06/19/2026
I’m not one for bragging about my team, whose wonderfully attentive patient care and customer service can stand on its own merits. However, increasingly often I want to stand on my office rooftop and shout across Huntsville and beyond about how blessed I am to work alongside such special people. Apologies to the neighbours at my new office at 15 Centre Street South, because I’m about to crow! Ahem….
Leading my star-studded orthodontic team is Mrs. Sandra O’Dell, who has recently taken on the role of President of the Ontario Dental Assistants Association! (The ODAA is the primary certifying body and professional membership association for dental assistants, receptionists, and treatment coordinators in Ontario. Representing over 6,000 members, it advocates for the profession, enforces certification standards, and provides continuing education.) Wow! That’s big stuff.
I’d like to be surprised by this - but Sandra’s record of leadership initiative and unrelenting drive to grow and inspire is unparalleled - so it’s been a little too easy to become numb to the quiet giant I work with every day! Sandra is well known and respected in the dental community regionally and beyond for many good reasons, and the reach of her accomplishment and influence extends to the entire province as the ODAA President for 2026-2027.
Though I’d never allow anyone else the pleasure, if one was to work with Sandra as I do every day they’d know why I can sing her praise so freely. Thirteen and counting years as a treatment coordinator and team leader at Algonquin Orthodontics, Sandra has helped my practice grow, evolve. She has met every single challenge with focus, determination, and innovation, and a light and warm heart. She’s always exceeded my high expectations for personal and professional integrity and has made compassion as a dental provider and team member a priority. She is a mentor to many and an astute student who I musingly refer to as “Dr. Sandra” for her keen ability to absorb, digest and translate volumes of my professional dissertations into workable and friendly educational pieces for our patients. If I bought the farm tomorrow I know my team and my patients would be far better than fine.
Sandra, as a colleague, as an employer, as a team member, a mentor and mentee, and mostly as a friend who has enjoyed witnessing your professional and personal growth… congratulations on this latest remarkable success. Though you’ll humbly serve the ODAA members as their president, they’re as lucky as I am to keep your close company.
Congratulations, Sandra. Outstanding!
Marc
My journey into dentistry began as a high school co-op student and evolved into a lifelong passion after graduating from Seneca College in 1996. Since then, I have continuously challenged myself to grow both personally and professionally, embracing every opportunity to expand my knowledge and skills...
