Druann Andrecht, RDH, a graduate of Caruth School of Dental Hygiene, Baylor University College of Dentistry, has had an exciting and varied career within the discipline of dentistry which has included over 3 decades of clinical hygiene.  In 1997 as a result of work related injuries she became a Dental Hygiene Coordinator for 3 different general practices, was a Dental Hygiene Educator for Ora Pharma from 2001 through 2004, served as the Director of Development and Outreach for the 501c3 non-profit Children’s Dental Health Association of San Diego, and is currently an employee of the University of California, San Diego, Division of Child Development and Community Outreach, Department of Pediatrics working as a Community Health Educator for the contract with San Diego County’s Dental Health Initiative/Share the Care program.  Her experience within Public Health has included developing presentations on the integral role of oral health in achieving total health for trainings for organizations involved with pregnant women and children, especially the 0-5 ages, trainings for the medical community that promote oral health risk assessments and application of fluoride varnish within the primary care provider’s setting, a training “Handling Dental Emergencies” for pre-school, school and sporting venues, as well as presentations for the San Diego County dental community on meth mouth, H1N1 updates, STDs, Tuberculosis and the importance of nutrition through her association as Past President and current Bulletin Editor for San Diego County Dental Hygienists’ Society. This speaker is presenting at the following course: How to Implement a Community-Based Oral Health Program

Kimberly Krust Bray, RDH, MS,  is currently a Professor and Director for the Division of Dental Hygiene at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. Kim currently teaches in three degree programs including 2 degrees with distance learning options. She has 24 years clinical experience in both general and periodontal practice with research interests in patient adherence, alternative learning strategies and product efficacy. This speaker is presenting at the following course: Why Won't Our Patients Follow Our Advice: How to Achieve Stainable Behavior Change to Improve Oral Health

Maureen Capone, EdD, RDH, is an assistant professor of Dental Hygiene at Farmingdale Sate College, Farmingdale, NY.  She is currently the director of oral health education and community oral health outreach.  In addition, she teaches clinically to both freshman and sophomore dental hygiene students. This speaker is presenting at the following course: Fostering Critical Thinking

Timothy J. Caruso, PT, MBA, MS, Cert. MDT, CEAS, is a practicing Physical Therapist who has focused his professional expertise in the area of manual therapy and orthopedics, specifically neuromusculoskeletal disorders. He has been credentialed in mechanical diagnosis and therapy from the McKenzie Institute USA.   He continues with direct patient care at Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Chicago and Community Physical Therapy, a private physical therapy practice. Dr. Caruso has worked extensively with dental profession since 1988 in the areas of ergonomics, injury prevention, productivity, exercise and wellness.  He has an ongoing interest in assessing musculoskeletal pain on dental professionals and creative prevention strategies.He is very involved in seating and positioning for children and adults with special needs.  In doing so, he has co-founded, and is president of, the Kids Equipment Network Childrens Charity providing medical equipment for children with special needs who have little or no funding.  The Charity has helped over 200 children in the Chicagoland area since its inception.  He is a Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist and chairs the Ergonomics Committee at Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Chicago.  He works with the Osteogensis Imperfecta Foundation as a speaker and consultant.  He is a member of the American Dental Association’s Ergonomic and Disability Support Advisory Committee. This speaker is presenting at the following course: Survival of the Fittest...Get on the Ball!

Amy Coplen, RDH, MS,  is an assistant professor at Pacific University in Hillsboro, Oregon.  After teaming with faculty from the University of Michigan and leaders accross the country to design these web-based case studies,  Amy presented the HEALth simulations at the 2009 American Dental Educator’s Association annual meeting.  In addition, several of the cases have been accepted for publication through MedEd Portal.  She currently uses HEALth online case studies in the radiology and periodontology courses at Pacific University. This speaker is presenting at the following course: HEALth (Health Education Through Active Learning): Web-based Virtual Patient Simulations

