Hygiene Department

Shelly Sellers

Hi, My name is Shelly. I am the Hygiene Coordinator and also a Dental Assistant. I have worked with Dr. DeForno since June 2004, I love dentistry! I graduated from LCCTC (Lancaster County Career and Technology Center) in 2004 with a certificate in Dental Assisting. I now plan to further my education as an E.F.D.A. (Expanded Functions Dental Assistant) or Hygiene school. I am currently engaged to my high school sweetheart, Kenny. We are planning for a wedding in October 2009. I enjoy reading a good book, going to the movies and I spend time with my family and friends every chance I get. I love coming to work every day and meeting new people, and I look forward to meeting you.

Kathy Conahan, RDH

My name is Kathy. I have worked with Dr. DeForno since 1977 when he first started his practice. I am a graduate of Temple University School of Dental Hygiene. I live in Downingtown with my husband, Ron, and our four children; Kate, Kellie, Michael, and Ryan. If I had spare time, I’d like to spend it in my garden. However, I spend most of my “spare time” at my children’s volleyball tournaments and driving them from activity to activity.

Patricia (Trish), CDA, EFDA, RDH

Hi! My name is Patricia (Trish) and I have been working at Thorndale Dental since May of 2005. I am originally from Northern Ireland but lived in Pittsburgh for approximately eleven years with my husband, Mark. We relocated to Chester County in the Spring of 2005. I have one son, Owen, born in 2005. I like to travel and enjoy arts and crafts. Mark and I are having lots of fun exploring the beauty of Chester County. I have been in the dental field since 1988. I received my Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) training in 2001 and graduated from Westmoreland Community College’s Hygiene program in 2002. I look forward to meeting you when you come in for your hygiene appointments!

Sara Lymberis, RDH, B.S.

My name is Sara Lymberis. I started working at Thorndale Dental as a dental hygienist in 1998, shortly after graduating from West Virginia University. I enjoy working with Dr. DeForno and seeing the wonderful patients that come into the office. I am married to Nick and we have three beautiful children; Olymbia, Sophia, and Gregory. I adore my children and spend most of my time with them. We have just added a new addition to our family. She is a young lady from Costa Rica who will be living with us for one year to help with me with my children. I also have a yellow lab, Maddie, who you can see on the ceiling while relaxing in the massaging hygiene chairs. I look forward to meeting you soon!

Shannon McLauchlan, RDH

My name is Shannon McLauchlan and I have been practicing hygiene since 2000, beginning my career with Dr. DeForno in 2001. I have enjoyed meeting new patients and establishing relationships; it’s great to see your children grow over the years. I’ve been married to my husband, Joe, since 2003 and we enjoy traveling, movies and being with our friends and family. In my spare time I love to knit, read mystery novels and study photography. I look forward to meeting you and spoiling you with all of our amenities! We want this to be a pleasant experience.

Clinical Department

Maureen Sweeney, CDA, EFDA

Hi, my name is Maureen Sweeney. I began working as a chair side assistant at Thorndale Dental Associates in 1987. Dr. DeForno encouraged me to pursue my credentials as a C.D.A. (Certified Dental Assistant) and also as an E.F.D.A. (Expanded Functions Dental Assistant). Continuing education seminars and lectures are also an integral part of my job and they help me care for my patients in a much better fashion. My favorite part of my work is helping patients through their treatment to achieve excellent dental health. I have a wide array of outside interests that also keep me busy when I’m not in the office. I am very passionate about most types of artwork but pottery is my main focus right now. I also enjoy gardening, bird watching, and spending time with my cat, “D.”

Patrick DeForno

Hi, I'm Patrick DeForno, Dr. DeForno’s youngest son. I joined the team at Thorndale Dental in August of 2005. I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with honors in May of 2005 and received my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. I have opted to do some hands on training in the office before I apply to dental school. You will see me assisting chair side. I like video games, movies and music. I also love to ski, I'm an avid frisbee golf player and I play the drums in a band out in Pittsburgh.

Megann Coleman, CDA, EFDA

Hello, my name is Megann Coleman and I joined the clinical team in January of 2006. I am a graduate of Donegal High School and continued my education at LCCTC in Willow street thru Harcum College to become an Expaned Functions Dental Assistant. In my free time, I enjoy taking road trips with my friends. I also enjoy taking weekend trips to the beach. I have a 2 year old white boxer, Kai, who loves to take car rides and morning walks with me. I come from an extremely close and supportive family. It is through their love and support that I have achieved so many of my goals.

