Guest Instructors

David K. Chan, DMD, AAACD

Dr. Chan earned his DMD degree in 1989 from Oregon Health Sciences University. He maintains a full-time practice focused on cosmetic and comprehensive dentistry located in Ridgefield, Washington.

David is the Past President of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, as director at the Center for Dental Artistry and a Clinical Instructor at the Kois Center in Seattle, Washington.

He is an Accredited member of the AACD and has been published widely in peer reviewed dental articles, including several articles in the prestigious “Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry”.

In addition, David travels nationally/internationally giving lectures to dentists on comprehensive esthetic dental care and serves as a key opinion leader for many dental products companies.

Follow on Instagram: @david_k._chan

Marc Geissberger,DDS, MA

Dr. Geissberger graduated from the University of the Pacific in 1991 obtaining his dental degree and was elected to Omicron Kappa Upsilon as a student. He immediately returned to the school and has taught for 27 years, obtaining the rank of Full Professor. He obtained a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology from the University of the Pacific. From 2000-2015 he served as Department Chair of Restorative Dentistry. As he transitioned back into full-time practice, he became an Adjunct Clinical Professor in the Department of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry at the University of the Pacific from 2018 to 2021. He directed the University’s Aesthetic and Complex Care Clinic and teaches many hands-on CE courses in Restorative Dentistry. Dr. Geissberger has served as President of the National Chapter of Omicron Kappa. Dr. Geissberger has numerous publications including a textbook entitled Esthetic Dentistry in Clinical Practice for Wiley-Blackwell. He has presented nationally and internationally giving over 500 continuing education programs. Additionally, he is a Certified Personal Trainer. He maintains a private practice focusing on reconstructive and esthetic dentistry in Greenbrae, CA.

Follow on Instagram: @marindentist

Marcos Vargas, BDB, DDS, MS

Dr. Marcos Vargas attended Cayetano Heredia University School of Dentistry in Lima, Peru and graduated in 1985. He spent two years, 1990 to 1992, in the AEGD program at the Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, New York.  Dr. Vargas received his Certificate and Master Degree in Operative Dentistry in 1994 at the University of Iowa where he is currently a Professor in the Department of Family Dentistry. His primary research interests are in the area of dental materials including glass ionomers, dentin bonding, composite resins and esthetic dentistry. Dr. Vargas is also recognized for his expertise of Direct Restorative Treatment Procedures and conducts numerous lecture and hands-on seminars in the US and internationally. Dr. Marcos Vargas has published extensively in the area of dental adhesion and resin composites for over 25 years. He maintains a private practice limited to Operative Dentistry with an emphasis on esthetic dentistry.

Follow on Instagram: @marcosvargas999

Guest Instructors

Devin McClintock, DDS

Dr. Devin McClintock is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (2016), where she graduated with honors and a minor concentration in esthetics. After completing two years of General Practice Residency and a year as an associate in a private practice, she was one of a few residents selected to complete a two-year residency with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Currently, she is an owner at a private practice in Williamsburg,VA.

Follow on Instagram:@mcclintockdds

Bobby Nadeau, DDS, MSc Endodontics

Dr. Bobby Nadeau graduated with a DDS degree from Dalhousie University and earned a Master of Science in Endodontics from the University of Toronto. He has developed particular interests in Dynamic Navigation for Endodontics, Ergonomics in Microscope Dentistry, Restoratively Driven Endodontics and Clinical Decision Making. Dr. Nadeau is in full time private practice in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

Follow on Instagram:@nadeau.endos

Susan McMahon, DMD, AAACD, FAGD

Dr. McMahon enjoys one of the largest cosmetic dental practices in Western Pennsylvania. She is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and a Fellow of the prestigious American Society for Dental Aesthetics and a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry. An author and lecturer, Dr. McMahon has devoted her professional career to the pursuit of advanced technologies in cosmetic and minimally invasive dentistry. She is the Director of New Product Evaluation for Catapult Education. She frequently lectures across the United States on minimally invasive dentistry, technology and conservative cosmetics. She has been voted by her peers as a Top Pittsburgh Dentist every year for over 20 years.

