Dr. Utz has been in private practice for 27years. After receiving his DDS from Howard University in Washington, D.C., in 1984 he completed his residency at the Veteran's Administration Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio.

The recipient of Excellence Awards in both Advanced Functional Aesthetics and Advanced Functional Restorative Dentistry from the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, Dr. Utz is committed to providing state-of-the-art care for his patients. His continuing education includes Gordon Christensen's Annual Clinical Update Seminars, special training with Iltradent and Invisalign technologies, and Connecticut State Dental Association (CSDA) Charter Oak educational events. He also serves as a Cooperator at the Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London.

In addition to CSDA, Dr. Utz is a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, Academy of Laser Dentistry and the New London Dental Society. He is also active in community organizations, including Lions Club, Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce of Southeastern Connecticut.

Lana works as an administrative assistant at the front desk. I get to be the first person to welcome patients to our office. Thats something I enjoy very much, she says. She has a BS in dental hygiene and a masters in education. A member of our team since 2006, she and her husband have two longhaired mini dachshunds, She enjoys walking, kayaking, cooking and gardening.

Shawna holds degrees in dental hygiene from the University of New England and the University of Maine at Augusta. Building trusting relationships with patients, she says, is key to helping them achieve better oral health. Certified in CPR and dental radiology, Shawna joined our practice in 2014. She also has received training in OSHA and HIPAA regulations. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, shopping, and traveling.

A long-time member of the practice, Betty served as Dr. Utzs receptionist for 10 years, from 19962005, before assuming her present position as dental assistant. I enjoy helping our patients relax during their dental visits, she says. She is CPR-certified and HIPAA- and OSHA-trained. Away from the practice, she enjoys gardening, decorating, taking film classes, hiking and skiing