Our Faculty
Comprised of some of the finest minds in Clinical Dentistry:
All of our instructors have logged countless hours using and educating clinicians on the latest trends in clinical dentistry. Whether you want to learn more about CEREC, placing or restoring implants, performing endodontics to the highest level or fine tuning your orthodontic skills, you will not find a more qualified and respected group of clinicians to guide you on your educational journey.
Sameer Puri
Vice President
Dr. Puri is the Vice President of CAD/CAM at our Scottsdale campus and is in charge of the website www.cdocs.com. He has been a CEREC® beta tester since 2005.
Mike Skramstad
Faculty
Dr. Skramstad is a 2000 graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. He is a certified advanced CEREC trainer and has lectured internationally on technology, implantology and digital dentistry.
Mark Fleming
Faculty & Magazine Editor
Dr. Fleming is a 1978 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. He serves as a consultant to a variety of dental manufacturers helping in product evaluation and design. Dr. Fleming has been a CEREC user since 2001 and a beta tester for the CEREC software since 2004.
Meena Barsoum
Faculty, D.M.D.
Dr. Meena Barsoum was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He completed his undergraduate degree at Kent State University, then continued to earn his Masters of Science Degree in Anatomy from Case Western Reserve University, also in Cleveland. Dr. Barsoum remained at Case to earn his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree 4 years later.
Farhad Boltchi
Faculty
Dr. Boltchi is a clinical assistant professor in the graduate periodontics program at Baylor College of Dentistry, and also maintains a full-time private practice in periodontics and dental implants in Arlington.
Darin O'Bryan
Faculty
Dr. Darin O'Bryan graduated in 1997 from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. He practiced in Minneapolis for 7 years in a large group practice before moving to the coast of Oregon. Dr. O'Bryan currently resides in Coos Bay/North Bend where he has a private focusing on implant and digital dentistry.
Diwakar Kinra
D.D.S.
Dr. Diwakar Kinra grew up in Flint, Michigan and attended Powers Catholic High School. He received his dental degree from the University of Michigan, School of Dentistry, in 1999. At that time he proceeded into private practice for the next 3 years.
Doug Smail
D.D.S.
Dr. Doug Smail is a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. He has been in private practice for over 25 years. Dr. Smail has lectured nationally on CBCT Reading and Guided Surgical Planning. He has done many dental mission trips to six different countries over more than 27 years.
Dan Butterman
D.D.S.
Dr. Dan Butterman is a 1994 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. He also Is a graduate of the Misch International Implant Institute and a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.
Don Tyndall
D.D.S., M.S.P.H., Ph.D., F.I.C.D.
Dr. Don Tyndall is Professor in the Department of Diagnostic Sciences at the UNC School of Dentistry and Director of Radiology. He received his D.D.S. in 1980 from the UNC School of Dentistry, his M.S.P.H. in 1984 and his Ph.D. in 1988 from the UNC School of Public Health.
Mark Ludlow
Dr. DMD
Dr. Mark Ludlow is the Section Head of Implant Dentistry, Digital Dentistry, and Removable Prosthodontics at the University of Utah School of Dentistry. He completed his DMD dental training at the University of Connecticut and received his MS in prosthodontics from the University of North Carolina. As a practicing and teaching prosthodontist, Dr. Ludlow's passion is in the development and integration of digital technology in the practice of everyday implant and restorative dentistry.
Heidi Kohltfarber
D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Dr. Heidi Bridget Kohltfarber is the owner and managing oral and maxillofacial radiologist for Dental Radiology Diagnostics and a Dentsply Sirona 3D trainer. In addition, she is an adjunct professor in the Department of Diagnostic Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Shalin Shah
DMD, MS
Dr. Shah maintains two active orthodontic practices in Princeton Junction, NJ and Lawrenceville, PA (Center for Orthodontic Excellence) and was previously serving as a Clinical Associate in the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Pennsylvania for nine years. He received his BA, DMD, Certificate in Orthodontics, and Masters of Science in Oral Biology from the University of Pennsylvania.
Tyler Rathburn
DMD
Dr. Tyler Rathburn is a proud graduate of the University of Virginia (GO HOOS!) where he earned a BA in Religious Studies in 2009. Dr. “Tyler” earned his DMD degree at the Medical College of Georgia (now Augusta University) in 2013 and his orthodontic certificate from MCG in 2015.
Shivi Gupta
DMD
Dr. Shivi Gupta owns a private practice in San Diego, California that is focused on CAD/CAM and CBCT technology. Over the course of her 19 years in practice, her passion for digital technology has led her to use CAD/CAM to its fullest potential for crowns and bridges, implants, smile designs and orthodontics.
