Dental Staff

Remember when you were this happy about your dental visit?

Colony Dental Care has been blessed with the most AMAZING dental team and we want to make you happy about your smile. Our team maintains the highest levels of accreditation and pursues ongoing education to stay abreast of the latest trends in dentistry. The brief descriptions below are designed to familiarize you with our training, professional credentials, and work experience as well as a little bit of fun trivia.

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  • Steve McIntrye, D.D.S.

    Dr. G. S. McIntyre, Jr. was born in Vidalia, Georgia but very early moved with his family to Fitzgerald, Georgia where he was raised. He is a 1962 graduate of Fitzgerald High School, a 1964 graduate of South Georgia College, and a 1968 graduate of Emory University School of Dentistry.

    Colony Dental opened in 1968 as a solo general dentistry practice. After 27 years, Dr. McIntyre welcomed his daughter, Dr. Leah Cook, and her husband, Dr. Hank Cook, into the practice. They continue to practice together at the original Colony Dental Care office in downtown Fitzgerald.

    Serving his community was an important facet of life for Dr. McIntyre. He was a member of the Fitzgerald City Council, Fitzgerald City School Board, Fitzgerald Rotary Club, and past president of the Fitzgerald Chamber of Commerce. He continues to support economic development and other community projects in Fitzgerald. Dr. McIntyre keeps current his memberships in the American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, and the Southwest District Dental Association.

    Dr. McIntyre lives in Fitzgerald with his wife, Beth. He is an active member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Fitzgerald. When not practicing dentistry, he is following his passion of working to improve the land and use it wisely. This passion includes his ownership of McIntyre Turf with his son Chris and his newest venture, blueberry farming at Anna’s Garden.   

  • Hank Cook, D.M.D.

    Dr. Hank Cook was born in Fitzgerald, Georgia, and graduated from Fitzgerald High School in 1986. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in business and in 1995 graduated from the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry. Dr. Cook has practiced dentistry at Colony Dental Care in Fitzgerald since graduation from dental school. He practices with his father-in-law, Dr. Steve McIntyre, and his wife, Dr. Leah Cook.

    Dr. Cook is currently a member of the American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, and the Southwest Dental District Association. He has served as president of the Southwest District, and he currently serves on the Georgia Dental Insurance Services Board of the Georgia Dental Association. Dr. Cook has been awarded an honorable fellowship from the Georgia Dental Association and a fellowship of the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Dr. Cook is also a member of the International College of Dentistry and a board member in the Fitzgerald Branch of Colony Bank.

    Dr. Hank lives in Fitzgerald with his wife, Dr. Leah Cook, and their twins, Samuel and Anna. He is very involved in his hometown community and attends First Baptist Church in Fitzgerald, Georgia.

  • Leah M. Cook, D.M.D.

    Dr. Leah Cook was born in Fitzgerald, Georgia and graduated from Fitzgerald High School in 1989. After three years at the University of Georgia, she graduated and moved to Augusta to attend dental school. In the spring of 1996, Dr. Cook graduated from the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry. Both Drs. Cook owned a dental practice for fifteen years in Rochelle, Georgia. Since 1996, Dr. Cook has also been in practice at Colony Dental Care with her husband, Dr. Hank Cook, and her father, Dr. Steve McIntyre.

    Dr. Leah Cook is a member of the American Dental Association, the Georgia Dental Association, and the Southwest Georgia Dental Association. She served as the district and state Children’s Dental Health Month Chairman. Dr. Cook has been awarded a fellowship with the Pierre Fauchard Academy and is a member of the American Academy of Facial Esthetics.

    From the early age of ten, Dr. Leah spent as much time as possible in her father’s dental office. She had the opportunity to witness many dental procedures. The most important lesson learned from Dr. McIntyre was to treat every person the way you would like to be treated. Dr. Leah lives in Fitzgerald with her husband, Dr. Hank Cook, and their twins, Anna and Samuel. She is a member of First Baptist Church in Fitzgerald.

  • Jennifer Clark
    Registered Dental Hygienist

    Jennifer graduated from Darton College in 1989 with a degree in Dental Hygiene and is still enjoying her job. She was given the opportunity to join the Colony Dental Care team as the office manager in 2007. In 2020, after 13 years, Jennifer began using her degree as a dental hygienist again and loves working one on one with patients. She loves every single aspect of our dental office.  Her motto is simple: treat others the way you want to be treated.

    Jennifer lives on a farm in Rochelle, Georgia with her husband, Ken, and a menagerie of animals. She loves raising chickens and gathering their eggs. Jennifer is a prepper, a painter, and loves to read when time allows. She is in her element when she’s in the country. Oh, and yes, she does floss every day.  

