Get to know Special Care Smiles and Dr. Holena!

The practice is devoted to providing individualized care to special needs, children, and families.  Dr. Holena and staff bring over 12 years of experience to a new practice.

We offer all of levels of sedation to make the experience a positive experience.  Dr. Holena also has privileges at a hospital, which enables her to treat more medically complex patients.

See the Staff Bios page for information about the rest of the Special Care Smiles family!

 Dr. Holena is from the Wyoming Valley and only lived outside the area for school.  She is originally from Bear Creek Twp., and now resides in Laflin.  Dr. Holena graduated as valedictorian of Coughlin High School and then went on to graduate from Penn State University.  She attended dental school at the University of Buffalo.

During dental school, Dr. Holena was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation, which is a malformation of the base of the skull.  She had brain surgery and then returned to dental school.  

After graduating from dental school, Dr. Holena did a 1 year residency at the VA Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre.  She then worked in a group practice for 12 years, focusing on children and special needs.  After 12 years, Dr. Holena decided it was time to start her own practice.  

Dr. Holena keeps herself very busy outside of work.  She is active in the dog sport community with her chocolate labs, Team CoffeeDogs.  She also serves on the Board of Directors for Column of Hope, an organization devoted to raising funds for Chiari Malformation, syringomyelia, and related disorders.  

Dr. Holena has extensive experience treating special needs patients of all ages and children.  She has spoken at several national conferences.  She is currently the Vice President of Special Care Dentistry Association, in addition to being a board member for Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities.  She has hospital privileges at Lehigh Valley Hospital and works with the dental residents at both of their clinical sites.