Dental Providers - Community Health Centers

Samantha Aguirre, DDS

Samantha Aguirre, DDS earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2016. She provides comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages, with specialized training in surgical extractions and root canals. Dr. Aguirre is passionate about supporting patients with high dental anxiety by creating a judgment-free environment and empowering them through chairside education to achieve healthy, confident smiles. Outside of dentistry, she enjoys spending time with family, volunteering in the community, and staying active outdoors.

Joyce Barmore, DDS

Joyce Barmore, DDS received her undergraduate degree in biology from Cornell University in 1983. She worked at Boyce Thompson Institute for plant research for two years prior to attending dental school. She graduated from the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine in 1989. Dr. Barmore completed a US Air Force residency at Langley AFB and served as a dentist in the air force for several years. She moved to Vermont in 1992 and has been practicing as a general dentist in Winooski for 30 years. She enjoys extensive gardening and spending time with family, friends, and animals.

Michele Cannon, EFDA

Michele Cannon, EFDA has worked for the Community Health Centers of Burlington for almost 20 years. For most of her career she worked as a Certified Dental Assistant and was fortunate to gain experience working in triage and at the front desk over the years as our office expanded. She was also sent to the American Red Cross and became CHCB’s CPR/AED/First Aid instructor for a few years, which she really enjoyed. She attended the Center for Technology and obtained her license as an Expanded Function Dental Assistant. Nothing makes her happier than giving our patients a smile they can be proud of! Michele loves being involved in our dental community and served as the President of the Vermont Dental Assistants Association and is currently on the board for the Center for Technology in Essex. In her free time, she is a very busy soccer mom to two beautiful boys and loves to be outdoors doing anything active.

Katelyn Denton, RDH

Katelyn Denton, RDH graduated from Vermont Technical College in 2012 with an Associate’s Degree in Science in Dental Hygiene and went on to complete her Bachelor’s degree in 2014. She has worked most of her career in public health as a dental hygienist providing direct patient care. She transitioned to a role as a Dental Clinical Manager where she primarily supports both dental clinicians and operations of all active dental clinics. This role has allowed her to expand her knowledge and experience beyond the dental chair. Outside of work, Katelyn enjoys traveling, HIIT training, hiking/biking and spending time with her family, friends and pup Remy and cat Sylvio.

Jonathan Foster, DMD

Jonathan Foster, DMD completed his undergraduate degree in Bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh in 2013 and graduated from Harvard School of Dental Medicine in 2017. He then completed a General Practice Residency at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN. Prior to moving to Vermont, Dr. Foster practiced as a general dentist in a community health center in Boston. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, baking, and playing board games with friends.

Jenna Gibson, EFDA

Jenna has been working in the dental field for 17 years. She started her journey by graduating from the CTE Dental Assisting program in 2008 and went on to complete the EFDA program in 2012. Jenna worked in two private practices before joining CHC in 2025. When she’s not working, Jenna enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids, reading, and enjoying the outdoors.

Sharon Graves, CDA, EFDA

Sharon Graves, CDA, EFDA is a native Vermonter and brings 35 years of experience to our dental team. The EFDA qualifications allow her to place all fillings, Sealants, and Composites. Sharon also teaches in the Dental Assisting program at Center for Technology at Essex. Sharon is active in her church and volunteers in children’s ministries that benefit children around the world.

Andrea Hazen, RDH

Andrea Hazen, RDH graduated from the University of Vermont in 1995 with an Associate’s in the Science of Dental Hygiene and a Bachelor’s of Education in Nutrition and Home Economics Education, which relate to healthy habits and good teeth. She loved her experience in school-based Dental Hygiene, which broadened the scope of the different ages and demographics of her patient experience. Outside of work she is a mother to five, grandmother to one and can be seen walking her two dogs, Fred and Bell, or doing yoga.

Raba Hebib, EFDA

Raba Hebib, EFDA completed the Dental Assisting Program in 2003 at the Center for Technology in Essex, VT. She completed the Expended Function Dental Assistant Program at the Center for Technology in 2009. EFDA qualifications allow her to place all Fillings, Sealants, Composites, Amalgam and assist in various dental procedures. She was awarded Dental Assistant of the year in 2007. Raba currently lives in Essex with her husband and children. Raba has been with CHCB since 2004.

