Meet Our Team

Dr. Craig Widener

As a Carroll County native, Dr. Widener’s education started at Bowdon High School before he continued on to the University of West Georgia and then finally the Medical College of Georgia, to which he earned his Doctorate in Dental Medicine. While attending school, he was the recipient of the Academy of General Dentistry award for excellence in restorative treatments, the Dolly Harnden award, and he was also inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon which was awarded to the top 5 percent of the class. In 2017, Dr. Widener completed a 9 month long mini residency in surgical implant placement and restoration.

After completing his schooling Dr. Widener started working as an associate in Carrollton, where he was able to hone his skills and continue to gain invaluable experience. Dr. Widener opened his own family practice in Bowdon in March of 2001, and practiced at this location for 14 years. In April of 2015 Widener Family Dentistry moved to its current location in Bowdon having 6 operatories, a wonderful reception area and a fully functioning digital lab. In October of 2020, Dr. Widener purchased a second location with 6 more operatories in Carrollton and now has expanded having a total of 5 hygienist and 1 associate.

When Dr. Widener isn’t at the office helping patients, he remains committed to advanced training and continuing education – in all areas of dentistry. He is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Widener is a certified Solea Tissue Laser provider and often gives CE lectures regarding the use of lasers in the dental field. He is also very knowledgeable in computer-aided design lab technologies along with implant design and placement, to which he designs all of his crowns, bridges, and implant crowns making him extremely proficient with smile design and restoration.

Outside of the office, Dr. Widener and his wife Kimberley are busy spending time with their children and especially their granddaughter, Addison. Dr. Widener also enjoys church activities, hunting and running.

Dr. Rachel Harper

Dr. Rachel Harper grew up on her family's farm in LaGrange, GA where she attended Troup High School, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2010. She attended the University of Georgia, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Biological Science in 2014. She then returned to LaGrange to work as a dental assistant and serve on various mission trips through her church, including living and working at an orphanage in Africa. She obtained her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the Dental College of Georgia (DCG) graduating Summa Cum Laude in May of 2020. While at DCG, she was the recipient of multiple scholarships based on her class rank and performance and was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

Dr. Harper is dedicated to serving her community and is an active member of Southern Hills Church. At work, she prioritizes making her patients feel heard and comfortable. Most of all, she wants each dental visit to be as fun and relaxing as it can be for everyone. She is also passionate about systemic and oral health and stays current on the latest information to prevent dental decay. She is currently pursuing continuing education so she can better screen for airway issues for proper jaw development. Dr. Harper also offers SureSmile clear aligner therapy for her patients.

When not in the office, she spends her time with her husband, Dr. Chris Harper, their daughter, Ruthie, and the many animals on their farm. She is a competitive barrel racer, traveling across the Southeast for competitions most weekends with her horses. She is more than happy to talk about the many funny things her baby and animals do at your dental visit!

Alison Taylor

Alison is a mom to two children and as of April 2026, she has the honor of being called Grandee.

She graduated with her degree in dental hygiene the spring of 2004. After passing her boards, she immediately went to work and practiced with the same dentist until 2020, at which time Dr Widener bought the practice. She has had the honor of working with Dr. Widener for 6 years and is blessed to call Widener Family Dentistry her work home.

Many have asked, why dental hygiene. As a child, her teeth were crowded which caused her to be self-conscious while talking and smiling. Fortunately, she was able to have orthodontics at a young age and the result of straightening her teeth allowed her to have one less insecurity in her teenage years. She was able to smile and talk without being embarrassed. She truly believes this is where her interest in “teeth” started.

Coming to work is not a chore, not only because she has great coworkers, but also because her patients have become family. She typically see patients every 6 months therefore she sees many chapters of their lives such as marriages, birth of children, driver’s licenses, new jobs, pets, and graduations are just a few things she is able to hear about as she is taking care of their oral health needs.

Jennifer Messer

Jennifer began her dental career in 1995 as a dental assistant, and it didn’t take long for her to fall in love with the dental field. That passion led her to pursue a degree in dental hygiene graduating from West Georgia Technical College in 1998.

She joined Widener Family Dentistry in June 2008, just before her twins started kindergarten. Since then, she has had the privilege of building meaningful relationships with both her coworkers and her patients—something that truly makes what she does so rewarding.

She believes dental care is about more than “just a cleaning.” Her goal is to help patients understand the connection between their oral health and overall well-being, while also making each visit as comfortable and stress-free as possible—especially for those who may feel anxious.

She strives to ensure every patient feels cared for, informed, and at ease every time they walk through our doors.

Amber Tucker

Amber is a graduate of West Georgia Technical College where she obtained her Associate’s Degree in Dental Hygiene in 2007. She joined the Widener Family Dentistry team in 2020. Amber enjoys carefully considering the concerns of each patient and educating them on how to care for their smile on a daily basis. Each person has individualized needs that sometimes go beyond just brushing and flossing. Patients’ time in her chair is valuable to her and she really enjoys getting to know them personally.

Amber has been married to her husband Scott since July of 2007 and they have two beautiful children, Mollie and Slade. They enjoy spending quality time together by being outdoors, going to church, and going on vacations.

Ashley Hester

Ashley Hester is from Carrollton, GA. She started her career as a dental assistant and quickly realized she wanted to do more for her patients. She graduated from West Georgia Technical College with an Associates Degree. She is a dedicated dental hygienist with 13 years experience helping patients achieve and maintain healthy smiles. She is passionate about providing personalized care and takes pride educating patients on the connection between oral health and overall systemic health. Ashley believes that a healthy mouth plays a vital role in a person's total well-being. She strives to empower her patients with the knowledge and tools they need for long-term health.

Outside of the office, Ashley enjoys spending quality time with her family, often cheering from the sidelines at the ball field. Her warm, approachable nature and commitment to patient care make her a valued part of the dental team.

Melissa Entrekin

Melissa Entrekin graduated from West Georgia Technical College in 1997 with an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene and has been dedicated to patient care ever since.

She enjoys building lasting relationships with her patients and strives to make each visit comfortable and positive. Her goal is to support every patient’s oral health through gentle, thorough care and clear, helpful education.