Samantha Morrison

Hi, I'm Samantha Morrison. I am a chair side dental assistant. I grew up in the Chester County Area and graduated from Coatesville Area High School. After high school I graduated from the University of Hartford on a softball scholarship and majored in communications. In April 2008, I graduated from the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center's Dental Assisting Program that is here in Dr. DeForno's office. In my spare time I like to play softball, go to the beach with my friends, see a great movie, and spend time with my Great Dane, Izzy. I look forward to meeting you when you come in to the office.

Erica Atwood

My name is Erica. I am a chair side dental assistant. I graduate from Lancaster County Career and Technology Center in 2006 with certification in dental assisting and began working for with Dr. DeForno that same summer. I am planning to further my career by studying to become an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant. The best part of my job is helping people feel better about their smile. If you are interested in changing yours, come in and let us help. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and going to the beach.

Jillian Mackey

Hello, my name is Jillian. I grew up in Chester County and graduated from Coatesville High School. I attended Dr. DeForno’s dental assistant program, here at the office. In April 2007, I began working as a dental assistant and enjoy being here. I enjoy spending my spare time with my loved ones. I have one niece and one nephew that I can’t get enough of. I enjoy meeting new people and can’t wait to get to know you!

Mandi Knepp

Hi, my name is Mandi and I'm an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (E.F.D.A.). I grew up in Lancaster and graduated from Cocalico High School. I attended Lancaster County Career and Technology School and graduated from their dental assisting program in 2003. In 2007, I received my EFDA certification through Harcum College. In my free time I love traveling and spending time with my son, Paetyn. I look forward to meeting everyone at their upcoming appointments.

Administrative Department

Evelyn Daily

My name is Evelyn, I am the Team Leader at Thorndale Dental Associates. I graduated from Lancaster County Career and Technology with a certificate in dental assisting in 1995 and began working here one week later. I quickly learned that dentistry is an extremely interesting career; you work with a diverse group of people, no treatment plan is ever the same and it is very rewarding to see the smile transformations. I have been married to my husband Don, since 1996 and we have two amazing daughters. I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, and of course, shopping.

Stephanie Folmar

Hello, My name is Stephanie. I am the Financial Coordinator at Thorndale Dental Associates. I have been working in the dental field since 2004. When I am not helping patients, I love spending time with my family. I have two children who I adore. My son actively races within the motocross circuit, since the age of five. My teenage daughter plays on multiple softball teams and loves her horses. My husband, Tom and I have been married since 1996. When I do have spare time, I love to garden, read a good book and travel. I am always pursing advancement in my education. I feel this helps our patients in making informed decisions pertaining to their treatment. I look forward to meeting you at your next visit.

Chrissy Blum

Hi, my name is Chrissy Blum and I am honored to be a patient advocate for Dr. DeForno. I truly enjoy welcoming, getting to know, and helping his patients each and every day. As a team, the staff at Thorndale Dental regularly attends Continuing Education Seminars to learn about advances in dentistry and how to better serve our patients. I have a fabulous husband, Jeff and a beautiful daughter, Jadyn who is the light our lives. We grew up in lovely Chester County and are happy to be raising our family here. In our spare time, we love to travel and spend time together outside. I also enjoy running in local 5K races for charity. I look forward to meeting you at your next visit to our office.

Melissa Dudrick

Hi, my name is Melissa. I joined the administrative team as a patient advocate in June 2007. I am married to my wonderful husband, Dan, who teaches, coaches, and is a reservist in the U.S. Marine Corps. We bought our first home in Thorndale in January 2007. I enjoy the many projects that come with owning a home. In my spare time, I like to go shopping and spend time with Dan and my family. Hopefully, in the next few months we will find an English Bulldog to rescue or adopt. We look forward to having children in the near future..

Laboratory Department

Joan Pierce

I have worked at Thorndale Dental Associates since 1985. Before coming to Thorndale, I worked at Dodd Dental Lab in Delaware. I attended the L.D. Pankey Institute in 1985; and each year since then, I have attended continuing education courses of some sort on many different topics. My main responsibility now is waxing, casting, and finishing the frame work for crowns and bridges. However, I have knowledge of all aspects of the laboratory and can carry out a wide range of tasks. Thorndale Dental Arts is a fine laboratory and I am proud to work here. I am married and the mother of two children and the proud grandmother of one. I am an active member of the Catholic Church we belong to and I also love to travel.

Tina Mekinc, C.D.T.

I have been a staff member of Thorndale Dental Associates since 1991. I am certified in Dental Ceramics and have been a dental technician since 1978. I attended the Pankey Institute for advanced dental education in 1993 and had previously worked for a prosthodontist for several years gaining first hand experience with an in-house laboratory. I got my start at a small lab in New Jersey where I began in ceramics. I am married to a wonderful man and we have two beautiful daughters. In my spare time, I enjoy growing and tending to my orchids.