her family, husband and their dog. 

Katherine was born and raised in Bear Creek, NC. She graduated from UNC- Chapel Hill in 2021 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Dental Hygiene. Katherine enjoys spending time with her son, going to the lake or beach and cooking. 

Liz was born and raised in Sanford, NC.  She is a 2017 graduate from Central Carolina Community College where she received an Associates in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene.   When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, husband and family.  She is a huge traveler and loves going on walks with her dog Coco.

Brittany has been with Sanford Pediatric since 2012! She graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a Bachelors of Science in Dental Hygiene. In her free time, she enjoys baking, traveling with her children and husband and hanging out with family. 

Stephanie was born in Germany, and moved to North Carolina at a young age. Stephanie graduated with honors from Fayetteville Technical Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene in 2017. Stephanie enjoys baking, reading, and spending time with her family.

Teresa was born and raised in Sanford, NC.  She graduated with honors from Central Carolina Community College with an Associate’s in Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene in 2010. She started her journey with SPD in 2014. Aside from work, she enjoys watching her two sons play baseball, reading and going to the beach. 

Kristen grew up as a North Carolina native in Yadkin County and attended Guilford Technical Community College. When Kristen isn't at work making little ones smile she is at home with her Chug (chihuahua/pug), Molly! You can find her most weekends at a tractor pull, race track, or ball game of sorts supporting her siblings.

Dijanai was born and raised in Sanford, NC. She began her career as a dental assistant in 2019. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her twin daughters, her family and friends. She also enjoys traveling to try new restaurants. 

Brenda is a North Carolina Native, raised in a small town called Robbins. She graduated MCC's Dental Assisting Program in 2023 and is excited to make headway in her career! When Brenda isn't at work she can be found spending time with her family; she also loves to shop at Sephora for palettes to compliment her bright personality.

Ashley joined the Sanford Pediatric Dentistry team in 2020 and has been working as a Dental Assistant II since.

Cristina was born and raised in Sanford, North Carolina. She graduated with her Dental Assisting Certification from the Accelerated Dental Academy in Raleigh, NC. She enjoys going out with friends, dancing and getting her makeup done. She loves when she is able to visit her family in Monterrey Nuevo Leon, Mexico. 

Jacky joined the Sanford Pediatric Dentistry team in 2022 and has been working as a Dental Assistant II since.

Jazmin joined the Sanford Pediatric Dentistry team in 2018 and has been working as a Dental Assistant II since.

 Maya joined the Sanford Pediatric Dentistry team in 2022. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with family and trying food places. 

Selina joined the Sanford Pediatric Dentistry team in 2022. In her free time, she enjoys shopping and traveling to Mexico. 

Yoana graduated from the Dental Assisting program at CCCC in 2021. She started her journey at SPD in 2019 as a sterilization tech then in 2023 joined as a DA II. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and going to the beach. 

Sara joined the Sanford Pediatric Dentistry team in 2024 after graduating from the CCCC Dental Assisting program. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband, playing pickleball, and spending time with family and friends. 

Janelle graduated from CCCC with an Associate of Arts in 2017 and then in 2018 graduated from the Dental Assisting program. She started at SPD in 2018. In her free time, she enjoys walks with her husband and dogs, gardening, reading and trying new foods/restaurants. 

Lesly started her journey at Sanford Pediatric Dentistry back 2017 and worked until 2023. She returned to our office in 2025. She enjoys spending her free time watching Formula 1, going to baseball games and collecting cups! 

Amy joined the Sanford Pediatric Dentistry team in 2023. She enjoys spending time with her dog in her free time. 

Rosa was born and raised in Sanford, NC. Rosa graduated from Lee County High School. Go Jackets! Rosa loves her job and enjoys putting a smile on people’s faces.  Rosa likes to spend her free time by hanging out with her family, friends, and dog.

Brenda was born in Los Angeles, CA. When she was 13 her family moved to Sanford, NC. Brenda graduated from Lee Senior High School and proceeded to go to CCCC where she got her cosmetology license. Later she moved to Houston, TX where she resided for twelve years before moving back to be closer to family.  She has three kids whom she loves. Brenda enjoys spending time with her family, going shopping, and going to the mountains.

Micaela was born and raised in North Carolina. She currently resides in Sanford with her family. She has two beautiful sons. In her spare time she enjoy spending time with her family, going to Raven Rock park, and baking. 

Veronica was born in Mexico but raised in California.  She has been living in NC for 20 years.  Veronica has been working in the Dentistry field since 2002 as a Dental Assistant and now with us as a Front Office Assistant since 2015. She enjoys spending time with her children and baking.

Brisa joined the Sanford Pediatric Dentistry team in 2023. She enjoys spending her free time playing soccer, shopping and working on self-care. 

Gisselle joined the Sanford Pediatric Dentistry team in 2024 and has been working as a Bilingual Front Office Assistant since. She has a 3 year old son. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, shopping, coloring and doing her makeup.