Doctors
Matthew Cronan, DMD
Dr. Cronan was born in the great state of Maine and received his Bachelors of Biology from the Honors College at the University of Maine. From there he began a gradual migration from the frozen north to the warmer southern climate. He received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Tufts Dental School in Boston, Massachusetts and after practicing in and around the city for a few years, he and his wife Shannon decided that they had experienced one too many snowstorms in Boston. During a family vacation to the Outer Banks, the couple stopped in Virginia Beach and fell in love with the active but laid-back coastal community. Dr. Cronan is a member of the American Dental Association and Virginia Dental Association. He actively pursues continuing education opportunities including oral appliance therapy for TMJ disorders and clear orthodontic Invisalign aligners to offer the best possible care for his patients. He believes Dentistry is a merger of art and medicine and is especially happy to help those who are reluctant or nervous to establish a positive dental home. When not treating patients at Lighthouse Dental, Dr. C can be found paddle-boarding, hiking, or playing at the beach with his wife, daughters, and two dogs Mr. Pickles and Cheerio.
Nital Patel, DDS
Dr. Patel was raised in the outskirts of Richmond, Virginia with her mother, father, and older sister. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Virginia in the beautiful city of Charlottesville, Virginia (Go Hoos!!). Feeling a little homesick and wanting to be closer to her parents, Dr. Patel went back to her home town and received her Degree of Dental Sciences at the Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Dentistry in Richmond, Virginia.
During dental school, she discovered her love of the Beach and water through her boyfriend, Neil, who grew up in Virginia Beach. After receiving her DDS, enamored by the area and the community Dr. Patel found a work home at Lighthouse Dental Group.
Apart from Dentistry’s artistic and versatile nature, Dr. Patel is drawn to Dentistry because she values creating positive patient/practitioner relationships. She is passionate about providing her patients with comfort and the confidence to smile. As a young dentist, Dr. Patel is actively seeking new ways to expand her Dental knowledge and ability.
Outside of the dental clinic, you can find Dr. Patel running outdoors, hiking, spending time with family, cooking, and playing with their dog, Mamba.
Hygienists
Dinah Arcelona
Mei Wang
Makayla Bollinger
Tisa Paige
Dental Assistants
Kathy Locke
Julia Yniguez
Diane Rogers
Jessica
Leanna Vong
Hannah Blanton
Lesley Kohn
Front Office
Andrea Davis
Anne Shaw
Coreoni Mcpherson
Cronan Family
Dr. Cronan and his wife, Shannon, moved to Virginia Beach in 2017 and immediately fell in love with the culture, the beach, the laid back lifestyle, and the people. In 2020 Dr. Cronan joined Lighthouse Dental Group as an associate and realized how amazing the patients are that we serve here. As of November 2022, he became the new owner and takes pride in continuing to offer the same high-quality care that our office has offered for years. When they're not at the office, you can find Dr. Cronan and Shannon hanging around town with their two daughters, Berkeley and Sheplyn. Ask Dr. Cronan about his kids when you're in for your appointment, he's definitely going to show you a photo or two!