Several U.S. states hire new dental directors

Several U.S. states have hired new dental directors in 2014, according to the American Dental Education Association.

In May, Lindy Bollen Jr., DDS, became Arkansas' new director of the Office of Oral Health within the state's health department. Dr. Bollen was in private practice for more than 22 years before taking a position at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2006.

In March, Cathy Taylor-Osborne, DDS, became Kansas' new director of the Bureau of Oral Health at the state's health department. Dr. Taylor-Osborne previously served as dental director of the Cabot Westside Medical and Dental Center, a federally qualified health center in Kansas City, MO.

In February, Tonette Hollingsworth, RDH, MSDH, became Montana's oral health program coordinator for the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. Hollingsworth serves as the highest-ranking dental professional employed by the state and will administer workforce-related grant activities.

In April, Raymond Lala, DDS, became South Carolina's new director of the Division of Oral Health within the state's health department. He also serves as program manager at the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina.

California is finalizing the process of hiring a state dental director after Gov. Jerry Brown recently included $470,000 in his new budget for the state's oral health program, which will include assessing oral health needs in the state, developing and managing a state oral health plan, and applying for and managing federal and private grants to support oral health.