Excellence in dentistry begins with a careful co-diagnosis and treatment plan to establish the goals we will achieve together. Communication and long-term relationships are important to us. Let us know what is on your mind and ask questions. We will help you realize an investment in yourself pays dividends for a lifetime.  We are caring, skilled professionals, dedicated to simplifying what is often a very complicated and confusing area of health care. We want all our patients to be informed and knowledgeable about their dental health care, from treatment plans and services, to insurance coverage.

Our exceptional, friendly staff is our greatest asset. Our dental assistants and hygienists are licensed professionals who pride themselves on staying on the cutting edge of dentistry and patient communication. They are excited about what they are doing, have high standards of quality and integrity, and are motivated to achieve the best results for our family of patients.

Our dedicated and motivated staff has one primary goal—your utmost comfort! We feel it’s important that you understand the treatment that you’ll be receiving so that you can relax during the procedure. Our staff is eager to answer any questions regarding your dental care. Please feel free to share with us your needs and concerns.

Thomas E. George, DMD, FAGD

Dr. Thomas E. George graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 1984. After completing a two-year General Practice Residency at the University of Pennsylvania, he remained at the Dental School as full-time faculty for two years. He then became Director of the General Practice Residency in advanced dental training at the Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia where he taught for thirteen years while also maintaining a private practice.

Dr. George is a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry and maintains a cosmetic and general dentistry practice with an emphasis on advanced dental esthetics. Along with his wife Cheryl, Dr. George is co-owner and co-founder of .

Aside from basic restorative dentistry, Dr. George offers an array of aesthetic services including porcelain veneers, implants, various teeth whitening processes, non-metal restorations and removable prostheses, smile evaluations, and aesthetic sculpting as well as emergency services, root canals, non-surgical and surgical periodontics, oral surgery, and oral medicine.

In conjunction with other practitioners at deme, Dr. George can create the perfect makeover for those who want to improve their appearance.

Jeannine EL-Maasri, DMD

Dr. Jeannine El-Maasri graduated from CASE School of Dental Medicine in Cleveland Ohio. Two years later she completed a post graduate general practice residency program at Rhode Island Hospital and became a member of Brown University faculty. Working in a comprehensive and cosmetically driven private practice in Rhode Island for 4 years, Dr. El-Maasri was able to excel in every aspect of dentistry. Her move to Philadelphia in 2010 gave her the opportunity to join the deme team.

Dr. El-Maasri was trained by several national educators through hundreds of continuing education courses. She is currently a CEREC certified and INVISALIGN certified doctor. Completing the Synergy training programs Dr. EL-Maasri is very well versed with IMPLANT dentistry. With her expertise, she is able to offer patient minimally invasive and long lasting dentistry. Aside from basic restorative dentistry, Dr. El-Maasri also offers an array of aesthetic services including porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, smile evaluations, and aesthetic sculpting as well as emergency services, root canals, periodontal treatment , oral surgery, and oral medicine.

Dr. El-Maasri takes pride in comprehensive quality dentistry. Many patients are impressed with the excellent chair side manner and the comfort they feel being treated. During the consultation Appointment Dr. El-Maasri will make sure to clearly diagnose and explain treatment options with the patient. All questions will be answered so that the decisions of treatment will be made based on the patients knowledge.

Please feel free to contact us and make an appointment to meet Dr. EL-Maasri.

Maki Ishii, DMD

Dr. Ishii is an energetic and compassionate caregiver. She fell in love with Philadelphia over the last 10 years and decided to plant her roots here. She majored in Biophysics at the Johns Hopkins University and then received her Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD) from the University of Pennsylvania. She continued her training in a three-year surgical program in Periodontics, Dental Implants and Esthetics at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Ishii is board certified and a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. She has lectured to students and colleagues concerning surgical vs. non-surgical periodontal therapy, causes of implant failures, and opportunities in healthcare in underserved countries.  She belongs to the American Academy of Periodontology, Academy of Osseointegration, and the Delaware Valley Academy of Osseointegration.

