Meet the Speakers

Meg  Loadholt RDH, MA

Meg  Loadholt received her AAS in Dental Hygiene from Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY and her BS in Dental Hygiene from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. She acquired her MA in Adult Education from the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, RI and began teaching in the fall of 1990 at the Community College of Rhode Island’s Dental Hygiene program where she was the Coordinator for Dental Hygiene 1 and 4 and also acted as the OSHA officer and NERB coordinator.

In the fall of 1999, she taught pre-clinical Periodontology and scaling and root planning to pre-doctoral dental students at the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine in Boston, MA. In 2001, she retained her teaching position and took on the Directorship of the Externship program for 4^th year dental students. Currently she is the Program Coordinator for the Dental Hygiene program at Springfield Technical Community College and also the ADEX coordinator.

Jane Gauthier RDH MEd

Jane Gauthier has been the QCC Program Coordinator of Dental Hygiene Education for fifteen years. She was an instructor in for QCC Dental Hygiene Program for 10 years prior to assuming this position.  She has been involved in the preparation of two self-study reports and is currently preparing for a third site visit in 2020.

Denise Tétreault RDH, MA

Denise Tétreault is an Associate Professor at Regis College, the Program Director of the Dental Hygiene Department and a Registered Dental Hygienist. She holds a Local Anesthesia Permit L, and CPR certification and is a member of the American Dental Hygienists Association, the Massachusetts Dental Hygienists Association, Southeastern Massachusetts Dental Hygienists Association, the American Dental Education Association. She is also a Consultant Member for the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments.

Career highlights include being named Dental Hygienist of the Year (2006- Southeastern Massachusetts Dental Hygiene Association) and speaking to a group of former students in continuing education classes on the topic of dental local anesthesia. She also regularly facilitates the state-mandated Local Anesthesia continuing education course for practicing dental hygienists who are seeking to acquire the Local Anesthesia permit. More importantly, a career highlight is that she has been instrumental in transitioning students from the sudden and unexpected closing of the Mount Ida College Dental Hygiene Program in May 2018 to Regis College, as well as facilitating the successful transfer of CODA accreditation in collaboration with Dr. Karen Hallisey-Pesa.

Elaine Hopkins Madden RDH, MEd

Elaine Hopkins Madden graduated from the Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists/Northeastern University with an A.S. degree in Dental Hygiene. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern University and a Master of Education degree from Bridgewater State College. Ms. Madden has been a faculty member in the Dental Hygiene Program at Cape Cod Community College for more than 30 years, serving as Program Coordinator during 12 of those years. She assumed the position of Dental Hygiene Program Director in the summer of 2016. Ms. Madden has experience in curriculum development and review, and has participated in several program self-studies and CODA site visits over the years at CCCC. She is a Registered Dental Hygienist, and is a member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and the American Dental Education Association.

Karen Townsend, RDH, MS

Karen Townsend, RDH, MS is Director of Dental Hygiene Education at Middlesex Community College.  Karen attended Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists and earned her BS in Dental Hygiene from Northeastern University.  Karen’s clinical experience includes Perio/Surgical, General/Family and Pediatric practices.  After discovering a passion for teaching, she attended the University of Maryland and earned her MS in Dental Hygiene Education.  Karen has been teaching at Middlesex Community College since 2003 and has expertise in the areas of Head and Neck Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Local Anesthesia, Preclinical and Clinical Dental Hygiene.  In 2011 Karen assumed the position of Department Chairperson, and subsequently Director of Dental Hygiene Education.  Karen most recently lead a successful CODA self-study and site visit in December of 2016 and is excited to share her experience and helpful advice!

Dr. Cynthia Stegeman

Dr. Cynthia Stegeman came from the University of Cincinnati as Department Chair and Professor in the Dental Hygiene program. She taught Oral Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Radiology, and Nutrition. In addition to being a registered dental hygienist, she is also a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator. Cyndee received her doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction, Instructional Design and Technology. She has worked in private practice, hospitals, community, academia and now in a corporate venue. Her unique blend of health care experiences lends to numerous publications in professional journals and presentations at state, national and international conferences. She just recently published the 5th edition of her textbook, The Dental Hygienist’s Guide to Nutritional Care. In addition, she is currently a member of the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) test construction committee and an evaluator for the ADEX exam.