Follow on Instagram:@smilesandthecity

Taras Konanec, DDS

Dr. Taras Konanec, DDS’97, co-owner of the Drummond Dental Group in downtown Montreal is in his 21st year of teaching as a part-time faculty lecturer at McGill University in the Department of Operative Dentistry, and in the Graduate Practice Management
Course. He is the 2018 recipient of the McGill Faculty of Dentistry’s Ralph Silverstone Teaching Award. Dr. Konanec’s passions lie in minimally invasive dentistry techniques and in microscope-enhanced dentistry. He focuses on the use of the Bioclear Method to restore anterior teeth and cast gold to restore posterior teeth. He practices daily using a dental operating microscope to enhance attention to detail. Dr. Konanec is a member of the Academy of Microscope Enhanced Dentistry, the Academy of R.V. Tucker Study Clubs, Spear Study Club, and the Academy of General Dentistry.

Ron Kaminer, DDS

Dr. Ron Kaminer is a 1990 graduate of the State of New York (SUNY) Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. He has always been passionate about technology and was one of the first 100 dentists in the USA to include a hard tissue dental laser into his practice. Over the years Dr. Kaminer has taught dental lasers, technology and minimally invasive dentistry to thousands of dentists worldwide. He sits on the Board of Catalpult Education, is a frequent contributor to Mentor magazine, sits of the editorial board of Dental Product Shopper and acts as a clinical consultant to numerous dental manufacturers. While doing all of the above, Dr. Kaminer practices full time in both his offices in Hewlett and Oceanside, NY focusing on minimally invasive and digital dentistry. He is a Fellow of The Academy of General Dentistry, member of The American Dental Association, and member of the Academy of Laser Dentistry.

Manfred Friedman, BDS, BChD

Dr. Manfred Friedman graduated from the University of Witwatersrand Johannesburg in 1971 and then obtained his B.Ch.D. Honours at the University of Pretoria in 1980. He immigrated to Canada in 1987 where he took up a full-time position at the University of Western Ontario and was appointed as Director of Dentistry at The Southwestern Regional Centre for developmentally Challenged Adults from 1987 to 1994. Dr. Friedman was also the Director of the Undergrad Endo Program from 1997 to 2002. He currently has a practice in London, ON restricting his practice to Endodontics, and is a major part-time Adjunct Professor at Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western where he directs the Endodontic Lab course as well as acts as a clinical instructor. Dr. Friedman has given numerous courses on Endodontics since joining dentistry at the University of Western Ontario, with particular interests in rotary instrumentation, endodontic materials, Apex locators, and restoring the endodontically treated tooth.

Chad Duplantis, DDS, FAGD

Dr. Duplantis received his D.D.S. degree from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Dental School in 1999. He continued with postdoctoral training at Baylor College of Dentistry, earning a certificate in Advanced Education in General Dentistry in 2000. He has also applied for, and been confirmed for his Fellowship degree from the Academy of General Dentistry this coming July. He has been in private practice since 2000 in the North Fort Worth, Texas area. In private practice, he treats all ages with an emphasis on restorative and aesthetic dentistry. Dr. Duplantis is a member of Catapult Educations Speakers Bureau and has been a member of several Aesthetic and Restorative Continuums, most recently the Spear Education Study Club. Dr. Duplantis has always had an interest in “high-tech” dentistry and has been incorporating CAD/CAM technology in his practice since 2004. Dr. Duplantis has also written several articles regarding digital dentistry for various dental publications. He has helped 3M and Glidewell on various projects regarding the scanner and mills and is a member of the panel of experts on the website TrueDefDoctors.com. Dr. Duplantis resides in Keller, Texas with his wife, Ellen, and his children, Austin and Ava. He is an avid cyclist, enjoys shooting sporting clays, and loves to be outdoors.

Rafael Bustamante, DDS

Dr. Bustamante graduated from the University of Lethbridge in 2000 with a degree in Biochemistry and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Alberta in 2004.  He adopted the use of the dental operating microscope in early 2005. He is certified in all levels, has completed the Master Track Accreditation and is on the Faculty at the Bioclear Learning Center. In a joint venture with CRD, he has supported the formation of the first Bioclear Study Club in Canada. He has participated in many virtual and live courses to clinicians from all over the continent introducing and teaching the Bioclear Method to them. 

He thrives on the quest for exactness in restorative dentistry and he feels most fulfilled when restoring teeth using the Bioclear Method or when performing either surgical or non-surgical endodontics. When he is not obsessing over tenths of a millimeter under the microscope, he is volunteering in the community, grilling anything over a roaring fire, reading a non-fiction book or enjoying a quiet evening with his wife and children.

Paresh Shah, DDS

Dr. Paresh Shah is an internationally renowned speaker and active member of several organizations including the Seattle Study Club and the AACD. He maintains a private practice in Winnipeg, MB and has a passion for comprehensive dentistry.

