Board of Directors and staff

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 My name is Heather Brownlee and I have been a Dental Assistant for over 40 years graduating from RRC in 1977 with my Phase11 Dental Assisting Diploma, taking my Ortho Module in 1984 and Extended Duties in 2003.  

I became involved in our local and national Dental Assisting Associations 40 years ago serving on the then Winnipeg Dental Assistants Association and Manitoba Dental Assistants Association in many capacities.   I took an extended leave while I was raising my children becoming actively involved in both the MDAA and CDAA in 2007 when RDA’s in Manitoba became licenced under the MDA.    I along with a group of dedicated RDA’s worked tirelessly to rejuvenate the Manitoba Dental Assistants Association to bring it to the professional organization we have today representing RDA’s of Manitoba. 

I have served as a Board Member, President, Past President, and Secretary, and presently am the President of MDAA.

I serve as the MDAA Board member to the CDAA and I am presently the President for CDAA.   I also serve on the Knowledge and Transfer Committee and By-Law and Governance Committees for the CDAA.

I am presently one of the CDAA Members on the CDAA. CDHA and CDA Healthy Workplace Group creating resources through a new website to help dental teams develop safe respectful workplaces.

In my spare time I curl, bowl, and walk for exercise, like knitting and doing different crafts for family and friends and hopefully in retirement will be able to start gardening both flowers and vegetables.  I enjoy spending time with my four grandkids and traveling across Canada by train with my husband to visit our kids who live in Vancouver and Halifax.

Going forward I look forward to representing RDA’s in Manitoba as CDAA advocates to have the Dental Assisting Profession reclassified through the National Occupational Analysis which will give us more recognition for our formal training.   I would also like to see Registered Dental Assistants represented from coast to coast.   

 As an accomplished Dental Assistant for past 6 years till present day I have always cherished all aspects of dental assisting specially orthodontics. I am very positive that working as MDAA board member is going be an honor for me.

I have been connected to Dentistry since 2006 when I got into dental school back home in India. Graduated as a dentist in 2012 and decided to immigrate to Canada in 2014 with dream in my eyes to work in dental always appreciated what came my way so I graduated as a dental assistant from CDI College in 2016.

As an individual I am very hard working, always positive, good listener and always smiling. I look forward to meeting you to discuss how my experience and background meet your requirements.

 My name is C. Athena Wilford and have been a Dental Assistant for 30 years. Following graduation from Red River College Polytech in 1993, I was employed as a Registered Dental Assistant in General Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry, and Oral Surgery. I had a desire to not only provide support care in the dental field but to become an educator, completing Adult Education in 2008, and returning to Red River College Polytech, Winkler Campus as Instructor/Program coordinator. Then in 2016 a transfer as an Instructor to RRC Polytech, Notre Dame Campus in Winnipeg.

I have opportunity experience to serve as current subcommittee member to the MDA IPC, a past representative NDAEB Board of Directors 2016-2019, MDA Board of Directors (RDA Rep) 2011-2013. I also found a unique opportunity experience to travel with several of my students from RRC Polytech, Dental Assisting Program, along with dentists, and medical and pharmaceutical professionals to Guatemala to provide health care in rural communities.

Most recently before the Pandemic, I was part of a dental team that provided dental care to women and their children at Xela, Guatemala prison. The mission partnership continued over 10 years providing not only care for those in need but provided a wonderful opportunity for Red River College Polytech, Dental Assisting Students, a valuable life experience. I look forward to serving my Dental Assisting Members.

 My name is Tabatha Blais and this will be my 3rd year sitting on the Board as a Director.  I am the representative for the Dental Assistant’s on the Infection Prevention and Control Committee. Infection control in the dental office is very near and dear to my heart and I take this role with the utmost respect when representing all RDA’s in Manitoba.

I graduated in 2007 from CDI College as well as obtained my Orthodontic module in 2007 at Red River College. I started my career in a small General Practice office, until 2018, when I decided to pursue an opportunity within a Periodontal/Prosthodontic office where I am currently the office manager.  Being an office manager, I am finding myself enrolling in all different types of seminars which benefits me in all aspects of the dental field. I always find myself eager to learn more!

When I’m not at the office or on Zoom calls, you can find me renovating, hiking, relaxing at the cabin, and spending much-needed quality time with my family and friends. 

 Meghan Ostlund joined the MDAA Board of Directors in the Spring of 2022.

Meghan grew up in the Winnipeg area and graduated from Red River College Polytech with her certificate as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) as part of the class of '99.

Shortly after graduating from RRC Polytech, she joined Rykiss Orthodontics and has been part of the team there since then. 

Meghan says she enjoys working with her 'family' at Rykiss and seeing the smiling faces of clients. 

Meghan is the mother of two teenage boys and enjoys fishing for Musky with her husband.

 Hello, my name is Pamela Mikos. I’ve been a Dental assistant since 2007 when I graduated from Calgary. I moved to Winnipeg in 2009 and have enjoyed being an assistant.

Over the years I have assisted in almost every specialty and love everything about it! In 2019 I joined the MDAA Board of Directors. I’m on the Fluoride committee and the CDI Advisory committee.

I have 2 young children and am currently working close to full-time. I love this city and look forward to meeting more people in the future!