Meet Our Doctors
Dr. Chad Biggerstaff, DDS
Chad was born and raised in Wilmington, NC graduating from John T. Hoggard high school in 1994. He went on to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for undergraduate studies. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from the UNC School of Pharmacy in 2000 and later his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from UNC School of Dentistry in 2007.
Chad was named the American Prosthodontics Society Foundations Scholar nationally and awarded senior class awards from the Southeastern Academy of Prosthodontics, American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, the NC Academy of General Dentistry, and the UNC Departments of Periodontology and Prosthodontics. He was also inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) National Dental Honor Society.
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Despite receiving these awards, Chad believes that most learning occurs after school. Due to the constant progression of dental technology, techniques, and materials, quality continuing dental education is a key component to clinical excellence. Over the years, Chad has gone on to study at several world-renowned continuing dental education centers including the Pankey Institute, Spear Education, and the Schuster Center. He has also received advanced training in implant placement and restoration from the Triangle Dental Institute. He is a member of the NC Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association, and participates in local study clubs affiliated with Spear Education and The Seattle Study Club. Chad has invested in some of the most advanced dental technology available including CEREC CAD/CAM and Sirona 3D cone beam imaging, making BlueWave Dentistry one of the most advanced general practices in the area.
Chad met his wife, Julie, at the UNC School of Pharmacy, and they were married in 2001. When he is not working, he is an active father of their three children (Laney, Charlee, and Malik) and surfs at Wrightsville Beach when he gets the chance. Chad and his family are active members of Port City Community Church. Chad believes in dentistry, as well as in life, honesty, integrity and compassion are of the utmost importance. “Treat everyone as if they are a member of your own family” is a mantra he lives and works by.
Dr. David Vurnakes, DMD
Dr. Vurnakes joined BlueWave in 2018, excited to return to his hometown of Wilmington, NC. After graduating from NC State University, David worked as a dental assistant to confirm his interest in dentistry as a profession before going on to attend East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine. One of his most rewarding experiences during dental school was serving in the NC Missions of Mercy dental clinics throughout NC. After graduating dental school, David chose to move to the coastal community of Morehead City where he worked in a solo dental practice for several years.
Dentistry is David’s passion as it fuses health, science, and art. David’s goal in dentistry is to promote his patient’s overall health while also helping them achieve a beautiful smile. Like Dr. Biggerstaff, Dr. Vurnakes is committed to quality continuing education completing over 100 hours a year of dental CE since graduating dental school. He has participated in some of the same prestigious programs such as the Pankey Institute, Spear Education, Triangle Dental Institute Dental Implant continuum, and the Seattle Study Club. David also sees dentistry as a pathway for service and giving back to the community. Since his time as a dental assistant, he has spent years volunteering with the NC Missions of Mercy dental clinics, NC Baptist Men’s Dental Bus and other local organizations. David’s core values of faith, honesty, integrity and treating every patient with respect as if they were a member of his own family reflect those of BlueWave.
Outside of dentistry, David loves being near the water from fishing, paddle boarding, and boating to just relaxing. He also enjoys golf and music and grew up playing the piano, learning several other instruments as well. David’s latest adventure is his new Golden Retriever puppy, Jerry. He has hopes of training him to be a therapy dog but will be happy just playing fetch on the beach.
Our Wonderful Team
Brittany
Dental Hygienist
Brittany grew up in High Point, NC. She moved to Wilmington in 1998 to go to school. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from UNCW and Dental Hygiene Degree from CFCC. Brittany enjoys spending time with her husband, Ben, their two children, Ella and Oliver, and their dog, Lola. Brittany and her family are active members of Winter Park Baptist Church. Brittany likes circuit training, running, and yoga. She is also very passionate about Coastal Buds, the Downs Syndrome support group she helped start for the area in 2016. Brittany has been a BlueWave team member since 2008 and truly loves working with her patients.
Megan
Dental Hygienist
Megan is a native of Greensboro, NC. She came to Wilmington in 1996 to attend UNCW. She transferred after two years to attend Dental Hygiene school at Coastal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville, NC. She has been a BlueWave Team member since 2006, and absolutely loves being a Registered Dental Hygienist! She enjoys listening to 80’s music and loves to spend as much time at Wrightsville Beach as possible with her husband and 3 children.
Kelly
Practice Manager
Kelly has been in Dentistry for over 20 years. After receiving her Associates Degree, she started her career as a Dental Assistant. She is Certified through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). Kelly transitioned to Practice Manager upon her move to North Carolina and has happily been part of the BlueWave Dentistry Team since 2014. Originally from upstate New York, Kelly relocated to Leland to spend more time with her family. She has a daughter and two young grandsons in Wilmington. Kelly and her family enjoy going to the area beaches and local parks.
Lauren
Dental Hygienist
Lauren was born and raised in Washington, NC. She moved to Wilmington to attend UNCW, earning a BA in Psychology. She then completed the Dental Hygiene program at CFCC and received her Dental Hygiene License. Lauren has been part of the BlueWave Dentistry team since 2011. Lauren and her husband, Adam, have a son, William, and a miniature Dachshund named Henry. Lauren and her family enjoy boating and taking long walks.
Jessica
Dental Assistant
Jessica grew up in Sarasota, FL. She attended Florida Gulf Coast University and obtained a Bachelor Degree in Community Health. After graduating, Jessica moved to North Carolina. She joined the BlueWave team in 2012 and has been in dentistry for 9 years. She enjoys camping, cooking, hiking and spending time with family/friends and her dog, Kona.
Michelle
Dental Assistant
Michelle is a native of Wilmington, NC. She began her dental training in High School, giving her 30 years of experience as a Dental Assistant. She joined the BlueWave Dentistry team in 2006. She truly enjoys dentistry, especially the patient care aspect. Michelle currently serves and worships at Pine Valley Church of God. She has been blessed with two amazing children and also feels blessed to be part of the Blue Wave Team. Michelle enjoys spending time with her family and bicycling.
Terra
Receptionist
Terra is a proud native of Leland, NC. She has been married to her husband, Leroy, for 14 years, and they have two children, Jaida and Christian. Terra is a proud Air Force wife as Leroy is an aircraft mechanic in the USAF. Terra and her family believe in blessing others as God blesses them and love giving back to and serving their community, as they have done through foster care and other avenues. Terra was a dental assistant at BlueWave in 2010 but was afforded the opportunity to stay home with her children in their formative years. She is so grateful to be back with her BlueWave family!
Sherri
Dental Assistant
Sherri is from Belington WV. She moved to Wilmington in 2002 after her husband’s retirement from the U.S. Air Force. She has 3 children and 4 grandchildren. Sherri enjoys traveling, working out and spending time with her family. She currently serves at Freedom Baptist church in Wilmington. She has 18 years’ experience in dental assisting.
Let’s Start Today
At BlueWave Dentistry, we’re always happy to meet new patients from Wilmington and the surrounding area. To schedule your first appointment and learn more about what we can do for you and your oral health, get in touch today. There’s no better time to find the dentist you need and take the next steps toward the perfect smile.
