Dr. Vatcher is a North Carolina native who earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill after a research-based Master of Science at University of North Carolina - Wilmington. She went on to complete a one-year General Practice Residency with an emphasis on hospital-based dentistry, followed by a two-year residency in Oral Medicine at Atrium Health (formerly Carolinas Medical Center). She is board eligible by the American Board of Oral Medicine, holds dental licenses in both North Carolina and South Carolina, and is currently pursuing Fellowship status with the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain.

 

In recognition of her contributions to research, Dr. Vatcher was awarded the prestigious Lester Burket Award by the American Academy of Oral Medicine in 2023, an internationally recognized distinction honoring outstanding research and selected from a global pool of applicants.

 

Dr. Vatcher specializes in the diagnosis and management of complex oral and facial pain conditions, with particular expertise in temporomandibular disorders, neuropathic pain, and oral manifestations of systemic disease. Her clinical scope also includes oral mucosal and precancerous lesions, salivary gland disorders, and the management of oral complications related to cancer therapies. In addition to her work in oral medicine and orofacial pain, she evaluates and treats newborns with ankyloglossia and integrates innovative approaches such as virtual care and animal-assisted therapy into her practice.

 

Professionally, Dr. Vatcher is passionate about treating the patient as a whole, recognizing the critical connection between oral health and overall systemic well-being. She emphasizes a comprehensive, patient-centered approach that extends beyond teeth alone to address the underlying medical, neurologic, and psychosocial components of disease. With a strong focus on the intersection of oral health and systemic disease, Dr. Vatcher is committed to advancing interdisciplinary collaboration and expanding access to oral medicine services. She remains actively involved in organized dentistry and academic initiatives, with a dedication to education, research, and improving patient-centered outcomes in oral healthcare.