  • Charity Wilkerson
    Certified Expanded Duties Dental Assistant

    Charity joined the Colony Dental Care team in 1997 as a dental assistant and later received her Certification as an Expanded Duties Dental Assistant. She truly enjoys assisting our doctor team with our patient’s dental needs.

    Charity lives in Fitzgerald with her husband, Billy and son, Caden. In her time away from Colony Dental Care, Charity enjoys spending time with her family, playing with her grandson, Noah, and working out at the local gym.   

  • LeighAnn Hendley
    Certified Expanded Duties Assistant / Hygiene Coordinator

     LeighAnn joined the Colony Dental Care team as a Certified Dental Assistant in 2001. Her role in the practice is to assist the dental hygienist with their needs as well as occasionally assisting the doctors. She helps with scheduling and other front office duties as well. LeighAnn’s favorite part of the position is the fun interaction with patients as well as the Colony Dental Care team.

    LeighAnn lives in Fitzgerald with her husband, Michael, children, Lane and Lucy Belle, and their doggie family...Poppy, Pippy, and Honey Jane. She is a member of Crossview Baptist Church. In her time away from the office, LeighAnn loves spending time with family and friends and participating in Crossfit.

  • Vanessa Cleghorn
    Certified Expanded Duties Dental Assistant

    Vanessa became a part of the Colony Dental Care team in 2006 as a dental assistant and later received her Certification as an Expanded Duties Dental Assistant. She always makes sure that every patient knows they are top priority, and that they made a good decision in choosing our team for their dental needs.

    Vanessa lives in Fitzgerald with her husband, Chris, daughter, Addi, and their dog, Ryder, and kitten, Dolly. In her fun time, Vanessa enjoys spending time with her family and hanging out with friends. She is a member of Maxfit in Fitzgerald where she enjoys working out.

  • Cathy Smith, R.D.H.
    Office Manager

    Cathy graduated from Darton College with a degree in Dental Hygiene in 1996 and joined the Colony Dental Care team as a dental hygienist. In 2020, she was given the opportunity to take on the role as Office Manager. Cathy has enjoyed being able to greet and interact with patients as they come through the door. Throughout her career at Colony Dental Care, Cathy has met so many wonderful people that she has learned to love and respect.

    Cathy lives in Fitzgerald with her husband, Gary. Together they own and operate Smith’s Appliance and Parts. Cathy is an active member of Arbor Baptist Church in Fitzgerald where she participates in the choir and praise band. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring vintage markets, antiquing, North Georgia mountain trips, and shopping with her granddaughter, Addi.  

  • Donna Kunkler
    Registered Dental Hygienist

    Donna is a Fitzgerald native and has been a part of the Colony Dental Care team since 2003. She graduated from the DeKalb College Dental Hygiene program in 1990 and has currently been practicing for 32 years. Donna has formed many special relationships with her patients and is passionate about ensuring her patients receive top quality care and have an enjoyable dental experience.

    Donna lives in Fitzgerald with her husband, Dan. She loves spending time with her amazing family and enjoys reading, interior design, shopping, and resistance training.

  • Theresa Kegebein
    Registered Dental Hygienist

     In 1983, Theresa graduated from the Medical College of Georgia with a degree in Dental Hygiene. She joined the Colony Dental team in 1989. What Theresa enjoys most is developing relationships with her patients and helping them with their oral care needs.

    Theresa lives in Fitzgerald with her husband, Tim and their dogs, Rufus and Buddy. She is a member of Fitzgerald Church of God. When not at Colony Dental Care, Theresa enjoys reading, fishing with her husband, spending time in her yard, mountain trips, and playing with Rufus and Buddy. She is also very passionate about applique and monogramming.  

  • Laine Tucker
    Insurance and Financial Coordinator

    Laine joined the Colony Dental Care team in 2004 as a Certified Dental Assistant. In 2013, she was given the opportunity to take on the role as Insurance and Financial Coordinator.

    Laine lives in Alapaha, Georgia with her husband, Jody, and their extended animal family. When not in the office, Laine enjoys fun times with her 5 grandchildren, Aiden, Mikah, Korra, Ella, Kenzie, and the rest of her family.  

  • Alejandra Ramos
    Certified Expanded Duties Dental Assistant/Spanish Translator

    Ale joined the Colony Dental Care team as a dental assistant in 2011 and later received her Certification as an Expanded Duties Dental Assistant. She is bilingual and assists our Spanish-speaking patients in understanding everything associated with their dental needs, from the first phone call to the final check-out process.

    Ale lives in Fitzgerald with her parents and Max, her kitty cat. When away from the office, Ale enjoys spending fun times with her family, attending music concerts, and learning new family recipes from her mom.

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Office Hours

Monday:

8:00 am-4:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-1:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-4:00 pm

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed