Hygienists
Lynne Johnston
Lynne grew up locally and raised her children here. And while she had some experience working for other dentists, she can't imagine working any place that isn't Dr. Coppe's – and that's why she's been a part of the team for over 20 years. "I have such respect for the way he works," she says. "He has such a wonderful personality and style and has created such a great environment."
"I was the worst dental patient in the world when I was a kid," she remembers, "and when my own dentist heard I was studying to be a dental hygienist, he was amazed. 'Why?' he said. But I became very comfortable with dental work, and I think I'm in a special position to help others become comfortable too."
Lynne is a blue balloon person – clean and true. And if parents were looking for Lynne's advice, this is what they'd hear: "I'd remind parents that their children should brush twice every day, and I'd tell the kids to be very careful about candy."
Deborah Tarby
"I was still in high school when my brother was a dental student," Deb recalls. "He told me that dentistry was a wonderful field for a woman to enter. And he was right!"
She followed her brother's advice and continues to find pediatric dentistry interesting and challenging; as well, she can schedule her time to accommodate the needs of her family – husband and two children: daughter, Devon and son, David. "Children are so much fun," Deb claims. Deb feels that her skills as a mother transfer to her job. "If a child is crying or is fearful, I find I can comfort him as if he were my own. I am always mindful that this is somebody's child." And if she had advice to give a parent, it would be: let the child do the talking. Green is Deb's color. She says that it is psychologically soothing, that it "plays well with others" and that it never goes out of style!
Nancy Avallone
For Nancy, the dental office is just a short dash from home. This makes it handy for her to hurry home at noon to walk Bella, her Cavalier King Charles spaniel. As a long-time Lexington resident, Nancy already knows a lot of new patients who come to the office, and she also sees many friends who go back to when her own children were in school.
Nancy, who has worked with Dr. Coppe "off and on for 25 years," values the sense of community in the office. And naturally, she enjoys being with the children. "You can be having a day that's a little off," she says, "you know, nothing really very bad, but then some little kid comes in, and maybe he's dressed in a really cute way or maybe says something that cracks you up, and suddenly, the way you feel about everything is so much brighter." The innocence, the genuineness, the "shoot from the hip" attitudes all add up to job satisfaction for Nancy. This is the advice she'd give new parents: "Don't send your kids to bed with a bottle." And to all parents, she'd stress the importance of understanding that oral health is related to general health. Green is Nancy's color. "It's warm," she says.
Courtney Hayward
Courtney joined Dr. Coppe's team in January 2010. After completing her undergraduate degree at Stonehill College, she went on to get her certificate in dental hygiene from Forsyth at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. Courtney has worked with children for as long as she can remember, and enjoys it so much because at the end of the day, they always make her smile. Courtney loves to spend her free time with friends and family and enjoys camping, cooking and listening to music.
Assistants
Erica Arias
Erica started as a student here in the office, and Dr. Coppe was so impressed with her skills that he hired her immediately upon her graduation from Middlesex Community College as a Dental Assistant. Erica lives with her husband, son and father-in-law in Lynn and enjoys her grandmother's home-cooked meals.
Julie Adams
Julie has a pink personality – bright and light – and children have always been her special interest. With an associate's degree in early childhood education, Julie was putting her training to good use in a child care setting when a friend suggested a change to pediatric dentistry."You know you love kids," the friend would say. "Try working with them in Dr. Coppe's office." "Finally I said okay," Julie remembers. "I started working here part-time, and Kerri was right. I loved it!" Julie got her training on-the-job, but when she isn't working at Dr. Coppe's, you might find her in the gym working out on the elliptical cardio machines. "Make sure they brush twice a day," is the advice Julie would give parents. It's the same advice she'd offer kids she says. But she'd also add: "Try to floss."
Melanie Shaw
Melanie received a certificate in dental assisting from Middlesex Community College in May 2009, and joined our team right after graduation. She decided to pursue a career in dental assisting after her second year of college, and is very happy she did! She recently bought a Boxer puppy named Tyson who keeps her very busy. Melanie also enjoys working out at the gym and hanging out with friends on the weekends.