Emily Keller, DMD

Emily Keller, DMD is a native of Williston, VT and returned to the state to practice dentistry in 2021. She received her undergraduate degree in Molecular Genetics from the University of Vermont before completing her training in dentistry at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine in 2020. Dr. Keller then completed a General Practice Residency at Mountain Area Health Education Center in Asheville, NC where she focused on public health, as well as special care OR dentistry. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering abroad, enjoying the outdoors, knitting, and pottery.

Houda Musanovic, EFDA

Houda Musanovic grew up in Morocco and moved to the US in 2001. She completed a Dental Assistant program at the Essex Center of Technology in 2006 and worked as a Surgical Periodontal Assistant until 2013 when she joined Vermont Dental Care (now CHC – Winooski). In 2018, she obtained her license as an Expended Function Dental Assistant. In her free time, Houda loves being able to reach the members of our community through her volunteer work, spending time with her family, watching her sons play sports, traveling, and learning to garden.

Draginja (Cici) Pokrajac, RDH

Draginja (Cici) Pokrajac, RDH graduated from Vermont Dental College in 2014 with an Associate’s Degree in dental hygiene and completed her Bachelor’s Degree in 2017. She has worked as a hygienist in private practices over the years, but her true love is providing care in community-based organizations and in public health. She has been a public health hygienist and part of the 802 Smiles Team, serving in Burlington School District since 2018. In free time, Cici enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Rian Stewart, DMD

Rian Stewart, DMD attended dental school at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon, where he graduated with honors in 2008. Dr. Stewart has a particular interest in pediatric dentistry and global healthcare training and service. Dr. Stewart is the proud father of two young daughters. When not seeing patients at CHCB, he enjoys backpacking, skiing, and spending time with his family and friends.

Senada Sokocevic, CDA, EFDA, CDHC

Senada Sokocevic, CDA, EFDA, CDHC has over 20 years of experience in the dental profession. She graduated from the Essex Center for Technology’s (CTE) Dental Assistant Program in 2002. Before graduating, she began working at Vermont Dental Care (now CHC – Winooski). After graduation, she challenged DANB and became a Certified Dental Assistant. In 2008, she went back to CTE to learn how to place dental restorations. The following year, she passed the Bench Exam and became an Expanded Function Dental Assistant. In 2017, she took classes at Rio Salado College to learn how to implement her knowledge and skills to promote oral health and do outreach as a Community Dental Health Coordinator. She enjoys teaching as a clinical instructor at CTE, Expanded Function Dental Assistant Program and Dental Radiology and being a member of both the Vermont Oral Health Coalition Panel and the Dental Assisting Program Advisory Board. In her free time, Senada enjoys cooking, outdoor activities, photography and traveling.

Katherine Stickney, RDH

Katherine Stickney, RDH graduated with her bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from the University of New England in Maine. She returned to Vermont and worked in private practice before joining CHCB in 2016. Outside of work Katherine enjoys cooking, baking, and spending time with family and friends.

Elicia Thompson, DDS

Elicia Thompson, DDS grew up in Sacramento, California. She attended the University of Washington School of Dentistry in Seattle, Washington. Upon graduating in 2006, she completed their General Practice Residency program. After finishing her training, she helped develop and practiced for the dental clinic of the St. Charles Community Health Center in Luling, Louisiana. Dr. Thompson relocated to Vermont with her husband in 2009. Before joining the CHCB team, she worked in private practice in Franklin County, Vermont. When not at work, she and her husband enjoy hiking, kayaking, and generally taking advantage of all the natural resources Vermont has to offer!

Rodica Tiron, RDH

Rodica Tiron, RDH is originally from Eastern Europe, Moldova and moved to Vermont in 2012. Her adventure in dentistry began in 2016 after she completed the Dental Assistant Program at the Center of Technology Essex, passed the DANB exam, and became a Certified Dental Assistant. In 2021, she graduated from Vermont Technical College with an Associate’s Degree in dental hygiene, and completed her Bachelor’s degree in 2023. She has been working at Vermont Dental Care since 2016, now a part of CHC – Winooski. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling, hiking, reading, and meditating.

Gopichand Vallabhaneni, DMD

Gopichand Vallabhaneni, DMD moved to Vermont from Portland, Maine, where he worked in a private office for five years. Dr. Val graduated from Boston’s Tuft’s School of Dental Medicine in 1998. He performs urgent care with a focus on emergency dental treatment and enjoys playing golf in his free time.