Marrero, LA
Two sisters. Two generations. One family practice in Marrero, LA.
Dr. Maria Burmaster and Dr. Valerie Hemphill welcome patients of every age to Barataria Dental — where your appointment starts on time, your questions get answered, and your care is never rushed.
Meet your dentists
Meet Dr. Burmaster and Dr. Hemphill
Sisters, classmates, and now partners — Dr. Maria and Dr. Valerie have practiced side by side since the day they graduated dental school together. Thirty years later, they still share the same philosophy: listen first, explain clearly, and never recommend treatment you wouldn’t choose for your own family.
Dr. Maria Ribando Burmaster, D.D.S.
LSU School of Dentistry, 1993 · Loyola University, B.S. Biology
Dr. Maria earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Loyola University before attending LSU School of Dentistry, where she graduated in 1993 alongside her sister, Dr. Valerie. She has pursued advanced training in TMJ diagnosis and treatment and Invisalign® through the Center for Advanced Dental Studies, and she has been a member of the New Orleans, Louisiana, and American Dental Associations since 1993. Outside the office, Dr. Maria and her husband Barron are parents to three sons, and she plays the organ and sings at Visitation of Our Lady Parish.
Meet Dr. Burmaster
Dr. Valerie Ribando Hemphill, D.D.S.
LSU School of Dentistry, 1993 · Southeastern Louisiana University, B.S.
A lifelong West Bank resident who still calls Marrero home, Dr. Valerie earned her Bachelor of Science from Southeastern Louisiana University and graduated from LSU School of Dentistry in 1993 — the same day as her sister, Dr. Maria. She completed additional training in TMJ disorder, occlusion, and Invisalign® through the Dawson Center and has been an active member of the New Orleans, Louisiana, and American Dental Associations since 1993. She and her husband, Dr. Philip Hemphill, have five children, and she is active in stewardship at Visitation of Our Lady.
Meet Dr. HemphillBoth doctors volunteer with Donated Dental Services, a national program that provides care to people with disabilities and those in need. And behind them is a team that’s been with us for years — the same familiar faces at the front desk, the same hygienists who remember what you told them last visit. Meet Our Team
Welcome to Barataria Dental
There’s a giant oak tree in front of our office on Barataria Boulevard.
It’s been there a long time — long enough to watch this practice grow from one generation of dentists into the next, and long enough to see the children of our first patients bring in children of their own.
That’s the kind of dentistry we practice here. Not transactional. Not rushed. We’re a second-generation family practice with four dentists in our immediate family, and that shapes everything about how we care for you: we treat our patients the way we’d want a member of our own family treated. Our patients are comfortable picking up the phone and calling us. They know our team members by name. And we know theirs.
Whether you’re bringing in a toddler for a first visit, keeping up with your cleanings, or finally taking care of something you’ve been putting off — you’ll be met with warmth, honesty, and a plan that makes sense for you.
Serving families in Marrero, Harvey, Gretna, Metairie, and the greater New Orleans area.
Learn More About Our PracticeWhat sets us apart
What It’s Like to Be a Patient Here
Your time is respected.
You’ll be seated within 10 minutes of your scheduled appointment — often earlier. We don’t double-book or triple-book, so the time we set aside for you belongs to you alone.
We get to know you first.
Your first visit includes a full hour with your dentist. That means a real conversation about your concerns and your goals before we ever talk about treatment.
See What to Expect at Your First VisitAlmost everything under one roof.
Periodontal treatment, TMJ therapy, extractions, root canals, implant restorations, cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign®, and dentures of all kinds — because being referred across town is one more thing you don’t need on your calendar.
Comfort is a commitment, not an afterthought.
We know many of our patients are anxious about dental treatment, and we take that seriously. Nitrous oxide–oxygen conscious sedation is available whenever it’s needed, our clinicians use specific techniques to minimize the discomfort of injections, and we follow up with you personally after major procedures. Your fears get heard and addressed before treatment begins.
Every age, every stage.
From a one-year-old’s very first checkup to the care our longtime patients need decades later — your whole family can be seen at Barataria Dental, ages 1 to 100.
Our services
Comprehensive Dental Care in Marrero, LA
From routine cleanings to full smile makeovers, here’s how we take care of your family.
Patient reviews
Our Patients Say It Better Than We Can
We’ve been part of this community for two generations. These are the families who’ve grown up with us.
Read More Patient Testimonials"I've been going to Barataria Dental for many years now. Dr. Maria, Dr. Valerie, and the staff are the BEST! Always super friendly, makes going to the dentist enjoyable." - Tracy B
★★★★★First Name, Last Initial · Google Review
Take a look around
A video tour of the office
See the operatories, the front desk you’ll be greeted at, and the oak out front — before your first visit.
Come see what dentistry feels like when you’re not a number.
Dr. Maria Burmaster, Dr. Valerie Hemphill, and our entire team would love to welcome you to our Marrero, LA practice — right under the big oak on Barataria Blvd.
Barataria Dental · 2272 Barataria Blvd., Marrero, LA 70072 · 504-341-3120