Staff

Born and raised in Zanesville, Ohio, Dr. Daniel Merker has dedicated his career to providing compassionate dental care to his community. After graduating Cum Laude from Miami University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in zoology, he pursued his passion for dentistry at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, where he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree with honors.

Following his education, Dr. Dan joined his father's private practice in Zanesville, where he honed his skills and dedicated himself to carrying on family traditions in dental care. He continues to serve alongside his son, Dr. Brian Merker, ensuring that their family's legacy of exceptional dental care lives on.

Dr. Dan is honored to be part of dental honorary societies such as Omicron Kappa Upsilon, The American College of Dentists, and The Pierre Fauchard Academy. He has held leadership roles in organizations such as the Muskingum Valley Dental Society and the Zanesville Kiwanis.

Outside of dentistry, Dr. Dan finds joy in his family, faith, and hobbies. Married since 1986 to his wife Leslie, he cherishes time spent with his children, Brian and Mae, as well as his four grandsons. Dr. Dan's passions extend beyond the dental office; he enjoys sports, woodworking, stained glass, and spending time outdoors. Additionally, he currently serves as an elder at the Muskingum Valley Vineyard Church.

Driven by his passion to serve and improve lives, Dr. Dan embraces each day with dedication and enthusiasm, embodying the values of hard work, compassion, and family that he learned growing up on a farm in Ohio.

Dr. Brian Merker was born in Zanesville, Ohio in 1989. He graduated from Tri-Valley High School in Dresden, Ohio in 2008. He did his undergraduate training at The Ohio State University. Upon completing his requirements a year early, and he then entered The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 2015. He is proud to be the fourth-generation dentist in our Zanesville practice.

Dr. Brian is a member of the Ohio Dental Association, a branch of the American Dental Association. He is also a member of several conservation organizations.

Brian was married in May of 2015 to his beautiful wife Brianna. He has two boys Luke and Levi. He and his wife both enjoy the outdoors. Brian enjoys fishing, hiking, woodworking and nature. The thing that brings him the most joy is his faith in Jesus Christ, to whom he owes everything.

Anne has been an essential member of our team since 1998, serving as both a Dental Assistant and Front Office staff member for over 26 years. With her wealth of experience and dedication, Anne plays a pivotal role in fostering a welcoming atmosphere for our patients.

Anne's passion lies in forming personal connections with patients and their families. She takes pride in providing exceptional care and cherishes the relationships she has cultivated throughout her tenure.

Outside of work, Anne enjoys spending time with her husband, Jay, and their family. Recently, Anne's family welcomed a precious addition—a granddaughter, marking the first girl born into the family in 70 years. Anne's interests include dance, teaching zumba, and leading community outreach programs. She looks forward to continuing her career at Merker, making a positive impact on the lives of those she serves.

Kassie has been a valued member of our team since 2011, serving as a Registered Dental Hygienist. In 2019 Kassie moved into an administrative role which led to her becoming our front office manager in 2022. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene from West Liberty University and is a Certified Local Anesthetic Administrator.

Kassie's favorite part of her job is helping people live healthier lifestyles. She approaches her work with respect and love, aiming to provide exceptional service to her patients. She finds fulfillment in the opportunity to openly share her faith with patients and prioritize family first.

Kassie is married to her high school sweetheart and is a proud mother of two children, Natalie and Maverick. She spends her time as a 4-H advisor for the local 4-H club as well as being an active member in her church. She is passionate about Jesus, cooking big meals and working on their family farm.

Since 2012, Jasmin has been a dedicated member of our team as a Registered Dental Hygienist. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene from The Ohio State University and is a Certified Local Anesthetic Administrator.

Jasmin finds fulfillment in engaging with patients and building meaningful connections with them and their families, enjoying the opportunity to talk with patients, getting to know them on a personal level. Jasmin's favorite aspect of her job is treating periodontal disease, considering it a rewarding challenge that motivates her to continually learn in order to help patients maintain optimal oral health.

Outside of the office, Jasmin is married to her high school sweetheart, Adam. Together, they are proud parents to three children, Gavin, Grayson and Ivy. Jasmin also enjoys tending to her garden and caring for their farm animals.

Barbara has been with us since 2014, serving as a Registered Dental Hygienist. She holds an Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from West Liberty University and is a Certified Local Anesthetic Administrator. Barbara is passionate about promoting optimal oral health, with a particular focus on flossing and fluoride. In her role, Barbara finds fulfillment in educating patients and empowering them to achieve their dental goals. She is dedicated to instilling the importance of daily flossing and educating patients on the benefits of fluoride. 

Beyond her professional aspirations, her personal goals include raising her four children in a loving Christian home and passing down cooking traditions. She loves spending time with her family and cooking with her husband and kids. She also enjoys hobbies such as crocheting, working out and knitting. She can even cross running a half marathon off of her bucket list.

Mae has been an integral part of our team since 2014, serving as Supply Manager and Auxiliary Assistant. She is also an Ohio State Dental Board Certified Dental Radiographer. As a fourth-generation member of our dental practice, Mae embodies our commitment to excellence and family values. Mae cherishes the relationships she has with her coworkers and patients, making her favorite part of the job the connections she forms with others. Her vibrant personality brightens our office every day.

Beyond her professional duties, Mae's faith is central to her life, followed closely by her family and friends. In her free time, she indulges in activities such as cooking, reading, shopping, hiking and drinking coffee.

Laycee has been with us since October 2019, proudly working alongside Dr. Brian. She received her certificate through the Assist to Succeed Program, bringing valuable skills and knowledge to her role. Her main passion in the office is helping patients feel confident in their smiles. 

Outside of work, Laycee and her husband Kyle recently welcomed their first baby girl. In her free time, she loves spending quality moments with her family and loved ones. Laycee enjoys outdoor activities such as kayaking, and she's even tried her hand at skydiving!

Josie Montgomery joined our team in 2021 as a Dental Assistant, bringing her expertise from graduating from the First Impressions Dental Assisting program and obtaining certification as a Dental Radiographer from the Ohio State Dental Board.

Josie started her dental career journey here at Merker. She values continuous learning and building lasting relationships with patients.

Outside of work, Josie enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband and best friend, Houston. Together, they share their home with three dogs. She finds comfort in her faith and cherishes moments spent with loved ones.

Ashlyn began her dental career when she joined our team in 2023 as a Dental Assistant. She is certified by the Ohio State Dental Board as a Dental Radiographer and completed the Assist to Succeed Program. Ashlyn is dedicated to providing excellent patient care and pride in making each patient visit as pleasant as possible. 

Outside of work, Ashlyn enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing violin and helping out on the family farm.

Denise Angelo joined our front office team in 2023. She holds an Associate degree in Health Information Management Technology from Zane State and previously studied Media, Film, and Advertising for four years.

In her leisure time, Denise enjoys spending her time outdoors. She takes pleasure in activities such as hiking, working out, and  photography. She comes from a large family and takes pride in being a fun aunt. She also has a passion for cooking, baking, and spending quality time with her family and friends.

Marissa Sees, a dedicated Dental Hygienist, joined our team in January 2024. She graduated from West Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and a certification in local anesthesia. Marissa's favorite part of her job is building connections and trust with patients while teaching them about their oral health. She is passionate about providing the best care possible.

Marissa has two dogs, Mollie and Comet. Her and her fiance are preparing for a wedding in March 2025.