About Us Ohio Dental Hygienists' Association

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Ohio Dental Hygienists’ Association is to support Dental Hygienists through networking, inclusion, and development; to advocate for advancements to secure the profession of dental hygiene; and to promote public access to care.

Vision Statement

Empower Ohio Dental Hygienists as primary healthcare providers to be a leading resource for oral health promotion and therapy in all settings through professional collaboration, advocacy, and lifelong learning.

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ODHA Component Trustees

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Leesa Abell

Cincinnati Trustee

I went to Columbus State Community College for hygiene school and graduated in 2014.  I have worked at the same dental practice for my entire career!  I love getting to know my patients and educating them about oral health.  Learning new procedures and techniques is also an important part of my practice. I am excited to be an advocate for our profession while serving as a Trustee.  Becoming more involved with our local and state organization will be a great experience. My husband and I live in Waynesville with our horse and cats.  When I'm not practicing, I enjoy reading, running marathons, and watching football. 

Cincinnati Trustee
Katherine Antepara
Katherine Antepara

Cleveland Trustee

Katherine Antepara, MHHS, BSAS, RDH is a dental hygienist in Northeast Ohio and a graduate of Cuyahoga Community College and Youngstown State University. She serves as the ODHA Trustee for the Cleveland Dental Hygienists’ Association and as CDHA President for the 2025–2026 term, building on previous leadership roles within the component.

Her background in health informatics supports her interest in using data to strengthen preventive care, expand access to health services, and highlight the value of the dental hygiene profession for communities and policymakers. She is committed to creating efficient, sustainable systems that support future leaders.

Outside her professional work, Katherine enjoys time with her husband, their two sports-active children, and their family poodle.

Cleveland Trustee
Connie Clark
Connie Clark

Columbus Trustee

I graduated in 1972 from The Ohio State University with a Certificate in Dental Hygiene and in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Education. In 2004, I earned my Masters in Higher Education from Ohio University. 

I worked in private practice for 35 years before transitioning to education. I taught at Columbus State Community College from 1999 to 2017, serving as Program Director for the last 7 years of my tenure.

I joined ODHA in 1977 and served many roles including President of ODHA in 1982. However, this is my first time serving as Trustee; so, I have much to learn from my colleagues.

I served as a member of the Ohio State Dental Board from 2010 – 2018 and served as President in 2017. I also am an ADEX examiner for dental hygiene licensure with the American Board of Dental Examiners. 

I still work on an as needed basis for a dental office here in Columbus but only for 4 or 5 hours at a time. (I am a little older and find I am most productive with a shortened schedule.)

My husband, Gary and I have been married for 53 years. We keep busy with traveling wherever we can, the Miata Club (we are a hoot in that little sports car) and hiking (say hello if you are passing us on the trails). 

I feel fortunate that I have loved every aspect of dental hygiene from my first day in school. I love caring for my patients, being a leader and advocate for my profession, and serving as a mentor to younger hygienists.

Columbus Trustee
Rachel Christopher
Rachel Christopher

Dayton Trustee

The Marine JROTC program in high school inspired me to join the US Air Force delayed entry program. After leaving the military, I explored various job opportunities while searching for something that would bring me fulfillment. I married my best friend in 1996 and we have traveled the world together.  At Bitburg Air Force Base in Germany, I discovered my passion for the dental field through a Red Cross dental assistant training program. Upon returning to the US, I completed and expanded functions dental assisting program at Apollo College in Boise, Idaho, where my husband was stationed for the US Air Force.  After graduating, while working in a pediatric office and planning for a second child I decided to stay home to give our children the kind of childhood many parents aspire to provide. Once my children were older I enrolled in the Dental Health Sciences program at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio. I graduated as a registered dental hygienist at the age of 50. This experience reaffirmed that you can indeed teach an old dog new tricks.

Dayton Trustee

Northeastern Trustee

Northeastern Trustee
Angeline Nichols
Angeline Nichols

Northwestern Trustee

Nancy Williams Shuffle is native of the State of Michigan, growing up in Ann Arbor. She received her BA from the University of Michigan in 1980. Her Father, Uncle and Grandfather were all Dentists and after moving to Ohio and starting a family, she decided to go back to school in order to study Dental Hygiene. She received her Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene from Rhodes State college in 2005. Her honors included being named the Outstanding Dental Hygiene Student class of 2005, Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and Sigma Phi Alpha Dental Hygiene Honor Society. She serves on the Rhodes State College Dental Hygiene Advisory Board and was inducted into the Rhodes State College Alumni Circle of Excellence in 2018.

Nancy has been a member of ADHA since her graduation from Rhodes State College and has served the Northwestern Component as Vice President, President and currently as a Trustee. Nancy is also active on the State level. She serves on OHYPAC having been Treasurer for 3 years, on the Legislative Committee and on the Policy By-Laws Council as the Annual Report Chair. She was surprised and honored to receive the Outstanding Service Award during ODHA’s Annual Session in 2023.

