Join the NYSDA New Dentist Committee for an exclusive Q&A session designed for dental residents preparing for life after residency. Our panel of five early-career dentists will share their experiences, offer practical advice, and answer your questions about what comes next.

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Meet the Panelists

Dr. Evan Conley:
Dr. Conley is a life-long Western New York Native, having grown up in the small town of Gasport, NY, about 45 minutes North of Buffalo. He is a 2022 graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, where he achieved numerous clinical excellence and leadership awards. Following dental school, he completed a General Practice Residency at Erie County Medical Center (ECMC). Following a Chief-Year at ECMC, Dr. Conley purchased a dental practice in Lockport, NY, a suburb of Buffalo. In addition to owning/operating his private practice, Dr. Conley also works part-time as an Attending Dentist in ECMC’s Department of Dentistry, Division of Oral Oncology and Maxillofacial Prosthetics; treating medically complex patients and teaching dental residents who are training in the GPR residency program. He is a member of the American Dental Association, the New York State Dental Association, the Eighth District Dental Society, as well as the Erie County and Niagara County Dental Societies. Dr. Conley currently serves as the chairman of the Eighth District Dental Society New Dentist Committee.

Dr. Kathie Rothas:
Dr. Katie Rothas currently serves as the NY State New Dentist Trustee. She graduated from NYU College of Dentistry in 2019. Afterwards she completed a 2-year general practice residency through the New York Medical College, which funded her master's in public health while providing patient care at Westchester Medical Center and Open Door Family Medical Center. As an NHSC Student-to-Service Loan repayment recipient combined with her passion for health policy, she found herself moving to the NY Capital Region where she was quickly promoted to the position of Dental Director at Whitney Young Health. In addition to providing clinical care, she has helped the health center create a partnership with the local hygiene and dental assistant programs at Hudson Valley Community College, established student volunteer opportunities for pre-dental students at the local colleges, and helped her FQHC obtain a $500,000 HRSA grant to start an AEGD Residency program to attract more new dentists to the Capital Region to practice. She has been able to pursue her passion for health policy by serving as the "Oral Health Champion," for the city of Albany's Community Water Fluoridation legislative initiative alongside the former Albany County Health Commissioner, Dr. Elizabeth Whalen. This legislation successfully passed in the City Council and signed by the Mayor in March 2024 with a "Go Live Date" set for April 2025. 

Dr. Morgan Fryer:
Dr. Fryer was born and raised in the small town of Mechanicville, NY. She attended Siena College, followed by the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. She completed her general practice residency at St. Peter’s Hospital. Dr. Fryer works alongside her sister (who is also a dentist) in private practice. She is currently the New Dentist representative for the Third District, although her time as a new dentist is nearly up! She enjoys spending time with her husband and three young children, traveling, and cheering on the Buffalo Bills! 

Dr. Patrick Micaroni:
Dr. Patrick Micaroni, a Central New York native, earned his Biology degree from Le Moyne College and his DDS from the University at Buffalo, graduating summa cum laude and joining Omicron Kappa Upsilon. He completed a two-year pediatric dentistry residency at Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo before joining Kidsteethonly Pediatric Dentistry in 2019, later becoming its owner in 2021. A Board-Certified pediatric dentist, he is active in multiple dental organizations, teaches pediatric dentistry to residents, and serves on staff at MVHS. He lives in New Hartford with his wife, orthodontist Cynthia, and their daughter.

Dr. Joseph Salamon:
Dr. Joseph Salamon, is the Dental Director of the Seneca Nation Health System and Faculty Moderator of UB’s AAPHD Student Chapter. A 2006 UB School of Dental Medicine graduate, he worked in Hawaii before joining the Seneca Nation in 2009. Since 2013, he has served as Dental Director, earning multiple Indian Health Service awards. He teaches Expanded Function Dental Assisting, mentors student research, and advises UB’s Delta Sigma Delta fraternity. He also chairs the Eighth District Dental Society’s Committee for the Underserved. In 2017, he co-founded the Native American Pre-Dental Gateway internship to support Native American students in dentistry.