Our Doctor and Team

James Taneyhill, D.D.S., F.A.G.D.

For more than 20 years, Dr. James Taneyhill has offered superior quality dentistry to the community of Bel Air, Maryland. Dr. Taneyhill is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, a rare distinction achieved by less than three percent of dentists nationwide, and has been inducted as a Fellow of the International College of Dentists. Dr. Taneyhill is also an instructor at the VA Medical Center in Baltimore, where he teaches restorative dentistry and esthetics to dental residents.

Dr. Taneyhill was raised in the Rodger's Forge section of Baltimore County. He attended Loyola High School (Class of 1965) and Loyola College (Class of 1969). He then served in the army as a helicopter pilot for four years, including one year in Vietnam.

After leaving active duty in 1973, Dr. Taneyhill continued to serve in the Maryland Army National Guard. In 1999, he retired at the rank of Colonel after 30 years of service in the guard. He was a Master Army Aviator and has been awarded the Legions of Merit and the Bronze Star, among many other commendations.

Dr. Taneyhill graduated from the University of Maryland Dental School in 1980 as one of only 10 students selected to participate in an accelerated program. The program resulted in the awarding of a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree in three years rather than four. He then served a one-year Dental General Practice residency at the Veterans' Administration Medical Center in Baltimore before entering full-time private practice in Bel Air in 1981.

As part of his commitment to continuing education and excellence, Dr. Taneyhill maintains active involvement in the dental community through professional memberships and post-graduate studies. His professional affiliations include membership in the:

• American Dental Association
• Maryland State Dental Association
• Harford/Cecil County Dental Association (Past President)
• Academy of General Dentistry (Fellow)
• American Equilibration Society
• International College of Dentists

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Dr. Taneyhill has spent a lifetime in continuing dental education. He averages 100 hours of continuing dental education studies every year. He is an alumnus of the Center for Professional Development in Scottsdale, Arizona, and a graduate of the prestigious L.D. Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education in Florida, America’s premier center for post-graduate studies in dentistry.

In his free time, Dr. Taneyhill enjoys sailing the Chesapeake Bay with his wife, Karen, a Baltimore County special education department chairman, and his three children, Katie, Joe, and Philip. Since retiring from the Army National Guard, Dr. Taneyhill has volunteered at a dental clinic in Haiti at least one week each year, helping the poorest children and families.

Our Team

Lark has been our office manager for over 25 years.  She handles all of our patients billing and scheduling needs as well as keeping our office running smoothly every day.  Lark and her husband Frank, an engineer, have four daughters, Carrie, Tara, Kristen and Shannon and also have seven grandchildren, Frankie, Jack, Leah, Lilly, Thomas, Anna and Samantha.

Becky is one of our dental hygienists. She has been a dental hygienist for over 14 years and has practiced with Dr. Taneyhill for over 13 years. She will ensure that each of our patients has a beautiful and healthy smile while in a relaxed, anxiety-free environment. Our hygienists offer comfort amenities like warming hand mitts and massage chair pads to help ease your dental fears while receiving superior dental care. Becky and her husband Jeff have three children, Brandon, Heather and Holly.

Tracy works along side Becky also helping to create and maintain beautiful smiles. Tracy has been in the dental field for over 18 years and has been a hygienist for over 10 years.  She ensures that each of our patients receives optimum oral health care not only with her exceptional clinical skills but also by providing informative home care instruction and by monitoring the effects of oral health in relation to one’s overall health.

Marsha has been Dr. Taneyhill's assistant for over 10 years and has worked in the field for over 23 years.  Marsha will help ensure that your dental visit goes as smoothly and comfortably as possible.  She will take any x-rays that are necessary and also assist Dr. Taneyhill during each procedure. Marsha has two daughters, Bridget and Nicole.

Carrie, Lark's eldest daughter, is our office assistant who works closely with Becky, Tracy, Marsha and Dr. Taneyhill to meet all of our patient's needs. She works as our in-office lab technician, marketing developer, hygiene assistant and also front desk assistant. Carrie has been with our office for over 10 years.  She has one son, Frankie.  

Amy is our hygiene assistant.  Amy is a qualified dental assistant and is x-ray certified.  She assists our hygienists by taking x-rays, charting and maintaining the hygiene supplies and sterilization area. Amy is studying to become a Dental Hygienist.

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