David J. Darab, DDS, MS, MBA
A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dr. Darab earned his BS in chemistry from Ursinus College and completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating at the top of his class. He went on to earn a Master of Science in Anatomy from the University of Texas Southwestern School of Biomedical Sciences in Dallas, TX. During his graduate degree program, he taught anatomy to medical students. Dr. Darab then completed his residency in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Parkland Memorial Hospital and Affiliated Hospitals. He is board-certified in both Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Dental Anesthesiology and is on staff at Catawba Valley Medical Center and Viewmont Surgery Center. His clinical interests include outpatient anesthesia, wisdom tooth, complex dentoalveolar surgery, and corrective jaw surgery.
Realizing the complexities facing health care and clinical practice, he recently returned to school, completing his MBA, specializing in Healthcare Management, from Isenberg School of Management of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Dr. Darab has served on a National Science Foundation Research Grant, as well as a National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR) grant. He has numerous publications and book chapters to his credit and has several patents in dental anesthesia. He is deeply involved in his community, having served as both the past President of the North Carolina Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the North Carolina Society of Dental Anesthesiology, where he was the founding member. Presently he serves on committees of the North Carolina Dental Society. Dr. Darab volunteers his professional services with the Exodus Homes program located in Hickory, NC.
Paul E. Richardson, DDS
A native of Cookeville, Tennessee, Dr. Richardson received his BA from the University of Tennessee. He earned his dental degree from the University of Tennessee in Memphis and completed his residency at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Richardson served as department head for the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery department at the United States Naval Hospital in Beaufort, South Carolina, for four years. He also is a Diplomate with the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and is board-certified in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.
Dr. Richardson is a member of the American Medical Association, the American Dental Association, the North Carolina Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, the North Carolina Dental Society, the North Carolina Medical Association, the Catawba Valley Medical Society and the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons.
Jesse O. Onekhena, DMD, MD
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. Onekhena spent most of his adolescence in Nigeria. In Nigeria, living in a community with minimal healthcare access, he discovered an interest in medicine. His family returned to the United States so that he could receive the best education possible. He attended college in Georgia before moving to Connecticut, where he earned his dental degree from the College of Dental Medicine at the University of Connecticut. Following dental school, Dr. Onekhena completed his medical degree, General Surgery Internship, and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.
His practice includes office anesthesia and sedation, wisdom tooth extractions, exposure of impacted teeth, bone and soft tissue grafting, dental implants, treatment of benign lesions, and corrective jaw surgery. He is passionate about using advanced dental technology to enhance treatment results, predictability, and patient comfort.
When not in the office, Dr. Onekhena also enjoys participating in medical mission trips abroad. He has traveled to Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and Mexico to provide healthcare to under-resourced communities. He is an avid football and basketball fan and loves to travel as a means to experience new cultures and cuisines. He enjoys driving, roller coasters, skydiving, weightlifting and is currently developing an appreciation for cycling.
Dr. Onekhena is committed to providing safe, compassionate, and cutting-edge care for our community while being the best neighbor he can be.
Alex J. Krisko, DMD, MD
A native of Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, Dr. Krisko earned his BS in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh. He went on to earn his dental degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor Society. After graduating from dental school, Dr. Krisko completed his medical degree, general surgery internship, and oral & maxillofacial surgery residency at the University of Kentucky before moving to Hickory.
His professional interests include dental implant rehabilitation, wisdom tooth removal, bone grafting procedures, facial trauma surgery, corrective jaw surgery, and providing safe and comfortable office sedation.
Outside of the office, Dr. Krisko enjoys spending time with his wife, Phoebe, and their son, Jack. They enjoy trying new foods, home movie nights, and hiking. He is a novice woodworker who likes cooking, gardening, and shooting sports.
Dr. Krisko’s practice philosophy is to treat each of his patients as if they are a member of his family. He looks forward to joining the community and providing high-quality and compassionate care to his patients.