Vermont State Dental Society Executive Board
September 2022- September 2023
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.
President-Elect, 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.
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, 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.
Secretary, Emily Hill, DDS
A native Vermonter, Dr. Hill graduated in 2006 from the University of Vermont with a B.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition Sciences. She returned to school to complete her degree in Dental Hygiene, which she then practiced at Timberlane Dental Group for nearly 3 years. Dr. Hill decided to pursue her goal of becoming a dentist and went to Marquette University in Wisconsin. She graduated summa cum laude in 2015 and was thrilled to return to her hometown to complete her General Practice Residency with UVMMC. She returned to Timberlane Dental Group where she has been practicing as a General Dentist since 2016.
She is a member of the Vermont State Dental Society and the American Dental Association as well as the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Hill is also a faculty member of the Residency at the UVM Medical Center.
Dr. Hill loves that dentistry gives her an opportunity to help people feel their best and to serve her community. She currently resides in Essex with her husband who is also a UVM graduate.
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, 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.
Immediate Past President, Rebekah Lucier Pryles, DMD
Dr. Lucier Pryles received her undergraduate degree from Providence College and received her dental degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine where she graduated as the class valedictorian. She completed her residency in Endodontics at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. She has practiced at Upper Valley Endodontics in White River Junction, VT since graduation. She is a member of the Vermont State Dental Society, American Dental Association, and the American Association of Endodontists.
Dr. Lucier Pryles holds a faculty appointment in the Department of Endodontics at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. She continues to pursue academic writing and has published several peer-reviewed articles. Additionally, she co-authored the textbook "Endodontics Review: A Study Guide." She recently (Fall 2020) received national recognition by the American Dental Association as an ADA 10 under 10 (10 professionals nationally who demonstrate excellence in the first 10 years of their careers).
She is pleased to have the opportunity to serve the Vermont dental community by serving as a member of the Board of Directors at VSDS.
Long Term Delegate, Loren T. Peck, DDS
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Dr. Peck, a Buffalo, New York native received a BS in Chemistry from Saint Lawrence University in 1985 and his DDS degree from the University of Buffalo in 1989. After completing a General Practice Residency at Buffalo General Hospital in 1990, he relocated to the Bennington Vermont area where he maintains a general dental practice. Dr. Peck has been involved with the Bright Smiles Dental program at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center and the Bennington Free Dental Day. He has also coached youth ice hockey and lacrosse. In his spare time he officiates boys lacrosse and spends time with his family. Dr. Peck resides in North Bennington with his wife Hilary and their two children.