Dr. Simone Ellis
Dr. Simone Ellis stands as a pillar in her community, renowned for her genuine smile and pragmatic insights into the realm of dentistry. As the proprietor of Smile Design Studios in Missouri City, Texas for over a decade, Dr. Ellis has become a venerated figure in cosmetic dentistry, aligned therapy, and practice management.
Originally from Kansas City, Kansas, she pursued her higher education at Xavier University of Louisiana, followed by a Doctorate of Dental Medicine from Rutgers University’s School of Dentistry. Her academic journey has set a foundation for her to make impactful contributions to her field.
A dynamo in her profession, Dr. Ellis co-created the Smile Design Society, aiming to equip dentists with the necessary tools for triumph. She’s also held pivotal roles in the Houston Minority Dental Society, and maintains active membership in prominent dental associations. Her expertise has placed her on the Board of Educators for a dental assisting school and as a clinical evaluator for The Clinician’s Report.
Her peers describe her as knowledgeable and dependable, while her patients and community regard her as heartfelt and a local hero, respectively. Dr. Ellis’s passion for service shines through her volunteer work with the Houston Make a Wish Foundation and the ADA’s Give Kids a Smile Day.
Notably, her practice extends beyond dental care to include significant community outreach, offering free healthcare services and mentorship programs for aspiring dental professionals. Smile Design Studios also embodies the spirit of giving during the holiday season, supporting families with necessities.
Recognized by her peers and lauded for her community and professional contributions, Dr. Ellis’s accolades include features in Incisal Edge Magazine and the Reason to Believe Award from her hometown school district. Her seminars and training program, “You’ve Graduated Now What?”, exemplify her dedication to mentoring dental professionals.
A proud alumnus of Alpha Kappa Alpha and an active participant in its chapters, Dr. Ellis also enjoys life with her two Yorkie companions. Whether through her speaking engagements or practice, she continues to inspire and enact positive change in the lives of many.
Dr. Dontra Scott
Board Certified Endodontist
Dr. Dontra Scott is currently a Board Certified Endodontist and a partner of Heights Endodontics in Houston, Texas. He attended the University of Maryland, College Park where he received a Bachelor of Science in 2006. Dr. Scott continued to pursue his education in the field of dentistry at Howard University College of Dentistry in Washington, D.C. earning a Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 2010. Dr. Scott moved to New York City after dental school and served as chief resident at the Bronx Lebanon Hospital (BronxCare Health System) residency program . During his time in the south Bronx he provided access to quality health care for the underserved in the community. While attending the hospital based residency program Scott was exposed to and gained an appreciation for the treatment of emergent dental needs including pain, infection, and trauma. After two years in general practice residency he was accepted into the Advanced Education Program in Endodontics at New York University. While at NYU he was able to provide care for the diverse population of New York City and around the world. Dr. Scott participated in outreach programs with Henry Schien that afforded him the opportunity to educate and provide endodontic care for underprivileged populations in Puebla, Mexico and Granada, Nicaragua. Scott was awarded a Specialty Certificate in Endodontics from NYU in 2014. Scott has served on multiple committees for the American Association of Endodontists. He is an active member of the American Dental Association, National Dental Association, Texas Dental Association as well as the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Endodontics.
Elijah Desmond, RDH
Dental Pitch Brokerage Co-Founder, CO- CEO
Elijah Desmond is a seasoned dental entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and two-time bestselling author. With seven successful company exits, Elijah’s experience spans building and scaling businesses, optimizing practice value, and guiding professionals through transitions. His book, Serial Entrepreneur: From Startup to Success, is a comprehensive guide on launching and growing businesses with confidence, offering practical strategies from his own journey.
Elijah has transformed dental education through his innovative ventures, including Smiles at Sea and The Dental Festival, creating dynamic learning experiences. His community, Trapped in an Op, supports 25,000 dental professionals seeking alternative career paths beyond clinical roles. Known for blending education and fun, Elijah delivers impactful courses that empower professionals to unlock maximum value in their practices and navigate successful sales independently.
Elijah’s hands-on approach combines motivational insight and proven strategies, equipping dental professionals with the tools to maximize profitability, secure favorable terms, and align post-sale roles with long-term goals.
Adrian Lefler
CEO of My Social Practice
Adrian Lefler, CEO of My Social Practice, is a seasoned expert in the dental marketing industry with 15 years of experience. He is widely recognized for his engaging and informative presentations. Based in Suncrest, Utah, Adrian shares his life with his wife, four children, and a lively mix of pets. My Social Practice is a leading dental marketing company, and Adrian is passionate about helping dental professionals succeed in this dynamic field.
Harrison Thompson
Harrison Thompson is a passionate therapist and relationship consultant who has mastered the complex art of helping people where they are.
As a cognitive behavioral therapist, Harrison has been counseling and assisting singles and couples for over 11 years in the Bahamas, where he was born.
He is widely known for his edgy viral videos on all matters associated with relationships, dating, and inspiration. These videos later awarded him a Bahamian Icon award as the People’s Choice Icon of the Year in 2016.
