Meet THE Team

Beginning in 2011, Washingtonian magazine has consistently named Dr. Puterman one of the Washington, DC area’s top periodontists. This honor is obtained only through colleague nomination.

Washingtonian magazine cover and page highlighting Dr. Puterman

Israel Puterman | DMD, MSD

Dr. Puterman offers leading expertise and proven experience in all aspects of periodontics, implant surgery, IV sedation, complex bone and soft tissue regeneration and laser periodontics (LANAP). Periodontists normally complete a 3-year residency after dental school in order to become a periodontist. Because Dr. Puterman recognized the benefits of further expertise with dental implants, he also completed an additional 3-year residency in Implant Dentistry. For dental school, he attended Boston University, followed by the dual residency programs and a Master's Degree at California's Loma Linda University. The intense dual residency training involved treating the most complex case types, and included advanced training in bone and soft tissue grafting, microsurgery, prosthodontics, anesthesia, sedation, and the treatment of various oral pathologies. He is one of a handful of periodontists in the world with his superior level of specialized training.

Dr. Puterman has been the recipient of numerous awards for both academic and practical applications from the California Society of Periodontists, Western Society of Periodontists, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine. He is the co-author of research articles on fixed prostheses, implant dentistry, and dental restoration in the Journal of Prosthodontics, Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, and other leading publications in the profession. He has previously taught as a clinical instructor for Loma Linda University’s School of Dentistry in the Department of Restorative Dentistry and the University of Maryland on the Dean’s Faculty. As a nationally acclaimed lecturer on grafting and implants, Dr. Puterman is in high demand across the country.

“Simply outstanding care. Aside from Dr. Puterman's considerable skills and professional knowledge- it is his level of caring that sets him apart from a typical practitioner. Yes all of the elements for a good experience exist - comfortable setting (his has a lovely vista to look upon), pleasant and helpful staff - but it is the immediate sense that Dr. Puterman cares about the concern that brought you to see him, helps you understand treatment options and will be there for support. Care matters.”

Lis B.

As a specialist, Dr. Puterman is well known throughout the area as a team-oriented clinician. He considers it a privilege to partner with the city’s best general dentists and specialists to deliver the best possible patient experience and results. From simple solutions to highly complex cases, Dr. Puterman has become a “go-to” specialist for colleagues in the area.

Dr. Puterman is a licensed periodontist and is one of the few dental professionals in the greater DC area certified to deliver IV sedation. With safety being a top priority, he and his staff are also licensed in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. With a desire to grow and help his colleagues grow, he co-leads the Friendship Heights Spear Study Club.

Originally from Montreal, Canada, Dr. Puterman is open to the idea of his two boys cheering for the Capitals and Nationals, though his heart still belongs to the Canadiens and long-lost Expos.

Chris Barth | DMD, MS

Dr. Barth was raised in Clinton, New Jersey and graduated from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2009. He earned his DMD from Harvard School of Dental Medicine in 2013 and soon thereafter completed a residency program in Periodontics at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School in Bethesda, Maryland, receiving his Masters in Oral Biology. He subsequently became Board Certified with the American Board of Periodontology in Periodontics and Dental Implant Surgery.

Dr. Barth is well-versed and experienced in all aspects of Periodontics including dental implant placement, treatment of periodontal disease, oral pathology, laser applications, soft tissue and hard tissue grafting, IV sedation, as well as cosmetic procedures. His experience working side by side with Prosthodontists in the Navy using the latest technology in scanning and 3D printing allows him to see treatment approaches from both surgical and restorative perspectives. He also has experience with several research projects and is published in the International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry.

For the last ten years, Dr. Barth used his didactic and clinical expertise while serving alongside active duty service members of the US Navy. He was assigned as Department Head of Periodontics at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina for three years alongside Sailors and Marines. His final tour was in Mayport, Florida where he was Division Officer of Periodontics at the Base Health Clinic, responsible for overseeing the oral health of personnel deploying on ships and aircraft.

Dr. Barth has recently moved to the Maryland/DC area with his family and enjoys spending time with his wife Audrey and their dogs, Moose and Mila. They can usually be found exploring the outdoors and traveling. Dr. Barth is a big car enthusiast, holds a black belt in TaeKwonDo, has backpacked solo through Shenandoah on two different occasions and kayaks with Moose every chance he gets. He is very excited to join the ImplantsDC team especially after recently discovering that he and Dr. Puterman resided on the same street while living in the Boston suburb of Coolidge Corner.

The team

Isela | administrative Staff

As Dr. Puterman's first employee, Isela started here at Day 0 of the practice. She has worn many hats in the office, from front staff to surgical assistant and has been the office manager since 2013. ImplantsDC would not be what it is without her hard work! Isela is a certified coach who has an amazing way with words and finds fulfillment in helping people, whether they be patients or employees. Her positivity and solution-driven mindset have guided the practice to success. She is a foodie and loves traveling and spending time with her daughter.

