OAO Nominations
Earlier this year and under the OAO By-law, Article 3, the organisation distributed a call for nominations for the 2026-2027 OAO Board of Directors to the membership. After this process, the Nominations Committee is pleased to present to you a slate of 7 members. At this time, we are asking all eligible members to cast their vote using an online electronic ballot for the proposed slate.
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Dr. Ashley Phuong I would like to continue to serve on the OAO Board of Directors because I feel that I offer a unique perspective being a female and (relatively) younger member. I strive to make the board and the OAO more inclusive and to truly understand the needs of the younger orthodontist. Dr. Ashley Phuong was born and raised in Kitchener, Ontario. She went on to complete her Bachelor of Medical Science and her Doctor of Dental Surgery degrees at Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Western Ontario. After her dental training, she practiced as a general dentist in Calgary, Alberta for several years. During this time she discovered her passion for creating beautiful, functional smiles. This led her to continue her education at the University of Alberta to obtain her Master of Science degree in Orthodontics. |
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Dr. David Hirsch The OAO has been a seminal organization, guiding the profession through challenging times and has been a beacon of light for the entire profession. In an effort to give back to the profession and the organization, I would like to become involved and help in any way that I can to ensure that the specialty remains viable for generations to come. Education: Teaching: Leadership: Publications: Television Appearances: |
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Dr. Bennett Mui I have been a faithful member of the dental community, particularly in the field of orthodontics. As I enter the second half of my career, I feel a strong calling to give back to the profession that has given me so much. My Goals:
I am excited about the possibility of contributing to the OAO Board of Directors and am confident that my passion, experience, and goals align with the organization’s mission and vision. I have been in private practice in Markham since 2001. Originally an immigrant to Canada in 1989, I am proud to call Canada home. My journey to becoming an orthodontist began at the University of Toronto’s dental school, followed by a year of dental internship at St. Michael’s Hospital, and culminating with an orthodontic residency at New York University. With 24 years of private practice experience, I have been a dedicated and passionate member of the dental community, particularly in orthodontics. I believe that serving on the OAO Board of Directors would be a meaningful way to give back to the profession that has provided me with so much fulfillment and success. |
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Dr. Allison Nicholls As a dedicated provider with 4 years of experience as a General Dentist and nearly 3 years of experience as a Board-Certified Orthodontist, I am passionate about advancing our profession and ensuring the highest standards of patient care across Ontario. Throughout my career in Dentistry, I have worked in multiple Ontario communities including Petawawa, Ottawa, London, Thunder Bay, Peterborough, Toronto and Stratford and therefore I can provide a well-rounded view of the Ontario patient population. Additionally, I have been actively involved in the Canadian Armed Forces Dental Officer Training Plan, the Stratford & District Dental Society and the Corus Orthodontists Doctor Excellence Program, and my expertise in Leadership, Communication and Customer Service can contribute meaningfully to the OAO’s mission of providing excellent orthodontic care, advocating for orthodontists, and helping patients make informed decisions. I am eager to collaborate with fellow board members to support our colleagues to enhance the impact of our association. Dr. Nicholls completed high school in Comox, British Columbia and moved to Victoria to attend the University of Victoria (UVic), where she obtained a Bachelor of Science (Honours) with a Specialization in Microbiology in 2008. She furthered her research training at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver by earning a Master of Science in Microbiology & Immunology in 2011. Switching gears, Dr. Nicholls then completed her Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD) through the Dental Officer Training Plan (DOTP) at UBC and practiced general dentistry as a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Dental Officer. |
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Dr. Ziad Omar I have been serving on the OAO board for a few years and I’m truly enjoying serving the specialty and my colleagues. As the specialty in particular and dentistry in general face more challenges, it’s an honour to be working along side my dedicated colleagues to help our profession. Dr. Omar is a specialist orthodontist and principal at City Centre Orthodontics in Mississauga. He earned his DDS and BSc with High Distinction from the University of Toronto and completed advanced orthodontic training, including a Master’s in Clinical Dentistry from the University of Western Ontario and Fellowship with the Royal College of Dentists of Canada. With over two decades of clinical experience, Dr. Omar has been in orthodontic practice since 2008 and has led both Bolton Orthodontics and City Centre Orthodontics. He has also held leadership roles including President of the George Hare Endodontic Study Club and Toronto Orthodontic Study Club, and Treasurer of the Ontario Association of Orthodontists. |
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Dr. Joel Schacher I am honored to serve as a member of the Board of Directors for the Ontario Association of Orthodontists. My commitment is to actively support the voice of orthodontists and advocate for the continued growth and evolution of our profession. Together, we will work to address the challenges ahead and ensure the future success of orthodontics in Ontario. I earned a Dental Degree from University Of Toronto, graduating in 1977. This was followed by specialized training in advanced specialty training in Orthodontist at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health in 1980. With over 48 years of practice since 1977, My extensive clinical experience is complemented by a steadfast commitment to ongoing continuing education, ensuring patients receive the most up-to-date and effective orthodontic care. |
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Dr. Eric Smith I am hoping to return to the OAO board as a Director. The OAO has never been more important: we’re at a critical juncture with respect to expanding the scope of practice of dental assistants in Ontario (and harmonizing Ontario’s regulations with other provinces). The CDCP has been introduced with lip service given to expanding this program to include orthodontics in the future. We have the ever-expanding corporatization of dentistry, with private equity-backed corporations now buying up specialist offices and GP offices, leading to serious concerns regarding the monopolization of dentistry. The OAO can and should act in the best interests of the speciality and in the best interests of the public. A certified specialist in Orthodontics, Dr. Eric Smith received an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto in 2011, his dental degree from the University of Connecticut in 2015 and his specialty certificate in Orthodontics from the University of Minnesota in 2017. Dr. Smith has also been an active member of organized dentistry since he was a student. He served for two years as an executive board member for the Ontario Association of Orthodontists. He is also the past Vice President and Oral Health Committee Chair on the Muskoka-Simcoe Dental Society. He is an active member of the Canadian Association of Orthodontists, the Ontario Association of Orthodontists, and the Ontario Dental Association. During residency, he was elected to a position on the Council of New and Younger Members of the American Association of Orthodontists and remains an active member of the organization. |
