Members of the Iowa Dental Board

Members of the Iowa Dental Board

Board Member Bios

Gregory Ceraso, D.D.S. (Chair)

Gregory Ceraso, D.D.S., a dentist member of the Board, is from Johnston, Iowa.  Dr. Ceraso was appointed to the Board in 2019.  Dr. Ceraso graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine.  During that time Dr. Ceraso also practiced as a staff member at The Central Medical Hospital Facial Pain Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for 10 years performing extensive dental reconstruction of accident victims, cancer patients, and other facial pain patients.  Prior to relocating to Iowa, Dr. Ceraso briefly held a teaching position in the general practice residency at the Western Pennsylvania Hospital.  Dr. Ceraso is a member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, the Academy of Osseointegration, and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.  Additionally, Dr. Ceraso attended and graduated from the Kois Center.  In addition to cosmetic, reconstructive, periodontal and implant dentistry, Dr. Ceraso focuses his practice on adult and pediatric sleep apnea treatments.

Lisa Holst, D.D.S. (Vice-Chair)

Lisa Holst, DDS is a member of the Iowa Dental Board since being appointed in 2019. Dr Holst graduated from the University of Iowa in 1989 and completed a General Practice Residency in Hartford, CT.  She owned and operated a private practice in Knoxville for 27 years.  Still maintaining full time practice in Knoxville, she has recently transitioned to partner with a small group practice. She currently sits on the Board's Executive committee, Dental Hygiene committee, and chairs the Continuing Education Advisory committee,  Serving on the Board's previous Expanded Function task force, she now participates in both the Workforce Shortage and Expanded Function work groups.  Dr. Holst is a member of the American Dental Association, American Association of Women Dentists, Academy of General Dentistry, Des Moines District Dental Society, and Omicron Kappa Upsilon honorary dental society.

Jonathan DeJong, D.D.S.

Jonathan DeJong, D.D.S., a dentist member of the Board, is from Fort Dodge, Iowa.  He was appointed to the Board in 2020.  Dr. DeJong graduated from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and then completed a residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in 2010.  Dr. DeJong practices in his hometown of Fort Dodge, as well as Spencer and Carroll.  Dr. DeJong is adjunct faculty at both the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and University Hospitals.  Dr. DeJong is a member of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Dental Association, Academy of Osseointegration, American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, Iowa Dental Association, and the Fort Dodge District Dental Society. 

James Nemmers, D.D.S.

James Nemmers, D.D.S., a dentist member of the board, is from Dubuque, Iowa.  He was appointed to the Board in 2021.  Dr. Nemmers graduated from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency in Iowa City.  Dr. Nemmers is a member of the American Dental Association, and the Dubuque District Dental Society.  Dr. Nemmers is past president of the Dubuque District.

Thomas Peek, D.D.S.

Thomas Peek, D.D.S., a dentist member of the Board, practices in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  He was appointed to the Board in 2022.  Dr. Peek graduated from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and later completed a residency in endodontics.  

Megan Clatt, R.D.H.

Megan Clatt, R.D.H., a dental hygiene member of the Board, is from Donnellson, Iowa.  Ms. Clatt was appointed to the Board in 2021.

Jillian Travis, R.D.H. (Secretary)

Jillian Travis, R.D.H., a dental hygiene member of the Board, is from Sidney, Iowa.  Ms. Travis was appointed to the Board in 2020.  Ms. Travis is a Certified Level 2 expanded functions hygienist and practices in Shenandoah, Iowa.

Candace Bradley

Candace Bradley, a public member of the Board, was appointed in 2021.  Ms. Bradley lives in Cascade, Iowa. 

Carly Ross

Ms. Ross, public member of the Board, was appointed in 2023.  Ms. Ross is the Executive Director of Dental Connections, a non-profit organization providing oral health services to underserved populations. Ms. Ross was previously the Field Office Director of the U.S. Committee for  Refugees and Immigrants in Des Moines from 2014 – 2019. Ms. Ross served on the Board of Directors for Primary Health Care, Inc. from 2015 – 2019 and on the Executive Committee for the Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa from 2016 - 2019. Ms. Ross has a B.A. from Carleton College and a Graduate Diploma from the Asian Institute of Technology.