Meet the Team

Dr. Allison Besse (née Giroux)

Dr. Besse is a native Vermonter who grew up in the neighboring town of Hinesburg, VT. She finds the trusting relationships she develops with her patients to be the most rewarding part of her career. Eager to help patients reach their goals, she is known for her compassionate demeanor and attention to detail. Dr. Besse feels as though it is an extreme privilege to be able to care for members of her community.

Dr. Besse graduated cum laude from The Honors College at the University of Vermont with a degree in neuroscience. Dental school brought Dr. Besse to Connecticut, where she completed both her dental doctorate as well as a Certificate in Public Health at The University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. When COVID altered the typical dental school curriculum, Dr. Besse sought out the opportunity to further her knowledge base and completed a Certificate in Business Foundations through the Wharton School of Business (University of Pennsylvania). Dr. Besse finished her years of formal education by completing a rigorous general practice residency through the Yale School of Medicine at the Yale New Haven Hospital. She has been humbled by several awards throughout the years, in particular those from The American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry and The American Prosthodontic Society.

Dr. Besse is passionate about serving the community beyond the walls of the office. She volunteered to teach health education at the American School for the Deaf for several years while in CT. Visiting multiple elementary schools, shelters for unhomed individuals, Special Olympic events, and farms with migrant workers, Dr. Besse has provided oral screenings and fluoride applications to a wide range of valued members of her community. Her service trip to the mountains of Chile sparked a strong desire to participate in further foreign mission trips.

When not in the office, Dr. Besse and her husband are passionate about traveling near and far, skiing in the beautiful Green Mountains, and trying new hobbies. In the kitchen, Dr. Besse is most likely baking something sweet to share!

Maria Williams – Practice Leader

My name is Maria Williams, and I grew up in Thetford, Vermont, alongside my three older brothers. After graduating from Saint Michael's College, my husband and I settled in South Burlington, where we are raising our wonderful three-year-old daughter. With over 15 years of experience in customer service, including nine years in the dental field, I'm passionate about helping patients achieve their goals in a supportive and empathetic way.

As I enter my fifth year with Richmond Dental, I can't help but reflect on the incredible journey I've had here, always with a smile. Our team is truly unique! I draw inspiration daily from our dedicated dental health professionals, who work tirelessly to care for, educate, and advocate for our patients. Through our compassionate approach, we aim to redefine the patient experience by breaking the mold of dental discomfort and trauma. I'm excited to continue building lasting relationships within our community and to contribute to the positive impact we're making together.

Elizabeth Blackburn – Patient Care Coordinator/Insurance Specialist

Hello, I am Elizabeth Blackburn, originally from Burlington, Vermont, and currently residing in Richmond with my boyfriend Jeff and our two German Shepherds, Willow and Mr. Cub. Outside of work, I enjoy swimming, traveling, kayaking, reading, reality TV shows, and spending time with friends and family. Having grown up in a family with a strong dental background, as my mother is a dental hygienist, I always aspired to follow in her footsteps. In 2008, I graduated from the Center for Technology at Essex Technical Center as a Dental Assistant. With 15 years of customer service experience and 6 years in the dental field, ranging from hygiene assisting to general dentistry assisting, I am now the Patient Coordinator/Insurance Specialist at Richmond Dental. I am fortunate to be part of this team of dental health providers.

Michele Martin, RDH

I’m Michelle and I’ve been with Richmond Dental for almost 19 years! I grew up in Rutland, VT, and after graduating from UVM, my husband and I moved to Williston to raise our family.

I’m happiest when spending time with my husband, my three grown boys, and our Australian Labradoodle. In my spare time, I love cooking, entertaining family and friends, and gardening.

I was inspired to go into the dental field when I was in high school. I babysat for a dentist throughout high school, and he encouraged me to pursue a career in dentistry—a decision I do not regret. I love connecting with patients and providing them with a quality dental experience.

Cynthia Valentine, RDH

Hey, Im Cindy!

Having grown up in the beautiful state of Vermont, my love for the outdoors began early on. Whether it's skiing down snowy slopes, enjoying a peaceful camping trip, or tending to our garden, I find most joy in spending quality time with my husband, Brian, and our two daughters.

In my teens I developed an interest in the dental field, sparking a career that has spanned over two decades. With over 20 years as a dental hygienist, I am committed to providing thorough, patient-centered care through education, prevention, and personalized treatment to support long-term oral health. Building trust with patients and helping them maintain healthy smiles remains my priority.

Hillary Spence, RDH

Hi, I'm Hillary. I grew up in Richmond and moved back to Vermont in 2022. I graduated from the University of Vermont in 2004 with a degree in Dental Hygiene, and in 2013, I earned my bachelor's degree from Vermont Technical College. Over the course of my career, I've had the opportunity to work in both a non-profit dental setting and a multi-specialty practice.

What I enjoy most about dentistry is the relationships I build with our patients. Outside of the office, I love spending time with my husband, Brendan, and our two boys.

Anna Fontaine, RDH

My name is Anna Fontaine, and I grew up in Shelburne with my incredible parents and 3. sisters. I now live in Essex with my husband Joe and two sons, Wes and Ren. I graduated from hygiene school in 2014, and in 2016 l took a step away from my career and joined the Air National Guard as a military police officer and served for 6 years seeing many parts of the world. I now work part time and spend most of my days home with my two boys. In my spare time I love to be outside in the woods with my family and serve as a volunteer birth doula at UVM.

I became a hygienist because it offered a career with a lot of flexibility and stability when it came to having a family.

Kyla Kenney, RDH

I grew up in Massachusetts, but have lived in Vermont for 11 years now, with my husband who is a Richmond native. When I'm not working, I am hanging out with our 4 children and our sweet German Shepard pup. We love to spend time outdoors, but when we're indoors, we are usually baking!

I was inspired to get into the dental field by my mother who started off as a dental assistant when I was a child. Spending all of my time after school at the dental office, I grew to love the environment and the connections we get to form with patients. Now, both my mother and I are hygienists, and my brother is looking to head to dental school! I love what I do, especially getting to work in a hometown that is so special to us, and I hope to provide the utmost care to each individuals' needs.

Julie Trask, DA

Julie has been a valued member of the Richmond Dental team for 5 wonderful years and has truly enjoyed working in our community. Originally from Wethersfield, Connecticut, she moved to Vermont 14 years ago and has called it home ever since. Julie and her husband, Matt, who have been married for 13 years, live "off the grid" in Corinth, Vermont. They share their home with two horses, Rio and Sam, and a cat named Emma. In their free time, they enjoy motocross and trail riding with their horses.

Megan McGuire, EFDA

I’ve been working in dentistry for 16 years! I'm a Richmond Native and still live here in town. I live with my husband, Travis and 2 young children. We love to travel and create memorable experiences as our kids are learning to be kind and generous humans. I love being creative, i pride myself on making Halloween costumes for my kids. I love reading, exploring the outdoors and painting. I am my best self when I’m laughing and connecting with family and patients. I take great pride in serving our community and helping patients through what they might be nervous about.