Dental Residents
Quentin Basiren, DMD
PGY-1 Dental Resident
Elizabethtown Kitley, Ontario, Canada
McGill University
McGill University
Hobbies/Interests: Anything outdoors summer or winter you'll find me cycling, hiking, running, on the water, skiing, or just exploring! I also enjoy traveling and experiencing new cultures and food!
Why I chose Vermont: The inclusive and supportive environment each of the staff at UVM create to enrich resident learning along with the diversity of clinical rotations that broaden the scope of dental exposure from private practice to hospital emergency on-call, all together provide a complete breadth of post-graduate dental experience in a very resident-centered environment.
Jennifer Bilbul, DMD
PGY-1 Dental Resident
Montreal, Quebec
McGill University
McGill University
Hobbies/Interests: I love getting lost in new cities, crafting unique jewelry for my favorite people, and soaking up the great outdoors—rain, shine, snow, or sun!
Why I chose Vermont: I chose UVMMC for the incredible training, the tight-knit crew, and because Vermont’s mountains were hard to resist!
Michelle Blaisdell, DDS
PGY-1 Dental Resident
Naples, Florida
New York University College of Dentistry
University of Central Florida
Hobbies/Interests: My hobbies include skiing (trees mostly), running, being outside, spending time with my dogs, reading, and watching horrible reality TV.
Why I chose Vermont: It was clear after the first 5 minutes of meeting everyone on the team and department that this was a program that I wanted to be a part of. Everyone was so kind and welcoming, and it was easy to see how well everyone got along and supported each other. With my family originally from Vermont, I knew how special this community was and how lucky I would be to help provide care to the patients here. Of course, the skiing had something to do with my selection of the program!
Takara Richard, DMD
PGY-1 Dental Resident
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Penn State University
Hobbies/Interests: Outside of dentistry, I love hiking, dog sitting, getting lost in sci-fi and fantasy novels, and exploring small towns just for fun. I’m always looking for new hobbies to try—next up on my list: archery and horseback riding.
Why I chose Vermont: I chose the UVM General Practice Residency for its strong foundation in comprehensive clinical care, exposure to medically complex cases, and the opportunity to work closely with dentists and specialists in a variety of communities. I’m eager to build confidence across all areas of general dentistry while expanding my emergency care experience and serving rural populations—goals that are central to my long-term vision as a provider. I also have a strong love for the state of Vermont and I have always wanted to call it home!
Katie Skola, DMD
PGY-1 Dental Resident
West Chester, Ohio
University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
Clemson University
Hobbies/Interests: I love to read, tend to my plants, go hiking, spend a day at the lake, and take care of my new kitten Pickles!
Why I chose Vermont: I chose the UVM GPR program because of how amazing the people who run it are. I immediately felt at home and couldn't imagine myself anywhere else. Outside of the program itself, I loved the Burlington area and was eager to move closer to the outdoors!