Milton Cox, PhD, is a member of Miami University’s Center for the Enhancement of Learning, Teaching, and University Assessment, which he founded and directed in various formats for 30 years. His areas of expertise include evidence-based teaching and learning, faculty and professional learning communities, the scholarship of teaching and learning, teaching and learning centers, student cognitive-intellectual development, active/student-centered learning, and communities of practice. He founded and directs the annual International Lilly Conference on College Teaching, now in its 30th year, and is founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal on Excellence in College Teaching and the Learning Communities Journal.  This speaker is presenting at the following course: A Dr. Linda DeVore Lecture: Evidence-Based Teaching and Learning and the Role of Communities of Practice

Jodi Deming, RDH,  is a national and international educator, clinician (Full Time), and lecturer.  She has presented over a 150 lectures and workshops on advanced integration of ultrasonic and hand instrumentation.   She is nationally recognized as an expert in endoscope and ultrasonic instrumentation. Outside of clinical practice as a clinical research associate she has been involved with therapeutic product development and the effect on dental biofilms.  Jodi is passionate about non-surgical therapy, root morphology, and the results of thorough periodontal debridement.  This speaker is presenting at the following courses: The Power to Be Your Best – How to Leverage Ultrasonic Technologies for Maximum Results and From Files to Furcas: Take Your Hand Instrumentation Foundation & Technique to the Next Level

Mike Dietrich, Electrical Engineer, has worked in the Research and Development Department for DENTSPLY Professional for the last 10 years.  Mike started his career with DENTSPLY as an Associate Engineer on the Cavitron Product line. During Mike’s time in the DENTSPLY R&D Department he has helped develop multiple new products and line extensions, including the Cavitron Plus, Cavitron Jet Plus and Select SPS Ultrasonic Scalers.  Mike currently works on developing new Cavitron Products in addition to MidWest Products; he also oversees the Cavitron OEM Business line of integrated Cavitron Scalers for Dental Chairs.  This speaker is presenting at the following course: Ultrasonic Scaling:  Translating Technology into Practice

Timothy Donley,  DDS,  MSD,  is currently in the private practice of Periodontics and Implantology in Bowling Green, KY. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame
and Georgetown University School of Dentistry he then returned to Indiana University where he received his Masters Degree in Periodontics. He lectures and publishes internationally
on topics of interest to clinical dentists and hygienists.  This speaker is presenting at the following course: Risk Based Periodontics: It's Time to Get Rid of the Cleaning Lady Image and  Ultrasonic Scaling: Translating Technology into Practice

Kathy Eklund, RDH, MHP,  is the Director of Infection Control and Occupational Health, and Research Subject and Patient Safety Advocate at the Forsyth Institute in Boston, Massachusetts.   She is an adjunct associate professor at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene, where she teaches senior level courses in oral health research.Ms. Eklund volunteers and works with a number of professional organizations. She is a past Chair of the Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures (OSAP) and served as Secretary of the OSAP Foundation.  She serves as faculty for the New England AIDS Education and Training Center (NEAETC) and HIVdent.org.  Ms. Eklund has provided regional HIV education and training to dental and primary health care providers through a funded education and training grant from NEAETC for the past 17 years.  Over the past twenty  years Ms. Eklund has served on  several committees for the  American Dental Hygienists Association (ADHA),  most recently the Clinical Practice Guideline Task Force.  Ms. Eklund has received several national professional recognition awards.   This speaker is presenting at the following course: Your Infection Control Program - Developing and Implementing Best Practices

Ann Eshenaur Spolarich is a Clinical Associate Professor and Associate Director of the National Center for Dental Hygiene Research at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California; an Adjunct Associate Professor and Course Director of Clinical Medicine and Pharmacology at the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health, and a Clinical Instructor on the Dean’s Faculty at the University of Maryland Dental School.  Ann is also an independent educational and research consult, and practices dental hygiene part-time, specializing in geriatrics. This speaker is presenting at the following course: Grant Writing for the Novice Dental Hygiene Investigator

