Meet us

Experienced Leadership

The Dental Education Partners (DEP) owners, consultants, and instructors are experienced dental professionals dedicated to improving the dental industry through consulting, customized training, and continuing education.

MaryHughes

MARY K. HUGHES, R.D.H., B.S.

CEO, Founder, and Instructor

MARY K. HUGHES, RDH, BS

Mary Hughes, R.D.H., B.S., is Dental Education Partners CEO, founder, and instructor. Her passion for dentistry, sales training, and helping individuals achieve their full potential is the foundation of Dental Education Partners. With a proven track record of coaching dental teams to immediate success, Mary inspires owner dentists and their teams to achieve the highest standard of comprehensive patient care in both the hygiene and restorative sides of dental practice.

Mary fell in love with dentistry as a registered dental assistant and continued her career as a clinical dental hygienist after graduating from the State University of New York. Mary became an expert in team training and effective patient communication coaching methods, which tripled daily hygiene production for her office and all the operatories of the colleagues she coached.

As Mary’s career transitioned from private practices to corporate dentistry, she began to consult dental offices across North America. Mary has been promoted within the corporate dental industry to roles including International Training Manager, Senior Director of North American Sales, and Senior Director of Professional Relations. Most recently, Mary had the privilege of becoming the Vice President of Clinical Affairs for a large DSO.

Mary has the unique credential of being certified as a Professional Selling Skills Trainer by Achieve Global®—a prestigious and widely recognized leader in sales training, communication, and personnel development. This certification enables Mary to train dental teams using an influential solution-based approach for significantly increasing treatment acceptance. She is a member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and has been published in peer-reviewed dental journals. Mary is an internationally recognized lecturer and educator known for her fun and interactive teaching style.

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STEPHANIE PALMER, B.A., D.A.

COO and Instructor

STEPHANIE PALMER, B.A., D.A.

Stephanie Palmer, B.A., D.A., is Dental Education Partners' Chief Operating Officer and instructor. Her passion for dentistry, training, and driving results-based growth is a trademark of her career and helped build the foundation for Dental Education Partners, an approved AGD PACE program provider.

Stephanie had a unique pathway to dentistry. After skiing internationally for the United States Alpine Ski Team, she attended Whitman College, earning her Bachelor of Arts in Economics. She began her professional career first as a financial advisor, followed by managing educational events in the technology sector, overseeing as many as 300 events per year. As a natural leader, she continued her career managing operations for a PGA Tour tournament as well as managing events and marketing for a business startup accelerator. With a breadth of experience guiding successful businesses, Stephanie fell in love with dentistry while managing the continuing education department for a dental manufacturer. In that role, she further developed her skills as a public speaker and dental educator.

With over a decade in dentistry, Stephanie went on to graduate from the South Florida Dental Assisting School and helped start, manage, and grow Dental Education Partners. She is experienced in delivering lectures, webinars, and team training. Her first step when consulting with dental offices and professionals is to “start with the end in mind.” Understanding baseline performance metrics and goals—together with a “patients first” philosophy—allows her to guide and provide customized training to help them achieve those goals. She prides herself on being a partner for growth for the practices and professionals with whom she partners.

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STEVEN WINGFIELD, D.M.D.

Advisory Board Member, Consultant, Keynote Speaker​

STEVEN WINGFIELD, D.M.D

Steven Wingfield, D.M.D., serves as the president and leader of Dental Whale Practice Group, a DSO based in Sunrise, Fl. He is also a co-founder and managing partner of Dental Whale, and the focus area leader for the Practice Management Pod of Dental Whale. A sought-after international speaker, consultant, and educator, Dr. Wingfield is a recognized key opinion leader, and he lectures and consults regularly within the dental industry.

Dr. Wingfield graduated Cum Laude from Western Kentucky University, earning a Bachelor of Science. In 2000, he graduated from the University of Louisville as the Academy of Operative Dentistry’s Student of the Year with his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. He launched his career with the United States Navy Dental Corps and graduated with top honors from their Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency program. He received numerous awards, including a Navy Commendation Medal and two Navy Achievement Medals.

Dr. Wingfield has served on the board of directors for the Georgia Academy of General Dentistry; is a member of the Hinman Dental Society; a Fellow to the Academy of General Dentistry; and an active member of the North Georgia Dental Society, the Georgia Dental Association, and the American Dental Association.

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Lisa Turner RDH

LISA TURNER, R.D.H.

Advisory Board Member, Hygiene Consultant, Content Development

LISA TURNER, R.D.H.

