Maribeth
Patient Care Ambassador
Maribeth is Back!
They say lightning never strikes twice in the same place — but we’re thrilled to say it has!
After a 20-year hiatus, Maribeth has returned and reclaimed her throne as the welcoming face and friendly voice of Starfish Dental Care. She’ll be the first smiling face you see when you arrive and the last warm voice you hear as you leave.
With her infectious personality, genuine warmth, and joyful spirit, Maribeth brings efficiency and heartfelt care to every interaction. Patients absolutely love her — and she knows everyone! We’re incredibly proud to have her back representing our practice.
Maribeth is especially proud to support our patient-focused, no-pressure approach to care. When she’s not in the office, you’ll find her happiest at the beach (so if you have an appointment on a beautiful sunny day, just tell her it’s raining!). Her favorite role is being “Auntie” to her many nieces and nephews. She and her boyfriend Brian love spending long weekends camping across Virginia and North Carolina, enjoying nature, hikes, and campfires.
Please join me in welcoming Maribeth back to Starfish Dental Care!
Saranya (Eve)
Registered Dental Hygenist
Saranya (Eve) joined Starfish Dental in 2025 and quickly became a favorite among patients for her genuine warmth, compassion, and empathetic approach to care.
A proud Virginia Beach native, Eve earned her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from Old Dominion University. Now entering her second decade of practice, she continues to elevate her skills through advanced continuing education while enthusiastically embracing the latest technological advancements in dentistry.
Eve’s self-starter mindset and dedication to excellence are evident in the way she has mastered and perfected our new GBT Airflow cleaning system, significantly enhancing the patient experience. She credits her time at Starfish Dental with giving her the freedom to grow both personally and professionally in an environment that truly prioritizes individualized patient care over production quotas.
Eve has seamlessly become part of the Starfish family and finds great joy in building meaningful, personal connections with every patient she meets. She would love the opportunity to welcome you and your family to our practice.
When she’s not in the office, Eve enjoys traveling with her family, staying active and healthy, and cherishing time with her son.
Lori
Dental Hygienist & Team Leader
Lori has been by Dr. Zapatero's side for over 34 years—she was his very first hire when the practice opened in 1992! Starting as a dental assistant in those early days, she later earned her dental hygiene degree from Old Dominion University before realizing her true passion was right where she began: chairside assisting and delivering exceptional patient care.
Her unmatched loyalty and versatility have allowed Lori to excel in nearly every role in the office over the decades. As our team leader, she guides us with quiet expertise and a joyful spirit—patients always comment on her genuine smile and how much she clearly loves what she does.
We're incredibly fortunate to have Lori's steady presence helping create the warm, patient-centered environment we're known for.
At home, Lori is married to Steve, and they have two wonderful children, Kyle and Kacy, plus a beautiful Rottweiler who rules the roost. In their free time, the family loves escaping to their beach house on Hatteras Island, soaking up the Outer Banks sunshine and making memories together.
Lisa
Lead Dental Hygienist
A lifelong Virginia Beach native and Cox High School graduate, Lisa holds Bachelor of Science degrees in both Business Finance and Dental Hygiene from Old Dominion University. After 15 successful years in residential real estate—helping families find their perfect homes—she followed her curiosity into dental hygiene in 2011, joining Starfish Dental Care in 2020
Lisa loves continuing education and stays at the forefront of hygiene technology. She is a graduate of advanced Dental Hygiene courses at the prestigious L.D. Pankey Institute, where she trained on the innovative EMS Airflow Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) system—and proudly introduced this gentle, effective technology to our practice. Maintaining the highest standards of patient care and professional ethics is at the core of everything she does.
Her warm, relationship-focused approach makes her a perfect fit for our no-lecture, patient-first philosophy—helping patients achieve optimal oral health with comfort and confidence.
Recently, Lisa became a proud grandmother to little Archer—adding even more joy to her life! She's married to David, and together they have three children: Abigail, Zachary, and daughter-in-law Meghan. Their home is kept lively by two energetic Cairn Terriers, Finley and Oliver.
Lisa gives back through community service —building many lasting friendships along the way. In her free time, she loves traveling, reading, hiking, biking, and peaceful sunrise walks on the beach.
Dr. Dag Zapatero, DDS
Doctor
A graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, Dr. Zapatero has dedicated over 30-plus years to advancing the art and science of dentistry. He has been consistently recognized as one of "America's Top Dentists" and honored twice by the Journal of Dental Technology as a leader in the profession.
Dr. Zapatero stands among an elite group of general dentists with rare distinctions, including:
- Fellowship and Mastership from the Academy of General Dentistry
- Two Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition (LLSR) Awards—one of the highest honors in continuing education (very few dentists earn even one)
- Visiting faculty and one of only 60 international Pankey Scholars at the L.D. Pankey Institute
- Adjunct faculty member at the UNC School of Dentistry
- At-large member of the Virginia Dental Association's Legislative Committee
He is especially proud of his selection as a Fellow in the prestigious American College of Dentists, an honor limited to just 3.5% of dentists nationwide.
With this depth of expertise, Dr. Zapatero brings a thoughtful, no-lecture approach to every patient—prioritizing lasting results, genuine relationships, and your comfort above all.