Profiles by Anna Sacks

Now in its eighth year of recognizing exceptional women in the dental industry, Dental Products Report is thrilled to introduce the Top 25 Women in Dentistry for 2017.

Now in its seventh year of recognizing exceptional women in the dental industry, Dental Products Report is thrilled to present the Top 25 Women in Dentistry for 2016. Past honoree Debra Engelhardt-Nash shares her story, while writer Anna Sachs profiles these 25 exceptional women in the dental industry.

Join DPR in celebrating the top 25 women making a huge impact on dental practices and the dental industry in 2013.

It is no secret that the number of women in the dental industry continues to grow. Now in its third year, the Top 25 Women in Dentistry feature is one way Dental Products Report seeks to recognize not just the power of the contributions women are able to make to dentistry, but also the richness of diversity in the ways they choose to make a difference.

Dr. Antonia Kolokythas strives to give her patients a sense of understanding and hope through her work as a maxillofacial surgeon. She works with patients who have been diagnosed with cancer, and it’s a job she finds very rewarding.

Jana Berghoff is a registered dental hygienist who has worked in both the practice management and clinical sides of dentistry. Currently she is working on the technological side as the Technology Marketing Manager for Patterson Dental, and she attributes her success to the tools she took advantage of during her education and the new learning opportunities she seeks out every day.

Pamela McClain believes people go into dentistry because they’ve had a good experience at their dentist in the past, and that good experience is what she works hard to give her patients. “You have to do what you’re happy doing,” she said. “I see too many people who are unhappy in whatever career path they’ve chosen, and I think it’s really sad.” But she didn’t grow up with dreams of dentistry, though it was strong in her blood.

Wilma Peterson has been working in dental technology for 55 years and has always loved the field. Her journey has been an adventure, taking her all over the world and making her the strong and knowledgeable woman she is today. “I wasn’t afraid to take chances, and get the knowledge I needed and do anything I needed to advance my profession,” she said. “When I started in dentistry, so long ago, there was one woman in the lab, and it was me.”

Betty Mitchell is the director of the Dental Technology Program Director at Kirkwood Community College and Educator Representative at the National Association of Dental Laboratories.

Ariana Feldberg is the founding laboratory technician at Ideal Dental Laboratory in Aquinnah, Mass. Feldberg’s talent is only matched by the passion she has for her job, so it may come as a surprise that she started her adult life as a marine biologist.

Andrea Hegedus is a certified dental technician and owner of Great Lakes Smile Design Studio of Muskegon. She recently received the award for second place in best Digital Documentation at the 34th International Dental Show in Germany.

Anne Steinbock is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Whip Mix, a dental products manufacturer, and though she is on a different side of the dental profession, her passion and drive is no different. 

Jean Spinell is the Territory Sales Manager for Ivoclar Vivadent Inc., a recognized leader in high quality esthetic dental materials for both dentists and dental technicians. In this position, she creates a personalized, professional relationship with her customers to satisfy their individual needs. By providing tailored troubleshooting solutions for dental professionals throughout her territory, Jean’s customers know they can count on her for immediate full support, whenever needed.

Barbara (Basia) Chmurak has been with Hu-Friedy for more than 40 years, and her dedication to her job and thirst for knowledge are what have made her the successful woman she is today.

Vickie Waitsman is the Vice President and General Counsel to the companies in the DentalEZ Group. Waitsman endured many trials throughout her career, both literal and figurative, but through it all she has maintained what she thinks is most important: her sense of self. “You always have to remember who you are, what’s important to you, and to stay true to yourself,” she said.

Terrisa Singleton is the Foundation Manager for Delta Dental of Oklahoma Oral Health Foundation, an organization that works with free and low-cost dental clinics and programs. She sees her career and the work she does with Delta Dental as important and fulfilling because she knows she is making an impact in the lives of the people the foundation helps.

Diane Johnson-Krueger is the President and CEO of NuSmile Pediatric Crowns, the largest manufacturer of esthetic pediatric crowns in the country, which introduced its first products in 1991. She is constantly developing new products and improving existing technologies to better serve her clients. NuSmile is currently one of the largest corporate supporters of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and its foundation, Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children.

Maureen Knott is the Vice President of Product Advertising at Henry Schein Inc., the world’s largest provider of health care products and services to dentists, physicians and veterinarians. Her position is a role she worked very hard to achieve since she started as an administrative assistant in 1986. She attributes her success to many different factors of her life, one being her excellent communication skills, especially with Henry Schein’s supplier partners.

Claudia Patch had a vision and a goal in dentistry before she set foot in her first dental class; she had her sights set on a specific dental practice and once she found her direction, she made each decision accordingly.

Jaimeé Morgan practices dentistry in Midvale, Utah where she concentrates on cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics. Even as a young woman, Morgan was interested in dentistry, but her journey into the serious educational arena didn’t begin until she was married, in her late 20s and busy raising two children.

Jean Nordin-Evans is a dentist who focuses on holistic dentistry and healing. Though she knows her specialty is unknown to many patients and dentists alike, she and her staff are working to make an impact. “Growing up, my parents opened every opportunity for me. There was never a limit as to what I could achieve,” she said. “If the world is your oyster, so to speak, you grab what you can and you envision bigger and better and you just keep going.”

Deborah Borden Dunker sold her practice after retiring from orthodontics and now spends her time on Christian and dental-related missions. She has traveled to Guatemala, Brazil, Peru, Liberia, India and Thailand in order to train and help those in need of dental care, where there are often no dentists.

Susan Maples has been in private practice as a dentist for more than 27 years and through each year and each patient she’s found passion and her niche in the world. She attributes that passion to her leadership mindset as well as her ability to stay engaged and open to new knowledge.