Jane L. Forrest, RDH, EdD, serves as the Section Chair of Behavioral Sciences within the Dental Public Health and Pediatric Dentistry Division at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California.  She also serves as Director for the National Center for Dental Hygiene Research and Practice, and has received several funding awards from HRSA and the ADHA involving different research designs.  Dr. Forrest teaches the Research Methodology course to dental hygiene students and to dental residents, with the focus of the course on developing a research protocol.  1 sentence short bio for Official Program:  Dr. Jane L. Forrest serves as the Director for the National Center for Dental Hygiene Research & Practice and has received several funding awards from HRSA and the ADHA involving different research designs.  This speaker is presenting at the following course: Grant Writing for the Novice Dental Hygiene Investigator

Debi Gerger, RDH, MPH
Debi Gerger, RDH, MPH has a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene and Master of Public Health degree in Health Promotion and Education from Loma Linda University and is currently working on her dissertation for a Doctoral of Management degree in Organizational Leadership. Her professional experiences include clinician, educator, facilitator, author, corporate consultant, business owner, associate editor of the California Dental Hygienists’ Association Journal, and she is currently the Dean of Dental Hygiene at West Coast University. This speaker is presenting at the following course: Implementing CAMBRA Made Simple

Renee’ Graham, RDH, MEd,  is the Southeast Clinical Educator for DENTSPLY Professional. Renee’ received a dental hygiene degree from Darton College and both a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Education degree from Valdosta State University. Renee’ brings 19 years of clinical experience in general and periodontal practices and 11 years of academic experience to the Division. For the past ten years, she has held the position of Director of Dental Programs at Valdosta Technical College in Valdosta, Georgia. Renee’ has served as a site visitor for the Commission on Dental Accreditation since 2003 and has been very active with regional testing agencies, the Georgia Dental Hygiene Educators Association, and dental hygiene/ dental assisting curriculum development for the State of Georgia.  This speaker is presenting at the following course: Ultrasonic Scaling:  Translating Technology into Practice

Ellen Grimes, RDH, MA, MPA, Ed.D is the Program Director at the Vermont Technical College where she has taught in the Dental Hygiene Department since 1984. Her areas of expertise are the Dental Sciences, Medical Emergencies, Oral Pathology, Clinical Dental Hygiene and the Administration of Local Anesthetics.  She was the recipient of the 2001 University of Vemront Kroepsch Maurice Award for teaching excellence. This speaker is presenting at the following course: Medical Emergencies:  Essentials for the Dental Professional

JoAnn R. Gurenlian, RDH, PhD, is a past president of the ADHA and current president-elect of the International Federation of Dental Hygienists. She is an adjunct instructor at Burlington County College and Montgomery County College, and graduate program faculty at Idaho State University. A breast cancer survivor herself, JoAnn advocates for improving the oral health of those individuals undergoing cancer therapy. This speaker is presenting at the following course: Providing Care for Women with Cancer: An Update for the Dental Hygienist

Steven L. Howard, DDS, DDS, MS, has received his Dental Degree (1982) from Northwestern University Dental School, Certificate in Periodontics (1990) and Master of Science Degree (1991) from Loyola University Dental School. At graduation from dental school he received several awards honors, including O.K.U. Dental Honor Society, Clive J. Hadlow Award (Crown and Bridge), Quintessence Publishing Company Award (Periodontics/Prosthetics), and the Eugene J. Hoag Award (Periodontics). Dr. Howard is currently engaged in private practice performing all phases of dentistry in Albuquerque, New Mexico and has completed several multidisciplinary reconstructive patients. He has also served as a faculty member of Northwestern University Dental School in Prosthetics (Removable and Fixed) 1982-1985 and as a Post-graduate Periodontics at Northwestern University Dental School in 1992.  As a presenter, Dr. Howard has presented programs/lectures regarding several topics, which include Implant Dentistry, Hard and Soft Tissue Grafting, Periodontal and Restorative Relationships, Reconstructive Dentistry, Fixed and Removable Prosthetics, and Periodontics. As Dr. Howard is a full time practitioner, his presentations are largely clinically focused.This speaker is presenting at the following course: The Periodontal/Restorative Relationship: A Patient Centered Approach

