Meet the Doctors

Meet the Best Pediatric Dentists in Mint Hill.

Our doctors are here to help you keep your smile healthy and bright. Learn more about them below, and we look forward to seeing you in the office soon!

Learn more about Dr. Scott Mclaren

Dr. Scott is a passionate, laid-back dentist who loves making teeth shine bright like the kids he treats. He knew he wanted to work in a place where he could make jokes, laugh, and feel like he was hanging out all day.

Cleaning and fixing kid’s teeth hasn’t always been what he was known for though.

Dr. Scott grew up in Idaho and from an early age, people knew he was different. For one, he didn’t want to grow up farming potatoes, as much as he liked to eat them. Second, he enjoyed learning about medical stuff. I know, how weird huh.

One thing he did enjoy growing up was operating heavy equipment for his grandpa’s construction company. When most kids were driving sports cars on their PlayStation, he was driving a 65-thousand-pound loader or a giant haul truck. He may have smashed a few traffic cones while learning how to operate them though.

Growing up in a tiny town in a forgotten state (ya, Idaho is a real State), he loved the small town feel and the sense of community it had.

He grew up hunting, fly-fishing, boating, hiking, dirt biking and basically all things outdoors in the mountains of his home state. With the likes of Yellowstone National Park and Jackson Hole just a few hours from his house, there was no shortage of adventure.

After high school, Dr. Scott served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Latvia (look it up, it’s a real place). There, he learned Latvian (again, I’m not making this up) and a little bit of Russian.

When he came home, he was pretty sure he wanted to be a dentist but really sure he liked girls. It wasn’t long before he met his wife and she stole his heart and he became a married man. Obviously, some kids followed and now they have three of the coolest ones.

His focus now is basically to make kids smile and laugh every time they visit the dentist.

Impressive Academic Achievements Which Look Pretty Boring When They’re Listed Out Like This…

Don’t let Dr. Scott’s laid-back attitude fool you, he’s a hustler. If you read more, you’ll see what I mean.
He went to Idaho State University and did all the boring prerequisites for dental school (you know, all the hard science classes), but decided that was too easy. So, he decided he might as well take all the business classes to get his bachelor’s degree in Business management at the same time.

Next, he was selected as 1 of 8 students in the entire state of Idaho for the Idaho Dental Education Program. An elite program, highly competitive, big scholarship, etc. etc. You get the gist.

Through that program he went to Creighton University School of Dentistry. There he got all kinds of awards including the Leadership in Endodontics Awards and the AAPD Predoctoral Student Award.

Additionally, he was selected for the highest award presented to a student by Creighton School of Dentistry, the “Dr. and Mrs. Philip J. Maschka Award” for “Displaying the highest order of professionalism, concern for patient, honesty, integrity, morality, responsibility, scholastic and clinical ability.” No biggy…

After all that he was selected to join the highly distinguished Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor Dental Society.

Dr. Scott subsequently graduated Magna Cum Laude at Dental School and because he did so well, he thought he might as well attend arguably the best Pediatric Dental Residency in the country at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. There he worked as Chief Resident.

While in residency he thought, “I’m getting at least four hours of sleep per night, might as well get my MBA in my free time.” So, he did.

After achieving so much, he knew there was only one way he could achieve more. So, he moved to North Carolina where he could be a pediatric dentist for the coolest kids in the nation.

Why I Became a Pediatric Dentist

I’ve spent my entire adult life in school and training to become a pediatric dentist. I was fortunate to learn from the very best and brightest that our nation has to offer. What I learned was invaluable in making me the best pediatric dental specialist. I did notice one thing that was lacking though. There was an obvious disconnect between what we were medically providing and what kids needed to feel comfortable at the dentist.

Most dental offices look and feel scary. I realized early on that I wanted to create a space that truly felt safe, made kids feel confident and actually made dental visits fun. I truly believe the dental office can be a fun place for kids to be. Making a kids first dental visit a positive one can change their life. I’m excited to share what I’ve built with you and your family!

Learn about Dr. Carolyn Neumeister

Dr. Carolyn Neumeister is passionate about helping children develop healthy relationships with the dentist from an early age. Inspired by the positive experiences she had with her own childhood dentist, she strives to create the same sense of trust and comfort that led her to pursue a career in pediatric dentistry.

Dr. Neumeister earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree and completed her pediatric dental residency at The Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University. She received her bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences with a minor in psychology from Auburn University (War Eagle!) and is an active member of both the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and American Dental Association.

Dr. Neumeister believes every child deserves a dental home where both children and parents feel comfortable, confident, and supported. Through compassionate, individualized care, she partners with families to emphasize prevention, education, and healthy habits that promote lifelong oral health while fostering an environment built on trust, respect, and open communication.

Outside the office, Dr. Neumeister enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She looks forward to welcoming your family and helping your child achieve a lifetime of healthy smiles!

Learn about Dr. Manuel Lopez

Dr. Manuel Lopez is from Manhattan, NY. In 1979 he earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Cuba, he lived in Cuba for 20 years before moving back to New York and getting his Doctoral of Dental Science at New York University in 2000. In 2001 Dr. Lopez decided to move to the great state of North Carolina and has been here ever since.

Dr. Lopez is a sports fanatic and enjoys to watching all sports especially the Yankees, The Giants, and the NY Knicks. He also loves to spend time with his family and enjoys the outdoors. Dr. Lopez loves music and you will always catch him singing or making up a beat at the office.