Bio

Sharon Nicholson Harrell, DDS, MPH, FAGD, FICD, FADI, CDE was named chief diversity officer for FirstHealth of the Carolinas in January 2021. Dr. Harrell became affiliated with FirstHealth in October 1998 as the inaugural director of dental care. Since then, FirstHealth Dental Care has provided comprehensive dental care to over 30,000 underserved patients up to age 21, and the centers have received national attention as models for delivery of care to low-income populations.

Dr. Harrell received her dental degree from the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry in 1987 where she also serves as an adjunct professor, and she completed an Advanced General Dentistry Residency at the University of Maryland Dental School in 1988.  She attained her Masters in Public Health training at the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health in 1990, and has achieved Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry, the Pierre Fauchard Academy, the International College of Dentists, and most recently, the Academy of Dentistry International. Dr. Harrell was also awarded the American Dental Association Golden Apple Award for Outstanding Leadership in Mentoring for her work with high school students, dental students, dental auxiliary students from Montgomery Community College and Central Carolina Community College, and young dentists.

Dr. Harrell’s passion is creating access to dental care for underserved children, and in 2011, the North Carolina Academy of Pediatric Dentistry awarded her the first ever Pediatric Oral Health Service Award for her work.  She was selected as a recipient of the North Carolina Dental Society’s Citizenship Award, chosen as the Health Policy and Management Alumnus of the Year at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, and participated in the first Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health Satellite Media Tour. 

Dr. Harrell earned a Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace from the University of South Florida Muma College of Business in May 2021.  She was recently credentialed as a Certified Diversity Executive.

 

Philosophy of Care

To treat each patient with the utmost respect while delivering the highest quality of comprehensive, preventive-focused care.

Specialties

• Dentistry

Hospital Affiliation

• Outpatient Practice Only

Training

• DDS, University of North Carolina School of Dentistry

Internship & Residency

• University of Maryland College of Dental Surgery

Hours

Hours vary; please call the Southern Pines at (910) 692-5111 to determine our schedule.

Hobbies

Reading