Michelle Hurlbutt, RDH, MSDH
Michelle Hurlbutt, RDH, MSDH is an assistant professor of dental hygiene at Loma Linda University and director for the online BSDH degree completion program.  Her career has included private practice, public health, corporate, consulting, association leadership, dental hygiene education and editor of the CDHA Journal.  Michelle currently teaches a variety of courses including nutrition, etiology and management of dental caries, and research as well as practices weekly in a dental office which embraces CAMBRA principles. She is the 2010-2011 co-chair of the Western CAMBRA Coalition. This speaker is presenting at the following course: Implementing CAMBRA Made Simple

Beverly Isman, RDH, MPH is a dental public health consultant in Davis, California. In addition to serving as the Cooperative Agreement Manager for the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors, she consults to other national and local organizations on grantwriting, program development and evaluation; writes and edits online and print materials and manuals such as the Healthy People 2010 Oral Health Toolkit; and in the past has worked extensively with community-based programs for young children, children and adults with special health care needs, migrant families, elders, and homeless families.  Previously she was a Public Health Advisor with the Indian Health Service, Portland Area Office; Director of the Division of Dental Health, Maine Bureau of Health; and Associate Professor in Applied Dentistry at the University of Colorado School of Dentistry  This speaker is presenting at the following course: Why Care About the Healthy People Initiative? Applying HP 2020 to Your Practice Setting

Robert Isman, DMD, MPH, is a consultant to the California Department of Health Care Services in the unit that administers California’s Medicaid dental program, where he is involved in a variety of activities related to administration of this program, including efforts to increase access to dental services for Medi-Cal beneficiaries, utilization monitoring, quality assurance, and liaison with public health programs inside and outside the Department. Dr. Isman was previously the California State Dental Director for 10 years and is a past President of the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors, past Chair of the Oral Health Section of the American Public Health Association, founder and past Chair of the Oral Health Section of the California Public Health Association--North, the first dentist in the U.S. to be selected as a Pew Fellow for Health Services Research, a founding member of the Center for Oral Health and a founding member and Past Chairperson of the Medicaid/SCHIP Dental Association. Most of Dr. Isman’s professional career and interest have been devoted to increasing access to dental care for vulnerable populations. 
  This speaker is presenting at the following course: Why Care About the Healthy People Initiative? Applying HP 2020 to Your Practice Setting

Carol Jahn, RDH, MS has been a dental hygienist for 28 years with 14 years as a clinician. Currently, she is Senior Professional Relations Manager for Water Pik, Inc, She has published more than 75 papers and has contributed to 7 textbooks.  This speaker is presenting at the following courses: Coaching Patients to Optimal Interdental Health and But I'm Not Good with Computers!  Electronic Communication for Beginners

Lynn A. Johnson, PhD,  is an education and learning technology specialist with extensive experience in developing and evaluating innovative educational programs and technologies that support dental education.  Dr. Johnson has focused her work in four areas:  (1) interactive patient simulations, (2) the assessment of clinical problem-solving skills, (3) innovative uses of technology for the instruction and evaluation of oral health care providers, and (4) the evaluation of the merit and worth of instructional products and methodologies.  Her research in learning technologies has received continuous support from NIH and NSF grants for over 15 years including being the principal investigator on two NIH grants. Her current learning technology activities are collaborative projects on cognitive simulations, podcasting and digital asset management systems. In addition to publishing 20 peer-reviewed learning technology projects, Dr. Johnson has published over 40 peer-reviewed manuscripts investigating and evaluating learning technologies.  This speaker is presenting at the following course: HEALth (Health Education Through Active Learning): Web-based Virtual Patient Simulations

