Family Dentistry with a Family Touch.

Dr. Brian Marino was raised in Oakland, NJ, where he attended Indian Hills High School. He currently resides in Wyckoff with his wife, Kristen, their three children (James, Elizabeth, and Madelyn) and their Golden Retriever, Ryder. Outside the office, Dr. Marino is a devoted family man who loves cheering on his kids in soccer and lacrosse. A passionate New York Yankees fan, he is also an avid outdoorsman who enjoys fly fishing the streams of the West, the Catskills, and locally on the Flat Brook alongside his son James and brother Frank. He loves traveling and exploring new destinations with his family, and always finds his way back to beloved Cape Cod, where fishing, biking, and paddle boarding await.

A Practice Built on Patient-Centered Care

After years of working alongside other practitioners, Dr. Marino followed his vision and founded Pequannock Valley Dental Associates in 2007. Built on the belief that quality patient care should be delivered in a warm, welcoming environment, the practice reflects his commitment to connecting with each patient on a personal level, working together to develop treatment plans tailored to their individual needs.

In April 2021, Dr. Marino and Kristen expanded their family of practices by acquiring Dr. James Walter's office in Montville, now known as Montville Center for Dentistry. December 2023 brought two additional locations: The Center for Dentistry of Vernon and Whitehouse Station Center for Dentistry. Each location has undergone meaningful updates: modern facility improvements, the latest dental technology, and a growing team of dedicated professionals, all in service of the communities they call neighbors.

Education and Advanced Training

Dr. Marino earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biology with honors from Rutgers College and went on to graduate as a Dean's Scholar from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), now Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. He completed his General Practice Residency at Hackensack University Medical Center, consistently ranked New Jersey's #1 hospital by U.S. News & World Report.

A true lifelong learner, Dr. Marino routinely exceeds the annual continuing education requirements in all areas of dentistry. He has been an Invisalign provider since 2004 and is one of a select few dentists to have traveled to Costa Rica to tour the Invisalign manufacturing facility, where he worked directly with case specialists to master the latest techniques in clear aligner treatment. He is also a member of the American Academy of Clear Aligners (AACA).

His pursuit of excellence has led him to complete advanced coursework in occlusion, restorative dentistry, and temporomandibular joint disorders at the renowned Dawson Center, as well as advanced digital dentistry training at the Scottsdale Center for Dentistry in Arizona. A CEREC user since 2008, Dr. Marino has personally placed thousands of same-day porcelain crowns and remains at the forefront of CAD CAM technology. He is also a graduate of the Schuster Center for Dentistry, a program designed to help highly skilled clinicians structure their practices around ethical, patient-centered care.

Most recently, Dr. Marino has pursued advanced training in dental implants through Minec America in Irving, TX, and has traveled to the Dominican Republic to further develop his surgical and prosthetic implant skills, a testament to his dedication to offering patients the most comprehensive care possible. He is an active member of both the American Dental Association (ADA) and the New Jersey Dental Association (NJDA).

A Commitment to Your Best Smile

Dr. Marino and his highly trained team are truly dedicated to providing the best possible experience for you and your family, because your optimal dental health is always the priority.

Dr. Nguyen is a general dentist dedicated to serve and guide patients towards optimum dental health. Besides his silliness, he takes his time to support both the team and patients at The Center for Dentistry, facilitating a fun yet personal experience. With treatment, he utilizes a patient-centric approach: partnering with patients in achieving exceptional dental care.

Dr. Nguyen makes every effort to communicate and work through patients' anxiety, concerns and dental needs. He continues to stay up to date with current developments in dentistry, along with continuing education. He pursued his Bachelors in Biochemistry from San Jose State University. He then earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Touro College of Dental Medicine. His dental expertise encompasses all aspects of General Dentistry.

When not in the office, Dr. Nguyen enjoys reading manga and building custom keyboards. He loves to cook and makes a variety of dishes, specializing in Vietnamese Cuisine. He loves music and listens to all genres ranging from kpop to electronic and even metal.

Dr. Alexander Lavarez firmly believes that maintaining a healthy smile is integral to overall health. By taking the time to educate patients about the importance of their oral health, he aspires to empower patients to make informed decisions about their care. Combining a thorough understanding of dental practices with a genuine concern for patient comfort, Dr. Lavarez is committed to working with his patients to develop personalized treatment plans and delivering high quality dental care. Dr. Alexander Lavarez first explored his passion for biological sciences at Rutgers University where he graduated with honors. He would then go on to earn his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Touro College of Dental Medicine. After completing dental school, he pursued further training and completed a General Practice Residency at Jersey City Medical Center where he fine-tuned his skills in all aspects of dentistry.

