Vermont State Dental Society Executive Board
President, Justin Hurlburt, DMD
Dr. Hurlburt is the Program Director for the General Practice Dental Residency Program at the University of Vermont Medical Center. His research interests include clinical education and public health dentistry. Clinically he enjoys oral surgery and endodontics.
He believes that all patients should be cared for and treated equally, and that it should be a mission as a provider to eliminate health care disparities.
President-Elect Jeff Blasius, DMD
Dr. Blasius completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Connecticut and dental training at the University of Connecticut Health Center. He completed a Master of Public Health while in his three-year orthodontic residency training.
He joined Associates in Orthodontics in 2001 and has published papers based on his Master's degree research in sleep apnea and workforce issues. He is a Diplomate and board-certified orthodontist. He is proud to provide patients with the best in orthodontic care and technology, striving to achieve the highest level of clinical results in the shortest amount of time.
Dr. Blasius enjoys a variety of sports with his two boys, "working" in the yard on his tractor, and handyman/woodworking projects.
Vice President, Katarzyna "Kasia" Dionne, DMD
Dr. Kasia Dionne graduated from University of Vermont in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in biology and a minor in chemistry. She then continued on to dental school and graduated from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 2013. She has been practicing general dentistry since graduation, treating patients of all ages and dental needs. As part of her public health service, Dr. Dionne enjoyed providing dental care to children and adolescents in rural parts of Vermont, where access to care is limited. She now practices general dentistry in South Burlington.
Dr. Dionne is a member of American Dental Association and is proud to serve on Vermont State Dental Society Board of Directors.She is also a faculty member of the dental residency program at the University of Vermont Medical Center.
Dr. Dionne is a native of Poland and moved to the beautiful state of Vermont in 2000. She and her husband, Ed, reside in Williston. They enjoy spending time with their three daughters, Emma, Chloe, and Lilly, as well as their dogs, Bean and Rocky. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, swimming, reading, and spending time outdoors.
Treasurer/Secretary, Audra J. Pinto, DMD
Dr. Audra Pinto received her undergraduate degree from Forsyth School for Dental Hygiene and Northeastern University and her dental degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, in 1994. Dr. Pinto has been practicing in South Burlington for 22 years.
Dr. Pinto is a member of the American Dental Association and the Vermont State Dental Society. She is currently on faculty at the University of Vermont Dental residency program.
Dr. Pinto lives in Essex Junction with her husband Brian and two teenage sons. She enjoys skiing, running outside in all four seasons and spending time with her family.
Director, Jonathan Mason, DMD
Dr. Mason is a native of West Hartford, CT. He practiced with his father for 8 years prior to relocating to Manchester, VT, an area he and his family fell in love with while vacationing with their young children. Dr. Mason is a 2002 graduate of Hamilton College and graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine in 2006. He then completed a 1-year residency at the VA Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA.
Dr. Mason and his wife have a son and daughter along with a dog and cat. Spending time with his family is one of his favorite pastimes. He also enjoys skiing, golf, squash, or just being outdoors.
Director, Michael Gibilisco, DMD
Dr. Gibilisco has wanted to help people as long as he can remember. After working in a dental office as a dental tech and shadowing multiple dentists, he knew that dentistry was the right fit for him. Dr. Mike attended the University of Connecticut for his undergraduate and completed his Doctor of Dental Medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. He attended a General Practice Residency program at Danbury Hospital to further his skills.
Dr. Gibilisco is a member of the American Dental Association, the Vermont State Dental Society, the American Academy of Clear Aligners, and the Academy of General Dentistry. He practices in Colchester with his wife, Dr. Kristin Gibilisco.
He enjoys an active lifestyle of skiing, kayaking, hiking, running, cooking, traveling, and is a huge soccer aficionado.
Director, Lindsay Herbert, DMD
Dr. Lindsay Herbert graduated cum laude from the University of Vermont in 2007 and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. She then went on to earn her dental degree from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. Upon graduation in 2011, Lindsay joined her Father, Richard in private practice. In 2015 Lindsay purchased the practice while her Father has continued to be a part of the practice.
Lindsay has committed to continuing her education throughout her career. She completed the Dawson Academy in 2019. She is an active member in a local professional study club and pursues advanced training through Spear Education, Dawson Academy and local VSDS CE annually. She also is currently training to be a HealthyStart Provider.
Since in private practice, Lindsay has participated in Donated Dental Services annually as well as provides care to patients in need from the Peoples Health and Wellness Clinic. She is also a member of the ADA and VSDS.
Director, Heidi Kunkel, DMD
Heidi Kunkel was born and raised in Northfield, Vermont. She grew up skiing, hiking, and eating food either raised and grown on their own family farm or from farms close by. She attended Roger Williams University in Rhode Island where she double majored in Chemistry and Biology, and graduated Magna Cum Laude.
She came home for a short time after graduation to hike the Long Trail of Vermont. It was during this time she decided to pursue a career in the dental field. She moved to Boston and attended Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. While there, she served in five different community service groups, the acapella choir, and was awarded Excellence in Operative Dentistry at graduation. After graduating in 2016, she commissioned as a Captain in the United States Army. While stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, she became the Infection Control Officer, served on the Credentialling and Review Board, and was eventually promoted to be Officer In Charge of the 43rd Battalion Dental Clinic. For her service, she was awarded the Army Meritorious Service Medal.
After her active duty service, she returned to Northfield, Vermont and bought a dental practice from an old family friend. She is now a general dentist and part owner of the Northfield Dental Group with her father Ray Kunkel. She continues her love of service by being a Donated Dental Service volunteer, a board member of the Quality Review and Credentialling Committee for Blue Cross – Blue Shield and is the Trails and Shelters Coordinator for the Montpelier section of the Green Mountain Club. She is also finally able to ski and hike the same mountains she grew up with.
Immediate Past President, Steve K. Rayes, DDS, MS
Dr. Rayes graduated from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. He subsequently completed a General Practice Residency through the University of Louisville/Louisville VAMC before being commissioned in the US Public Health service. He was stationed in Alaska for 21 years and initially provided care to remote Alaska Villages prior to entering a 3 year Specialty Program in order to attain a Master’s in Pediatric Dentistry through the University of Michigan. He served the remainder of this US Public Health career as a Pediatric Dentist and was instrumental in the creation of a Residency Program in Pediatric Dentistry through NYU Langone, which he has continued to direct for over 10 years while being involved in dental research.
Dr. Rayes is a Part Leader for the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and serves on the Oral Clinical Examination Committee as well as serving as an Oral Board Examiner. He now has a private practice in Pediatric Dentistry in Norwich, VT and continues to direct and teach in Alaska on a part time basis.
Dr. Rayes enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 children as they enjoy many outdoor activities including sugaring, bee keeping, camping, fishing, skiing and all that the Upper Valley has to offer. Dr. Rayes looks forward to serving the dental community in Vermont and advocating for Oral Health.
Long Term Delegate, Loren T. Peck, DDS
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