Meet the Speakers
Danielle Avila, RDH
Melissa Leite CDA, RDH, BS
Melissa Leite graduated from the Dental Hygiene Program at Bristol Community College with an Associate in Science degree in Dental Hygiene and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Vermont Technical College. She serves as a member on the Massachusetts Dental Hygienists’ Association public health council and is a Mentor Liaison for Bristol Community College.
In 2013, Melissa started as an adjunct clinical faculty at Cape Cod Community College where she teaches Clinical Dental Hygiene I and II, and Dental Materials laboratory. She also has over 12 years of clinical experience. In addition, she has 10 years of public health experience, including co-owning her own public health dental hygiene business. She is dedicated, passionate and excited to present the Massachusetts Public Health Dental Hygiene course to you!
Shirley Gutkowski, RDH, BSDH
Shirley Gutkowski, RDH, has been breathing since before her first birthday. Finding out in 2014 that she was doing it wrong, and how that affected her life, even her life choices, was a jaw dropper!
2014 is when she was dragged to another conference that was of tangential interest to her speaking topic Minimal Intervention Dentistry In Dental Hygiene. Turns out that breathing is the best form of prevention in dentistry, inflammation, cardiovascular breakdown, mental health and so much more.
While her topic today – breathing – may seem like a no brainer you may be surprised!
Shirley lives in the booming metropolis of Sun Prairie, the fastest growing city in the USA, according to her husband Mark. She is the mother of 5 pretty spectacular grown sons, mother in law to 2 stellar women, and gramma to three blindingly bright grandchildren.
Adam Saltz, DMD, MS, MPH
Adam Saltz, DMD, MS, MPH graduated from the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, where he obtained his Master of Science degree and Certificate in Periodontics. He completed his dental training at Nova Southeastern University, as part of their accelerated dual admission program. While there, he also received a Master of Public Health degree. Dr. Saltz is the managing editor for Decisions in Dentistry. He won the 2020 Dr. and Mrs. Gerald M. Kramer Scholar Award for Excellence, presented to the nation’s top overall graduating resident for outstanding character, service, leadership, and academic achievement. He is president-elect of the Maine Dental Association and chairs multiple state and regional committees. Dr. Saltz formerly taught at the University of New England and currently serves as faculty consultant at Kansas City University, where he developed the predoctoral periodontal curriculum for their inaugural class. He was recognized by the American Dental Association with their 10 Under 10 Award for his contributions in education, public health, and organized dentistry as a new dentist. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and maintains an active practice in South Portland, Maine.
Jaymi-Lyn Adams, DHSc, MS, RDH
Jaymi-Lyn Adams, DHSc, MS, RDH is a registered dental hygienist currently employed as an assistant professor of dental hygiene at the Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene at MCPHS in Worcester, Massachusetts. Jaymi holds undergraduate degrees in communication disorders and dental hygiene, a master of science in occupational and environmental health and safety, and a doctorate of health sciences. She has over 25 years of experience in the dental field.
Sheila Leaden RYT500
Sheila Leaden RYT500 is a wellness advocate who has been immersed in the healthy living field for close to 2 decades. Through her evolving studies of the ancient eight-limbed practice she continues to explore our universal connection and the integral role that yoga plays in centering the mind. Sheila is also certified in Prenatal yoga where she has integrated the practice through BIDMC’s Ob/Gyn Dept. in Boston, through a virtual platform. “Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees”… The Yoga Sutras pulse through and inform Ms. Leaden in her teachings, and she is known for seamlessly weaving wisdom such as this, from BKS Iyengar, into her weekly Beginner, Prenatal and Restorative classes. Sheila’s ongoing yogic exploration has taken her across the globe, with a concentration in India, and has included visiting the Iyengar Institute in Pune, the Sivananda Ashram in Ahmedabad, and the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore. The spiritual healing art of Reiki is another channel through which Sheila brings her eastern influences to the west. She is certified in Reiki levels I and II through the Usui System of Natural Healing. In both her workshops and the open yoga classes she leads in the Greater Boston area, Sheila’s students are treated to the rich mind and body sensibility with which she is empowered. A New England native, Sheila resides in Andover, Massachusetts. She loves the fluidity of the seasons and finds in the natural world a perfect antidote to life’s accelerated pace.
Amanda Berthiaume, RDH, CDA, MSDH
Amanda graduated in 2015 from Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) and in 2020 from Forsyth at MCPHS University with her Master’s Degree in dental hygiene education. An active ADHA member since 2013, she is proud to serve as the president of the MassDHA. She works clinically for Wilbraham Dental Associates and as adjunct faculty in the STCC dental sciences program.