Cynthia | administrative Staff

Step inside our office and Cynthia's warm smile will be the first to welcome you. Equal parts friendly and knowledgeable, she is the amazing Administrative Manager and has been with the practice since 2019. She also uses her green thumb as the caretaker for the healthy fiddle leaf fig tree in our waiting area, lovingly dubbed "Frankie." She loves traveling, spending time with her nephews, and her adorable Yorkie, Chloe.

Rachel | administrative Staff

Meet Rachel, our vibrant and bagel loving team member at ImplantsDC, renowned for her signature pink hair. With her soft and gentle tone, Rachel serves as the welcoming voice once you dial our number, and is both Dr. Puterman’s Personal Assistant and an Administrative Assistant. She likes reading, art, and video games and lives in Bethesda with her husband and a gremlin masquerading as a dog named Dixie.

Buu Linh | administrative Staff

We are so lucky to have the amazing Buu Linh working as an administrative and treatment coordinator assistant! She is equally hilarious and kind and finds joy in being helpful around the office. She has a passion for fashion.  When not at work, she finds herself running after her three rambunctious kids. When she does find free time, she likes watching true crime documentaries and meditating, sometimes even at the same time.

Yesenia | administrative Staff

Yesenia makes the origami cranes you will see around the office! Her artistic talents brighten our days, and she will also brighten your day with her friendly demeanor. Aside from being an origami master, she knows a lot about periodontics, too! Well-informed and efficient, she ensures a seamless check-in process for surgeries. Her favorite time of the day is lunchtime. She loves hiking, camping, being outdoors, and is very artistic.

Gabby | administrative Staff

Gabby will be there to greet you at check out, but only once your teeth are clean! She will assist in scheduling your next visits with style. Her strong work ethic and exceptional attention to detail impress all of us every day. Her favorite thing about the job is making connections with patients and seeing pictures of their kids and dogs. In her free time, she likes traveling, going to rock and country concerts, and looking at pictures of dogs on Petfinder.

Becky | Clinical Staff

Becky is the Clinical Manager and helps keep the practice running smoothly, giving you the best experience possible! You might meet her striding purposefully down the hallway, but even when she's on a mission she is happy to take the time to stop, say hi, and chat. She recently transferred her West Coast skills to the East Coast and is all ears if you have any suggestions for fun activities in the area. She lives with her husband and her sweet dog, Cosmo.

Gale | Clinical Staff

Gale has been Dr. Puterman's surgical right hand since 2017 as his lead assistant and knows Dr. Puterman's next move before he does. She has a knack for helping patients feel comfortable and answering your clinical questions. Her favorite part of the job is seeing patients smile when seeing the results of their treatment. She will probably be wearing a different pair of Crocs every time you see her, as she has over 20 pairs! The unofficial mascot of ImplantsDC is her toddler son--if you're lucky, you might hear him causing mayhem in the background of a phone call on an administrative Friday when we don't have patients in the office!

Gina | Clinical Staff

Gina is Dr. Barth’s amazing lead assistant and works hard every day to keep our office on a roll. Her sweet, soft demeanor is a balm for any nervous patients.  She has been in the dental field since 2004 and has a lot of experience as an assistant! Her favorite time of the day is when she gets to go to bed and watch her favorite shows in peace. She adores spending time with her daughters, hiking with her husband, and going out to see live shows.

Marla | treatment coordinator

ImplantsDC wouldn't be what it is without Marla, who has been Dr. Puterman's Treatment Coordinator since 2012! Marla wows us every day with her extensive knowledge, sharp style, and patient care skills. She excels at treating each patient as an individual and will make sure to address all your concerns and answer any questions you can think of. Marla is a busy lady--her favorite time of day is the ten minutes she takes to eat lunch. She loves watching her daughters' soccer games and has a newfound love for plants.

Rae | treatment coordinator

Rae is Dr. Barth’s Treatment Coordinator, and she’s here to make sure you feel comfortable, confident, and know exactly what to expect to prepare for your surgery. She’s great at explaining everything in a way that’s easy to understand, and she’s always ready to help out. Rae loves the positive energy at ImplantsDC, where there’s never a shortage of laughs. Originally from New Mexico, she moved to Maryland in 2019. Outside of work, Rae’s all about discovering new foods, staying active in her church, and spending time with her bunny, Dubunz.

Lori | Hygienist

Meet Lori, one of our top-notch hygienists! Lori has been cleaning teeth for more than 35 years and came to work at ImplantsDC in 2018. She went to University of Maryland Dental School and has been a lifelong Marylander. Her skillful cleanings will leave you feeling fresh and ready to show off your smile. She loves seeing patients’ dental hygiene improve over time and is always happy to see her returning patients. Lori likes to golf, relax at the lake, and spend time with her family.

Robin | Hygienist

Robin is one of our all-star hygienists. She will make you feel at home with her energetic personality and top-tier skills. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia and has been a hygienist for more than 45 years! Her favorite thing about her job is talking with her patients and creating long-lasting relationships. Robin likes pilates, working with dog rescues, and being with her extra-cute grandbaby.

SEE HOW WE CAN HELP

We look forward to hearing from you. Please call our office at 301-652-0939 or click below to request an appointment online.