CANDIDATES AND VOTING

At a time when our profession faces rapid change, I believe our association must remain focused on what matters most: supporting our members, strengthening our collective voice, and building a future that keeps organized dentistry relevant, responsive, and united. Our members should feel supported across the tripartite and understand the value that comes from all three levels of membership. A strong tripartite creates a more unified member experience, improves alignment around advocacy and professional priorities, and ensures that every level of organized dentistry is working together effectively on behalf of dentists and the patients we serve. By building trust, promoting collaboration, and encouraging shared goals, we can make each part of the tripartite stronger and more valuable to our members. I believe this starts colleague-to-colleague in the local component. We must focus our attention on ensuring the local components are supported to meet the needs of their dentists. Our members should clearly see the benefit of belonging at every stage of their careers and in every practice setting. That means continuing to deliver strong advocacy, high-quality continuing education, practical practice resources, and opportunities for leadership, networking, and mentorship. Not only does that mean listening carefully to what our members need today and adapting membership to remain meaningful, relevant, and worth the investment, but it also means we must communicate that value. Members deserve clear, timely, and transparent communication. I am committed to improving how we connect with members, listen to their concerns, and celebrate their successes. All members should be aware of the issues that have the potential to impact their practices, the decisions being made on their behalf, and the opportunities available for engagement. Our members deserve to feel informed, heard, and connected to the future of the VDA, whether they are active volunteers or simply looking to stay current and supported. I would be grateful for your support and the opportunity to serve our profession as President-Elect of the Virginia Dental Association. If elected, I will lead with a spirit of collaboration and accountability. I would be honored to help advance a stronger tripartite, improve and articulate member value, and deliver more effective communication for the benefit of our members, our profession, and the oral health of communities across Virginia.

CV - Dr. C. Danielle Howell

I've been a member of ADA, VDA, and RDS since I graduated. I believe that they are the premier voice for Virginia's citizens and dentists. Membership has been waning, and this doesn't help us. I've had a long history of working on boards and have helped make some more efficient and effective. I'm very familiar with working with figures and budgets with many organizations, including my own PC. As I prepare to cut down on my clinical time, I'd like to help the VDA grow and meet its challenges. It has been invaluable during my career and isn't appreciated enough.

CV - Dr. Walter Saxon

I am running for Secretary-Treasurer again. I feel I have the experience and knowledge to continue in this position. I appreciate your confidence in me through my time as president and as your Secretary-Treasurer. I ask for your support as I run for my last term.

CV - Dr. Cynthia Southern

There are many reasons I am seeking to serve another term as a Member of the ADA’s 16th District—this time as an ADA Delegate. I have served on Component 8’s delegation to the VDA House of Delegates since early in my career. I am a long-time member of our component’s Board of Directors and have been a member of our VDA Board of Directors since September 2023. I am both able and willing to present the opinions of my colleagues as well as to offer my own. We are blessed with great leaders in the current ADA House of Delegates—leaders who strive to protect our beloved profession, the public, our future, and the future of those dentists who will practice after us. I believe that we can only protect what we have worked so hard to establish by staying involved in and committed to organized dentistry. Only then may we wisely and proactively address the challenges that come our way. It goes without saying that our profession has confronted a myriad of unique challenges and rapid changes in how we practice our profession in the last few years—necessitating continued engagement to ensure its growth and protection for each of us and the citizens we serve. If re-elected, I will continue to make myself available to my peers and colleagues and work to facilitate our shared goals. I am fully committed to the duties and responsibilities of the position, and it would be an honor and a privilege to continue serving our great profession at the national level. Thank you for your consideration!

CV - Dr. Melanie Hartman

It has been a privilege to serve as an ADA Alternate Delegate this past term, and I would love the opportunity to continue in the role of ADA Delegate for the next few years. From serving as National ASDA Vice President in dental school to my current role on the Richmond Dental Society Board of Directors, my journey in organized dentistry has equipped me with a deep understanding of our profession's challenges and opportunities. As an Assistant Professor at VCU School of Dentistry and an Oral Medicine Specialist, I have witnessed firsthand the critical need for collaboration between the medical and dental fields. I serve as an advocate for dental education and for our next generation of dental professionals. We have seen a lot of changes in the ADA over the last several years, and it’s important for us at the VDA to stay informed and continue to share the voice of our membership. Being a part of the ADA House of Delegates in 2025 was eye-opening – we witnessed significant shifts and dynamic debates, including the election of a president from the floor. I recognize the current climate of skepticism regarding traditional leadership and the need for a more transparent and member-centered ADA. While some choose to leave organized dentistry in times of change, I believe it is important to stay engaged to ensure our voices are heard and that the ADA remains accountable.

CV - Dr. Alexandra Howell

Involvement in organized dentistry has been an intrinsic part of my personal and professional development since before my first day of dental school. Having completed my first term as an Alternate Delegate, I’m even more convinced that active, engaged participation is essential to keeping our profession strong—especially as our profession, our association, and the challenges we face continue to evolve. Over the past term, I’ve seen firsthand how the work of the ADA House of Delegates directly influences the way we practice and how dentistry is perceived by the public. Our decisions as a House carry meaningful impact, and it is imperative that we continue to represent the interests of our members, the communities we serve, and the patients we treat. Because of my service within the tripartite and across other dental organizations, I understand the responsibility that comes with shaping policy. My experience as an Alternate Delegate has further reinforced my belief that representing our members' perspectives is paramount to advancing our association and ensuring the ADA remains the voice of dentistry. I would be honored to continue serving our association as a Delegate. Thank you for your consideration and support.