Steven Hernandez
DDS
Dr. Hernandez has maintained a private practice in Nashville, TN since 2008. With over ten years of CEREC experience and eight utilizing CBCT, he has delivered thousands of restorations and utilizes cone-beam guided implant surgery to provide his patients the least invasive and most efficient procedures available.
Brian LeSage
DDS, FAACD
Brian P. LeSage, DDS, FAACD graduated magna cum laude with the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor Dental Society award from the University of Maryland, Baltimore College of Dental Surgery in 1983. He has actively integrated academic pursuits with private practice, first in Washington D.C., and now for 31 years in Beverly Hills, California, emphasizing esthetic and reconstructive dentistry.
Jonathan Ford
Dr.
Dr. Jonathan Ford graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine in 2007 with honors in Pharmacology and was awarded the National Board Achievement Award upon graduation. He practices full time at his private practice in Huntington Beach, CA where he offers his patients comprehensive care that includes screening and treating patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
Matthew Chesler
DDS
Dr. Matthew Chesler is a native of Wayzata, Minnesota, near the Twin Cities. After high school, he left the “frozen tundra” behind for sunnier days in Southern California, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at UCSD and then moved on to USC School of Dentistry for his DDS degree in 2004. During his studies he received an AAE faculty award for excellence in Endodontics.
CDOCS GO Faculty
Michelle Strange
RDH
Michelle has over two decades of dental expertise, beginning with a Bachelor’s of Health Science from the Medical University of South Carolina and a Master’s in Dental Hygiene Education from the University of Bridgeport. Michelle continues to invest in ongoing education, gaining relevant certifications such as her Certificate in Dental Infection Prevention and Control.
Dani Huntsman
Dental Assistant
Ms. Dani Huntsman started her dental career as a Dental Technician in 2003. She started assisting in 2006 then became a Registered Dental Assistant in 2009 in Dallas, TX. She moved to Colorado in 2016 and continued practicing clinical assisting as well as performing hands on training workshops. She now resides in Leawood, Kansas where she handles all the CAD/CAM cases. Dani has primarily focused on Implant and CAD/CAM dentistry, training doctors and assistants in advanced CEREC technology, digital implant planning, surgery and restoration. She is a KOL speaker for Dentsply Sirona.
Kyle Stanley
Dr. Kyle Stanley, named "The Next Generation of Cosmetic Dentistry" by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, “The Top 10 Young Educators in Dentistry” by the Seattle Study Club, and "World's Top 100 Doctors in Dentistry" graduated from USC and then went on to complete a dental implant residency and dental implant specialty in Brazil.
Julian Conejo
DDS, MSc
Dr. Conejo is the Clinical CAD/CAM Director at the Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia PA, USA. He conducts research and has multiple publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals on CAD/CAM technology, prosthodontics and implant dentistry.
Susan Prater
DMD
She attended the University of Georgia from 2001-2005 and graduated from the Medical College of Georgia in 2009. Dr. Prater devotes her time to providing the highest-quality care for patients of all backgrounds.
Juergen Lagenbach
Dr. Langenbach was introduced to Digital Dentistry in 1989 while in dental school in Mainz, Germany. His
school was one of the test sites of the new technology called CEREC.
Louis Malmacher
Dr. Louis Malcmacher is a practicing facial esthetic dentist in Cleveland, Ohio and an internationally known lecturer and author, known for his comprehensive and entertaining style.
Todd Snyder
DDS
Dr. Todd Snyder received his doctorate from the UCLA School of Dentistry and trained at the F.A.C.E. institute. He is the 77Th Accredited Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, a Member of the American Society for Dental Aesthetics, a Diplomat of the American Board of Aesthetic Dentistry, and a member of Catapult Education.
Brian LeSage
DDS, FAACD
Brian P. LeSage, DDS, FAACD graduated magna cum laude with the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor Dental Society award from the University of Maryland, Baltimore College of Dental Surgery in 1983. He has actively integrated academic pursuits with private practice, first in Washington D.C., and now for 31 years in Beverly Hills, California, emphasizing esthetic and reconstructive dentistry.
Amy Morgan
Ms. Morgan joined Spear in 2018 as Vice President of Consulting Strategy. For more than 25 years as a consultant and trainer, and as former CEO of Pride Institute — a nationally acclaimed, practice management consulting company — she and her teams have revitalized thousands of dental practices using management systems proven to help dentists become more secure, efficient and profitable.
Jim McKee
Jim McKee is in private practice in Downers Grove, Illinois. Jim has a restoratively based practice with an emphasis on occlusion and temporomandibular joint disorders.
