Kerri H. Friel

Bio

Kerri H. Friel is a Professor in the Dental Health Department at the Community College of Rhode Island where she serves as the Director of the Dental Assisting Program and President of the CCRI Faculty Senate. She is a URI alumna having received both her Bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene and a Master's degree in Adult Education. She has been a licensed dental hygienist for close to three decades, a Certified Dental Assistant since 2002, and a Certified Orthodontic Assistant since 2000. She also holds a permit to administer both local anesthesia and nitrous oxide and has held Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification. Prior to her faculty appointment in 2000, she worked in Rhode Island practices specializing in general dentistry and orthodontics. She is an active member of the Rhode Island Dental Hygienists and Rhode Island Dental Assistants Association.

Kerri was elected to the Board of Directors for the Dental Assisting National Board on September 1, 2023.  She is serving her first year of a three-year term.

Kerri was appointed to the Board of Examiners in Dentistry by Governor Chafee in 2013, where she served two, 3-year terms.

She is also an active member in the CDCA-WREB-CITA as a Dental Hygiene Examiner, Dental Hygiene Captain, Lead Manikin Floor Examiner, and Data Systems Manager. Kerri is also a Rhode Island Oral Health Commission member and on the Board of Directors for Dental Lifeline Network - Rhode Island. Outside of work, Kerri has volunteered with the Rhode Island Mission of Mercy since 2012 where she serves as the radiology lead. 

Areas of Expertise

Dental and Oral Radiology

Awards & Honors

2020: NISOD Excellence in Teaching Award
2012: Kenneth F. McGunagle Volunteer of the Year Award - ALS RI