Wendy Kerschbaum, RDH, MA, MPH is the director of Dental Hygiene at the University of Michigan and teaches in the entry-level, online degree completion, and graduate dental hygiene programs.  She facilitated the integration of “virtual” genetic case studies into the dental hygiene curriculum.  As part of ADHA, she served on the ADHP Curriculum Task Force, chaired the Council on Education for three years, and co-chaired the ADHA/ADEA Working Group to develop core competencies for graduate dental hygiene education. This speaker is presenting at the following course: HEALth (Health Education Through Active Learning): Web-based Virtual Patient Simulations

Kevin Lint, Senior Technical Manger, has worked in the Research and Development Department for DENTSPLY Professional for the last 14 years.  Kevin started his career with DENTSPLY as a Senior Electrical Engineer on the Cavitron Product line. During Kevin’s time in the DENTSPLY R&D Department he has helped develop multiple new products and line extensions, including the Cavitron OEM G90 and G98A, Cavitron Prophy Jet, Cavitron Select, Cavitron Select with SPS, Cavitron Bobcat Pro, Cavitron Plus, Cavitron Jet Plus, Cavitron Diamond Coat insert, Soft Tip insert, and Thinsert insert. Kevin currently works on developing new Cavitron Products in addition to MidWest Products. This speaker is presenting at the following course: Ultrasonic Scaling:  Translating Technology into Practice

Connie Lorich, RDH, BS,  is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Science following completion of Dental Hygiene studies. She has over 10 years of clinical experience in prosthodontics, implants, and periodontal care.  Connie was employed in marketing, education, and sales for 7 years in dental pharmaceuticals; as well as research and education at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.  She has over 10 years of clinical experience in prosthodontics, implants, and periodontal care.  Following 3 years as President of the Buffalo Dental Hygiene Association, Connie served as President of the New York State Dental Hygienists’ Association for 2 years.  Current appointments include: University at Buffalo Continuing Dental Education Committee, Erie Community College Dental Hygiene Advisory Board, Dimensions of Dental Hygiene Corporate Council, RDH Magazine Editorial Board, and Academy of General Dentistry Speaker certification. Currently she is employed as Associate Manager Professional Communications at Ivoclar Vivadent North America. This speaker is presenting at the following course: Varnishes: Who, What, When, Where, Why and How?

Stacy McCauley,RDH, MS  with almost 20 years in dentistry, has had career experiences in both private practice, and as a former faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Stacy now manages the e-Learning department at Philips Sonicare, while keeping a robust speaking schedule throughout the U.S. as well as internationally.    She is committed to providing engaging evidence-based content combined with a twist of lively humor and practical how-to’s. This speaker is presenting at the following course: Oh Baby! The Essential ABC’s of Infant and Preschool Patient Care for Every Practice

Craig S. Miller, DMD, MS is a Professor of Oral Medicine, Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics at the University of Kentucky, College of Dentistry and College of Medicine, and is the University Provost Distinguished Service Professor.  He has served as President of the American Academy of Oral Medicine and the Oral Medicine & Pathology Group in the American Association of Dental Research, and currently serves as Editor of the Oral Medicine Section of Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology and Endodontology, as well as a consultant to the National Institutes of Health.  His research and scholarly activities have resulted in more than 200 scientific articles, textbook chapters, and monographs in the areas of oral infections, dental management and oral manifestations of systemic disease, and dental pharmacology, and he is well known from the three textbooks he has co-authored:  the Color Atlas of Common Oral Diseases, Oral Diagnosis, Oral Medicine and Treatment Planning, and Dental Management of the Medically Compromised Patient. This speaker is presenting at the following course: Common and Uncommon Oral Diseases: Do You See What I See? Part I & Part II

Christine M. Palumbo, MBA, RD is an award-winning trend-spotting dietitian who pens the Good Sense Eating column for Chicago Parent magazine, a contributing editor for Environmental Nutrition newsletter, and a former columnist for Allure magazine.
In addition to her private practice in suburban Chicago, Christine is an adjunct faculty member at Benedictine University and a frequent speaker to healthcare and corporate wellness audiences.Between 2006 and 2009, she was a member of the American Dietetic Association Board of Directors.   This speaker is presenting at the following course: Does This Study Make Me Look Fat? Hot Topics and Trends in Nutrition

