TNDHS PROGRAM
2025-2026

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2025
ORAL HEALTH FOR THE LONG HAUL: PLANNING WITH PURPOSE
Anna Louise Tolan, RDH, FADIA
Anna Louise is not just a dental professional with over four decades of clinical experience. She is a mentor, a leader, and a passionate advocate for excellence in dental hygiene care. Her career has spanned general practice, specialty periodontal and implant therapy, and care for medically compromised clients, always with a person-centred approach. As a respected Key Opinion Leader, industry advisor, and trainer in the Dental Hygiene Implant Certification program, Anna Louise has inspired colleagues across Canada and internationally, sparking enthusiasm for knowledge and change.

As she approaches the final years of her clinical practice, Anna Louise is committed to sharing her expertise more broadly. She provides engaging in-office hygiene team training events and interactive online sessions designed to elevate skills, confidence, and most importantly, client care standards. Her goal is to empower the next generation of dental hygienists to embrace innovation, evidence-based practice, and compassionate care, ensuring optimal care for their clients.

 

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2025
UNLOCK THE SECRET TO A HEALTHIER SMILE WITH THE INCREDIBLE BENEFITS OF ORAL PROBIOTICS!
Kerry Lepicek, RDH
Kerry Lepicek, RDH, is an experienced dental hygienist with over 20 years of clinical practice. She works at Clinical Research Dental as a Clinical Specialist in Dental Hygiene and Education and also part-time in a general practice. Kerry’s expertise includes oral biofilm, halitosis, the oral-systemic connection and the dental hygiene process of care. She is focused on educating patients and the dental profession on health and wellness.

Kerry is involved in various dental organizations, including as section editor for Women in Dentistry, on the Research Advisory Committee for the Ontario Dental Hygiene Association and on the Advisory Board for RDH Magazine. She recently received the Distinguished Services Award from the Ontario Dental Hygienists Association (ODHA) for outstanding contributions to the dental hygiene profession and the Association. Her practical advice will transform your practice and patients’ health.

 

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2025
DENTAL HYGIENE REDEFINED: NEW TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES FOR PREDICTABLE PERIODONTAL OUTCOMES
Martha Szczepulski, BDSC (DH), DHP, PID
Martha is the Professional Education Leader at Oral Science, where she specializes in turning clinical data into clear, actionable insights for dental professionals. With a passion for bridging the gap between evidence-based practice and practical application, she delivers straightforward solutions that clinicians can confidently put into practice. Since becoming a dental hygienist in 2005, Martha has built a dynamic career spanning general and community dental practices, dental hygiene education and mobile dental hygiene services in long-term care. Along the way, she has also made her mark as an educator and speaker in the dental field.

 

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2025
ORAL HEALTH FITNESS
Diane Melrose, RDH, BS, MA
Diane is a Professor of Clinical Dentistry and the former Director of Dental Hygiene, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California. She received her B.S. degree from the University of Iowa and an M.A. from the USC Davis School of Gerontology. She is a full-time faculty member teaching the Dental and International students. She has lectured Nationally and Internationally, as well as having several publications. Her expertise is developing preventive oral health programs in various settings, some of which include hospitals, facilities for mentally and physically challenged individuals, elementary school programs, dental private practices, andhas worked 45 years part-time in Paedo and Perio private practices. She is a member of the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry Board of Councilors and President of CDHEA.

 

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026
THE NEW FRONTIER FOR SCREENING FOR PERIODONTAL DISEASES AND WHY ORAL INFLAMMATION IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS
DR. Michael Glogauer, DDS., PH.D., DIP. (PERIO)
Dr. Glogauer is an internationally-recognized dental clinician scientist (DDS, 1993 PhD, 1999, Dip Perio, 1999) and a leader in the fields of Dentistry, Oral immunity, Oral diseases, Alveolar bone grafting and the links between Oral health and systemic health. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School (1999-2001). He is a Professor at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto (since 2002), Head of Dentistry for University Health Network, Chief of Dental Oncology at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and owner of OMG Perio, a periodontal and dental implant practice inHamilton, Ontario. He has received awards for recognition of scientific excellence(Quality of Life research award from Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)-IMHA-2006) and has been funded by MRC/CHR since 1994. He has generated over 220 peer publications in the fields of dentistry, oral health and immunology with over 17,700 citations and an H-Factor of 66. He has 4 patents and is CEO and Co-Founder of start-up Ostia Scienceswhich focuses on the oral microbiome testing and probiotic development. He is a fellow in the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2026
THE RDH CHECKLIST FOR IMPLANT MAINTENANCE AND IDENTIFYING FAILURE
Irene M. Iancu, BSC, RRDH, CTDP, OM
Irene Iancu is a Canadian RRDH, entrepreneur and owner of Toothlife Studio, A multi-specialty dental practice in Toronto. With experience in Pediatrics, Orthodontics and Periodontics, she blends clinical expertise with creative content creation, building a thriving community of dental professionals under@toothlife.irene.Irene is also an international speaker, key opinion leader and host of the Tooth or Dare podcast. Her commitment to education includes roles as a former clinical instructor, peer mentor and exam item writer. She currently serves on the Independent Dental Hygiene Practice Advisory Committee. Irene is a graduate of George Brown College’s Restorative Program (with honours) and completed Harvard HMX courses focused on genetics and immune response in oral health.

 

MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2026
SHARPENING OR SHARPEN-FREE? WHAT ARE THE QUESTIONS? INSIGHTS INTO INSTRUMENT MAINTENANCE VS NEW DESIGNS AND INNOVATIONS IN SHARPEN-FREE DENTAL HYGIENE INSTRUMENTS… NEVER A “DULL” MOMENT!
Melanie Lagace, CANADIAN COUNTRY MANAGER AT YOUNG INNOVATIONS
With over 30 years in the dental industry, Melanie has had the privilege of working with leading companies such as Dentsply, Hu-Friedy Group and currently, Young Innovations. Her background is rooted in dental sales, marketing and strategic leadership, with a proven track record of supporting the successful setup of thousands of dental practices across Canada. She is passionate about creating smart, innovative solutions that drive growth, improve efficiency and help practices operate at their full potential.