Spotlight

Dr. Dan Taché

I was born in Salem, Massachusetts (yes, the Witch City) to Annette and Norman Taché. Both my mother and father's parents (Eddie LeBlanc and Leah Tondreau) emigrated from Canada at the turn of the century and eventually found their way to Salem, Massachusetts. My grandfather, Eddie, who was as bald as a cue ball, had a very successful barbershop in Salem, in the French section of town. I remember walking across town to visit "Pepere" for my pro bono haircuts, about every three weeks or so. It was such fun in that barbershop, lots of smiles and laughter, everyone loved my grandfather and he just smiled all day long. Well, I think that they loved him but I do not really know for certain because everyone who came to see Eddie, and I mean EVERYONE, spoke nothing but French of which I knew not a syllable! My parents insisted that I formally learn Parisian French so as to avoid speaking with an inflection as French Canadians sometimes do. They felt that it would be a detriment to my success not to speak perfect English so, I had to wait until High School, for French 101, to begin to comprehend what my mom and dad were saying to one another at our house! Oh, did I mention that neither my mother or father spoke much English themselves until entering grade school and they both felt that it had been a struggle to learn English as a 2nd language and since we were American, we should learn English FIRST!

I attended Salem High School and spent a lot of time running track and playing in the band. I was Drum Major in marching band for two years but also enjoyed woodwind ensemble a great deal.

I attended St. Anselm's College in Manchester, N.H. because it had a good Biology Department and I thought that I might be interested in doing something related to the health sciences. I also had a passing interest in the monastic life and being in a college that was taught, largely by Benedictine monks, I had an opportunity to experience that life too. This interest was fleeting but my college years were wonderful and very fulfilling.

After graduation, I moved to Boston, Massachusetts to attend Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, in the "Combat Section" of Boston. A lively place to go to Dental School! Tufts Dental was conveniently situated between China Town and the nightclub section of Boston! If you finished studying by midnight or even later, not to worry, China Town was just getting started and you could find great food (or entertainment) at any time of the night.

Following graduation from Tufts in 1974, I was accepted to a General Practice Residency in the V.A. Hospital in Houston, Texas. I was very interested in both oral pathology and maxillofacial prosthetics. If I attended this program, I would have an opportunity to be exposed to the work of Dr. Joe Drane, a maxillofacial prosthodontist who was on the staff of U. of Texas/M.D. Anderson Tumor Institute and the V.A. Hospital, Houston. Well, I did complete the program and I had my time with Dr. Drane and staff but pathology and maxillofacial prosthetics was not for me. I had begun to develop an interest in orofacial pain and TM dysfunction. It all started with the return of our soldiers from Vietnam, many of whom had physical and emotional problems after serving, as many of you know. The Dental Service was asked to provide a resident to attend these pain patients on the "12" wards, which were the Psychiatric Wards of the hospital and guess who was picked? Moi! This began a life-long study of pain and the role that we as dentists play in the relief of suffering. I examined many of these "psyche" patients and frankly, many of them seemed to have legitimate pain complaints but I just could not seem to get my hands around the problem until that fateful day when I attended a one day seminar, sponsored by the Periodontal Society and the subject was pain and the speaker was Dr. Janet Travell. What she talked about and what I heard seemed to explain many of these enigmatic pain complaints which landed these vets in the "12" wards. It wasn't TMJ but it sure was real. Soft tissue pain was what it was called and I heard the term "myofascial" for the first time. I remember jogging over to Major's Scientific Book store on Fannin Drive immediately after the lecture to purchase books on the subject but the only books I found were acupuncture books, that was it! Well, I bought a couple but didn't get much out of them but my interest did not fade. I jumped on that TMJ bandwagon, and like so many, traveled all over the US of A for years following completion of my residency to try and figure out this pain thing. Oh, did I mention that I remained in Houston, yes, where I eventually met my wife, Kathlyn, a native of Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

In 1983, I purchased a book written by Drs. Travell and Simons entitled "Myofascial Pain: A Trigger Point Manual". I began to read that book and applied it to my emerging pain practice. I would literally have that book lying on my patients' chest while I was injecting the neck and facial muscles in an effort to relieve pain and improve function and it worked, a lot! So, on Sunday evening, I called Dr. Travell in Washington, D.C. and left a message for her thanking her for the book and wanting to know what kind of training opportunities might be available. To my surprise, she called me back and we spoke for the longest time and at the end of the conversation, she invited me to Washington to participate in a training program which I did and my (professional) life has never been the same. My practice was largely a pain practice, 80-90% for years and years, which was why, with time, I was eventually invited back to the University of Texas Dental Branch to teach (part-time) on the subject of Orofacial Pain: Diagnosis and Treatment and I did that on and off for about 16 years right up until the time that we decided to leave Houston and return to a smaller town in a cooler part of the country which we did 1999.