A professional singer, Nancy has performed ministry, classical and pops concerts all over the United States and in Europe, Israel and Australia. She has also performed nearly 70 leading roles in musical theater productions. Vocal Performance and Dental Hygiene seem like an odd combination, but this was exactly the subject when Nancy was featured in RDH Magazine on August 1, 2012. She loves to perform with her husband John, who is also a professional singer. Married for 20 years, combined they have 5 children and 11 grandchildren, who keep them extremely busy. In what little free time they have, they love to travel and take ballroom dancing classes.

Northwestern Trustee
Shannon Tilenni
Shannon Tilenni

Stark Trustee

Shannon Tilenni has been a member of the Ohio dental hygiene association for the past 19 years. She is currently the trustee for the Stark Collaborative Dental Hygiene Association and has previously served as trustee for the Akron component. She currently works in private practice in Canton, Ohio where she’s provided great dental hygiene services for the past 15 years.  When she’s not at work you can find her at the gym, reading a good book or cheering on her two wonderful kids. 
Stark Trustee
Pat Powers
Pat Powers

Toledo Trustee

Pat graduated from Lakeland Community College in 1977 with an Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene. She has been a member of ADHA and ODHA since graduation.  Pat is currently retired from her position as a clinical Dental Hygienist from an office that she was employed at for 34 years.  She was a clinical Dental Hygienist for 44 years. Pat has had a passion for her profession and her professional association. She had the honor of being ODHA President in 1994-95 and has held many positions in ODHA.  Pat was Immediate Past President, President, President Elect, Speaker of the House, Vice President, Secretary(2terms), Trustee, ODHA Delegate and Alternate, and ADHA Delegate and Alternate and has also served on numerous Councils and Committees.  Pat has had the privilege of serving as the Speaker of the Student House of Delegates for over 20 years.  She has always felt that it is important to be involved in her professional association so that she could help guide her association and to have a voice.  Dental Hygiene has been a great career path for Pat.

None of her achievements would have been possible without the support of her husband, Bruce, and her three children, Andy, Adam, and Erin.  They have been supportive of all of her accomplishments in her Dental Hygiene profession.

In her spare time, Pat and her husband enjoy camping, and she enjoys reading and doing jigsaw puzzles.  Pat is also involved in her church where she plays bass guitar in the Praise band and she is the Praise Band Coordinator. 

Toledo Trustee
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Bryn Hartman

Tri-County Trustee

Bryn graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from Youngstown State University in 2017. Since then, she has continued her education and went on to receive a Master of Health and Human Services degree from YSU in 2020. Currently, she is finishing up her PhD in Health Sciences at YSU.
 
Bryn worked in clinical dental hygiene for 6 years and was a part-time faculty member at Youngstown State University before transitioning into her current role as the Dental Hygiene Program Administrator at YSU. 
 
She has served as a Delegate at ODHA Annual Session and currently serves as Trustee for her local component.
Tri-County Trustee

ODHA Council Chairs

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Annual Session Council Chair

Michelle Tracy

Amy Merritt
Continuing Education Council Chair
Continuing Education Council Chair

Tia Parr, ODHA CE Council Chair

Tia Parr graduated Summa Cum Laude with her A.A.S. in Dental Hygiene in 2017 from University of Cincinnati Blue Ash. Tia also completed her BTAS in  Business Administration graduating in 2018 from UCBA.  She worked her first year as a full time sub hygienist and it was a great learning experience that has since helped her in her career. She currently works full time at one office for the last 7 years and continues to work 2-3 days a month at her previous office.  Tia has 27 years dental experience working in all aspects of a dental office, however mostly as a dental assistant. Her move into dental hygiene has proven to be rewarding.  She loves the interaction with her patients, but she also greatly values her connection with her coworkers and her peers. Being a member and becoming more active in ODHA and CDHA has grown these connections.

Tia is the Continuing Education Chair for ODHA as well as the Immediate Past President for the Cincinnati component. Each year she has worked to become more involved and learn more about how she can help her organization at all levels. Protecting and promoting the dental hygienist is important to her and keeps her involved.  

When Tia is not at work, she is usually rooting on a local sports team with her husband or reading and trying out a new beer. She also helps her husband with his glazier business. Tia has been in Cincinnati since 2011 and now calls it home. She grew up in Oregon and still makes multiple trips home to be with her family there.

Tia Parr
A woman with long blonde hair smiling in an office.
Government Relations Council Chair

Government Relations Council Chair

My name is Nancy Stanwick, Associate Professor/Clinic Coordinator for the Dental Hygiene department at Stark State College.  My experience includes 30 years in dental hygiene education and 36 years of clinical practice as a dental hygienist.

