Dr. Norma Desjardins, who directs a private nonprofit dental practice in Presque Isle, is the new president of the Maine Dental Association Board of Directors. She was voted into the position by MDA members at the organization’s annual business meeting, which was held on May 21.
In addition to Dr. Desjardins as president, Dr. Shanna Gagnon, who practices in Farmingdale, was voted president-elect, and Dr. Adam Saltz, who practices in South Portland, was voted vice president.
“I look forward to the coming year of service to the MDA. I hope to foster relationships throughout the state that will help us in our mission of achieving excellence in dentistry and providing that for all of Maine’s people,” said Dr. Desjardins.
Dr. Desjardins graduated from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, where she earned her DMD degree in 1992. A native of Cyr Plantation, she and her seven siblings grew up on a family potato farm. Dr. Desjardins began practicing general dentistry in Van Buren, then moved to Presque Isle, where she was an owner at Academy Dental for 21 years. While serving on the Health Services Advisory Committee of the Aroostook County Action Program, Dr. Desjardins developed an acute awareness of how thousands of County children were not receiving routine preventive and restorative dental care. She recruited the help of her husband and several community members and founded the St. Apollonia Dental Clinic. Recently, she retired from private practice and is continuing to direct St. Apollonia. Dr. Desjardins has also served as vice president and president-elect of the MDA Board of Directors.
Incorporated in 1867, the Maine Dental Association is a professional membership organization of licensed dentists. The MDA works to support members in achieving excellence in dentistry, and to be leaders in oral health in Maine. For more information about the MDA, go to www.medental.org.
