BATON ROUGE - Today, Governor Bobby Jindal announced appointments to the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry. 

The Louisiana State Board of Dentistry is responsible for registering, examining, licensing, and regulating the practices of dentistry and dental hygiene. 

According to the statute, the board is comprised of 14 gubernatorial appointments that are subject to senate confirmation. Three licensed dentists are appointed from the state at large, serving in seats A, B and C. One hygienist is selected from nominations certified by the secretary of the board and submitted to the governor. The remaining ten dentists are appointed from each of the nine board districts, which are established in the statute, with the Fifth Board District being represented by two members. 

The district appointees are selected from nominations submitted to the governor by the board. 

James Smith, D.D.S., of Lafayette, is a self-employed general dentist in Lafayette. Dr. Smith will be appointed to serve as a representative of the 1st Dental Board District, as required by statute.

Claudia Cavallino, D.D.S., of Metairie, is a dentist at Bayou Children’s Dental Center. Dr. Cavallino will be appointed to serve as a representative of the 5th Dental Board District, as required by statute.

Russell “Rusty” Mayer, D.D.S., of Hammond, has been a practicing general dentist since 1983. Dr. Mayer will be appointed to serve as a representative of the 6th Dental Board District, as required by statute.

Dean Manning, D.D.S., of Sulphur, has been a dentist in private practice since 1975. Dr. Manning will be appointed to serve as a representative of the 9th Dental Board District, as required by statute.

 

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