Lisa Turner, R.D.H., entered the dental world as a junior in high school when she enrolled in a vocational program to learn and train in dental assisting. Inspired and impassioned by her studies there, she pursued an Associate of Applied Science degree in dental hygiene from the State University of New York at Monroe Community College.

Lisa deeply believes that her professional calling is to provide exemplary dental care for patients in a comprehensive and compassionate manner. Among her many specialized attributes is her natural ability to clearly explain to patients their dental health conditions and the treatments needed to achieve optimal oral health.

Lisa’s career journey has continued as a Dental Hygiene Coach and Educational Content Creator, a role where she can share her extensive expertise and knowledge, helping dental hygienists on their continuum of lifelong learning and professional growth.

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RITA WEAVER, J.D., C.H.C.

Advisory Board Member and Compliance Expert

RITA WEAVER, J.D., C.H.C.

Rita Chernyak Weaver, J.D., C.H.C., serves as the Deputy Compliance Officer (DCO) for Lincare Holdings, LLC, one of the nation’s largest durable medical equipment suppliers. As the DCO, Rita is responsible for ensuring that all of Lincare’s nearly 12,000 employees comply with various federal and state health care regulations as well as the company’s policies and procedures.

As a Florida-barred attorney, Rita worked as a litigator for nearly six years. As part of this work, Rita defended incidents that could have been prevented (or significantly mitigated) if better compliance and risk management practices were in existence.

Rita has completed additional education to specialize in the ever-evolving field of Health Care Compliance. She earned a Graduate Certificate of Advanced Study in Health Care Compliance from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Rita also recently obtained the Certified in Health Care Compliance (CHC)® designation, which is granted by the Compliance Certification Board to individuals with expertise in compliance processes specific to organizations in the health care industry.

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CASSANDRA BIANCHI, R.D.H., B.S.

Advisory Board Member, Lecturer and Consultant

CASSANDRA BIANCHI, R.D.H., B.S.

Cassandra Bianchi, R.D.H., B.S., is the second-year clinical coordinator in the Dental Studies Program of the Health-Related Professions Department at SUNY Monroe Community College. She is passionate about mentoring future dental professionals. Cassandra received her A.A.S. degree in Dental Hygiene from Monroe Community College and her B.S. in Human Development from SUNY Empire State College. An avid lifelong learner, Cassandra is currently working toward her M.A. in Adult Learning from SUNY Empire State College.

Prior to transitioning into education, Cassandra enjoyed a successful career in both periodontal and general settings. Her experience as a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) has helped her develop a deep understanding of comprehensive patient care, and she enjoys using her clinical background to help coach hygienists to reach their full potential.

Along with her RDH certification, Cassandra has expanded her skills through ongoing education and is certified as an Orofacial Myology Specialist and a Myobrace Educator.

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JulieHannan

JULIE HANNAN

Advisory Board Member, Success Coach, Trainer

JULIE HANNAN

Julie Hannan has been in the dental profession for more than 35 years, having worked in clinical and nonclinical roles in the dental office, in both private practice and DSO settings. She is renowned for her training in the areas of case acceptance and the patient experience.

As an outstanding communicator and trainer, Julie has led multiple teams in roles from Treatment Coordinator to Program Manager, ensuring quality and consistency in both patient care and practice management. She has trained practice staff and leadership in processes and procedures to enhance their practice management skills. With a deep understanding of the operational aspects of dental businesses, Julie is highly effective in helping practices achieve budgeting and growth goals. Her training has been proven to foster excellent customer service skills for client retention and conflict resolution.

Julie is passionate about the dental industry and helping people be the BEST in their chosen fields!

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PeterHarnois

PETER HARNOIS, D.D.S.

Advisory Board Member, Cosmetic Dentistry Instructor, Key Note Speaker

PETER HARNOIS, D.D.S.

Peter Harnois, D.D.S., graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry with honors in 1982. Dr. Harnois has been practicing dentistry in Hinsdale, Ill., for more than 30 years. His philosophy is to provide the most gentle and minimally invasive cosmetic and metal-free dental treatments with natural results. His philosophy is complimented by the use of top-tier technology, and his office sets the standard of exceptional patient care with the aid of tools such as iTero scanners and lasers.

Dr. Harnois is well-known for his ability to build trust and rapport with patients, and he lectures internationally to properly educate his fellow dentists on emerging technologies in dentistry that he utilizes in his own practice. He is a clinical trainer for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Academy of Facial Esthetics, and DenMat (manufacturer of Lumineers). Dr. Harnois is also the president of the Illinois American Academy of Facial Esthetics and trains dentists on injection techniques.

