Kerri H. Friel

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.