Meet The Team

Optimum Dental Care, LLC has highly trained, experienced and professional specialists and dentists you can trust! We offer individualized care that patients can rely on and cutting-edge technology.

Dr. Dwight E. Williams attended Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and completed residencies in General Practice Dentistry, as well as a four year residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Dr.Williams also holds a Masters Degree in Public Health (MPH) and is Board Certified in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He completed a one year residency in General Practice Dentistry at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York after which he did a one year Oral Surgery Fellowship and the Four year Residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Harlem Hospital Center in New York City.
Over the past year (2008) he successfully Recertified with the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial and completed training in the use of Waterlase, which is the most popular laser used in dentistry today. He is on staff at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine where he is an Assistant Clinical Professor and also at Harlem Hospital Center where he is the Associate Program Director for the Residency Training Program in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
He is a member of the New York State Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and a Fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He is an accomplished oral surgeon who has over twelve years experience in the full scope of oral surgery.
In addition to routine dentoalveolar surgery, Dr. Williams has placed more than 1000 dental implants in private practice to date and is one of the most experienced Implant Surgeon practicing in the New York area. At Harlem Hospital he trains the residents in the treatment of maxillofacial trauma, major pathology and reconstructive surgery.
Certificates And Licenses:
Diplomate, American Board Of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery - March, 1999
Branemark Implant System - December, 1995
New Jersey State Dental License - October, 1995
BLS, ACLS, ATLS Certified - September, 1995
Trans-Mandibular Implant - May, 1995
New York State Dental License - July, 1991
North East Regional Board Examination in Dentistry - June, 1990
Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations - May, 1990
Awards and Honors:
Abbe Selman Award, Outstanding Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Resident (1996)
HARLAM HOSPITAL ORAL SURGERY DEPARTMENT
Outstanding and Dedicated Service (1992)
ORAL SURGERY DEPT. HARLEM HOSPITAL CENTER
Clark Foundation Excellence, (1986-1989)
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
Award of Academic Excellence (1986-1987)
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
Cum Laude (1986)
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Professional Society Membership:
Subcommittee on Minority Recruitment, Columbia University
American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
New York State Society Of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
International Association Of Dental Research
American Dental Association
American College of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons

Dr. Ashley M. Lofters is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who is experienced with the full scope of her field including but not limited to surgical extraction of wisdom teeth, sedation of patients, dental implant surgery, bone grafting, exposure and extraction of impacted teeth, facial trauma surgery, corrective jaw surgery for skeletal facial deformity, TMJ surgery and management of benign pathology.
Dr. Lofters received her high school diploma from St. Andrew High School for Girls where she completed her education as one of the top 5 in her class. It was during her time in high school that she first discovered her love for the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Dr. Lofters received thorough exposure to the field by shadowing oral surgeons and quickly realized that she could be capable of restoring the confidence and alleviating the pain of others with her surgical skills and compassion.
Dr. Lofters completed her undergraduate studies and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. Her education continued with dental school at Howard University College of Dentistry where she graduated Summa Cum Laude as a Doctor of Dental Surgery.
Her pursuit of higher education led her to complete a 1-year fellowship in OMFS followed by completion of a rigorous 4- year OMFS residency training with NYC Health and Hospitals Woodhull Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York.
When she is not treating, Dr. Ashley Lofters enjoys volunteering, mentoring, swimming, travelling, skiing, hiking, sight-seeing, experiencing different restaurants and exploring with her dog, Rex.

Dr. Ruth Parkin- Edwin grew up in Jamaica. She migrated to the USA in 1991. She received her BS (Summa Cum Laude) in Biology from Upsala College, 1994. After college she immediately was accepted to Dental school in 1994. She graduated from the University of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey in 1998 with honors. She completed her three years specialty and received her Certificate in Periodontics.
On May 13, 2016 Dr. Parkin- Edwin received Master Affiliate status as a provider of Fast Braces technology to include the new Fast Braces TURBO.
Dr. Parkin-Edwin also holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey, a Continue Education Certification in Orthodontics-Progressive Orthodontic Seminars.
Dr. Parkin-Edwin is an active member of the American Board of Periodontology, American Dental Association, American Academy of Periodontology, Essex County Dental Association, National Dental Association and New Jersey Dental Association.
While in pursuit of her dream to become a Dentist, she spent her summers working at the Colgate Palmolive Special Olympics, N.J Children Dental Health Day at Liberty Science Center and N.J Children Dental Health Day at Turtle Back Zoo providing free dental care for underprivileged children and giving back to the community.
Dr. Parkin-Edwin’s personal interests include making a difference in the life of her patients, volunteering, worshipping God and cooking. She also likes to read, and travel. Her greatest joy is spending time with her two awesome sons and loving husband, William.
Dr. Parkin-Edwin will provide excellent quality care for your family.

Dr. Craig Smith graduated from Tufts University Dental School in Boston, Massachussetts. After that he completed a three year residency in Orthodontics, also at Tufts University.
He is Board Certified by the American Association of Orthodontics and have many years of experience in the treatment of dental malocclusion in children and adults.
In addition to practicing at Optimum Dental Care he also maintains a private practice in Orthodontics in Long Island, New York. He is certified in Invisalign and has done numerous successful cases to date.