Barbara Sheerin, RDH, MEd

Barbara Sheerin, RDH, MEd has more than 30 years experience in the dental hygiene field. Her career has been multifaceted including, clinical dental hygiene, dental hygiene education, speaking nationally and internationally and a lifelong member of ADHA. She has been published in various professional journals and is a contributor in the 11th edition of the book Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist by Dr. Esther Wilkins. She is a Past-President of the Massachusetts Dental Hygienist Association and has served as a Student Advisor to American Dental Hygienists Association for many years. Barbara is a member of the American Academy of Dental Hygiene and a recipient of the Johnson and Johnson Excellence in Dental Hygiene award, given at annual session. Barbara has been awarded the Educator of the Year award from the Massachusetts Dental Society and the Constituent Hygienist of the Year for the Massachusetts Dental Hygiene Association. Barbara is a retired Professor of Dental Hygiene after a long and rewarding career
Today she is the Administrative Assistant for the Massachusetts Dental Hygienist’ Association.

Peter Catalano, MD

Peter Catalano MD graduated with a BS from Columbia University School of Engineering followed by an MD degree from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (MSH) in New York City. He completed his residency at MSH and became a full time faculty member (1990-1999), where he became an Associate Professor of Otolaryngology, Neurosurgery, and Maxillofacial Surgery. He then became Chair of Otolaryngology at the Lahey Clinic (2000-2009), followed by Chair of Surgery and VP of Surgical Services at Caritas/Steward Health Care (2009-2012).
Dr. Catalano is now Chief of Otolaryngology at SEMC, Professor of Otolaryngology at Tufts University, Director of Rhinology fellowship (SEMC) and Medical Director for Steward. He is President and Founder of the Foundation for Innovation, Education and Research in Otolaryngology (2011-present) and organizer of two annual medical conferences, Open Forum and ENT Summit.

John S. Echternach DDS

John S. Echternach DDS is a retired general dentist who maintained a private practice in Henniker, NH for 40 years. He grew up outside Philadelphia and received his B.S. in Biology at Delaware Valley College. Following undergraduate school, he attended Temple University Dental School and received his D.D.S. in 1975. He is a member of the American Dental Association, New Hampshire Dental Society (NHDS) and Concord Dental Society (CDS). His role in organized dentistry includes more than 16 years in a leadership capacity in both the NHDS and the CDS.

In retirement, John has assumed the role as a teacher of healthcare professionals with his focus on a specific treatment: the science and clinical applications of silver diamine fluoride (SDF). After learning about the uses of SDF toward the end of his career, he successfully used this method on both children and adults for the last 3 years in his Henniker practice.

In his spare time, Dr. Echternach enjoys bike riding and power walking with his wife, Judie. He also practices tai chi and tinkers with old clocks in his cozy clock shop.

Pamela Maragliano-Muniz, DMD

Dr. Maragliano-Muniz is a board-eligible prosthodontist and earned her certificate from the UCLA School of Dentistry after obtaining her D.M.D. from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. She is also a former dental hygienist: she earned her B.S.D.H. degree from Northeastern University and the Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists, A.A.S. in Dental Hygiene and A.S. degree in Math and Science from SUNY Orange in New York.

Since being awarded the 2010 Adult Preventive Care Practice of the Year by the American Dental Association, Dr. Maragliano-Muniz lectures nationally. She has numerous publications and lectures extensively about Implementing CAMBRA in the private practice, explaining the role of caries risk factors to the disease process and the clinical effects of CAMBRA.

Dr. Maragliano-Muniz is the Editorial Director for DentistryIQ.com’s online publication, Pearls for Your Practice. teaches at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and maintains a private practice at Salem Dental Arts in Salem, MA.

