A Legacy of Care: Marshall Fesche Retires After 50 Years in Dentistry
In 1975, fresh out of dental school and fueled by a strong sense of purpose, Marshall Fesche opened his first dental practice with only one other employee — his wife, Tammy. Last week marked the end of an era as Fesche walked out the door of one of his five dental offices for the final time, beginning his retirement after five decades of dedicated service to patients across Carroll and Baltimore counties.
A native of Baltimore, Fesche graduated from the University of Maryland before briefly relocating to Vermont. However, he quickly returned to his home state, where he established his first clinic in Westminster. What began as a modest single-practice operation soon blossomed into a thriving network of care. Within five years, Fesche brought on additional dental associates, and over time, expanded his practice to include five locations — four in Carroll County and one in Baltimore County.
One of Fesche’s most meaningful contributions to the community was the opening of Carroll County Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. Recognizing a gap in pediatric dental services, Fesche stepped in when the local health department struggled to retain a pediatric dentist, leaving many children without proper care.
“We wanted to alleviate that problem,” Fesche recalled. “I guess I have an entrepreneurial spirit, too. We couldn’t handle everybody in our single practice, so we had to move to other practices to be able to serve everybody.”
Beyond his clinical work, Fesche and Tammy were deeply committed to humanitarian efforts. Together, they co-founded the Ecuadent Foundation, which for many years organized medical and dental missions to Ecuador. The foundation brought teams of professionals to provide free, high-quality care to underserved children in Tammy’s native country. These efforts continued until the pandemic disrupted international travel.
Fesche’s influence extended far beyond the walls of his clinics. For years, he played a pivotal role in shaping dental policy and advocacy through his active involvement with the Maryland State Dental Association and its Political Action Committee. Lyndsay Kuzmak, president-elect of the association, described Fesche as a respected voice and a “permanent fixture” at every meeting.
“He has been a mentor and a friend,” Kuzmak said. “It’s the end of an era with him retiring from clinical dentistry, but I’m happy he’ll get to relax a little more now.”
Dr. Angelique Fallahi, a longtime partner in Fesche’s practice, echoed those sentiments. She joined Fesche’s team shortly after graduating from Temple University and eventually became a business partner in all five practices.
“He built his practice on integrity — very compassionate, excellent patient care,” Fallahi said. “We are going to try to follow his lead and continue the legacy he created.”
Though stepping back from daily clinical operations, Fesche plans to remain involved by occasionally filling in for other dentists during vacations or illnesses. He expressed pride in what he and his team accomplished together.
“I’m very proud that we’re probably the largest group in Carroll County, and we win awards every year,” he said. “The patients think we’re the best in the county, and I feel as though we’re serving a need. It’s been a lot of satisfaction treating people and tending to their problems.”
Fesche’s career is a testament to the power of compassion, innovation, and community-driven healthcare. As he enters this next chapter, his legacy continues to inspire both colleagues and patients alike.
