Hygiene Team

Kristan-CliffordKristan L.S. Clifford, RDH

Kristan Clifford developed her affinity for dental hygiene as a high school student, working part-time as an assistant for her father, a periodontist. She has been a dental hygienist for 25+ years, and joined Humenik Dentistry in 2001.

Kristan received a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from The Ohio State University in 1993. Along with the other hygienists at Humenik Dentistry, Kristan possesses an ARESTIN® Certified Expert (ACE) certification, demonstrating her expertise in diagnosing and treating periodontal disease and she is CPR-certified.

She is committed to spreading the “healthy mouth, healthy body” message to her patients, to increase their awareness about untreated tooth decay or gum problems and the impact those conditions can have on overall health. Kristan provides personalized, thorough patient education, in partnership with Dr. Mark, and works with her patients to develop effective treatment plans.

Kristan and her husband Bob, a vice president of sales and marketing for a manufacturing company, have two daughters, Martha and Kay. She has volunteered her time through the Mission of Mercy in Illinois, providing both administrative and clinical expertise. When she isn’t working, Kristan likes to travel and spend time with friends and family. She also enjoys taking spin classes and spending time on the beaches of Lake Michigan.

Valerie Dinglasan, RDH

Valerie Dinglasan joined Humenik Dentistry in June 2020 and has been a dental hygienist since 2007. Valerie received her Associate in Applied Science Degree in dental hygiene from the College of Lake County; she is CPR certified and focuses on oral hygiene assessment, education, and promotion. Valerie loves building relationships with her patients and listening to their concerns. Her skills include oral cancer evaluations, scaling and root planing procedures, prophylaxis, fluoride application, and administering/interpreting full mouth radiographs. Along with the other hygienists at Humenik Dentistry, Valerie possesses an ARESTIN® Certified Expert (ACE) certification. Valerie is also involved with Mission of Mercy, with the rest of the Humenik Dentistry family, to give back to dentistry and provide care to families in need.

Valerie and her husband Patrick have four children, Audrina, Brooklyn, Charlotte, and Derrick, as well as three dogs. When not working or spending time with her family, Valerie enjoys reading, watching Netflix and reality tv, being outdoors and home renovations.

Lucy Parreno, RDH

Lucy Parreno joined Humenik Dentistry in January 2019 and has been a dental hygienist since 2007. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in computer engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2003, Lucy went back to school to follow her calling and became a registered dental hygienist four years later.

She began her career in dentistry during high school and college, working summers as a dental assistant at her aunt’s dental practice.   Since 2007, she has worked in general dentistry, periodontics and pediatric dentistry. Lucy is also an instructor at the College of Lake County’s Dental Hygiene Program, where she teaches head & neck anatomy as well as clinical instruction for instrumentation, radiology, local anesthesia and dental materials.

Lucy enjoys volunteering her time with Feed My Starving Children, an organization that distributes meals to children around the world to deliver hope and break the cycle of poverty. She’s involved with Mission of Mercy, with the rest of the Humenik Dentistry family, to give back to dentistry and to enhance the health of families by expanding their access to oral health care. Lucy and her husband Jordan have one son, Xander. Her hobbies include reading, baking, crafting, gardening and traveling.

Danielle Thompson, RDH

Danielle Thompson joined Humenik Dentistry in 2015. She received her Associate in Applied Science degree in dental hygiene from the College of Lake County (CLC) in 2009 and began her career in a private practice. Danielle also has a BS in dental hygiene and is working toward an MA in education.

Danielle’s expertise includes administering local anesthetics, placing sealants and she’s an ARESTIN® Certified Expert (ACE) with advanced training in periodontitis. She’s a member of the American Dental Hygiene Association (ADHA) and teaches courses at CLC, including local anesthesia, pharmacology, pathology, histology and embryology, and dental hygiene clinical experiences. To give back to dentistry, Danielle regularly participates in RAM (Remote Area Medical) in conjunction with CLC, providing free dental, vision and medical care to isolated, impoverished or underserved communities.

Danielle and her husband, Brian, have two daughters, Ireland and Isla. They love animals and have a dog and a few cats. Her large extended family includes eight siblings. When she’s not working, Danielle enjoys spending time with her family, reading, cooking, podcasts, nature, listening to all types of music and trying to catch up on sleep!

Janet Watters, RDH

April 5, 1962 – June 10, 2018
Remembered with Love
Our Treasured Friend and Colleague
A Devoted Hygienist for Over 30 Years