Call for Volunteers!

Standing Committees

Some members may choose to become involved in Society decision making by serving on a Standing Committee. Standing Committees study issues relating to a particular area of interest. Each Committee has both an ISDS trustee and staff member who serve as liaisons. The Committees then make recommendations to the Board of Trustees and the House of Delegates on specific issues relating to dentistry. Committees typically meet two to three times throughout the year to conduct business. They may meet virtually or in person. Presently, there are 10 standing committees at ISDS.

How to Be on a Committee

The ISDS Committee on Committees is responsible for presenting nominations for appointment on Standing Committees to the Board of Trustees. The Board, in turn, makes the final appointment.

Please assist the Committee on Committees by submitting the names of members in your local component society that you would recommend for service on an ISDS Standing Committee. The Committee on Committees presents a list of nominees for the Board of Trustees' consideration and approval at the June ISDS Board meeting.

If you are interested in serving on one of these committees, contact your ISDS Trustee. The Trustee will forward this information to the Executive Secretary at ISDS headquarters for consideration by the Committee on Committees. A curriculum vitae is a useful tool for the Committee on Committees to determine a member's qualifications for the various committees.

Nominations must be received at ISDS headquarters by May 15.

Access to Care

The Committee on Access to Care monitors the need for dental care throughout the state, particularly the needs of special population groups such as the homebound and those in low-income categories.

Dr. Sharon Molitoris, Chair Term 2023-2026
Dr. Ryan Tuscher, Term 2022-2025
Dr. Peter Contos, Term 2023-2026
Dr. Lisa Kearney, Term 2023-2026
Dr. Abby Stern, Term 2024-2027
Dr. Bianca Sciarresi, Term 2024-2027
Dr. Jason Guerrero, Board Liaison
Dr. Katie Hanser, New Dentist Liaison
Dr. Katie Kosten, ADA Council Representative
Lindsay Wagahoff, Staff Liaison

Annual Session

The Committee on Annual Session plans and coordinates the annual meeting of the Society and serves as the general arrangements committee for the annual session.

Dr. Michael Danner, 2025 President
Dr. Christopher Couri, 2025 General Chair
Dr. Harry Watts, 2025 Dinner Dance Chair
Dr. John Kozal, 2026 President
Dr. Lynse Briney, 2026 General Chair
Dr. Anastasia Kozal, 2026 Dinner Dance Chair
Dr. Douglas Chang, 2027 President
VACANT, 2027 General Chair
VACANT, 2027 Dinner Dance Chair
Mattea Tavernor, Staff Liaison

Communications

The Committee on Communications implements state-level programs and activities to educate the public on oral health issues and to enhance the public image of the dental profession in Illinois.

Dr. Jennifer Pritts, Chair Term 2024-2027
Dr. Ravi Juluri Term 2023-2026 
Dr. Shawna Dudovitz Term 2023-2026 
Dr. Esther Lopez Term 2023-2026
Dr. Rebecca Dunn Term 2024-2027
Dr. Maggie Schaefer-Gilpin Term 2024-2027
Dr. Bianca Sciarresi Term 2024-2027
Dr. Ben Youel Board Liaison
Dr. Alexandra Nash, New Dentist Liaison
Dr. Samantha Arnold, ADA Council Representative
Jennifer Walker, Staff Liaison

Dental Benefits

The Committee on Dental Benefits monitors the dental insurance and managed care industry as well as implements direct reimbursement activities. The committee also works in cooperation with other recognized health care organizations to promote the common objectives of dental care.

Dr. Joseph Hagenbruch, Chair Term 2023-2026
Dr. Jun Lim, Term 2023-2026
Dr. Douglas Kay, Term 2023-2026
Dr. Bruce Mathes, Term 2024-2027
Dr. Danny Hanna, Term 2024-2027
Dr. Richard Osmanski, Board Liaison
VACANT, New Dentist Liaison
Dr. Vishruti Patel, ADA Council Representative
Lindsay Wagahoff, Staff Liaison

Dental Education

The Committee on Dental Education prepares and develops plans for courses of study to be sponsored by the Society and arranges for the presentation of these programs. ISDS also offers online courses.

Dr. Mohammed Qaisi, Chair Term 2022-2025
Dr. Sahar Alrayyes Term 2023-2026
Dr. Larry Williams Term 2023-2026
Dr. Michelle Jennings Term 2024-2027
Ms. Melissa McDowell, RDH Term 2024-2027
Dr. Donald Rastede, Board Liaison
Dr. Kevin Luan, New Dentist Liaison
Dr. Barbara Mousel, ADA Council Representative
Mattea Tavernor, Staff Liaison

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee was formed in September 2022 based on a resolution approved at the HOD meeting. The committee’s purpose is to give guidance and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees on matters related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. To do that, they will monitor ISDS policies and bylaws and recommend amendments and public policy that ensure alignment with the Society’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. They will also collaborate with components to offer assistance and provide leadership training and mentoring.