Chris Farrugia
DDS, DABOSB
Dr. Chris P. Farrugia is a nationally recognized speaker, teacher, and leader in digital dentistry and in medical billing by dental practices. Dr. Farrugia practices digital restorative dentistry, TMD, and dental sleep medicine in Destin, Florida utilizing advanced technologies such as digital imaging, CAD/CAM, CT, and 3D printing to provide comprehensive, high quality care.
Tim Anderson
Dr.
Dr. Tim Anderson is the owner and founder of Missouri River Dental, a start up practice in Bismarck, ND. After receiving his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, he went on to complete his general practice residency at Hennepin County Medical Center (Level 1 Trauma Center) in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Nurcan Luther
Dental Assistant
Mrs. Nurcan Luther is a clinical orthodontic assistant at COE Smiles.
Jonathan Ford
Dr.
Dr. Jonathan Ford graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine in 2007 with honors in Pharmacology and was awarded the National Board Achievement Award upon graduation. He practices full time at his private practice in Huntington Beach, CA where he offers his patients comprehensive care that includes screening and treating patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
Jack Goldberg
DDS, MS
Dr. Jack Goldberg received his DDS degree from the UNITEC University of Mexico City; he then received a certificate in Advanced Prosthodontics, as well as a Master of Science from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, additionally he obtained a fellowship in implant dentistry from the University of Louisville in Kentucky.
Joe Griffin
DDS
Dr. Joe Griffin, DDS, is dental practitioner Corner Stone Dental Arts, Knoxville TN. He completed his undergraduate degree from The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from UT-Memphis, graduating with honors. Dr.Griffin is also as a faculty member of the Midwest Implant Institute and director of MII Tennessee
Machell Houdson
RDH, FAAOSH
Machell Hudson, RDH, FAAOSH is the founder and CEO of Integrative Dental Coaching. She is a proud and passionate fellow and member of the prestigious board for The American Academy for Oral and Systemic Health.
Robert Lang
Dr.
Dr. Lang Graduated from SUNY Buffalo in 1983. Prior to studying at Dental School, he attended SUNY Buffalo undergraduate and majored in Biology. He has been in private practice for over 38 years in Hamlin, NY. Since he began practicing dentistry, Dr. Lang has remained up to date on many continuing educational classes, ensuring that his patients receive the most comprehensive and advanced dental care.
Dean DeLuke
DDS, MBA
Dr. Dean M DeLuke is a graduate of St Michael’s College (B.A.), Columbia University (D.D.S.), and Clarkson University (M.B.A.). He completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery training at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, and a fellowship at East Grinstead Hospital in Sussex, England. Dr. DeLuke is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and a Fellow of the American and the International College of Dentists.
Mark Ludlow
Dr. DMD
Dr. Mark Ludlow is the Section Head of Implant Dentistry, Digital Dentistry, and Removable Prosthodontics at the University of Utah School of Dentistry. He completed his DMD dental training at the University of Connecticut and received his MS in prosthodontics from the University of North Carolina. As a practicing and teaching prosthodontist, Dr. Ludlow's passion is in the development and integration of digital technology in the practice of everyday implant and restorative dentistry.
Renee Marks
RDH, MS, C-AOMT
Renee Marks brings over 30 years of experience in clinical dental hygiene and teaching to her lectures. She currently serves as a practice management consultant and periodontal clinical educator for Marnee Management LLC, a consulting company she founded in July 2010. Serving as a practice consultant, lecturer, and consultant educator for Mercer Advisors, she co-authored and was a presenter at the Scottsdale Center for Dentistry for the “Building the Ideal Practice” continuum.
Antonino Secchi
DMD, MS
Dr. Secchi maintains a private practice in Devon, PA. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and member of the Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists. Dr. Secchi received his DMD, Certificate in Orthodontics, and a Master of Science in Oral Biology from the University of Pennsylvania, same institution where he taught for over 10 years holding the position of Clinical Assistant Professor and Clinical Director of the Department of Orthodontics.
Lynne Thomas
DDS
Lynne Thomas, DDS has actively built upon her knowledge gained at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry throughout her career. By joining and participating in high-echelon study groups and organizations; such as becoming a Fellow with the Academy of General Dentistry and an accreditation candidate with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Thomas added solid building blocks to an expanding knowledge base.
Dr. Thomas has achieved mastery in the use of digital technology with her eye on the future ensuring relevance in the present.
Matthew Chesler
DDS
Dr. Matthew Chesler is a native of Wayzata, Minnesota, near the Twin Cities. After high school, he left the “frozen tundra” behind for sunnier days in Southern California, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at UCSD and then moved on to USC School of Dentistry for his DDS degree in 2004. During his studies he received an AAE faculty award for excellence in Endodontics.
