Women in Dentistry - Advisory-board

Advisory Board

Dr. Effie Habsha

Effrat (Effie) Habsha, BSc, DDS, Dip. Prostho., MSc, FRCDC

Dr. Effie Habsha is the Founder of Women in Dentistry: Work. Life. Balance.

Dr. Effie Habsha received her Bachelor of Science degree and earned her DDS degree from the University of Toronto. Upon graduation, she completed a one-year General Practice Residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, ON. Dr. Habsha received her Diploma in Prosthodontics and Master of Science degree, both from the University of Toronto. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada (RCDC) and is an examiner and past Section Head for the Oral Examination in Prosthodontics for the RCDC....

Dr. Lesley David

DDS, Dip. OMFS, FRCDC

Dr. Lesley David is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who maintains a private practice in Toronto. She is an Associate Clinician at the University of Toronto in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic, a Fellow and past examiner of the Royal College of..

Dr. Tracey Hendler

BA, DDS, MsD, Cert. Ortho, FRCDC, Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontists

Dr. Tracey Hendler was born in Toronto and practices at the orthodontic practice (Forest Hill Orthodontics) where she received treatment at the age of 12. Tracey completed her DDS...

Jackie Joachim

Jackie Joachim graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Political Science and has close to 30 years of experience in the health care sector. She began her career in banking where she learned how to finance health care practices. With 10 years of experience in practice management, she developed and delivered seminars to healthcare professionals...

Kerry Lepicek

RDH

Kerry Lepiceck is a registered dental hygienist with over 20 years of clinical experience. She has worked in various practice settings and currently works part-time in a general practice. She has lectured both locally and internationally. Kerry is a trustworthy expert on the topics of oral biofilm, halitosis, the oral-systemic connection, the dental hygiene process of care, and the AAP Classifications. Her focus is on educating her clients and the dental profession...

Dr. Sally Safa

BA, DDS, MSc (Perio), FRCD(C)

Dr. Sally Safa is a board certified Periodontist and alumnus of the University of Toronto. She has been a clinical instructor at the Faculty of Dentistry for many years.

Robyn Shields

Robyn Shields recently celebrated 25 Years with P&G Professional Oral health - Crest + Oral-B.

As National Operations Manager, you can find Robyn celebrating all things dental - across Canada. Her focus is to bring CE, PD, tools and resources to the Canadian Oral Care Professionals...

Dr. Reena Talwar

BA, DDS, MSc (Perio), FRCD(C)

Dr. Talwar is a certified specialist in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and has a PhD in Biomedical Science. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto in 1990 and her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio in 1994. After graduating from Dental School,...

Dr. Rina Kotecha

DMD

Dr. Rina is a general dentist practicing in Mississauga for over 20 years. She graduated from Harvard School of Dental Medicine in Boston and went on to complete her General Practice Residency at Brigham and Women's Hospital, one of Harvard's teaching hospitals. Currently she is actively involved with the Ontario Dental Association as their Political Contact Dentist...

Dr. Fawzia Husain

Dr. Husain has been practicing dentistry since 1995 after graduating from the University of Toronto. She had further training doing a General Practice Residency at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany NY and returned to Ontario in 1996 to work in the region of Kitchener Waterloo.

Dr.Husain became a principal owner and built two beautiful, successful community-based practices in Uptown Waterloo. She sold the practices in 2019 and 2023 and made the life change to come back to Toronto to be with her family.

Dr.Husain has now joined a downtown Toronto practice as a "senior" practitioner to help grow the office and mentor the next generation of up-and-coming practitioners with her almost 30 years of clinical experience. She has a keen interest in General practice for families and has taken advanced courses in the fields of cosmetics and comprehensive care including orthodontics.

Dr. Husain promotes her profession in many different avenues. She truly enjoys learning and continues to advance herself with memberships in several study clubs and dental associations. She has also served our profession at the executive and governance level with the Ontario Dental Association. She is thrilled to be joining the Women in Dentistry Advisory Board! Dentistry aside, her passion lies in travel, good friends, family and food from all origins. Dr. Husain has 2 children and they now proudly call Toronto their home.

Tala Batarseh

Tala Batarseh is the visionary force behind DenTala Coaching & Consulting, a leading firm transforming the landscape of dental practice growth and team development.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a General Management certification from York University, Tala has spent over 15 years driving measurable success in dental practices across Canada. Her unique ability to blend business strategy with clinical understanding makes her a trusted partner for dentists and dental teams alike.

Natalia Decius

Marketing Director

Natalia Decius is an expert in dental practice marketing, bringing nearly two decades of specialized experience to her role as Marketing Director. In 2017, Natalia founded Vitamin D Marketing & Design — her own boutique marketing firm specializing in healthcare practices. Vitamin D quickly evolved into Canada’s trusted name in healthcare practice marketing. Natalia is a trusted specialist for dentists, dental specialists, and industry leaders, helping to enhance...