Our Team
Angela Bowens, BS, MPA NDAA President
Angela Bowens received her first undergraduate degree in Political Science with a Pre-law concentration from Albany State University. She received her second bachelor’s degree in English at Indiana University Purdue University (IUPUI)and her Master’s Degree in Public Administration (MPA) at Walden University. After she received her master’s degree, she married (Jeffrey Bowens) and started a family (Jaquantey and A’Lyrika). During that time, she decided to join her family dental practice where she is part owner. She has managed the family dental practice for over twenty-six years where she is part owner. She has a clear understanding of the dental industry. Angela began her career in the dental field as a Practice Administrator where she marketed the company, researched insurances, contracted business associates, trained employees, and networked with different providers, groups, and organizations to learn new ways to grow the practice financially. She has built relationships with clients and assisted them with their financial needs and prepared treatment plans by providing opportunities for them to finance treatment. Utilizing her established connections, she is actively involved and participates in several dental associations’ events. She was President from 2012-2020 of the National Dental Assistants’ Association (NDAA), an auxiliary to the National Dental Association (NDA). She has been active member since 1999 serving in different leadership roles. Editor, Treasurer, Vie-President, and President-Elect were some roles she served. 2Angela is dedicated to helping dental professionals to have a better understanding of managed care. She is the founder and CEO of ATBVacation. She started this company as she loves to travel, and now has her own website, atbvacation.com. She is a lifetime member of Jack and Jill of America, Indianapolis Chapter and a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Indianapolis Chapter. Through these organizations she has served as Corresponding Secretary, Teen Group Lead Advisor and Community Service Coordinator, Board at Large, Health Committee Chair, and is currently on the National Health Committee for the Coalition serving women and girls in the underserved communities by providing programs such Health Fairs and Health Symposiums to help with preventative dental care, ways to reduce the metabolic syndrome, weight loss, heart disease and mental health. Angela enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and praising the Lord to where God is first, her family, and then her career.
Joelle Mills, B.S., NDAA President-Elect
Joelle Mills, NDAA President-Elect is from Houston, TX and attended Dillard University before graduating from Texas Southern University where she received her B.S. in Communications.
(Radio, Television, Film). She has attended NDAA conferences since a young child with her
father. Joelle has worked with her dad, Joe. J. Mills, D.D.S. at Mills Dental Care Center since
2007. In 2019, Joelle was elected to serve as Secretary of NDAA. She decided it was time to
serve the organization that she has been apart of for so many years, it was time to be a voice. She
enjoys serving in office to be apart of change. Joelle is also proud owner/ founder of iKan
Outreach.
Gracie P. Hightower, CDA, RDA, BS, MA, Vice President
NDAA President 1972-74 (check the date period, can’t put my hand on a journal at the moment)
Served as: President-Elect, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, NDAA Convention Chairmen.
Lawrence W. Coffee DDS
Chairside Dental Assistant & Receptionist.
Shaw College At Detroit: Dental Assistant Program: Director and Educator.
Wayne County
Community College District: Professor,
Dental Assistant Program and Dental Hygiene Program
Detroit Public Schools: Teacher: taught in Special Education High School, Nursing Assistant. Taught in Regular High School: Biology, Intergrated Natural Science, Introduction to Physical Science.
Retirement in August, 2009.
Claire Franklin, House of Delegates Representative
Claire was born in Barbados, W.I, and immigrated to the United States where she would find her way to Brooklyn, N.Y. It was here where she would find love, get married, and have her only son, Chieftain. Claire would study cosmetology which would fueled her passion to improve the lives of others through her own infectious smile. She would eventually focus her passion and shift her a career to dentistry landing her a job with Dr. Norman Cranin, a true pioneer and trailblazer in the field of cosmetic implants. It was here that Claire would understand the need for Unity and join the NDAA. After serving a long tenure with Dr. Cranin, Claire took a position with Dr. Edward Tolkoff in New York, NY handling not just the daily operations of the practice but serving as Dr. Tolkoff's lead assistant for many years. The next phase of Claire's career would take her to Jamaica Hospital in Queens NY., where she also worked as a dental assistant. Then to Brooksdale Hospital in Brooklyn where she retired. Although retired, Claire is still heavily involved in the operations of NDAA and was asked to serve as the Representative of the House of Delegates, a position in which she holds as high regards and proudly serves.
Sherry A. Madison, RDA , Secretary / Treasuer
Sherry A. Madison is the Secretary / Treasurer of the NDAA. Sherra Registered Dental Assistant under the Private Practice of Dr. Esther M. Beeks for 22 years. Married for 26 years with three beautiful children. She is a very outgoing person and loves to laugh and smile. She is big fan of Hallmark which is her happy place. Sherry is looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new members.