Nate Lawson, DMD, MA, PHD

Dr. Lawson is the Director of the Division of Biomaterials at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry and the program director of the Biomaterials residency program. He graduated from UAB School of Dentistry in 2011 and obtained his PhD in Biomedical Engineering in 2012. His research interests are the mechanical, optical, and biologic properties of dental materials and clinical evaluation of new dental materials. He was the 2016 recipient of the Stanford New Investigator Award and the 2017 3M Innovative Research Fellowship both from the American Dental Association. He served on the American Dental Association Council of Scientific Affairs and is on the editorial board of The Journal of Adhesive Dentistry and Compendium. He has lectured nationally and internationally on the subject of dental materials. He also works as  a general dentist in the UAB Faculty Practice.

Dimple Desai, DDS, AAACD

Dr. Dimple Desai is a Cosmetic Dentist practicing in Newport Beach, CA. She is the founder of Luminous Smiles - a boutique dental practice focusing on rejuvenating patient’s lives through their smile. Dr. Desai received her Doctorate in Dental surgery from the University of Southern California in 2008 and was selected to become a member of the national dental society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon. Dr. Desai returned to her Alma Mater in 2018 to serve as a Clinical Adjunct Professor until 2020. She has been recognized as a Top Dentist locally for four consecutive years and was recognized nationally as a Top 40 under 40 Dentist in 2020. Dr. Desai is a proud accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and has published numerous articles highlighting her patient cases in nationally circulated dental publications.

Reza Farshey, DMD

Dr. Reza Farshey received his bachelor’s degree in physics from McGill University, and his dental degree from Tufts University. He practiced as a general dentist for seven years, and then went on to complete the endodontic program at Boston University in 2007. He is a full-time clinician and partner at Chevy Chase Endodontics, a private practice in Washington DC, USA. Dr. Farshey is a US board-certified endodontist who has a passion for endodontic education. He was a clinical assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry for five years and has also authored two chapters in the endodontic textbook, “Current Therapy in Endodontics.” He is the Founder and CEO of BubblesEndo, an AI based tech start-up developing software to help dentists make accurate endodontic diagnoses.

Kerry Lepicek, RDH

Kerry Lepicek is an experienced dental hygienist with over 20 years of clinical practice. She works at Clinical Research Dental as a Clinical Specialist in Dental Hygiene and Education and part-time in a general practice. Kerry's expertise includes oral biofilm, halitosis, the oral-systemic connection, and the dental hygiene process of care. She is focused on educating patients and the dental profession on health and wellness. Kerry is involved in various dental organizations, including section editor for Women in Dentistry, on the Research Advisory Committee for the Ontario Dental Hygiene Association, and on the advisory board for AAOSH. She recently received the Distinguished Services Award from Ontario Dental Hygienists Association (ODHA) for outstanding contributions to the dental hygiene profession and the Association. Her practical advice will transform your practice and patients’ health.

Beth Parkes, RDH

Beth Parkes RDH, BSc is an engaging international speaker who has been a Registered Dental Hygienist for nearly 20 years. She has gained her clinical knowledge and skills through General and Independent Practice, Mobile Dental Hygiene, Orthodontics and Periodontics. Beyond her clinical experience, Beth is the Manager of Clinical Affairs for Curion, a writer, a board member for Dental Hygiene Quarterly, an rdhu speaker and a valued cast member of The RDH View. Her overarching goal is to cultivate future leaders within the Dental Hygiene Profession, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in their careers while helping their patients obtain and maintain optimal oral health.

Shannon Pace Brinker, CDA

Shannon Pace Brinker is a national and international speaker, published author and practicing dental assistant for over 30 years. She has published over 200 articles in regards to Clinical Application and taught thousands of dental assistants across the US and Canada. She has her own publication for dental assistants “From Our Side Of The Chair^®”. She has started one of the first online platforms designated for dental assistants called the Academy of Chairside Assisting^®.

Shannon and her team of dental assistant trainers have taught over 60,000 dental assistants over the last six years on clinical application for the dental assistant. Shannon has taught at the Nash Institute, Dawson Academy, and Spear Education, instructing through both lectures and hands-on programs. Shannon has a column in Dental Product Report for team evaluation of dental products and materials. Shannon has an impressive list of awards and accolades.

