Dr. Merissa Ferrar Nelms , DDS
Dentist - General Practice β’ Athens, GA
870 Gaines School Rd
Athens, GA 306053132
This profile restates public CMS/NPPES data; T-MedInfo gives no medical advice — consult a licensed professional, and call 911 for emergencies.
Practice Location & Contact Primary Location
870 Gaines School Rd
Athens, GA 306053132
Matched by practice address or phone in NPPES. A shared address or phone does not confirm that this clinician works there.
What Public CMS Data Show
Dentist - General Practice: NPPES taxonomy is a reported classification, not proof of board certification.
Open Payments general payments, program year 2025
All general payments: $315.00 across 2 records.
By nature of payment
- Education: $300.00 across 1 record.
- Food and Beverage: $15.00 across 1 record.
Reporting-company totals
- Straumann USA LLC: $300.00 across 1 record.
- Ultradent Products Inc: $15.00 across 1 record.
A reported payment does not necessarily mean the financial relationship is improper and is not a measure of care quality. Clinicians can review and dispute these records.
Source: Calculated by T-MedInfo from CMS Open Payments general-payment records for program year 2025 (published June 30, 2026).
NPI first issued
2021
The year this clinician's National Provider Identifier (NPI) was issued. An NPI is a unique 10-digit ID that US health care providers use for billing.
What this does not show: NPI first issued
NPIs have been issued only since 2005, so this year is not necessarily when the clinician started practicing.
Source: CMS NPPES NPI Registry.
Medicare assignment not listed
CMS data do not show whether this clinician accepts Medicare assignment. This does not mean they do not accept Medicare. Ask the office.
Medicare assignment applies to Original Medicare. It does not tell you whether the clinician is in a Medicare Advantage plan's network, accepts other insurance, or is taking new patients.
Source: CMS Doctors and Clinicians; Medicare.gov, βDoes your provider accept Medicare as full payment?β
No telehealth indicator
CMS shows this indicator only when recent Medicare claims include telehealth services. The clinician may still offer telehealth; ask the office.
Source: CMS, Telehealth Indicator on Medicare Care Compare (fact sheet, January 2023); CMS Doctors and Clinicians.
Compared with the same specialty in Athens and Georgia
46 active clinicians are listed under Dentist - General Practice with a practice address in Athens, GA (3,169 in Georgia).
Addresses are self-reported to NPPES and may be out of date.
Telehealth indicator in Athens
0% of these 46 clinicians have the CMS telehealth indicator.
0% of these 46 clinicians are listed by CMS as accepting Medicare assignment.
CMS data by year
Changes may reflect reporting, coverage or privacy limits, not changes in care quality.
-
Industry payments (Open Payments)
Industry payments (Open Payments) went from $13.62 in 2024 to $315.00 in 2025.
- 2024: $13.62
- 2025: $315.00
Sources: CMS Open Payments (2025), CMS Doctors and Clinicians, CMS NPPES NPI Registry. Specialty names follow the NUCC Health Care Provider Taxonomy.
Text: T-MedInfo Β· Report an error.
Pharma & Medical Device Financial Disclosures
Payments and other transfers of value that drug and medical device companies reported to CMS Open Payments
Program year 2025 (payments made January 1 β December 31, 2025): fewer than 11 records totaling $315.00.
| Manufacturer | Payment Nature | Product | Type | Amount ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straumann USA LLC |
Education
In-kind items and services
|
β | General | $300.00 |
| Ultradent Products Inc |
Food and Beverage
Cash or cash equivalent
|
Opalescence | General | $15.00 |
Source: CMS Open Payments, program year 2025, released June 30, 2026.
Specialties & License Numbers Reported to NPPES
Self-certified to NPPES: 2022-03-29NUCC Taxonomy Code: 1223G0001X
A general dentist is the primary dental care provider for patients of all ages. The general dentist is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services related to patients' oral health needs.
NUCC Taxonomy Code: 224P00000X
A health care professional who is specifically educated and trained to manage comprehensive prosthetic patient care for individuals who have sustained complete or partial limb loss or absence. Prosthetists assess specific patient needs, formulate an appropriate treatment plan, implement the treatment plan and provide follow-up care.
NUCC Taxonomy Code: 390200000X
An individual who is enrolled in an organized health care education/training program leading to a degree, certification, registration, and/or licensure to provide health care.
Clinicians Sharing This Practice Address or Phone
Clinicians sharing this NPPES address, phone or fax; a shared contact does not mean they work together.
Nurse Practitioner - Family
Family Nurse Practitioner
Career & Practice History Timeline
Changes recorded in monthly NPPES data files: addresses, names, credentials, specialties and NPI status
Registered at 870 GAINES SCHOOL RD, ATHENS, GA 306053132 (Tel: 7065467473)
Registered at 870 GAINES SCHOOL RD, ATHENS, GA 306053132 (Tel: 7065467473)
Recorded as MERISSA NELMS, DDS
Prosthetist
NPI status registered as active in NPPES database
Registered at 1120 15TH ST # GC5110, AUGUSTA, GA 309122210 (Tel: 7067213770)
Registered at 1258 10TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 941222302 (Tel: 7184047772)
Recorded as MERISSA FERRAR
Student in an Organized Health Care Education/Training Program
First registered as active Individual Practitioner in NPPES Database.
NPI Administrative Meta
Other Dentist - General Practices in Athens
- Dr. John Kim, DDS
- Dr. Lane Barker, DMD
- Dr. Leigh Cummings-Crenshaw, DMD
- Dr. Glenn Alex, DMD
- Dr. Charles Burch, DMD
- Dr. Max Yoo, DMD
Mailing Address
870 Gaines School Rd
Athens, GA 306053132
Phone: 7065467473