My educational journey began at Lakeland Community College, where I graduated with an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene in 1986.  After graduation, I earned a Bachelor and Master degrees in Technical Education from the University of Akron in 1991. In 1992, I was hired as Clinical Preceptor at Cuyahoga Community College.  My responsibilities included daily operations of the clinic, administration, teaching (dental hygiene and assisting students), and student advisor for the American Dental Hygiene Association.  In addition to my position responsibilities, I was an active member of the Cleveland Dental Hygiene Association. 

In 1997, I was asked to become a member of the dental hygiene advisory committee at Stark State College.  During this time, many hours were spent in the development and accreditation process for the dental hygiene program.  In the summer of 1998, I was hired, part-time, to teach the first dental hygiene course at Stark State College. And subsequently was hired full time as instructor, clinic coordinator, and student advisor for the American Dental Hygiene Association.  I am currently an Associate Professor/Clinic Coordinator for the Dental Hygiene Program at Stark State College.

In addition to teaching, I have served in many capacities for the Akron Dental Hygiene Association as President, Vice President, Registrar, and Legislative contact.  After the Akron component dissolved, I became an active member for Stark Collaborative Dental Hygiene Association as trustee for three years, delegate, Vice President, and currently the President.  I am also the Chair of the Government Relations Council for the Ohio Dental Hygiene Association.

Nancy Stanwick
Policy and Bylaws Chair
Policy and Bylaws Chair

Policy and Bylaws Council Chair

Deborah graduated from Greenville Technical College in South Carolina in 1995 with an Associate in Health Science, majoring in Dental Hygiene. Since graduation, she has completed education and examination requirements for both local anesthesia and nitrous oxide administration. She currently serves as Policy and Bylaws Chair.

Since relocating to Ohio in 2000, Deborah has dedicated 24 years of service to the Ohio Dental Hygienists’ Association (ODHA) in numerous leadership roles. Her service includes Speaker of the House, President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President, Vice President, Trustee, Administrative Planning Council Chair, Annual Session Council Chair, Policy and Bylaws Council Chair, ADHA Alternate Delegate, ADHA Delegate, and ADHA Delegate Chair. She has also contributed as a member of the Legislative Committee, Financial Review Committee, Continuing Education Council, Annual Session Council, and O-HY-PAC.

On a component level, Deborah is a member of the Columbus Component, where she has served as Trustee, President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President, ODHA Delegate, and on several committees.

Nationally, Deborah has served multiple terms as an ADHA Delegate and Alternate Delegate since 2009. In 2023, she served as the ADHA District V Student Delegate Liaison. Her national involvement includes attending ADHA Lobby Day in Washington, DC (2009), participating in ADHA’s Unleashing Your Potential leadership program in Chicago (2011), and volunteering at the 2018 ADHA Annual Conference in Columbus, assisting with Community Service Day, Plenary Sessions, and the Hospitality Booth.

Deborah’s service has been recognized with numerous honors, including the ODHA President’s Award (2005), President’s Citation (2020), Margie A. Pearce Aspiring Professional Award (2010), Outstanding Effort Award (2013, 2019, 2023), Outstanding Service Award (2018, 2024), Sandra Winchell Exemplary Service Award (2019), and the Patricia V. Griffiths Memorial Award (2021). She is also a senior member of the ODHA Academy of Dental Hygiene Studies.

Deborah is a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians (NAP) and continues her studies in parliamentary procedure with the goal of becoming a Registered Parliamentarian (RP).

Her clinical experience includes practicing dental hygiene in Virginia and Tennessee prior to moving to Ohio. Deborah resides in Dublin, Ohio, and works full-time in a periodontal practice in Worthington. She serves on the advisory board for the Columbus State Community College Dental Hygiene Program and works as a Dental Hygiene Educator for BioGaia, presenting at exhibit halls and continuing education courses.

In her free time, Deborah enjoys cooking and spending time with her son, Hunter, and her dog, Gracey (yes—spelled like the instrument).

Deborah Stevens
Ohio dental hygienists association logo.
Student Council Chair

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Kacy Goetz
Member Services Council Chair
Member Services Council Chair

Beth Tronolone

Beth Tronolone

History of ODHA

Ohio Components

Cincinnati

Leesa Abell –  leesa.abell@gmail.com

http://www.cincydha.net/

Facebook page

Northwestern

Angeline Nichols – teamnichols5@gmail.com

Facebook page

Cleveland

Katherine Antepara- Anteparakatherine@gmail.com

http://clevelanddha.org/about-us/

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Stark

Shannon Tilenni – sstaegerrdh@gmail.com

http://www.scdha.net/

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Columbus

Connie Clark- connietooth@gmail.com

http://www.thecdha.com/

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Toledo

Pat Powers – pvpowers@hotmail.com

http://www.tdhasmiles.org/

Facebook page

Dayton

Rachel Christopher- rachel.christopher65@yahoo.com

www.daytondentalhygienistsassociation.com/

Facebook page

Tri-County

Bryn Hartman – brynhartman.bh@gmail.com

https://www.tricountydh.com/

 

Northeastern

Michael Judy – mikej.judy@gmail.com

http://www.neodha.com/

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