Dr. Lara Ragab, DMD has joined the Bela Family Dentistry of Augusta.
Ragab earned her dental degree at the University of Montreal in 2017. She provides a variety of dental services, including general restoration, crown, bridge, partials, implant restoration, surgical and non-surgical extractions, Clear Correct, whitening and oral sedation.
“In addition to my passion for all aspects of general dentistry, I completed advanced training in complex wisdom teeth extraction at the South Beach Dental Institute,” Ragab said. “I was also trained under the supervision of renowned periodontists to treat gum diseases and tissue grafting.”
Ragab grew up in the Canadian city of Montreal, where she practiced dentistry for four years. After living in New York City with her husband for a year, they moved to Augusta, where Ragab says she fell in love with “the beautiful people and refreshing weather.”
“With my desire to always help people, I was always driven to a healthcare path. When they asked us in elementary school to write a letter to our future self, year after year, I would write that I wanted to be a dentist,” Ragab said. “Reading those letters later on just confirmed my choice.”
Copyright © 2022 BELA FAMILY DENTISTRY
HR Director
Debbie joined Bela in 2023.
Debbie is from Prosperity, SC, and has lived on the lake for 20 years. She is an experienced Human Resources manager who has a passion for making lives better.
In her free time, Debbie enjoys gardening and spending time with her family. She has a husband that owns his own business and a son that lives in Florida.
Director of Marketing and Specialty Care
Carly joined Bela in 2019.
She began her dental career in 2011 after obtaining her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina. She manages the Specialty Department, which includes oral surgery, implant placement, endodontics, and Sedation Dentistry. She enjoys being able to offer patients multiple options that meet their oral health goals while providing a comfortable relaxing environment. She also manages marketing efforts which includes planning community and corporate events. Giving back is one of Bela’s top missions.
Carly believes that Dentistry allows one to gain back their self-confidence while increasing their overall health. It brings such joy seeing how our passion impacts others.
Carly was born and raised in Lancaster, SC. She now resides in Lexington, SC, with her husband, Lanny, and their two daughters, Avery, and Elloree. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling near water, watching her kids play sports, and trying new foods.
Regional Clinical Development Manager
Tonya has worked with Dr. Cook for more than 10 years and has been a part of Bela since it was established in 2015.
After high school, she ventured to a local tech school that had just started a program in dental assisting. As a child she had enjoyed her visits to the dentist, during which she would ask questions about the procedures they were performing.
During her time with Bela, Tonya has seen smiles transformed and patients regain their confidence.
When she is not working, Tonya enjoys hunting, fishing, playing board games and spending time on the lake with Doug, her husband of 27 years, and three children.
Controller, CPA
Rachel joined Bela in 2016.
She started her career at Tourville, Simpson and Caskey, LLP, where she worked for nine years as an audit manager.
Rachel manages financial reporting and analysis and oversees the day-to-day accounting operations, accounting policies and procedures, banking, payroll, and insurance compliance. She also develops the annual budget and financial forecasts.
Rachel graduated cum laude from the College of Business at Austin Peay State University, where she earned a bachelor of business administration (accounting) degree. She is a Certified Public Accountant in South Carolina.
When she’s not working, she enjoys reading and spending time on the lake with her husband of 27 years and son.
Director of Strategic Support
Brooke joined Bela in 2016.
She began her career in dentistry in 2009 after graduating from Kaplan College as a dental assistant. Since that time, Brooke has worked at two multi-practice organizations, where she has advanced through multiple roles.
Brooke believes in the power of a smile. It not only builds confidence but can help a person’s overall wellbeing—mentally and physically.
She works closely with Bela team members to ensure that policies, guidelines, professional expectations, and service standards are actively achieved at the highest level.
When not working, Brooke enjoys baking, reading, and spending time with her husband and two small children.
Director of Operations
Tori joined Bela in 2016.
She is motivated by her passion to help team members perform at the highest level — training, encouraging, equipping, and empowering them to do their jobs well and to love what they do.
Tori believes that when team members reach out to patients on a personal level and create relationships that are lasting and real, we can impact entire communities.
Tori was born and raised in Chapin, S.C. When she’s not at work, Tori enjoys spending time with her husband and young daughter. She loves travelling, relaxing at Lake Murray, and spending time with family and friends.
VP of Business Development and Talent Recruitment
Kevin joined Bela in 2019.
He began his career in the dental profession in 2009 at a South Carolina dental lab, where he quickly found his passion. Upon hearing Bela’s vision and core values, he knew that he wanted to be a part of the Bela family.
Kevin hails from Chapin, S.C. When he’s not working, he loves to hunt, fish, and spend time with his wife and three daughters. And of course, he roots for all things Clemson.
Director of Clinical Operations
Daniel Hill has been with Bela Family Dentistry since 2018.
He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine in 1999. He maintains his dental acuity with hundreds of hours of continuing education, including a residency focused on dental implant surgery and restoration.
Throughout his career, Dr. Hill has been actively involved in the community, providing care for underserved areas. He is a captain in the South Carolina State Guard and serves as the medical officer in the First Battalion.
When he’s not working, Dr. Hill enjoys restoring old cars and spending time with his wife of 28 years and two children.
Owner, Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Cook began serving patients in Edgefield, S.C., in 2010 with a commitment to deliver exceptional dentistry and remarkable experiences for patients through a patient-centered approach.
His passion for helping other doctors and team members execute on the mission to uncover smiles through service and love led to the inception of Bela Family Dentistry.