MDA Officers

Dr. Adam Saltz, President

Dr. Adam Saltz practices in South Portland. He completed his periodontal training at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. He attended Nova Southeastern University for dental school, where he also received his Master of Public Health. Dr. Saltz actively contributes to several scientific journals and lectures nationally. He is an assistant clinical professor at the University of New England and faculty consultant to Kansas City University.

He served as a public health consultant to the American Dental Association (ADA) and led the American Student Dental Association as national editor- in-chief, while in dental school. Dr. Saltz currently chairs multiple state and First District committees. In 2023, he was chosen to serve on the ADA New Dentist Committee as well as recognized by the ADA with their 10 Under 10 Award for his contributions to organized dentistry, education, and community outreach as a new dentist.

Dr. Matthew Lawler, President-Elect

Dr. Matthew Lawler has been practicing at Oral Surgery Associates in South Portland since completing residency. He is a native of Sedona, Arizona and graduated from the University of Arizona Summa Cum Laude double majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and Molecular and Cellular Biology in 2007. He attended dental school at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine graduating with honors in 2012. While in dental school he established a love for oral surgery and completed a one-year research fellowship in Pediatric Oral Surgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He completed his MD degree at Harvard Medical School in 2015 and completed his Oral Surgery Residency in 2018 where he served as chief resident at both Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Lawler is a member of American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), American Dental Association (ADA) and Maine Dental Association (MDA) where he serves on the executive board. During his training, he served as Program Liaison and District Representative for the resident organization of AAOMS and developed a passion for research publishing multiple peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on facial trauma, orthognathic surgery, and advanced imaging techniques.

Dr. Hena Patel, Vice-President

Dr. Hena Patel is a Florida native, graduating from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutritional Science. She then went on to the University of New England’s College of Dental Medicine where she obtained her Doctorate of Dental Medicine. During dental school, she was part of a scholarship program that focused on rural healthcare in the state of Maine. Dr. Patel is currently on the Board of Directors for the Maine Dental Association, representing Central Maine. She is a member of her local study clubs, the American Dental Association, and the Androscoggin Valley Dental Society. Public health is a large part of what makes Dr. Patel passionate about dentistry. She volunteers as a dental provider at the Oasis Free Dental Clinics in Brunswick whenever possible. Dr. Patel enjoys practicing dentistry because of the relationship she can build with her patients and change the way they think about dentistry, while improving their oral health. She provides patient centered and empathetic care, and truly enjoys helping patients overcome dental anxiety. In her free time, Dr. Patel is a complete foodie and loves to try new foods and cook new recipes. She also enjoys being outdoors and exploring new places, which is why she chose to settle in this gorgeous state.

Dr. Dean Tourigny, Secretary

Dr. Dean Tourigny was born in Biddeford, Maine. He received his bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and his dental degree from Northwestern University Dental School. Three years at Edwards Air Force Base taught him the practice of dentistry. He then returned to his hometown and opened a general practice after a brief associate position.

Since returning, he has been active in organized dentistry. He served many years as York County Dental Society (YCDS) representative as well as president of the YCDS and the MDA. He is currently Secretary of the MDA and serves on the Committee of Government Relations (CGR). When not working he enjoys landscaping, bird watching, and walking the dog with his wife Kathleen. There are those that feel he spends too much time on the Pickleball courts, but these people are ignored!

Dr. David Kerr, Treasurer

For over three decades, David R. Kerr, D.D.S. has had an established dental practice in the greater Portland area, and over this time, he has accumulated a substantial background of clinical experience and has seen a multitude of cases.

Dr. Kerr graduated from St. Lawrence University in 1974. He then graduated from the University of the Pacific in 1978 in San Francisco and completed a General Practice Residency in New York City at the Long Island Jewish Hillside Medical Center. He moved to Maine in 1985.

A member of six different organizations, Dr. Kerr has held many positions within the Maine Dental Association, the latest being Treasurer. His current research is on Sleep Apnea Prevalence in a General Dentistry Population and Development of Decision Support System to Enhance Clinical Decision Making and Patient Care Using Data Analytics. With a Master’s in Business Administration, Dr. Kerr provides consultation support to students and other professionals in Decision Support Software Development and Econometrics.

Dr. Kerr is married to Dr. Carol Kerr, a clinical counselor. Together they have two adult sons. His hobbies include anything outdoors: skiing, snowshoeing, sailing, hiking.

Therese Cahill, Executive Director

Therese Cahill brings a breadth of experience to the position, previously serving as the director of the Office of Child and Family Services at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, the director of constituent services at the Office of the Secretary of State, a grants and contracts administrator at Maine Quality Counts, an investigator for the Maine Board of Dental Practice, and as a school counselor and a speech therapist in school systems in coastal, western, and central Maine. She has also taught as an adjunct lecturer at the University of Maine at Augusta.

Cahill received her bachelor’s degree in speech correction from the University of Maine at Farmington and her master’s degree in school counseling from the University of Southern Maine. She has been involved in several community organizations and groups, including the Maine School Counselors Association, the Maine Association for Play Therapy, the Maine Heart Association, OHI Maine, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Kennebec Valley.