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KRISA SWANSON, R.D.H.

Hygiene Instructor and Consultant

KRISA SWANSON, RDH

Lifelong Georgia resident Krisa Swanson, R.D.H., knew as a child she wanted to follow other family members’ lead and become a dental hygienist; she loved having her teeth cleaned and was fascinated with the profession. The transformative experience of having braces as a teen solidified her desire to provide service that would make patients feel safe and confident in their smiles.

Krisa has a 20-year background in patient care and is dedicated to the both clinical and financial satisfaction of the provider-client relationship. She is committed to increasing productivity and engagement, especially in patient retention and new patient referrals.

Passionate about sharing her knowledge, Krisa is a trainer as well as a Dental Education Partners hygiene instructor and consultant providing in-office and web-based services and continuing education.

Krisa holds an A.S. in dental hygiene from Armstrong State University in Savannah, Ga. Outside of the office, she can be found cheering on her kids from the sidelines of the soccer field and volunteering for school functions. She also loves travel, running, and reading a good book when she has quiet time.

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SherrieMcDaniel

SHERRIE MCDANIEL, R.D.H.

Hygiene Instructor and Consultant

SHERRIE MCDANIEL, R.D.H.

Sherrie McDaniel, R.D.H., has more than 35 years of experience as a clinical dental hygienist. As a recognized subject matter expert in the industry, Sherrie has worked as a hygiene consultant and trainer for some of the leading dental hygiene consulting firms in the United States. She works with a “total team” mindset to ensure immediate impact on patient outcomes and practice growth.

Sherrie has invested her entire professional life in studying the elite practice of clinical teams in dentistry. Her vision is driven by the commitment to provide highly personalized care, training, and coaching to the dental professional.

Sherrie has been a speaker and trainer, as well as a clinical department leader for one of the top dental consulting and management companies in the U.S. In the creation of the clinical department, Sherrie developed systems that have been put into place in hundreds of dental offices across the country, as well as internationally.

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Katelyn Lawson, RDH

KATELYN LAWSON, R.D.H.

Hygiene Instructor and Consultant

KATELYN LAWSON, RDH

Katelyn Lawson, RDH is a licensed Dental Hygienist based in Maui, Hawaii, whose passion for healthcare began at an early age. Inspired by the women in her family who dedicated their careers to helping others, Katelyn felt a strong calling to pursue a path that would allow her to make a meaningful impact. This desire to contribute to her community led her to the field of dental hygiene, where she has since built a career centered on patient care and advocacy.

For Katelyn, the most rewarding aspect of her work is the opportunity to connect with people from all walks of life, hearing their stories and providing personalized care that enhances their oral health. She takes pride in helping patients understand the crucial role their oral health plays in overall well-being, empowering them to achieve beautiful, healthy smiles. Her approachable and compassionate nature allows her to build strong relationships with her patients, creating a foundation of trust that is essential for delivering the highest quality care.

Committed to continuous growth, Katelyn is passionate about lifelong learning and is always seeking ways to stay ahead of the curve. She embraces new technologies and integrates the latest advancements into her clinical practice and coaching, ensuring that both her patients and her team benefit from the best evidence-based techniques available.

Katelyn earned her Bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene from Northern Arizona University. In addition to her hands-on clinical work, she excels as an in-person coach, delivering continuing education and training for dental teams to optimize practice performance.

When she’s not helping patients, Katelyn enjoys Hawaii’s natural beauty. Whether freediving, canoe paddling, or sailing, she’s most at home on the water, soaking up the sun and the vibrant spirit of the islands.

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NANCY VARGAS

AR Specialist and Consultant

NANCY VARGAS

Nancy Vargas has enjoyed a career in the dental industry that spans over three decades, serving in various leadership roles across offices of all sizes. She has experience in both private practices and DSO settings, which has given her a deep knowledge of how to leverage accounts receivable (AR) to maximize growth.

Nancy has spent her career creating efficient, scalable AR protocols, including developing a large insurance department that provided outsourced accounts receivable services to dental offices and leading a team that managed AR at more than 80 practices. As a practice administrator in numerous offices, Nancy was responsible for the development and implementation of scalable AR processes, helping create efficient systems and maximize revenue.

Nancy is highly sought-after for her expertise in managing outstanding patient AR, dental insurance billing, verification, claims, appeals, and EOB processing. In her current role as an AR specialist and consultant, she utilizes her vast experience to support entrepreneurial dentists in achieving their business growth goals.

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