Charlotte, NC (July 1, 2025) — In our effort to increase access to oral healthcare and education for underserved children, we are pleased to announce the appointment of four distinguished leaders to our Board of Directors. These new members bring a wealth of expertise in dental innovation, business strategy, healthcare advocacy, and pediatric dentistry, strengthening our capacity to serve vulnerable communities across the country.
Newly appointed board members include:
Patrick Conniff, MBA, Chief Commercial Officer, OrisDX (Chicago,IL)
A strategic leader in healthcare innovation, Conniff brings deep experience across biotech, biopharma, and venture-backed sectors. As a founding executive of OrisDX, he has helped forge key partnerships with industry leaders including Colgate, Henry Schein, and Cigna. His business acumen and commercialization expertise will help expand the reach and sustainability of our programs.
Anne Duffy, CEO and Founder, Dental Entrepreneur Media (Charlotte,NC)
With over four decades of experience in the dental industry, Duffy is a pioneer in dental business education. Through Dental Entrepreneur: The Future of Dentistry and Dental Entrepreneur Woman (DeW Life), she champions innovation and leadership development, especially for women in dentistry. Her appointment enhances our outreach to the next generation of dental professionals.
Steven Perlman, DDS, MScD, DHL (hon), Clinical Professor of Pediatric Dentistry, Boston University (Boston, MA)
A globally recognized advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), Dr. Perlman brings unmatched clinical experience and a lifelong commitment to improving oral health equity. As founder of Special Olympics Special Smiles and co-founder of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD), he offers invaluable insight to strengthen our Special Kids Program.
Joseph Talanges, President and COO, GC America (Chicago, IL)
Talanges is a results-driven executive with a track record of transforming businesses through strategic planning, revenue growth, and operational excellence. His leadership at GC America and dedication to community engagement align closely with our mission to create sustainable solutions for dental health access.
“We are thrilled to welcome such an accomplished and mission-driven group of professionals to our Board,” said Jill Malmgren, Executive Director of America’s ToothFairy. “Their combined experience across healthcare, dentistry, education, and business strategy will be instrumental as we continue to scale our programs and tackle persistent disparities in children’s oral health.”
Since our founding in 2006, we have distributed more than $27.6 million in resources to help nonprofit clinics and community programs provide dental services and oral health education to more than 10.6 million children and caregivers. With the support of our Board of Directors, we continue to champion a future where every child has the opportunity to grow up with a healthy smile.