Chrissy Ford, RDH

Chrissy Ford is a registered dental hygienist, practice manager, speaker, published author, and the founder of both the Ford Dental Institute and the RDH Evolve Dental Hygiene Conference.  Chrissy is dedicated to helping dental teams integrate strong and profitable periodontal programs into their practices.  With over 23 years of experience in the dental field, Chrissy has developed successful continuing education and coaching programs that are designed to empower dental professionals and ignite passion in their careers. Her company offers a range of services, including online courses, hands-on workshops, and in-office private coaching. She is committed to advancing the profession through mentorship, education, and practical strategies for career and business success. Chrissy is an active member of the DHAA , ACDH and the CDHA. 

Dennis Marangos, DDS

Dr. Dennis Marangos graduated from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry in 1986. He completed a General Practice Residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto in 1987 and currently maintains a private practice in Toronto with emphasis on aesthetic, restorative dentistry and orthodontics.

He is the principal dentist at the Yorkville TMJ Centre, a practice that focuses on management of head, neck and TMJ related pain as well as obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. Dr. Marangos has lectured and presented hands-on workshops for many groups and study clubs on restorative dentistry, orthodontics, the management of TMD and craniofacial pain, direct and indirect restorative dentistry, biometrics, and occlusion.

David Clark, DDS

Dr. David Clark is the director of Bioclear Learning Centers International. He holds 36 patents internationally integral to the Bioclear Method and Bioclear Matrix System. Dr. Clark has developed the Bioclear Matrix System that promises a real advancement for placement of biologically appropriate, esthetically pleasing direct composite restorations for treating minimally invasive Class II preparations, diastema closure, and black triangle elimination combined with papilla regeneration, and traditional anterior composites.

He is a 1986 graduate of the University of Washington School of Dentistry and maintains a private practice in Tacoma, WA.

Bilal El-Masri

Dr. Bilal El-Masri is a graduate of Laval University and a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Bilal El-Masri focuses his practice on aesthetic dentistry and mucogingival surgery.

As the founder of Master Your Dentistry, he shares his passion for aesthetic and biomimetic dentistry, full-mouth rehabilitation, and mucogingival surgery through continuing education courses, study clubs, and educational content published across social media.

Manav Nayyar, BDS, MDS

 Dr. Nayyar is an Endodontist from India and a Certified General Dentist in Canada, with nearly 30 years of hands-on clinical experience and practices in Toronto for over 12 years.  He is known for his patient-centered approach, gentle techniques, and commitment to delivering predictable, high-quality outcomes.  Dr. Nayyar is also a passionate educator, where he shares practical, evidence-based techniques to help clinicians improve confidence and consistency in endodontic treatment.

Gordon Chee, DDS

Dr. Gordon Chee is a general dentist at Aesthetic Dental Studio, a boutique aesthetic dental practice in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, that focuses on aesthetic restorative dentistry and dental photography.  He is an international lecturer and teaches his own dental photography mentorship programs through Kre8 Photography and speaks and trains on the topics of dental photography, aesthetic restorative dentistry, and niche business strategies for Elevate Dentistry, the Seattle Study Club, the Aurum group and Course Karma. 

Melia Lewis, RDH

Melia Lewis is a dedicated clinical dental hygiene professional with a passion for advancing oral health education and patient care. Currently she practices at Aspen Heights Dental in Highland, UT and is an adjunct professor at Colorado Northwestern Community College. She is cofounder of Hygiene Edge, an online education platform full of helpful tips and tricks to make dental professionals' lives a little bit easier and owns and operates Acuti Sharpening, a dental hygiene instrument sharpening company.

Beyond her work as a dental hygienist and educator, Melia is committed to advancing the profession. Her innovative approach and dedication have earned her recognition as a leader in the field of dental hygiene. Reach out to her at melia@hygieneedge.com or on Instagram @hygieneedge and @meliardh.

Sally Kashani, DDS

Sally Kashani is a Doctor of Dental Surgery based in Toluca Lake, California, with extensive expertise in general, cosmetic, and implant dentistry. Her clinical experience includes implant treatment planning and placement, oral and periodontal surgery, restorative procedures, endodontics, and esthetic dentistry. Dr. Kashani has been practicing since 2007, including residency training at Veterans Affairs, Sepulveda, where she gained advanced experience in implant restorations, oral surgery, removable prosthodontics, and comprehensive operative dentistry. She has also worked in multiple private practices, leading teams and managing patient care across a range of clinical settings. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Kashani is a Key Opinion Leader and educator for Soft Tissue Management at Clinicians Choice. She has completed leadership training through the Landmark Education program and has held leadership roles during her academic career at UCLA School of Dentistry, including serving as Yearbook Editor and marketing representative. Dr. Kashani is Invisalign certified, a member of the ADA, CDA, and San Fernando Valley Dental Society.

