Faculty & Resources

Faculty and Resources

Our faculty is the cornerstone of our success.

• UNH professors have expertise in their chosen specialty fields.
• Faculty members have published in professional journals, have contributed to and published books and have lectured nationally.
• Our clinical faculty members work diligently to develop innovative techniques for teaching and fostering clinical skill development. They bring a wealth of real-world knowledge into the classroom and share their experiences regarding the latest technology and current trends for patient treatment.

Resources for student use include collaboration with statewide public and private institutions.

• Students have the opportunity to work with other health care professionals in providing dental hygiene services at external clinical sites.
• They gain additional experience through the provision of Dental Hygiene education in a variety of settings such as public school systems, homeless shelters, group homes, elderly housing, and community-based clinics.
• Students are able to apply classroom knowledge to real life situations in various dental settings.

Awards and Recognition

The UNH dental hygiene program is nationally accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), the branch of the American Dental Association responsible for accrediting all U.S. schools of Dental Hygiene.

Full Time Faculty

L. Teal Mercer RDH, MPH Assistant Professor, Dental Hygiene Program Director

Sandra D'Amato-Palumbo RDH, MPS, Associate Professor 

Gwen Grosso, RDH MS Assistant Professor, Junior Clinic Coordinator

Mark G. Kacerik, RDH MS Associate Professor, Sophomore Clinic Coordinator

Renee G. Prajer RDH, MS Associate Professor

Adjunct Faculty

Miranda Brooks RDH, BS

Elizabeth Grabowicz RDH, BS

Lynn Helfer RDH, BS

Albana Lame RDH, BS

Kathleen Lane RDH, MS

Paula Magalhaes-Coelho RDH, BS

Elizabeth Miller RDH, BS

Eileen O'Brien RDH, BS

Angelina Petonito RDH, BS

Jennifer Pieren RDH, MS

James Pucci, DMD

Garry Rappaport DMD, FAGD

Jessica Reder RDH. BS

Lori Riedel RDH, M.Ed.

Thomas Valluzzo, DMD