As he strives to provide the best care for his patients, Dr. Lavarez stays up-to-date with the latest advancements and research in dentistry through continuing education courses. In his spare time, Dr. Lavarez tries to satisfy his big appetite by discovering new restaurants and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. He stays active by going to his local gym and exploring the hiking trails. Through his expertise and dedication to his patients, Dr. Lavarez will strive to provide the best care to help you on your oral health journey.

From the moment you walk through the door, Dr. Kim's calm, friendly presence puts patients at ease. His warm chairside manner is backed by a strong academic foundation and extensive clinical training. Dr. Kim earned his dental degree from the highly respected New York University College of Dentistry after completing his undergraduate studies.

As a general dentist, Dr. Kim is passionate about building lasting relationships with his patients and delivering comprehensive care for individuals and families alike. He listens closely, answers questions thoroughly, and makes sure every patient feels fully confident in their treatment plan before moving forward.

Patient education is at the heart of how Dr. Kim practices. He believes great dentistry begins with trust, and trust begins with understanding. That is why he takes the time to explain what's causing discomfort, walk through available options, and share the reasoning behind each recommendation, so patients always feel informed, supported, and never rushed.

Dr. Kim is also a firm believer that exceptional care starts with mastering the fundamentals. By staying grounded in strong general dentistry principles, he approaches every procedure, routine or complex, with precision, care, and an eye toward long-term success.

Outside the practice, Dr. Kim enjoys golf and poker, two pursuits that call on the same patience, focus, and strategic thinking he brings to the dental chair every day.

Dr. Kim looks forward to welcoming you to the practice and providing exceptional, personalized care you can trust.

Dr. Paul Leary has lived in Sussex County for the last 25 years and is happy to be caring for his neighbors and providing quality dental care for the community.

Born in Buffalo, NY and raised in Wanaque, Dr. Leary received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania, and his dental degree from Temple University in Philadelphia.

Dr. Leary has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education to further his dental skills and knowledge. After 35 years in dentistry, he is still just as passionate about his profession as he was when he first started. He gets as much joy from doing a simple filling as he does from completing a complex full-mouth reconstruction.

Beyond his clinical expertise, Dr. Leary's bedside manner is truly second to none. His kind, patient, and reassuring nature immediately puts patients at ease, and he is especially wonderful with children. They absolutely love him! He has a special way of making even our youngest patients feel comfortable, safe, and excited about visiting the dentist.

On the personal side, Dr. Leary has a loving wife, six children, and five grandchildren. He is an avid reader and enjoys hunting and fishing.

Dr. Leary is also a passionate Yankees fan and a long-suffering Buffalo Bills fan!

Happily married since 2000, Kristen and Dr. Marino have 3 children: James, Elizabeth and Madelyn. Kristen enjoys spending her time with her family cheering them on from the sidelines and finds great joy in watching their children grow. She enjoys cooking for her family and creating memories as they travel to new places each year. An avid skier and nature lover, Kristen finds much happiness in the great outdoors, whether that is a hike in the National Parks, skiing, or simply combing the beach for shells at her beloved Cape Cod.

Professionally, Kristen is Dr. Marino's business partner and wife, and they have partnered together on various projects since 2007. Dr. Marino introduced Kristen to the potential of her involvement in the practices in 2007, when they acquired Pequannock Valley Dental Associates, followed by Montville Center for Dentistry (2021), Whitehouse Station Center for Dentistry (2023) and The Center for Dentistry of Vernon (2023). Kristen was new to the field of dentistry in 2007 after making a complete career change. Originally a teacher with a degree specialized in education, she obtained an M.Ed in Developmental Disabilities. Kristen offers a unique perspective with her background in education.

A natural eye for design and detail, Kristen helps to transform the dental spaces so they are aesthetically pleasing and comforting to patients. Kristen is committed to the growth and development of the team and she diligently works with each team member to create a path for growth in working within their unique strengths. Kristen is heavily involved in the development of systems, operating procedures and curriculum for the dental practices. As a teacher at heart, she always loves to bring on, develop and grow team members who are aligned with the vision of the practices and guides with a servant's heart. She views each day as a new opportunity for learning and developing professionally and personally and continues to surround herself in this industry with the top leaders in the dental space.