Marie-France Roux, DMD

Dr. Marie-France Roux owns a private practice in Downtown Montreal. A 2002 graduate of University of Montreal she underwent a General Practice Residency at Seton Hall University prior to completing her occlusion training at The Dawson Center in Tampa Bay, FL. Dr. Roux holds Bioclear certifications in Core Posterior/Core Anterior & Advanced Anterior. Combining Invisalign and Bioclear Dr. Roux teaches The Bioclear Method to Canadian dentists.

Paritosh Amburle, DMD, MSD, CAGS

With a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine and a specialty certificate in Endodontics from the Boston University Endodontic Residency Program, Dr. Amburle has a strong foundation in endodontic treatment. His passion for the field stems from its technical challenges, advanced technology, and the opportunity to preserve natural teeth while alleviating pain.

Dr. Amburle has taught and mentored pre-doctoral students, lectured to dental professionals, and maintained a full-time clinical practice. He has held part-time teaching positions at Boston University and Marquette School of Dentistry at both the predoctoral and postdoctoral levels. His clinical expertise has been recognized through several awards. He is certified by the Royal College of Dentists of Canada and the American Board of Endodontics, and is an active member of the Canadian Dental Association, Ontario Dental Association, American Dental Association, American Association of Endodontists, and the Hamilton Academy of Dentistry.In his free time, Dr. Amburle enjoys traveling with his wife and two children, working out on his Peloton, and cooking.

Apolinar Madrigal, DDS

Apolinar Madrigal, DDS, is a general dentist who operates dental practices in both California and Mexico. He graduated with honors from the University of Salle School of Dentistry, Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico, where he earned his Doctorate of Dental Science. Since then, he has become a member of the faculty of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), as well as AAID/MaxiCourse (Asia). He is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, The California Dental Association and The Stanislaus Dental Society. Dr. Madrigal is an internationally recognized lecturer, who presents on myriad subjects including Implant Dentistry, Clinical Photography and Minimally Invasive Veneers throughout the United States, Mexico, Abu Dhabi, India, and Brazil. With a focus on cosmetic and minimally invasive dentistry, he believes that paying attention to the details is what separates good and great cases.

Rhodri Thomas, BDS

Rhodri Thomas, BDS, graduated with Honors from Cardiff University. His background as an artist spurred his love of aesthetic dentistry, and he now dedicates his work towards truly blending dentistry into nature with his clinical focus on advanced aesthetic restorative dentistry. An internationally renowned educator and multi-award-winning dentist, Rhodri lectures and teaches around the world on the subject of aesthetics, presenting at conferences, running private courses, and publishing articles in leading dental magazines. Recently, Rhodri has been teaching in Chicago, New York, Florida, London, Montreal, and Sweden. Rhodri has been the youngest speaker for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, a published author for the prestigious Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry, and has received a record-breaking six consecutive national awards.

Jennifer Bell, DDS, FAGD, FICD

Dr. Jennifer Bell earned her undergraduate and doctoral degrees at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Bell is an innovative and fresh voice in the world of dentistry. She brings a unique perspective on digital innovation, practice management, team building, and leadership development through an engaging and interactive style. Dr. Bell is also a frequent contributor to leading dental publications, speaks on a variety of relevant and timely topics, and co-hosts a popular, weekly dental industry podcast, Dentists in the Know. Dr. Bell is a graduate of the Kois Continuum and a fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry, Pierre Fauchard Academy and the International College of Dentists. Dr. Bell is active in the Academy of General Dentistry where she serves on the Dental Practice Council and as a National Spokesperson. She is also a Member in Process with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. She has served as an Advisor, Key Opinion Leader (KOL), or Educator for notable brands like Align Technology, Formlabs, and many more. She currently owns two practices in the Raleigh, NC area where she practices full time.

Jennifer Turner, RDH

Jennifer Turner, CEO of Hygiene Headquarters Inc., is a powerhouse in dental hygiene, transforming practices through strategic growth, clinical excellence, and patient-centered care. A two-time Dr. Bicuspid Award winner for “Educator of the Year” and recognized as one of the "10 Most Influential Healthcare Leaders to Watch," Jennifer’s impact is undeniable. With executive roles at 123Dentist, dentalcorp, the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario and the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association, along with a history of leadership, training and education, she is a sought-after expert and dynamic speaker. A true trailblazer, Jennifer elevates teams, drives innovation, and redefines success in dental hygiene.