Dental Assisting: A Comprehensive Approach

Vaishali Singhal is an associate professor at Rutgers University's School of Health Professions (SHP) and Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM) in Newark, New Jersey. Teaching at the university since 2001, she serves as faculty of the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Program at SHP as well as course director for Practice Management and Ethics and Jurisprudence at RSDM. At the faculty practice of RSDM, Dr. Singhal specializes in treating patients with serious mental illness. In 2019, she completed her doctoral thesis at SHP, evaluating ways to improve the oral health of patients with serious mental illness. She completed a Master of Science in health sciences at Rutgers University in 2011 and received her DMD from the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine in 1993. Her Ph.D. and M.S. programs included specialized courses in education, which is Dr. Singhal's passion. Dr. Singhal’s research focuses on ways to improve the oral health of the population with serous mental illness. She has received grant funding towards her research.

Melissa DeFiore began her career as a dental assistant at a young age. Her love of dentistry motivated her to return to school and pursue dental hygiene. Upon graduation, she immediately returned to school to pursue her second love -- education. She began her education career at Rutgers School of Health Professions as an adjunct in the department of Allied Dental Education, where she taught both clinical and didactic courses. During that time she sought out her CDA. After the program closed, she went on to teach in the dental hygiene program for Burlington County College in New Jersey. Currently, Mrs. DeFiore is an assistant professor for the dental hygiene program at Community College of Philadelphia, where she serves as clinic coordinator for second-year students and teaches radiology and a preclinical course to first-year students. She has practiced dental hygiene since 2003, with experience in periodontal, pediatric and general dentistry. A former president of CNJDHA, she holds memberships in the ADHA and the ADEA. She continues to practice as a clinical dental hygienist for a private practice in New Jersey. Mrs. DeFiore completed her associate degree in applied science in dental hygiene at Middlesex County College in New Jersey, her BSHS -- an education track at UMDNJ (now part of Rutgers University) -- and her MSDH with an education concentration at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut.

Karla Alvarez is an accomplished dental professional at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM) in Newark, NJ, and a current member of the ADAA. As an Expanded Duty Dental Assistant, she trains students in digital scanning. Karla has a strong background in pediatrics, specializing in oral sedations, pulpotomies, extractions and fillings. Her training includes experience across various specialty departments. Karla's expertise extends to the Oral Surgery Department, where she excels in assisting with IV sedations and extractions. Her dedication to excellence in patient care and education makes her a valuable asset to the dental community.

Susan Kantz was a dental assisting program director for a private college and a high school career center. She was also an active HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) local advisor, with her students consistently placed in the top 10, and often in the top 3, at the National HOSA Leadership Conference. Dedicated to helping each student achieve their greatest potential, Ms. Kantz received both Teacher of the Year and Indiana HOSA Advisor of the Year honors. Prior to teaching, she worked as an EFDA in private practice at Indiana University School of Dentistry and Riley Children's Hospital Dental Clinic. She was the curriculum developer for the Indianapolis Public Schools Health Professions Center and a member of the Indiana Department of Education cadre that taught writing duties/task lists and articulation agreements to vocational instructors throughout the state. After retirement, Ms. Kantz worked as a dental assisting/dental hygiene adjunct instructor at Ivy Tech Community College. She completed her dental assisting and expanded dental assistant program at Indiana University School of Dentistry, earned an M.S. in allied health education from Indiana University and attended Indiana Wesleyan University Education Leadership Program.

Donna Phinney was a Certified Dental Assistant and program director for the Dental Assisting Program at Spokane Community College. She devoted her 20-year career to the dental field as a dental assistant and office manager, and later to consulting and teaching. Ms. Phinney was a fellow of the American Dental Assistants Association, where she served as a consultant and an appointed commissioner as well as an active member of the Washington State Dental Assisting Association. She earned her BA from Eastern Washington University and MEd from Whitworth College.

Judy Halstead, CDA, is the former Dental Assisting Program Director for a private college and a high school skills center. Now retired, she spent more than 30 years working as a dental assistant and an enthusiastic industry representative. As a president of the Washington Dental Assistant Association, Ms. Halstead often delivered lectures and workshops at local, state and regional dental conferences as well as served as an industry consultant. She earned a BA from Eastern Washington University and is a Certified Dental Assistant with an Expanded Functions certificate.