About the DALE Foundation
Our mission and history
We are the Dental Advancement through Learning and Education (DALE) Foundation, founded by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) in 2010. The DALE Foundation supports DANB's mission by advancing the dental assisting profession and strengthening its impact on patient care through research, scholarships, grants, and workforce development initiatives.
Our commitment to excellence
Whether you’re looking to further your career, supplement coursework, or help your practice meet its goals, the DALE Foundation has the perfect courses and educational resources for you. Everything in our course catalog is created by
educators and experts to give you the skills and knowledge you need to continue to grow in your field. And because we are the only DANB-affiliated organization, you also can feel good knowing our courses adhere to the same quality and
high standards.
The DALE Foundation is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider and an AGD PACE Program Provider. We’ve also developed many of our courses with several leading organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Association of Dental Office Management, and Association for Dental Safety.
Board of Trustees
President: Tanya Dorf Brunner
Tanya Dorf Brunner, M.S., of Topeka, Kansas, is the inaugural executive director and co-founder of the American Network of Oral Health Coalitions (ANOHC), a national organization that supports and advocates for state and territorial oral health coalitions. She previously served as executive director of Oral Health Kansas, where she led successful efforts to establish Medicaid adult dental benefits, educate Kansans about the importance of oral health, and advocate for access to dental care for people with disabilities.
Ms. Dorf Brunner serves as a co-leader of the Oral Health Progress and Equity Network Advocacy Committee. She is a former board member of the Kansas Dental Charitable Foundation and is an active community volunteer, serving on the boards of Topeka South Rotary, Topeka Civic Theatre Endowment, and Lady Shakes Theatre Company.
Ms. Dorf Brunner holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy from Bethany College, a master’s in management from Baker University, and an Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Secretary-Treasurer: Kerri Friel
Kerri H. Friel, CDA, COA, RDH, M.A., of Warwick, Rhode Island, is a professor in the Dental Health Department at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), where she has taught for more than 25 years. At CCRI, she is the director of the Dental Assisting Program, vice president of the Faculty Association, and a past president of the Faculty Senate.
Throughout her career, Ms. Friel has helped advance the dental assisting profession through her leadership and volunteerism. She is a member of the American Dental Assistants Association and the Rhode Island Dental Assistants Association, of which she is a past president. She is also a member of the American Dental Education Association and the American Association of Dental Boards and is a current board member of the Dental Lifeline Network Rhode Island. She previously served on the Rhode Island Board of Examiners in Dentistry as a voting CDA member and has held several roles with the American Board of Dental Examiners.
Ms. Friel received a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene and a master’s degree in adult education from the University of Rhode Island.
Stephanie Bustos
Stephanie Bustos, CDA, CDIPC, RDA, of New Milford, New Jersey, has worked as a lead dental assistant for over six years. Her roles include lead assistant, lab technician (digital CAD/CAM), office trainer, OSHA coordinator, and clinical manager for Edgemont Dental Arts in Montclair, New Jersey. Her office has consecutively been awarded gold for “Best of Essex” Readers Choice Award by Suburban Essex Magazine.
Ms. Bustos is passionate about inspiring others to find happiness and pursue fulfilling, meaningful careers. Her decision to change careers to pursue a more fulfilling role as a dental assistant has led her to help advocate for dental assistants everywhere.
Ms. Bustos holds a certificate in dental assisting from Fortis Institute in Wayne, New Jersey. Through that CODA-accredited program, she completed her internship and externship, graduating in April 2021 and earning dean’s list recognition. She holds DANB’s Certified Dental Assistant certification and is a Registered Dental Assistant in the state of New Jersey. She is qualified to perform expanded functions. In addition, she completed the Dental Infection Prevention and Control Certificate Program, developed by the DALE Foundation in collaboration with the Association for Dental Safety (ADS). She is a dedicated member of ADS.
Janée Tamayo
Janée Tamayo, CDA, CPFDA, B.S., MSgt, USAF, of Honolulu, Hawaii, has worked as a dental assistant with the U.S. Air Force for more than 10 years. She has worked as an Air Force dental assistant in Tampa, Florida; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Fayetteville, North Carolina. She is currently the dental flight chief at the U.S. Air Force’s 43rd Medical Squadron. Her past roles have included dental flight chief at Schriever Dental Clinic, non-commissioned officer in charge of records and reception, clinical flight chief, executive assistant to the commander of the 21st Medical Group, and dental technician.
Ms. Tamayo earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in dental assisting from the Community College of the Air Force, and a Bachelor of Science degree in sports and exercise science from American Military University. She is currently working toward a Master of Public Administration from American Military University.
She also has received extensive professional recognition. In August 2020, Ms. Tamayo earned the Humanitarian Service Medal from the 21st Medical Squadron. She also has received the Distinguished Graduate and Academic Achievement Award from the Vosler Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (2019) and the Distinguished Graduate and Commandant’s Leadership Award from Peterson Airman Leadership School (2015). Additionally, in 2014, Ms. Tamayo was named Dental Airman of the Year by Air Force Dental Service, and in 2013, Airman of the Year by the 21st Space Wing.
Laura Skarnulis
Laura Skarnulis has served as chief executive officer of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and the DALE Foundation since 2021, leading both organizations with a clear focus on strengthening and advancing the dental assisting profession. In this role, she has prioritized building and empowering a highly qualified dental assistant workforce, with a strong emphasis on expanding access and opportunity across the profession.
Under her leadership, DANB has introduced exam translations, increased scholarship funding, facilitated the development of the Dental Assisting Professional Model, and supported initiatives that make certification and career advancement more accessible to a broader and more diverse group of candidates. Ms. Skarnulis has also led efforts to cultivate a stronger sense of collaboration and community by increasing educational course offerings, developing robust professional resources, advancing critical workforce research, and strengthening both new and existing partnerships across the industry.
Ms. Skarnulis has worked in the healthcare certification space for more than 13 years, previously serving as chief operating officer at the American Board of Medical Specialties and holding a variety of leadership positions spanning nonprofits, sports, publishing, and public accounting.