We settled in Appleton, Wisconsin and I took a position with Dental Associates. My responsibility was to establish a TMJ service within the Appleton, Green Bay, and Fond du Lac Dental Associates which I did for about 3 ½ years. It was about that time that I had met my current partner, Dr. Chris Hansen who encouraged me to consider returning to private practice and with little prompting, I gave notice after we decided to purchase a practice together in Green Bay.

I had to sharpen my general dentistry skills again but it was not too bad and with a great mentor like Chris, failure was not an option, and honestly, with time, and new technology, I have never enjoyed myself more than now.

My goal, however, is to re-establish an orofacial pain practice because I see the need and it is my passion. We have incorporated the management of sleep disordered breathing into the pain practice and I went so far as to obtain advanced certification and Diplomate status with the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, now that the heretofore, poorly understood relationship between the dental pain patient and sleep/breathing problem has been elucidated. Call me crazy but I am so excited about the emerging role of the Dentist in the field of pain management that I applied and was very recently accepted into a 3 years Masters program at Tufts University. It is the first online Masters program ever established with an emphasis on Orofacial Pain. I am very excited.

On a personal note, my parents are alive and very well and will celebrate 66 years of marriage this year. I am married to Kathlyn Schultz Taché and I have four children: Rachel and Matthew (children from a previous marriage nearly 24 years ago) and Jacob and Benjamin. Rachel and Matthew reside in Houston and my daughter, who was married a year ago last May, is expecting my first granddaughter in December…how exciting! Matthew is attending college and aspires to be sports agent while Jacob and Ben are attending Xavier High School in Appleton.

We are a soccer family and spend a lot of time on the road with my younger two sons, Jacob and Ben. Jacob will be attending college in another year and just recently has received an offer, to play D1 soccer-a dream fulfilled.

Special Study Club Note

Dan is entering his fourth season as a Greater Green Bay Study Club Member. He has presented many cases and participated in our first clinical debate…making these events not only educational but also finding a way to give it that extra fun factor that he always seems to bring.
Dan…we appreciate the knowledge you bring to the club. We look forward to many more years of education with the special twist of fun you can be counted on bringing with you to each session!

Spotlight

Dr. Amy Biehl

I started in dentistry in 1990 as a dental assistant and continued assisting through both my undergraduate and graduate education. I am a proud member of the MAC Dental Team as a practicing general dentist in the De Pere office location. I graduated from Marquette University in the Spring of 1999. In August of 1999 I joined the MAC Dental Practice at the acquisition of our current De Pere location. I have four extraordinary partners of which I am truly honored to work with and maintain a supportive partnership not only in the office but in life as well. We have a dynamic staff which we continually motivate to work as a comprehensive, value-centered provider of quality dental care.

My partner in life, Jason Thiel, is also a practicing dentist and a graduate of Marquette University. He is currently a sol practitioner in Mishicot, WI. We have been married for three years and reside in the Maribel area south of Green Bay. We recently survived a home building project on eighty acres of property that we fell in love with at first sight. It is our sanctuary and source of peace at every return home.

I enjoy spending all of the free time I can find with our "children". This includes two Labrador Retrievers, two cats with big personalities, and four horses. The dogs are our life companions and enjoy embarking on many outdoor adventures including small game hunting and many, many walks. The horses are my life's passion and dream. This summer has been my introduction to the sport of reining with my three year-old paint gelding. He has spent the last year with a trainer on the opposite side of the state and is much more prepared than I can say for myself. I am very excited and fortunate to be able to live my passion.

Jason and I have been members of the Greater Green Bay Study Club for the past two years and are very appreciative of the professional and personal connections we have made through the club, as well as, the advancing of an ever continuing learning adventure in the world of dentistry.

Special Study Club Note

As Amy enters her third season as a Greater Green Bay Study Club Member…we are sure that her infectious enthusiasm and positive attitude will continue to inspire us this year. Amy has never missed an opportunity to comment about how much she enjoys each session…from the food to the theme to the educational content she can be counted on to share her appreciation for the work it takes putting on these events. And for that we thank you!!!

Amy…we appreciate your wonderful energy and positive attitude and great smile you always bring. We look forward to sharing many more seasons of learning and fun!

Spotlight

Dr. Debbie Munes

As most of you know, I am an older female dentist but young at heart. I received my DDS from Marquette's Dental School. Some of us just can't figure out what we want to be when we grow up! In all fairness, however, I was a dental hygienist since the late 1970's and became bored so I went back to school.