Dr. Maragliano-Muniz maintains professional memberships with the following organizations: American Dental Association, Massachusetts Dental Society, American College of Prosthodontists, American Dental Education Association, American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics, American Academy of Dental Sciences, Spear Study Club

Marianne Dryer RDH, MEd

Marianne Dryer RDH, MEd is a dynamic speaker, educator and corporate consultant in curriculum development. She has lectured nationally and internationally on periodontal instrumentation with a focus on ultrasonic technique, risk assessment, infection prevention and radiology technique. Marianne’s experience in dentistry spans over 30 years. She is a graduate of Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists, Old Dominion University and received her Master’s in Education from St Joseph’s College of Maine. Marianne was the first-year coordinator at Collin College in Dallas Texas for six years where she was selected for the Outstanding Faculty Award and was nominated for the Advisor of the Year. She has been a faculty member at Cape Cod Community College since 2007. Marianne is also a Periodontal Instrumentation Instructor for DH Methods of Education, Inc., an educational program for dental and dental hygiene faculty. She has been a strong advocate for introducing ultrasonic instrumentation into dental hygiene curriculums earlier and with more structured, foundational content.

Kelley Martell RDH, BSDH

Kelley Martell RDH, BSDH has almost 25 years of experience in clinical dental hygiene practice. She obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Hygiene from Northeastern University in 1994 and a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Dental Hygiene Science from The Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists in 1995. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Dental Hygiene Education from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston, MA.
Kelley has vast experience and knowledge in all aspects of dental hygiene practice with a special concentration in preventive dental hygiene care and non-surgical periodontal therapy. She has over 20 years of experience in clinical dental hygiene education and has worked as a clinical adjunct faculty member at The Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists and Mount Wachusett Community College in Fitchburg, MA. She developed her research skills as a clinical intern at The Forsyth Institute and Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals in Canton, MA.

John Walker, DMD

John Walker DMD is the Director of Airway Courses at Boston University and has been a fixture in the community as a Harvard and Lunenburg orthodontist. He has incorporated his expertise in Airway Orthodontics into his treatment approach. Airway Orthodontics is a medical subfield that studies the established link between optimal breathing and long-term health benefits.

He received his doctorate in Dental Medicine from New Jersey School of Dental Medicine and earned his Certificate in Orthodontics from Boston University School of Dental Medicine.

In addition to being a board certified member of the American Board of Orthodontics, Dr. Walker is also a clinical professor of orthodontics at Boston University, and member of the American Association of Orthodontics.

Anna Kalmanovich, DMD

Anna Kalmanovich DMD, a diplomat of the AOS, has been providing pediatric care to the Boxborough, Acton and Lunenburg communities since 2005. She received a degree in Dental Medicine from Krasnodar University, Russia. She received her Doctorate in Dentistry from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and completed specialized training in the Pediatric Department of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine where she received her specialized degree in pediatric dentistry. Her training included treating children, teens and special needs patients at New England Medical Center, The Cotting School and Brookline Dept. of Health Dental Clinic. Kalmanovich also serves on staff at the Franciscan Hospital for Children providing pediatric dentistry under general anesthesia. She is an active, professional member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Orthodontic Society. Additionally, she participates in several local study groups to share her ideas and help treat challenging dental cases.

Lancette VanGuilder, RDH, BS

Lancette VanGuilder, RDH, BS graduated with her dental hygiene degree from the University of South Dakota in 1995 and has been actively involved in dental hygiene education, leadership and advocacy on the local, state and national level over the last 23 years. Lancette works as a clinician in private practice, in the corporate world as a professional educator, as a public health dental hygienist and is an internationally recognized continuing education speaker. Lancette is a past recipient of the Nevada Dental Hygienist of the Year award, is a past president of the Nevada Dental Hygienists Association and served on the board of directors for the American Dental Hygienists Association as the District 12 Trustee, representing 6 states on the west/pacific coast. In Nevada, she was recently awarded the Innovative Career Vision award for her work in all 7 professional roles of the dental hygienist. On the national level, she just received the Irene Newman Professional Achievement Award from the American Dental Hygienists Association- recognizing her for her contributions to the advancement of the art and science of the dental hygiene profession over the last 15 years. Lancette is passionate about ensuring that all communities have access to dental care, the power of prevention and the utilization of the dental hygienist.