Kerri Friel
- Professor
- : (401) 333-7277
- : Lincoln, Room 2375
- : [email protected]
About
Kerri H. Friel is a Professor in the Dental Health Department at the Community
College of Rhode Island (CCRI), where she serves as Director of the CODA Accreditted
Dental Assisting Program, Vice President of the CCRI Faculty Association, and Past President of the Faculty
Senate.
She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene and a Master’s degree in Adult
Education from the University of Rhode Island and completed Leadership Rhode Island, graduating with a leadership certificate in October 2009.
Kerri has been a licensed dental hygienist for more than 30 years, a Certified Dental
Assistant (CDA) since 2002, and a Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) since 2000.
She holds permits for local anesthesia and nitrous oxide and previously earned Dental
Anesthesia Assistant National Certification.
Before joining CCRI full time in 2000, she practiced in general dentistry and orthodontic
offices throughout Rhode Island. She remains active in the Rhode Island Dental Assistants
Association.
Kerri was elected to the Board of Directors of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) on September 1, 2023, and was elected Secretary/Treasurer of the Board in July
2025. She is currently in the third year of her first three-year term.
She was appointed to the Rhode Island Board of Examiners in Dentistry by Governor
Lincoln Chafee in 2013 and served two consecutive three-year terms. She is active
in the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) and was elected to the Council on Examinations in January 2025 by the Rhode
Island Board of Examiners in Dentistry. Within ADEX, she serves as a Dental Hygiene
Examiner, Dental Hygiene Chief, Exam Technical Coordinator, Grading Team Lead, and
Exam Technical Administrator for dental examinations.
She an active member of the American Dental Education Association and the American Association of Dental Boards. She also serves on the Rhode Island Oral Health Commission and the Board of Directors
for Dental Lifeline Network – Rhode Island.
Kerri has volunteered with the Rhode Island Mission of Mercy since 2012, where she leads radiology operations.
Areas of Expertise
Dental and Oral Radiology
Awards & Honors
2020: NISOD Excellence in Teaching Award
2012: Kenneth F. McGunagle Volunteer of the Year Award - ALS RI