She offers non-surgical and surgical treatment for gingivitis and periodontitis, non-surgical and surgical treatment for gum recession, surgeries required for healthy crown and bridgework, cosmetic periodontal surgery, bone grafting and sinus grafting, TMJ (jaw joint) pain and disorder therapy, and dental implants to replace missing teeth.  Please make a consultation appointment with Dr. Ishii to discuss whether you are a good candidate for the above procedures.

Outside of dentistry, Dr. Ishii loves food, travel, photography and being involved in her local church.

Cheryl L. George, R.D.H.

Cheryl L. George, R.D.H., is a licensed dental hygienist. She received her dental hygiene degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 1981. She was a clinical professor at the University of Pennsylvania Dental School in the periodontology department and a clinical researcher in periodontal disease.

Cheryl and her husband, Dr. Thomas E. George, have been in practice together since 1984 in center city Philadelphia. She is the co-founder and co-owner of deme.

Tracey McDermott, RDH

Tracey received her dental hygiene degree from Camden County College in 1990, where she was awarded for academic achievement by the South Jersey Dental Association.  She later completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Pennsylvania, and is presently studying diet and nutrition at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York.

Tracey began work in a multi specialty practice and then in Hahnemann Hospital’s in-house dental clinic.  She later worked for Penn Dental at the University of Pennsylvania and has served under the Dean as a clinical research hygienist with a focus on assessing and providing periodontal care to pregnant women. Tracey served as a public health hygienist for St. Christopher’s Hospital presenting an oral health literacy program and providing clinical care on a mobile dental unit.  Tracey has worked as an adjunct clinical instructor at the Community College of Philadelphia and is presently the vice president for the Philadelphia component of the Pennsylvania Dental Hygienist’s Association.

Tracey joins the deme team, using her extensive experience to create a personalized dental hygiene regimen for patients, based on individual assessments and needs.

Sharlene Rosen, RDH

Sharlene graduated from the community college of Philadelphia with high honors in 2005. Her clinical studies were performed at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine where Sharlene received the highest award for clinical achievement.

Sharlene has spent the majority of her career focusing on the treatment and maintenance of moderate to advanced stages of periodontal disease.

Dr. Kevin J. Cross, M.D.

Dr. Kevin J. Cross’ expertise is founded in his background. Having returned to Philadelphia from New York City where he completed his general surgery and plastic surgery training at Cornell University, New York Presbyterian Hospital on the upper east side of Manhattan, Dr. Cross is proud to include as his mentors some of the giants in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery. His aesthetic surgery background stems not only from his experience in the Park and 5th Avenue offices of his professors, but also through his training at Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital and Lenox Hill Hospital, long felt to be two of the epicenters for cosmetic surgery. He brings with him both the classical as well as the newest and most advanced techniques in aesthetic surgery ranging from surgical and non-surgical facial rejuvenation to body enhancement and body contouring procedures. His reconstructive background was developed at the highly respected university hospitals, Cornell and Columbia.

Prior to his general and plastic surgical training, Dr. Cross graduated as an AOA honors society member from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He then spent time as a research fellow at Northwestern University where he studied how skin ages and what allows it to heal faster and better. Dr. Cross later became the primary investigator for the Tissue Regeneration Project at Cornell Medical Center. He has authored 5 textbook chapters and has published extensively on aspects of both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery and routinely presents at national meetings throughout the country. Recently, he headed a clinical study testing a new device to help minimize scarring during incision healing and maintains an academic appointment at Cornell University Medical Center.

Dr. Cross’ repertoire of procedures includes face lifting, eyelid rejuvenation, brow and forehead aesthetic surgery, nose surgery, breast augmentation and breast reduction, liposuction, including SMARTLIPO, tummy tuck procedures, arm lifting using a minimal incision approach, body contouring, and hand rejuvenation. He is also well versed in numerous Botox and injectable filling techniques.

Dr. Cross’ philosophy is to develop an individualized treatment plan for each of his patients. He then uses his breadth of experience to ensure that his patients receive long lasting, natural appearing results that reach their aesthetic goals. Not one procedure is appropriate for every patient. Rather, the correct procedure must be chosen based on the needs of the individual. Dr. Cross believes that good plastic surgery means that a patient should not look as if they have had plastic surgery, rather they should look more harmonious and rejuvenated.