Meet the Speakers

Crystal Spring, BSDH, RDH, LAP

Crystal Spring, BSDH, RDH, LAP is one of dentistry’s most powerful allies and advocates for oral health access to care. Backed by a foundation of clinical dental hygiene expertise, her passion for equitable dentistry is underscored by work in arenas that include public health leadership, professional mentorship, and non-profit development. A Montana native, Crystal’s heart and vision are bigger than the Montana skies she lives under. In 2018 she co founded Smiles Across Montana, a non-profit organization that covers the state with access to care programs that are changing the lives of countless children and seniors. She is also a co-founder of RISE, an organization empowering dental professionals with a map, journey, and inspiration to navigate professional passion and purpose. Crystal is widely recognized for her tireless leadership, advocacy, and public policy influence. In 2017 ADHA/HuFriedy presented her with the Master Clinician Award. She received RDH Magazine’s Sunstar Award of Distinction in 2019, Today’s RDH Honor Award in 2020, and was among Dimensions magazine’s 2021 list of “Six Dental Hygienists You Want to Know.” Along with serving as president of the Montana Dental Hygienists’ Association and as a Trustee to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, she has been featured in numerous industry articles and podcasts. Currently, she serves on the RDH magazine editorial advisory board and has authored numerous articles in areas of public health.

Lauren Carlson, RDH

Lauren Carlson has been in the dental field for over 20 years. She graduated from Forsyth Dental Hygiene School in 2006 and holds a Bachelor of Science from MCPHS in Dental Hygiene. She was a recipient for the 2007 American Association of Public Dental Health Award which led her to seek a Master’s in Public Health at San Diego State. Her love for preventative medicine and community outreach allowed her to focus numerous hours in community service within the various underserved populations in Mexico and the United States. She has worked in all areas of dentistry as a dental assistant and hygienists in general, orthodontics, periodontics and oral surgery. After a hand injury in 2019 her dental hygiene career abruptly stalled thus allowing for hygiene mentorship and practice consulting to unfold. She currently works for Elevate Oral Care as a sales representative or as we call ourselves “Preventative Care Consultants”.

Lil Caperila, RDH, BSDH, M.Ed. | Manager of Professional Education and Corporate Training, Premier Dental Products Company

Lil Caperila brings over 42 years of experience in the field of dental hygiene.

Her career began as a licensed dental hygienist and was employed for 22 years in a highly preventive periodontal practice in Plymouth Meeting, PA.  

In 1993, Lil accepted a position as a full-time faculty Instructor in the Dental Hygiene Program at Harcum College, Bryn Mawr, PA, while completing her master’s degree in education at Penn State University.

In 2000, she leveraged her experience as a teacher and periodontal co-therapist in securing a position as Manager of Professional Education and International Lecturer for Premier Dental Products Company.

Her role at Premier has afforded her the opportunity to guide the successful launch of many superior products through her technique in corporate training and recognizing innovations in dental hygiene practice. 

Lil is the 2010 recipient of the ADHA Irene Newman Award in Professional Excellence, and served as Past President of the Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists’ Association in 1999-2000.

As a dental hygienist first, Lil believes the best path to overall health is the patient’s ability to improve their daily oral health.

Erin A. Kierce, RDH, MS, MPH, Chief Compliance/ Hygiene Officer at Passion Dental

Erin Kierce is the Chief Compliance and Hygiene Officer for Passion Dental in Marlborough, Massachusetts and Adjunct Faculty of Graduate Studies at MCPHS University in Boston, Massachusetts. After twelve years of practicing dental hygiene, Erin has devoted her career to clinical compliance, safety, and risk management. She has developed, implemented, and maintained compliance and safety systems for multiple dental offices of varying specialties throughout New England, including establishing standards and policies pertaining to regulatory requirements. Erin has presented continuing education courses in the areas of pediatric oral health, chronic disease management, maternal oral and obstetrical health, clinical compliance, documentation and record-keeping, infection control and OSHA, and quality assurance. She is a member of the American Association of Public Health Dentistry, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and Alpha Eta and Sigma Phi Alpha Honor Societies.

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.

Ann-Marie C. DePalma, CDA, RDH, MEd, CDIPC, FADIA, FAADH

Amanda Hill, BSDH, RDH

Amanda Hill, BSDH, RDH, is an enthusiastic speaker, innovative consultant, and award-winning author.  A sought-after thought leader contributing invaluable and inspiring insights into the current trends in dentistry. Affectionately known as the Waterline Warrior, she brings over 25 years of clinical dental hygiene and five years of educating the dental industry. Recipient of OSAP’s Emerging Infection Control Leader award and an active participant with the advisory board for RDH magazine, Dentistry IQ, and OSAP’s Infection Control In Practice Editorial Review Board and membership committee, Amanda strives to make topics in dentistry accurate, accessible, and fun! She can be reached at www.amandahillrdh.com and [email protected]

Virginia Heroux, RDH, MS

Virginia Heroux, RDH, MS is currently serving as Secretary and Regulation and Practice Chair for MDHA for the 2022-23 term. She is an Associate Professor of Dental Hygiene at Mount Wachusett Community College at the Fitchburg Campus and has presented continuing education and workshops on Periodontal Staging and Grading, Faculty Calibration, Bloodborne and Airborne Pathogens Training, and Local Anesthesia.

Carol Jahn, RDH, MS

Carol Jahn, RDH, MS has a BS in dental hygiene from the University of Iowa and an MS in Continuing Education from the University of St Francis. She has been a dental hygienist since 1982. Currently, she is the Director of Professional Relations & Education for Water Pik, Inc. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her partner, Larry, and their dog Toby