A Georgetown- and Howard-educated dentist named a Washingtonian Top Dentist most recently in 2026 — and inducted into its Hall of Fame — also honored as a Bethesda Magazine Top Dentist and Potomac Lifestyle’s Best Cosmetic Dentist.
From the Top Dentists Hall of Fame to expert commentary — every feature below links to the original published article. Nothing invented.
Named a Washingtonian Top Dentist for 2026 — her latest recognition on the magazine’s official Top Dentists list, verified on her Washingtonian profile.
Read the featureInducted into Washingtonian’s inaugural Top Dentists Hall of Fame — an honor reserved for practitioners named to the magazine’s Top Dentists list at least eight of the past fourteen years.
Read the featureProfiled in Washingtonian’s Industry Leaders as a leader in porcelain crowns — recognized for digital-impression restorative artistry at Smiles of Chevy Chase.
Read the featureA featured profile of Dr. Marko and Smiles of Chevy Chase — serving MD, DC & VA with implant reconstructions, porcelain crowns, clear aligners and TMJ Botox therapy.
Read the featureInterviewed as a Chevy Chase dental expert on the rise in cracked and broken teeth across the DMV — which she attributes largely to stress and anxiety.
Read the featureA trusted Washingtonian expert voice since 2015, answering readers’ questions on restorative dentistry — from cracked-tooth syndrome to whitening and veneers.
Read the featureFrom Washingtonian and Bethesda Magazine to DC Modern Luxury, Potomac and national news — recognized across the DMV, year after year.
Named among Washington’s best, year after year — and inducted into the Top Dentists Hall of Fame.
Hundreds of five-star reviews across Google, Zocdoc and Healthgrades.
“Hands down the best dentist I’ve ever been to! They answered all my questions, were extremely understanding and never judgmental, and went above and beyond.”
“Dr. Marko is very professional and I recommend her practice highly. Her staff is awesome and they go into great detail to make your visit as enjoyable as a trip to the dentist can be.”
“Dr. Marko is excellent at what she does — you are always sure of an excellent outcome. She has done a lot of crown work for me and my husband.”
“As usual, Dr. Marko exceeds expectations. I’ve been a long-time patient and I actually look forward to going to her office.”
“I recommend Dr. Markogiannakis and her staff without reservation — professional, caring, competent and gracious.”
“Dr. Markogiannakis was very personable and took the time to explain everything, and the entire staff was amazing.”
Every detail below is drawn from Dr. Markogiannakis’s published biography and press record.
Dr. Despina Markogiannakis — affectionately called “Dr. Marko” by her patients — is the owner and operator of Smiles of Chevy Chase, caring for patients across Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Georgetown University and her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Howard University School of Dentistry, where she graduated with the highest honors, earned multiple clinical excellence awards, and went on to earn perfect marks on her board examinations.
For more than a decade she has been one of the region’s most consistently honored dentists — named a Washingtonian Top Dentist most recently in 2026 (and in 2021, 2023 and 2024), inducted into the magazine’s inaugural Top Dentists Hall of Fame, named to Faces of Washington 2024, honored as a Top Dentist by Bethesda Magazine, and named Best Cosmetic Dentist by Potomac Lifestyle. A Washingtonian expert voice since 2015, she is regularly called on to speak on restorative and cosmetic dentistry.
Dr. Marko is known for her artistry in porcelain crowns, veneers, implant reconstructions and clear-aligner smile makeovers — blending cutting-edge digital technology with a warm, unhurried chairside manner. “Who says dental offices have to be cold and clinical?” is the philosophy behind her luxurious, calming Chevy Chase practice, where comfort options include nitrous and oral-conscious sedation and The Wand for virtually painless anesthesia.
Beyond the practice, Dr. Marko is an active member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and leading study clubs including Spear — and she gives back by providing free dental care to uninsured children. A Washington-area fixture for over a decade, she lives nearby with her husband, three children and two dogs, and enjoys sports, traveling and photography.
A team you can trust — two accomplished dentists under one roof.
Georgetown & Howard-educated and a multi-year Washingtonian Top Dentist, Dr. Marko leads Smiles of Chevy Chase with artistry in cosmetic, restorative and implant dentistry — and a reputation built over more than a decade across the DMV.
A magna cum laude Tulane graduate, Dr. McShane earned her DDS with Thesis Honors from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (with awards in implant & pediatric dentistry) and completed a GPR residency at the Washington DC VA Medical Center, focusing on digital dentistry. She concentrates in prosthodontics, oral surgery, implant placement & restoration, and pediatric care.
From routine cleanings to full smile makeovers — comprehensive, comfortable care for the whole family.
Comfortable, transparent and unhurried — from the moment you walk in.
Our team greets you and guides you through an easy check-in — no cold, clinical waiting rooms here.
We review your dental & medical history, perform a detailed exam, and take any necessary digital X-rays.
Dr. Marko designs a treatment plan tailored specifically to your goals, comfort and budget.
We explain your coverage, assist with claims, provide cost estimates and discuss flexible payment options.
Her practice, press features, reviews and profiles — each link opens the original source.
“Dr. Marko” is Dr. Despina Markogiannakis, DDS, the owner of Smiles of Chevy Chase in Chevy Chase, MD. A Georgetown and Howard University graduate, she has been named a Washingtonian Top Dentist multiple times and inducted into its Top Dentists Hall of Fame, and cares for patients across Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia.
She was voted a Washingtonian Top Dentist most recently in 2026 — and in 2021, 2023 and 2024 — and inducted into Washingtonian’s inaugural Top Dentists Hall of Fame (for appearing on the Top Dentists list at least eight of the past fourteen years). In 2026 she was also named a Top Dentist by Bethesda Magazine and Best Cosmetic Dentist by Potomac Lifestyle, and she has been named to Faces of Washington 2024 and featured by Modern Luxury DC, ABC 7 and WTOP News.
She earned a Bachelor of Science from Georgetown University and her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Howard University School of Dentistry, graduating with the highest honors and multiple clinical excellence awards, and earned perfect marks on her CDCA/NERB board examinations.
Dr. Marko practices alongside Dr. Suzanne McShane, DDS — a magna cum laude Tulane graduate who earned her DDS with Thesis Honors from the University at Buffalo and concentrates in prosthodontics, oral surgery, implant placement and restoration, and pediatric care.
Restorative, cosmetic, general, periodontal, implant and sedation dentistry — including porcelain crowns, veneers, Lumineers, dental implants, Zoom! whitening, Invisalign, bonding, bridges and TMJ therapy — with same-day emergency care and comfort options like nitrous, oral-conscious sedation and The Wand.
The practice holds a 4.9 out of 5 rating from 172 reviews, with a 4.8 on Zocdoc (177 reviews) and 4.7 on Healthgrades — reflecting more than a decade of trusted, patient-centered care across the DMV.
New patients receive a warm welcome, a comprehensive exam and digital X-rays, a personalized treatment plan, and clear guidance on insurance and payment. You can book by phone at (301) 652-0656 or online.
Smiles of Chevy Chase is at 5454 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 810, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, serving Chevy Chase, Washington, D.C., Bethesda and the surrounding areas. Call (301) 652-0656 to schedule.
Experience award-winning care at Smiles of Chevy Chase. New patients are always welcome in the heart of Chevy Chase, MD.