Sherry Paxson, RDH, Graduated from the University of Oklahoma, in 1987.  Began hygiene career with the Indian Health Service in Oklahoma, and became the first Bachelor degree hygienist to be commissioned in the US Public Health Service in 1991.  Worked in Oklahoma, Idaho, and New Mexico as a Health Promotion / Disease Prevention Officer for the Indian Health Service.  Received an Alternative Teaching License in Secondary Education in 2006, taught seventh grade biology.  Currently is the First Year Coordinator at the San Juan College Dental Hygiene Program.  This speaker is presenting at the following course: Injecting Humor Into Dental Hygiene Education

Adam Persky, PhD,  received his PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Florida. He joined the faculty of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2004 and is currently the Interim Director for the Center for Educational Excellence in Pharmacy. He has given seminars and workshops on teaching and learning at the local and national levels.  This speaker is presenting at the following course: A Linda DeVore Lecture: Evidence-Based Teaching: Studies Directly Related to Student Learning

Robert Pick, DDS, MS, FACD, FICD, received his Dental Degree (1980), Certificate of Residency in Periodontics (1982) and his Master of Science Degree (1982) all from Northwestern University Dental School.  At graduation he received the Outstanding Student Award in Periodontics from the American Academy of Periodontology. Dr. Pick is currently engaged in full time private practice of Periodontics and Implants in Chicago and Naperville, Illinois.  He is also a member of the attending staff of Northwestern Memorial Hospital and a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at Northwestern University Medical School.  Dr. Pick is a Fellow in both the American and International College of Dentists. This speaker is presenting at the following course: The Periodontal/Restorative Relationship: A Patient Centered Approach

Josalyn Sewell, RDH,  is the Immediate Past President for the New Mexico Dental Hygienists’ Association. She is a clinician in private practice, and adjunct faculty for San Juan Community College in Farmington, NM where she teaches Tooth Morphology and is a special-needs clinic coordinator. She has a passion for teaching and believes that with the right tools and the right attitude anything is possible! This speaker is presenting at the following course: Your Future Within Your Reach: Your Guide to Alternative Career Opportunities

Doreen Smeltzer, RDH, MA. Ed., is a Clinical Educator for DENTSPLY Professional covering the Midwest Region of the U.S. She came to DENTSPLY with 21 years of clinical expertise and 10 years experience as a Dental Hygiene Educator.  She is a graduate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine holding a certification as a Dental Assistant and a registered Dental Hygienist.  She received her bachelor’s degree from Edinboro University in education and a master’s degree from National Louis University in adult education.  She also serves as an active Dental Hygiene Consulting Examiner for the North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners. Doreen has developed and presented educational programs to dental and dental hygiene students, professional associations, dental societies and study clubs both nationally and internationally.  Her focus is to provide dental professionals with current scientific research and information to assist them in implementing effective and efficient evidence based treatment protocols in their clinical practice   This speaker is presenting at the following course: Ultrasonic Scaling:  Translating Technology into Practice

Gwen Smukowski, RDH, BS, is the Founder of Continuity Consulting, an educator and consultant for an international dental awareness firm, a national speaker, as well as clinical hygienist in private practice. Gwen maintains her focus on the development and expansion toward excellence in periodontal care and aesthetic/restorative team support. This focus on excellence has taken her worldwide as an instructor and speaker on the subjects of laser-assisted periodontal health, practice management, leadership development, integrated marketing and team based comprehensive dentistry. This speaker is presenting at the following course: Why is it Time to Incorporate Salivary Diagnostics into You Practice

Adele  Spencer, RDH, MS,  is an  Associate Professor and full time faculty member in the Department of Dental Hygiene at Farmingdale State College, Farmingdale New York for eighteen years.  She is the Coordinator of Freshman  Clinic I and II. Teaching expertise include: Dental Hygiene Theory and Cultural Diversity in healthcare. This speaker is presenting at the following course: Fostering Critical Thinking

