Dr. Allan Acton opened Cary Family Dental in 2003 and since that time, has become one of the Triangle’s most accomplished and trusted dentists. He is a graduate of the Virginia Commonwealth Dental School and completed his advanced dental education residency at the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry.
Dr. Acton completed 216 hours of continued education in a nine-month implant continuum at the Triangle Dental Institute in Durham, NC. His training included lectures, workshops, and one-on-one mentoring on implant surgical placement and restoration, associated bone preservation and ridge augmentation grafting, and connective tissue grafting. He is a graduate of the Engel Institute’s guided surgery, hands on training.
Dr. Acton graduated with honors from The Hornbrook Group’s distinguished esthetic training program which included extensive hands on training in smile design and full mouth reconstruction. Dr. Acton is currently only one of several dentists in the state certified to provide DuraTHIN veneer.
Most recently, Dr. Acton received a Fellowship Award from the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI). The ICOI was founded in 1972 and has 12,000 members worldwide in 89 countries. It is the world’s largest dental implant organization, as well as the world’s largest provider of continuing dental implant education and currently has 2,582 active Fellows in the United States. The awarding of Fellowship status is one of the highest honors a professional society, such as the ICOI, can bestow on a dental professional involved in oral implantology. Nominees achieve Fellowship status through their efforts in education, research and actual clinical experiences.
Dr. Acton and Cary Family Dental are also committed to their community. Together, they have raised over $80,000 for the Smiles for Life campaign, an annual four-month long campaign sponsored by the Crown Council that raises money to help children facing serious health and educational problems. The practice also provides free dental health presentations to local preschools and elementary schools to teach children on the basics of proper dental care. Their proudest accomplishment is their annual Dentistry From the Heart event. On this free day of dentistry they see over 150 patients and perform over $60,000 of free dentistry each year.
Dr. Acton is proud of the fact that he graduated 1st in his dental school class… alphabetically.
Dr. Acton is happily married and has an adorable daughter and son.
Dr. Kristin Madden lives in Durham, NC with her boyfriend, Esteban, sommelier and owner of BarBrunello.com, his two daughters, and the newest addition to their family, Coco, an 11-pound Cavapoo.
Both her mom and dad are dentists, making dentistry a part of her DNA. They worked together from the time she finished dental school at UNC School of Dentistry in 2012, up until they retired this past March. Dr. Madden is happy to have found a new family at Cary Family Dental. Her goal is to make you feel like family as well from the moment you step into our office.
Dr. Bryant Wooten was born and raised in Cary, North Carolina. He earned a BS in Biology from UNC Chapel Hill. He then moved to Richmond, VA, where he completed his Doctorate in Dental Surgery at VCU School of Dentistry. His commitment to public health dentistry earned him the National Health Service Corps Scholarship during his tenure at VCU. He then went on to practice at a Federally Qualified Health Center in Philadelphia, PA, while serving as an adjunct professor for Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry. Later, he joined a private practice in Richmond, VA, before making the decision to relocate back to Cary in 2022. He is thrilled to now have the opportunity to serve the community he grew up in.
Dr. Wooten’s treatment philosophy is simple: Treat each patient as if they were a close friend or family member. He understands that each patient has individual needs and loves that this profession allows him to form close, long-term relationships. He possesses a gentle touch and an aptitude for working with patients dealing with anxiety. He also has a special interest and has received extensive training in Invisalign, root canals, and cosmetic dentistry.
Outside of the office, you’ll find him exploring new restaurants, walking his dogs around Bond Park, and spending quality time with his spouse, friends, and family.
Throughout his career, Dr. Van Scoyoc has served organized dentistry in many leadership positions, as well as provided lectures at national venues. He is an active member of the following professional organizations:
During his free time, Dr. Van Scoyoc enjoys running, music and spending time with his wife, Keri and their children.
Dr. Steven Van Scoyoc is a specialist in Periodontics and Implantology and is board certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. His practice specializes in conservative treatment of gum disease, including specialized interests in soft tissue reconstructive plastic surgery to aesthetically enhance the smile and dental implants that can replace single or multiple missing teeth. He uses the latest technology and science to regenerate bone in the jaws, where bone loss was caused by infection from gum disease, loss of teeth, or injury. This includes sinus bone grafting, where many patients lack sufficient bone thickness in the upper posterior jaw in order to place implants. He also diagnoses and treats oral pathology. Dr. Van Scoyoc’s main interests include soft-tissue and esthetic surgery, as well as implant and advanced bone reconstruction.
Dr. Van Scoyoc earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree (D.D.S.) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He continued his education at UNC to complete a 3-year surgical residency in Periodontics, where he obtained his Masters in Periodontics. This advanced training certified him to practice as a specialist in Periodontics and Implantology. In addition, during his residency at the University of North Carolina, he practiced general dentistry to gain perspective on how his specialty training can enhance the treatment of the general dental practitioner.
Dr. Lavender Mehat believes great dentistry begins with listening. Her approach is simple. When patients feel understood and supported, they feel more confident in their care, and the entire experience becomes easier and more meaningful. With a dual background in Biology and Psychology and advanced training at one of the top hospital-based dental programs in the country, she brings a rare balance of clinical precision and genuine human connection to Cary Family Dental.
A Texas native, Dr. Mehat earned her DDS from the University of Texas Health San Antonio, where she graduated cum laude. She has always been drawn to the way dentistry blends hands-on problem solving with long-term relationships. Her academic path reflects that passion. Her Biology degree provided a strong foundation in science and oral health, while her Psychology degree helped her understand human behavior, communication, and the emotional side of patient care.
After dental school, Dr. Mehat completed a General Practice Residency at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Her time there involved treating medically compromised patients, working closely with physicians, and managing a wide range of surgical and restorative procedures. She gained extensive experience in interdisciplinary care and learned to navigate complex treatment situations with clarity and calm.
Following her residency, she transitioned into private practice, where she continued to strengthen her clinical skills and build meaningful patient relationships. She developed a style of care that is both thoughtful and attentive, with an emphasis on communication and trust. Patients often comment on how easy she is to talk to and how clearly she explains treatment options.
At Cary Family Dental, Dr. Mehat provides comprehensive dentistry with a special interest in digital dentistry, Invisalign, endodontics, extractions, and implant placement. She enjoys using technology to enhance accuracy and comfort, and she takes pride in helping patients fully understand their dental health. Her goal is to make every visit feel clear, comfortable, and supportive from start to finish. She believes that dentistry is about restoring health, but also restoring confidence. If a patient leaves feeling better than when they arrived, both physically and emotionally, that is success.
Outside of dentistry, Dr. Mehat enjoys exploring North Carolina’s food scene, staying active outdoors, baking, and searching for the best coffee shops in every city she visits. After growing up in Texas and spending time in Cleveland, she has enjoyed settling into life in Cary and looks forward to building long-term roots in the community.
Her guiding principle remains steady. “What is done in love is done well.”
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