The following are descriptions of the different types of dental assistants and the licensing requirements for each.
Dental Assistant with infection control credential: Involves training and examination in infection control.
Dental Assistant with X-ray License: This state licensed credential involves training and examination in radiation health and safety.
Certified Dental Assistant (CDA): This credential from the Dental Assistants National Board (DANB), involves training and examination in infection control, radiation health and safety, and general chairside assisting. At least two years experience in dental assisting is required. Training in medical emergencies and current CPR certification for healthcare providers is required. Many hours of continued education are required to maintain licenseship.
Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA): This credential from the Dental Assistants National Board (DANB), involves training and requirements required for a CDA but with emphasis on orthodontics. Requiring at least two years of orthodontic assisting.
Registered Dental Assistant (RDA): This licensed credential is the highest level of assisting in the state of New Jersey and involves training and examination in expanded dental functions. CDA or COA credentials are a prerequisite, and training in medical emergencies with a current CPR certification for healthcare providers is required. Many hours of continued education are required to maintain licenseship. These hours of education are in addition to the hours required for CDA and COA.
Jeannie has been working with Dr. Fleer since 1997. Starting as a dental assistant, then as an orthodontic patient herself, Jeannie’s orthodontic skills, knowledge, and experience have earned her the role of Treatment Coordinator. In this role Jeannie is our patients ‘go to person’ for all aspects of patient care; meeting all new patients, reviewing treatment at the consultation, answering questions throughout treatment, and concluding active orthodontic care as she dances our newly finished patients out the door.
Jeannie is an OSHA instructor, lecturing to dental offices about occupational safety and infection control.
Jeannie is fun. Her humor, noise, and creativity make’s our office the wild, funny, friendly place that it is.
Married to Steve, she enjoys spending time with her daughter Kelly and dogs Bubba and Elphie.
Mary Lardieri CDA, RDA
Chairside Assistant
Mary began working for Dr. Fleer as dental assistant in 1997. Since that time she has continued her dental education earning her credentials as a CDA and then as an RDA.
Mary’s care and dedication to our patients is evidenced by the phone calls she makes every evening to each patient who had just had their braces or palatal expander placed that day.
Her greatest joy in the office is to work with the most apprehensive patients. Her incredible care and patience, has always calmed the most fearful child.
Mary is married to Joe and has four children, Gerard, Eric, Andrew, and Natalie. She is a proud babchi (grandmother).
Mary enjoys the beach, gardening (our beautiful flowerboxes included), photography, and spending time with her dog Sadie.
Donna Smyth COA, RDA
Chairside Assistant
Donna joined our office in 2001. Starting as a sterilization technician she continued her dental education earning her credentials as a COA and then as an RDA.
Donna is full of positive energy and hard work. She puts the extreme in our office decorations (especially our Winter Holiday decorations). Her sense of humor and great creativity she combines with her friend Jeannie to make this office the wild, fun, noisy, place that it is.
Donna enjoys the neighborhood feel our office gives. She takes great pride in working with our patients and the great smiles we provide.
Donna is married to Dan and enjoys music, sports and spending time with her dog Rocco Francis.
Megan Mercagliano CDA, RDA
Chairside Assistant
Megan has worked with Dr. Fleer since 2002. Starting as a dental assistant Megan continued her dental education at our office earning her credentials as a CDA then as a RDA.
Megan loves the fact that when she comes to work, “I don’t feel like I’m working with just a staff. I feel like they are a part of my family”.
Megan's favortite part of the day is taking off the braces when a patient is finished and the celebration that comes with it.
Megan enjoys spending time with her sons Cody and Randy.
Christine Kerrigan
Dental Assistant
Chrissy joined our office in 2005. She is credentialed in infection control. She hopes to continue with her dental education.
Some of Chrissy’s responsibilities include assisting Dr. Fleer and our RDA’s with chairside patient care and sterilization. She also helps at our front desk.
Chrissy is everywhere, she is always full of energy. Her beautiful smile is always on when she comes to work.
She enjoys the upbeat and positive atmosphere of our office. “I enjoy seeing all the patients and how far they have come and grown with us, we love to see them smile”.
Chrissy is married to Kevin, enjoys spending time with her children Emily (our patient) and Kevin Jr.
She enjoys gardening, sports, having fun.
Tara O'Neil
Dental Assistant
Tara joined our office in 2006. Starting as a sterilization technician she has continued her dental education having credentials in infection control and her license for dental xrays.
Tara manages our office laboratory as well as assisting Dr. Fleer and our chairside assistants.
Tara has three children, Amanda, Fallon, and Louis (all patients of our office)
Monica Swift
Dental Assitant
Monica is always ready with a smile and a hello. She is a dental assistant with her x-ray license. Her responsibilities include strerilization, new patient records, and chairside assisting.
Monica enjoys orthodontics because it gives her chance to interact with all her patients. She loves to talk.
Monica enjoys running, dancing, and baking (the best chocolate cake ever!).
Meet Our Administrative Staff
Sharon Zavodnick
Financial Coordinator /Business Manager
Joining our office in 2001, Sharon’s previous experience includes Purchasing Coordinator for an HMO and Office Manager for a General Contractor.
Sharon is a graduate of Douglas College, New Brunswick NJ.
Sharon does an outstanding job assisting our patients and their families with their financial arrangements and contracts. She is of great assistance helping Dr. Fleer manage our office.
Sharon enjoys the positive energy of our office and staff. “We establish so many wonderful relationships with families as we treat one sibling after another”.
Sharon has two married children, one grandson and is excited to announce two more on the way.
JoAnn Ambrozia
Reception Administrator
JoAnn has been the foundation of our office since 1994. She is the first to arrive each morning and the last to leave. Her incredible hard work and dedication is an inspiration to everyone.
JoAnn’s responsibilities are endless, included are processing patient insurance, patient scheduling, Dr. Fleer’s treatment correspondences, answering our busy phones.
Lovingly known as Mama to many of our staff, JoAnn loves interacting with our parents and the children. May-be too much talking, she admits. Dr. Fleer would not want it any other way.
Married to husband Mike for over 40 years, she has 4 daughters, Michelle, Danielle, twins Gabrielle and Dominique (all treated by Dr. Fleer) and is anxiously awaiting the arrival of her first grandchild.
Ann
Receptionist
Ann joined our staff after 30 plus years in private business. Her educational background was in business and accounting having attended Kean University .
She is a fast pace person. Leala and Shyann (German Shorthaired Pointer and Golden Retreiver) keep her busy at home. Her true love is fishing, “I can hold my own among the most seasoned fisherman”.
“The office is such an upbeat place to work. In spite of the extremely fast pace, we all take time to celebrate a removal and new smile. This has to be the most refreshing and rewarding position I have held”.