Dr. Manisha Virdi, Chair Term 2022-2025
Dr. Jun Lim, Term 2022-2025
Dr. Dean (Dino) Nicholas, Term 2023-2026
Dr. Maribel Reyes De Lobos, Term 2023-2026
Dr. Tehemina Richardson, Term 2024-2027
Dr. Lauren Hood-Olson, Term 2024-2027
Dr. Sharon Perlman, Board Liaison
Dr. Jessica Piepenbrink, New Dentist Liaison
Eric Larson, Staff Liaison

Governmental Affairs

The Committee on Governmental Affairs sets the legislative agenda, prepares proposed legislation, secures bill introduction and passage, monitors new bills, selects positions, submits testimony, secures amendments and defeats objectionable proposals.

Dr. Larry W. Osborne, Chair Term 2022-2025
Dr. Stacey VanScoyoc, Term 2022-2025
Dr. Randall Markarian, Term 2022-2025
Dr. James Benz, Term 2023-2026
Dr. Julie Laverdiere-Beck, Term 2023-2026
Dr. Victoria Ursitti, Term 2023-2026
Dr. Kenneth Rawson, Term 2023-2026
Dr. Edmund March, Term 2024-2027
Dr. Sherece Thompson, Term 2024-2027
Dr. Barbara Mousel, Term 2024-2027
Dr. Barry Howell, Dent-IL-Pac President
Dr. Terry Barnfield, ADPAC Trustee
Dr. Jon Nickelsen, Board Liaison
Dr. Seth Barnett, New Dentist Liaison
Dr. Cheryl Watson-Lowry, ADA Council Representative
Lindsay Wagahoff, Staff Liaison

Member Services

The Committee on Member Services researches programs and services which may be of value to the Society’s members and which may generate non-dues revenue to help keep dues increases to a minimum. The committee is also responsible for continuously monitoring all member insurance programs currently in effect and for making appropriate recommendations for modification to the Board of Trustees.

Dr. Christopher Larsen, Chair Term 2022-2025
Dr. Katie Buskirk, Term 2022-2025
Dr. Todd Gray, Term 2023-2026
Dr. William Schlosser, Term 2023-2026
Dr. Bita Fayz, Term 2023-2026
Dr. James Hardy, Term 2024-2027
Dr. Richard Leyba, Board Liaison
VACANT, New Dentist Liaison
Nic Atkinson, Staff Liaison

Membership

The Committee on Membership develops and manages recruitment and retention activities for the Society to increase membership. This Committee also handles issues related to member records and the membership database.

Dr. Gordon Barkley III, Chair Term 2023-2026
Dr. Bronwen Richards, Term 2022-2025
Dr. Lauren Hood-Olson, Term 2022-2025
Dr. Samantha Arnold, Term 2022-2025
Dr. Brittany Boomgarden, Term 2023-2026
Dr. Todd Gray, Term 2023-2026
Dr. Lauren Wilson, Term 2023-2026
Dr. Samuel Willens, Term 2024-2027
Dr. Michael Tauber, Term 2024-2027
Dr. Dallas Pineda, Term 2024-2027
Tami Wanless, RDH, Term 2024-2027
Emily Thornberry, SIU Student
TBD, MWU Student
TBD, UIC Student
Dr. Keith Evans, Board Liaison
Dr. Tejpal Jadeja, New Dentist Liaison
Dr. Terri Tiersky, ADA Council Representative
Eric Larson, Staff Liaison

New Dentist and Leadership Development

The Committee on the New Dentist advises the Society on issues relating to newly practicing dentists. The Committee’s programs are designed to help and guide dentists that have been out of school less than ten years. In the past, the Committee has sponsored educational programs at Annual Session and at the dental schools in Illinois.

Dr. Jacqueline Hassenplug, Chair Term 2023-2026
Dr. Kevin Luan, Term 2022-2025
Dr. Alexandra Nash, Term 2023-2026
Dr. Katie Hanser, Term 2023-2026
Dr. Seth Barnett, Term 2024-2027
Dr. Jessica Piepenbrink, Term 2024-2027
Dr. Martin Ryan, Term 2024-2027
Dr. Tejpal Jadeja, Term 2024-2027
Emma Tello, MWU Student
Elizabeth McDaniel, SIU Student
TBD, UIC Student 
Dr. Marcia Hardy, Board Liaison
Dr. Bryce Larson, ADA Council Representative
Eric Larson, Staff Liaison (Interim)