Nancy Starr, RDH, MPH,  received her Master’s degree in Public Health in 1999 and became a registered dental hygienist in 2004.  Her experience includes: organizing free sealant clinics for children, creating policy change among schools, working with the foster care system to increase awareness of oral health, and teaching at the local hygiene school.   She currently works as a clinical hygienist in private practice and as an educator for the San Diego County Dental Health Initiative/Share the Care This speaker is presenting at the following course: How to Implement a Community-Based Oral Health Program

Doug Thompson, DDS, is a practicing general dentist in the Detroit area with over thirty years of dental experience and has earned the distinction of Clinical Instructor to the Kois Center in Seattle Washington.  Dr. Thompson is the founder of Impact Dental Solutions, a company focused on assisting dentists with implementation strategies to put knowledge to work in their daily practices.  Among other topics, he coaches risk assessment treatment planning, digital photography, and systems to transform traditional hygiene services into value added experiences of personalized periodontal medicine.This speaker is presenting at the following course: Why It's Time to Incorporate Salivary Diagnostics into Your Practice

Bethany Valachi, PT, MS, CEAS is a physical therapist, dental ergonomic consultant and author of the book, “Practice Dentistry Pain-Free”. She is CEO of Posturedontics®, a company that provides research-based dental ergonomic education, and clinical instructor of ergonomics at OHSU School of Dentistry in Portland, Oregon.  Bethany has developed dental ergonomic and exercise DVDs specifically for dental professionals and offers free articles and dental ergonomic education. This speaker is presenting at the following course: Dental Hygiene Shouldn't Be a Pain in the Neck!

Peggy Yamagata RDH, MEd., a University of Washington graduate, career has included private practice, education and public health allowing her an opportunity work with individuals as well as the community at large.  Having lectured at the local, state and national level she has received several honors including recognitions from the American Dental and Dental Hygiene Associations for her work in access to dental care including the ADHA’s Excellence in Dental Hygiene Award.  For the last 16 years she has served as program manager for the San Diego County Dental Health Initiative/Share the Care, a public /private collaboration that educates and trains medical/dental providers as well as staff from community based organizations in addition to coordinating over 400 volunteer dental professionals that provide emergency and preventive care for children with no other resources. This speaker is presenting at the following course: How to Implement a Community-Based Oral Health Program

Plenary Session Speakers

Colette Carlson, M.A. is a funny and exciting Human Behavior Expert and author who motivates thousands worldwide revealing the power of Speaking Your Truth! Only by telling the truth on herself, combined with her hunger for personal development, was she able to overcome her own fears and addictions that kept her 50 lbs. overweight and making underwhelming choices.

Whether she’s opening for Suze Orman in a crowd of 3500, being featured in Success Magazine, or speaking in house at Fortune 100 companies to include Microsoft, Boeing, PepsiCo and Cisco, Colette brings her wit and wisdom to every program. After applying the strategies she now teaches, she was able to leave the security of a monthly paycheck as an administrative assistant, step into the realm of commission-only sales for legends Tom Hopkins and Brian Tracy, and become a National Sales Trainer for a major corporation. In the midst of raising her two daughters, Colette went back to night school to earn her Masters in Human Behavior which certainly helps now that they’re teenagers!

Taylor Hicks, Alabama’s favorite son, made television history when audiences made that evening’s American Idol finale one of the most watched television progams of the decade. It was an emotionally uplifting night when 36.4 million viewers tuned in and 63 million votes were cast to name Hicks the Season 5 winner of American Idol. It was Hicks’ stage that evening and the applause has continued since, with his loyal following of fans cementing Hicks as one of America’s favorite artists.

Since winning American Idol, Hicks debut album went RIAA certified platinum; he has performed with the likes of Willie Nelson, Snoop Dog, Gladys Knight, Earth Wind and Fire and The Allman Brothers; appeared in concerts worldwide and penned a brisk-selling Random House autobiography; “Heart Full of Soul”.