Surfside Beach, SC — For the 15th consecutive year, Dunes Dental Services has been named a winner in the Cosmetic Dentistry category of the 2026 Best of the Beach awards, a distinction presented by The Sun News. The annual contest celebrates the businesses, people and organizations that make the Grand Strand a great place to live, work and visit. More than 2,300 businesses entered across 222 categories, generating over 163,000 votes – an 11 percent increase over the prior year – underscoring the deep trust local residents place in the practice.
Family‑focused care earns community praise
“This award belongs to our patients as much as it belongs to our team,” said Dr. Alina Rose, founder of Dunes Dental Services. “Every vote represents a relationship built on trust, and being recognized year after year by the community we serve is the most meaningful validation of the way we practice dentistry — conservatively, personally, and with each patient’s lifelong oral health in mind.”
Dr. Rose brings a rare depth of training to the Grand Strand. She earned her first dental degree from the Faculty of Dental Medicine in Timisoara, Romania, in 2002, and a second from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine in 2007. She is one of only two Kois Center graduates on the Grand Strand, a designation earned through the Kois Center’s rigorous advanced curriculum in restorative and esthetic dentistry. Dr. Rose is an active member of the American Dental Association, the South Carolina Dental Association and the local dental society.
Commitment to conservative treatment philosophy
Dunes Dental Services describes its approach as a “conservative treatment philosophy” centered on preserving natural tooth structure and helping patients keep their natural teeth for a lifetime. The practice offers preventive, restorative and cosmetic services to patients of all ages across the Grand Strand.
Beyond the operatory, Dr. Rose is known for her charitable work. She has a longstanding collaboration with Helping Hands, an organization that supports patients in need, and has traveled to Kenya on a dental mission to serve those without access to care. Those efforts earned her a separate award from Helping Hands and the local Talk of the Town Award for her commitment to Surfside Beach and surrounding areas.
What the award means for the community
The Best of the Beach honor adds to a growing list of recognitions for Dr. Rose and her practice, which has received the award annually since 2012. For a community that values family, faith and personal responsibility, the consistent acknowledgment signals that a local business can thrive while adhering to traditional values and delivering high‑quality, patient‑centered care.
Local residents have praised the practice for its friendly atmosphere and emphasis on education. Many patients cite the practice’s willingness to explain treatment options in plain language, allowing families to make informed decisions about their oral health.
Looking ahead
As the Grand Strand continues to grow, Dunes Dental Services plans to expand its outreach programs and maintain its focus on preserving natural teeth for generations to come. The practice’s ongoing success demonstrates how a family‑run business can contribute to the economic vitality of Surfside Beach while upholding the community’s core values.
Original reporting: MyrtleBeachSC News — read the source article.
