About Us

Eric J. Richter, DMD
I’ve been practicing general dentistry since 1975 all but one year in Hardwick. My wife, Deborah and I live in Hardwick just a stones throw away from the office. My two daughters Emily and Anna both graduated from Hazen Union School and college and now reside in Washington State and California respectively. We have a granddaughter Allison, a grandson Jacob and a Newfoundland named K2. We enjoy skiing, sailing and camping. I also enjoy getting together for musical jams with family and friends many of whom play acoustic guitar, banjo and fiddle.

I received my bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at St Lawrence University and my doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in Philadelphia PA. I am a member of the American Dental Association and the Vermont State Dental Association. Professionally I’ve always kept up with the new and innovative materials and equipment. The most recent renovations have given me the opportunity to bring some of the latest in dental technology to my practice. I’m thrilled to be able to practice dentistry surrounded by the best the industry has to offer. Dentistry after 33 years is still enjoyable and exciting. The CAD/CAM porcelain system, which I use for direct placement of porcelain crowns, inlays and veneers, has been one of the most exciting innovations that I’ve added to my practice. Having been doing it now for nearly four years this system requires a great deal of didactic learning and years of experience. I am pleased that we have been successfully utilizing it for the past eight years.

I am grateful for the wonderful staff that I have and their dedication to our patients and their dental care. Hardwick really is one of the hidden treasurers of the Northeast Kingdom and I am very happy to say I’ve been able to be part of it for nearly thirty years.

Karen Gates – Registered Dental Assistant

As a dental assistant I have worked closely with Dr. Richter and our patients since the fall of 2002. We recognize that is it not always easy for patients to seek dental treatment; fear and anxiety can be very powerful and prevents those who need care to get it. I work diligently to break down the barriers that prevent patients from doing so. I take pride in the role that I play to ensure that the wellness of each and every patient is met both while they’re in our office and once they’re home. When I am not assisting I am busy helping to keep the front office running smoothly and am responsible for the entire inventory.

I was born and raised in Southern Vermont, graduated from Castleton State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications Mass Media with a minor in Athletic Coaching. I relocated to the Northeast Kingdom several years ago and reside in Hardwick with my husband Michael and our daughter Taylor. I believe in contributing to the community in which we live and for the past 5 years have been very involved with the Hardwick Area Community Coalition. We are a coalition of citizens, which represent several local towns in an effort to delay the first use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs by our youth. I am privileged to coach our local special Olympic athletes in the games of soccer and basketball. Jazz and modern dance are my first love and I hope to one day go back to teaching dance part time.

My family and I enjoy hunting, fishing, gardening, kayaking and spending time with family and friends.

Sarah P. Withers – Registered Dental Hygienist

I graduated from the University of Vermont in 1994 with an Associate Degree in Science and a degree in Dental Hygiene. I have been in general practice since graduation with seven of those years at the Hardwick Dental Group. I love it! In addition to treating patients and educating them on the importance of good oral hygiene each year I am able to go out in to the local elementary school to teach second graders how to properly brush and floss. I attend continuing education classes and read articles to try and keep up with the ever-changing world of dental hygiene. I am a member of the American Dental Hygiene Association and the Vermont Dental Hygiene Association. I take great pride in providing my patients with the best possible dental care.

I live in Walden with my husband Jonathan and our son Jacob. I love to hunt, fish and garden. In addition to a dog named Lady and a cat named Lester we have a small barn and raise chickens, pigs and beef cows. I am also the leader of our local TOPS chapter. In the summer I spend my weekends camping and in the winter ice fishing.

I look forward to meeting you, getting to know you and providing you with the very best dental care.

Kristine Peeler – Registered Dental Hygienist

I received my Dental Hygiene degree from the University of Vermont and have been practicing dental hygiene for nearly 12 years. While in school I received the Vermont State Dental Society Award for demonstration of clinical excellence and the Sigma Phi Alpha-Phi Chapter Honor Society Award for demonstration of character, service and scholarship.

Prior to working at the Hardwick Dental Group I spent two years in Northern New Mexico working as a Public Health Dental Hygienist on the Jicarilla Apache Indian reservation. There I received the Albuquerque Area Director’s Award for Quality Assurance for helping to improve access to dental care to underserved populations.

Before becoming a hygienist I earned a degree in Mathematics from the University of Vermont. After this I spent my summers operating a small landscaping business where I could be seen in my customers backyards crawling about under shrubs and being eaten alive by mosquitoes from dawn to dusk. During the winter I often traveled. I spent several months in Central and South America studying Spanish and living with local families.

I enjoy gardening, watercolor painting and have recently taken up ice hockey. I have been working at the Hardwick Dental Group for 5 years. I really love working here and enjoy my patients very much. If any of you are reading this, don’t forget to floss!

Diana Kapusta – Office Assistant/Insurance Benefits Coordinator

I’ve been with the Hardwick Dental Group for four years. I must admit that I had some hesitations about working in a dental office. I had experience working in a medical office environment but never in a dental office. Having some phobias of my own when it comes to dentistry I wasn’t sure I could do it. I think it took me less than two weeks to set the doubts free. It is a great place to be. In addition to the everyday responsibilities of keeping a very busy schedule “flowing” and addressing the needs of our patients, I work with insurance companies to ensure that our patients are able to utilize the dental benefits that they are entitled to. I was able to be actively involved in the renovation project and was amazed and excited to see the transformation happen right before my eyes

My family and I lived in Hardwick where I ran a day care for a few years. In 2000, I moved to Morrisville where my family and I have lived ever since. I have a son, Josh who is 20, a daughter Abby age 16 and a stepdaughter Holly age 23. I graduated from CCV in 2003 with an associate’s degree in Office Management and Secretarial. I enjoy gardening, reading, cooking and spending time with my family.

I enjoy working with everyone at the Hardwick Dental Group and truly feel part of something very special.

Philomena “Phil” Kemp – Registered Dental Assistant

I have lived in Vermont with my family for the past two years and in 2007 joined the team at Hardwick Dental Group. I have worked as a certified and expanded function dental assistant for over twenty years. I worked in hospitals under the residency programs and in that time experienced every aspect of dentistry including oral surgery, periodontal procedures, operating room assisting, intra oral photography, impression taking to name just a few.

I took several years off to live overseas in Asia and have traveled extensively in that region. I love to read, cook and travel and most recently I am trying my hand at gardening.

Rita G. Richardson – Practice Administrator

I have been the Practice Administrator for the Hardwick Dental Group for nearly 13 years. My only experience or knowledge of the “dental world” came from my personal experiences as a patient. Finding the need to work closer to home I willing accepted the position Dr. Richter offered me and the rest they say is history. I can honestly say it has been an experience. Coming from a very different professional background becoming part of a successful dental practice was like driving down an unfamiliar back road of Vermont, in the dead of the night with no lights on. I willing took on the challenges that present themselves each and every day and have not looked back. I am so grateful that I have been part of the ongoing success of such a wonderful practice. In addition to being surrounded by an awesome group of selfless, dedicated and professional people we have the absolute best patients.

I am proud to have grown up in this wonderful community. I graduated from Hazen Union School and in 1990 married my high school sweetheart. We live in Woodbury and have two great children. In my spare time I help my husband operate our landscaping business. I enjoy running, gardening, reading and spending time with family and friends.