CV - Dr. Jeremy Jordan

It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve as one of your ADA delegates over the past three years, and I am hoping you will allow me to continue to serve in the coming term. We have had a tumultuous few years at the national level, and our present leadership, including our new executive director, has guided our governance to a much greater level of transparency and communication. Pressure from outside sources, including insurance challenges, student debt, and government interference, continues to strain not only new practitioners but also seasoned practitioners. It is time to reverse the trend to pull away from group involvement outside of the office and home, as there is nothing more important than being a part of an organization that has your well-being and your back as its highest priority. No one will advance our profession like we can. Our 16th district delegation works hard to help bring legislation and support efforts of the ADA to be more flexible and adaptive to the changing needs of our profession and our members. What keeps me so passionate about organized dentistry? The future of our profession for the next generation! I want our profession to be as vibrant and impactful for my daughter (who is finishing her first year of residency), my young partners, and all their colleagues as it has been for us all these years. Now is the time to mentor our younger generation and to encourage them to become involved. If we don’t preserve and protect our profession, who will? I am so appreciative of your support over the years, and I humbly ask for your vote to allow me to continue to serve and represent your voice on a national level.

CV - Dr. Benita Miller

I would like to extend my intention to represent the VDA ADA House of Delegates as an Alternate Delegate. Being an active leader in the Richmond Dental Society ever since my graduation from VCU School of Dentistry in 2020, practicing in Central Virginia, and being an active member of the Dental Society is a true passion of mine. Engaging with my fellow dentists, hearing their concerns, and being an active participant in solving our practice challenges is a conversation I love having with local, state, or National representatives. I would be honored if I were to be considered favorably in our ADA delegation for this year. 

CV - Abdallah Al-Oweidi

I am seeking the opportunity to serve as an Alternate Delegate to the American Dental Association because I want to give back to the profession that has given me the life I enjoy today. Dentistry has given me a community, a purpose, and a pathway to serve others, and I feel a responsibility to pay that forward. My commitment to organized dentistry is rooted in hands-on involvement. I serve as Co‑Chair of the Membership Committee at the Northern Virginia Dental Society, where I work to welcome new members and keep current members engaged. I have also served as lead judge at the Loudoun County Regional Science and Engineering Fair, encouraging young students who may be part of the next generation of dentists and scientists. On the national level, I helped organize ADA SmileCon as Co‑Chair of the Committee on Local Arrangements, which deepened my appreciation for how the ADA brings our profession together. As an Alternate Delegate, I want to represent my colleagues and the everyday realities of practicing dentists, while strengthening the relationships I have built through NVDS and the Virginia Dental Association. I am especially motivated by the thought that the decisions we make today will impact our own children, families, and friends who may one day join this profession. Serving in this role would be an honor and an important part of the legacy I hope to leave.

CV - Dr. Tarek Elbadawy

Organized dentistry matters because the decisions made at the table shape how we practice, how we lead, and how we care for our patients. Serving as an Alternate Delegate for the Virginia Dental Association has reinforced just how important it is to have engaged, thoughtful representation, and I am seeking reappointment to continue that work. I bring the perspective of a young practicing clinician, business owner, and squad leader who is actively navigating the realities of modern dentistry. From integrating advanced technology to building a culture-driven practice, I understand both the opportunities and the pressures facing our profession today. That lens allows me to contribute meaningfully to conversations that impact not just policy, but the day-to-day lives of our members. I am especially passionate about ensuring that organized dentistry evolves alongside us, supporting innovation, advocating for access to care, and creating space for diverse voices and new ideas. I believe representation should be both responsive and forward-thinking, grounded in where we are while intentionally shaping where we’re going. If reappointed, I will continue to show up prepared, engaged, and committed to listening first and leading with purpose. I don’t take the responsibility of this role lightly. It is both a privilege and an opportunity to help move our profession forward. Thank you for the opportunity to continue serving as your VDA Alternate Delegate.

CV - Dr. Zaneta Hamlin

As a pediatric dental practice owner, I realize the importance of dental policy and regulations on day-to-day operations. I am interested in becoming an alternate delegate to be actively involved in establishing policy for our professional organization. My strong interpersonal skills, critical thinking acumen, and professional experience are strengths that can make me a great candidate. I have previously participated in the advocacy VDA Day on the Hill and have witnessed firsthand the effect of advocating for our field. It will be interesting to become more actively involved in the VDA to help influence legislation, regulatory decisions, and broader advocacy efforts to strengthen our organization and support dentists in Virginia. Thank you for your consideration!

CV - Dr. Lindsey North

I am eager to continue to contribute to the advancement of our profession on the national level by serving another term as an ADA Alternate Delegate. As an alternate delegate, I advocated for our members before the Dental Education and Related Matters Reference Committee about the importance of continuing to support clear and precise ADA policy instead of adopting vague policies that can confuse our members’ understanding of ADA positions. If re-elected, I will continue to promote policies that protect our ability to treat our patients. Having served on various committees and boards, I know the impact our decisions make on our profession. I’ve worked to create initiatives aimed at empowering and supporting current, new, and future members of our profession. With a track record of leadership and dedication within the dental community, I currently serve on the Component 5 Board and on the VDA Board of Directors. Active engagement in strategic decision-making for our members’ best interests is essential to representing their interests on the national level. Advocating for our profession on the VDA Council on Government Affairs and for our members on the Caring Dentist Committee further enhances my ability to be effective on the ADA delegation. In summary, my prior service and my passion for advancing dentistry prepare me to continue to serve as your ADA Alternate Delegate. I am eager to continue working with fellow delegates to shape the future of our profession. I would be honored and grateful for your vote this year.

CV - Dr. David Stafford