Arva O.  Lumpkin, DMD

Professional Education

• B.S.  Howard University, Microbiology
• D.M.D.  Medical College of Georgia
• Post Graduate Esthetic Continuum, UCLA School of Dentistry

Dr. Arva O. Lumpkin, a native of Savannah, Georgia and has been in private practice since 1986.  She has completed courses both nationally and internationally in cosmetic and restorative dentistry and continues to seek out the best training on the latest treatment methods in these areas.  Highly dedicated to patient care, she is a member of several organizations founded with a commitment to excellence in cosmetic and general dentistry.  A leader in organized dentistry, she has held key positions in the Georgia Dental Association as Peer Review Chairman for the Northwest District of the state and member of the Ethics Committee.  Dr.  Lumpkin became a pioneer in Cobb County when she opened her private practice and became the first African-American dentist in Cobb County.  She is active in the community and has held a seat on the Board of Directors of the Tommy Nobis Center and the Advisory Board of Charter Bank and Trust, now the Bank of North Georgia.

Dr. Lumpkin is an active member of numerous professional organizations, to include the American Dental Association, National Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Georgia Dental Society and the Thomas Hinman Society. She is also a graduate of Leadership Cobb.  The doctor's extracurricular activities also extend beyond our national borders to a dental clinic in Costa Rica.  She set up the clinic for a personal friend and owner of a coffee plantation in Costa Rica.  The plantation, highly respected in the coffee industry as producers of "the most finely prepared coffee in the world". The Clinic is named the "Henry Laprade Wissel Clinica Medica y Dental de la Hacienda La Minita". It is located about forty miles SW of San Jose, Costa Rica in a mountainous small town named Bustamonte.  The clinic serves the workers of Hacienda La Minita plantation.  You are invited to visit the coffee plantation web site http://www.laminita.com.

Dr. Lumpkin resides in Smyrna with her husband, three children and a Portuguese Water Dog.

Young Yim, Registered Dental Hygenist

Born and raised in South Korea, Young Yim majored in education and taught elementary aged children for 3 years before moving to the United States.  She came directly to Atlanta, GA to study and has lived here for 10 years.  She graduated from Georgia Perimeter Collage as a Dental Hygienist in 2005 and while there was awarded the Hinman Scholarship.

Young loves traveling, reading travel magazines, and experiencing a variety cultures.  She is married and she and her husband Ken have two young children, Katie and Nathan.

Jeanne Carroll, Registered Dental Hygenist

Jeanne Carroll was born in Michigan and raised outside Ottawa, Canada.  She attended Louisiana Tech University, and in 1987 relocated to Memphis, Tennessee.  While in Tennessee, she completed her certification in dental assisting.  Having had a love for dentistry and working in the field for many years, her dream of becoming a dental hygienist became a reality.  In 2008 she graduated with honors from West Central Technical College in Douglasville, GA.  She received the Colgate Star Student Award for focusing on excellent patient care and community service.

Jeanne is the proud mother of two awesome teenagers.  During her spare time she enjoys reading biographies, hiking, biking, water skiing and camping.  She is also a member of Toastmasters International where she hones her public speaking skills for lectures to the local medical community.

Darlene Upton, Clinical Assistant

Born in Mississippi, Darlene has lived in seven states throughout her life.  Her dental career is extensive with training and work experience in many of those states.  Darlene has a tremendous background in all phases of dentistry and especially loves the time that she spends directly with patient treatment.

She recently returned to Georgia to be close to two wonderful grandsons and other family.  Joining the team at Vinings Center for Dentistry has been especially rewarding since she is able to utilize new technology coupled with years of experience.  She is a dedicated team member and is great at her job.

Barbara Koplin, Patient Services Manager

Barbara Koplin has worked in dentistry since February 2000.  She began working in a pediatric / orthodontic practice in the state of New Jersey as a Patient Coordinator and went on to become Operations Manager.  She relocated to Atlanta almost 2 years ago when her husband received a transfer to Georgia with his company.  She feels quite fortunate to have found her current position at Vinings Center for Dentistry where she handles the day to day activities of the business office.

Barbara and her husband Kevin have been married for 28 years.  They have two wonderful adult children, one precious grand-daughter and a wonderful son-in law.  She enjoys reading, cooking and spending time with her family.

Kelvin Knight, Insurance Coordinator

Kelvin Knight, a native of Middle Georgia, now residing in West Cobb with his wife and three children.  Kelvin brings over ten years experience in the dental field.  As insurance coordinator, he is able to research and answer questions concerning patient plan benefits.  "It is a great service to our patients when I am able to help them understand and maximize any benefits that they may have."  I am very excited to work with a Doctor as caring and as knowledgeable as Dr. Lumpkin.  I have had the opportunity to work in a wide range of dental practices from Athens, GA to Miami, FL, and I am proud to call Vinings Center for Dentistry my new home."