My wonderful husband, Jim, will tell you he is a brain surgeon when you meet him. In reality he is a transportation engineer, that's truck driver for those of us who aren't always politically correct. We have three grown children. Holly has an elementary teaching degree, Ryan is attending UW Madison for Wildlife Ecology and Amy is at UW Stevens Point majoring in Biology and planning on graduate school for Marine Biology. We have an English Springer Spaniel, Simba, that loves to go pheasant hunting. In our free time, we enjoy skiing and snowmobiling (when there's snow), fishing, jet skiing and taking vacations. If I could do anything I wanted…I would travel to every country in the world and explore different cultures. Then when I get really, really old…I'd travel the US in a motor home driven by my favorite transportation engineer.

Special Study Club Note

Debbie has been a wonderful study club member. She has proven her dedication to the club in countless ways. She has won the Perfect Attendance award ever since we have been giving it out. She is always the first to arrive and spend time with other members and is the last to leave. She has been know to help with set up for events and has even helped clear tables…and has helped Penny Pierre and Catrice do dishes after an event or two. Debbie has attended 2 Seattle Study Club National Symposiums…and this year she helped make it possible for our club coordinator to attend buy sharing a condo with her…not to mention lots of fun.

Debbie…we appreciate your dedication and friendship. We look forward to many more years of fun and learning!

Spotlight

Dr. Marty Williams

I am Marty Williams and I have been a member of the Greater Green Bay Study Club since Dr. Pierre started our club. I enjoy the camaraderie, continuing education, communication, sharing of knowledge and most importantly being able to produce better patient care.

I was born and raised in Green Bay. My father was a dentist, and a huge inspiration in my life. Unfortunately, I only was able to practice with him for 2 years before his and my two brothers' deaths. They died in a plane crash in his private plane. I have since named my practice "Sierra Dental" in their memory. The word "Sierra" was the call sign on his airplane.

My family and dentistry are two of my passions. I have three children. I have a 17 year old daughter who is a senior at Notre Dame Academy. She and her tennis partner made it to the quaterfinals of the state tennis tournament. She will be starting college and is interested in Pharmacy at this time. I have a 15 year old daughter who is a Freshman at Notre Dame Academy. She works hard at school and plays tennis and soccer. My youngest is my 11 year old son. He is in 5th grade at Holy Family School. He loves playing on the computer, PS2, tennis, and baseball. My wife is my biggest supporter and without her love and support I wouldn't be able to do what I do.

Outside of dentistry, I enjoy golf, skiing, tennis, and soccer.
I have a superstar staff that really helps to keep me motivated. My staff created a club for our office called the Super Star Girlfriend Club (SSG), and I am an honorary member. My staff and I do at least one activity outside of work together each month, to get to know each other better and to have fun.

Throughout the years there have been consulting teams that have helped me along my journey of dentistry. They include L.D. Pankey Institute, Dawson Center, and most recently Terry Britton from the Levin Consulting Group.

Special Study Club Note

Marty has been an important part of our club since the beginning. Last season he became our Co-Director, bringing us many fresh ideas including being the one who brought us Dave Webber…one of the best speakers we have seen. He has attended 5 Seattle Study Club Symposiums, every club meeting, and has attended the last 2 Directors Symposiums in Seattle…helping us bring our members new fresh ideas.
Marty…we value your wonderful attitude, energy and dedication. We look forward to many more years of making the Greater Green Bay Study Club the best it can be.

Spotlight

Catrice Landrath

As many of you know, I am Catrice, Coordinator of the Greater Green Bay Study Club. This is my 7th season as coordinator of this wonderful group and I love this club very much.

I started in dentistry as a dental receptionist for a large dental clinic in 1990. After a short time in the wrong place I was lucky enough to work for a fantastic dentist as a dental assistant for 5 years. He encouraged me to go back to school for dental hygiene, and I graduated from Northcentral Technical College in 1997. I have enjoyed the last 10 years working as a full time hygienist for Dr. Pierre.

I have also been privileged to work as a Dental Hygiene Advisor for Debbie Suttner of Innovative Dental Solutions. I am proud of the dental hygiene program we present, and enjoy working to increase periodontal awareness and productivity in the offices we have worked with.

In my free time I teach "learn to skate" to children at Cornerstone Community Center. I have been figure skating for 3 years now and have enjoyed the new challenge.

I enjoy spending time with my husband Scott. We fill our time with snowmobiling, 4-wheeling, cycling, boating, and traveling. I have been attempting to learn Italian, which has proven to be an interesting challenge.

Many years ago I started a list I call "Life's Journey". I do not believe I am finished learning. I plan to spend the rest of my time checking off the adventures on this list. I look forward to many more years of working with our wonderful study club members both in the club and in our office. I am proud to be your coordinator and look forward to many more years of Greater Green Bay Study Club ADVENTURES.

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