Harrison has worked with a multitude of government branches, organizations, colleges, universities, churches, and corporate businesses alike. He and his beautiful wife, Brittany Thompson, and daughter Halley-Rose love to travel, vlog, and celebrate life together.
Katrina Klein RDH
Katrina Klein RDH, CEAS, CPT has been a practicing registered dental hygienist since 2007. She is recognized as an international speaker, author, competitive bodybuilder, certified personal trainer, certified ergonomic assessment specialist and biomechanics nerd. She is the founder of ErgoFitLife, where ergonomics and fitness are a lifestyle. She takes pride in teaching the dental professional how to prevent, reduce and/or eliminate pain. She can be reached at www.ergofitlife.com.
Dr. Trevor J. Thomas
Dr. Trevor J. Thomas currently resides and practices General Dentistry in the Los Angeles and Inland Empire areas of California. He operates three multi-disciplinary practices with a strong emphasis on cosmetic,implant, and full mouth rehab dentistry.
Keeping up with the times, he also posts educational and informative content on social media. He co-founded Reseau Docteur (IG: @ReseauDocteur), the largest global network for minorities in healthcare professions. The program hosts yearly mission trips, mentoring programs, socialization events, and minority achievements. He is also founder of Delta Mu Chi Fraternity, Inc. (founded 2014 at Howard University). It’s the only fraternity globally supporting minority males in Dental, Medicine, and Pharmacy doctoral programs. Their duties are similar to those with Reseau Docteur; with a strong emphasis on local community service initiatives and healthcare advocacy in “our” communities. He has worked with many notable figures such as Sexyy Red, Neyo, Chief Keef, Migos, Bobby Schmurda, Tyga, Chrisean Rock, and tons more in the arts, entertainment, and sports industries. He will be the star and Co-Executive Producer of the upcoming Zues Network show Smile: LA. Though branded as a “Celebrity Dentist,” Dr. Thomas’ goal is to use his platform to spread awareness to the mouth-body connection and how many systemic issues faced in underrepresented communities start in the mouth. Appealing to the emotional and psychological aspect of a patient’s smile is what makes “dentistry his ministry.”
In his spare time, Dr. Thomas enjoys researching new developments in his field, mentoring kids in the community, writing poetry, and creating social media content. He believes dentistry is his path to living a “servant’s life.” Interpersonal relationship development and community involvement are essential to the foundation of his career model.
Dr. Anissa Holmes
Dr. Anissa Holmes has made a name for herself as a leading expert in EBITDA growth and online education. Dr. Holmes holds a Fellowship with the Dental Speaking Institute and has received invitations to keynote at events like AACD and contribute to publications like Dental Economics. At the helm of Delivering WOW Dental Education, Dr. Holmes and her team help dental practices achieve exponential growth through team transformation, leadership, effective case presentation, schedule and systems optimization, and high-return marketing implementation. She is also the co-founder of Digital Floss Agency and Dentalflix, the premier online education platform for top-level training for independent and group practices.
Dr. Jared Williams
Dr. Jared Williams is a highly skilled general dentist with over a decade of experience specializing in IV sedation, oral surgery, and implantology. Known for his dedication to quality, compassion, and patient-centric care, he received his DDS from Meharry Medical College and completed a GPR at the University of Pennsylvania-Veteran Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Williams values the significant role mentorship plays in pursuing excellence in dentistry and other fields, which inspired him to develop “The JW Method” for coaching dentists. Through this initiative, he offers educational social media content, continuing education-accredited courses, concierge dental surgery services, and specialized training in 3rd molar surgery for general practitioners. Dr. Williams is committed to mentoring and coaching dentists globally. He serves as a consultant, author, and educator at UT Health School of Dentistry AEGD/GPR in Houston and as the vice president of DARKCon. Beyond his professional life, he is a devoted husband to Dr. Teju Williams and a proud father to Zuri Williams. His mission is to help the world “Smile After Surgery!”
Dr. Dar Radfar
Dr. Dar Radfar, better known as Dr. Rad, is an international speaker on Sleep Apnea/Snoring, Low Level Laser Therapy, Marketing, Medical Billing and much more! A practicing dentist of 22 years, he has a passion for speaking that includes personal development and strategies that help anyone manifest the life of their dreams! Winner of Dentistry’s Got Talent at Dykema and the Best Facebook and Instagram influencer award, Dr. Rad. humbly captivates any audience he speaks to.
Laura Nelson
Laura Nelson is a dynamic speaker, educator, and industry innovator with over 20 years of experience in the dental field. As the founder of Front Office Rocks, she has revolutionized training for dental teams, providing practical tools and strategies to improve office efficiency, patient care, and overall team success. Laura is also the author of three impactful books — Step Away from the Drill, Hiring Without Hesitation, and The Inclusive Event Planner — which offer actionable insights into building strong teams, improving dental practices, and creating inclusive, effective events.
In addition to her work with Front Office Rocks, Laura serves as an AADOM Mastermind Coach, where she empowers office managers to step into their roles as exceptional leaders. Through coaching and collaboration, Laura helps office managers develop critical leadership skills, improve communication, and align their teams with practice goals, ensuring the entire practice thrives under their guidance.
As the founder of Brush Up on AI, Laura is helping dental professionals navigate the fast-evolving world of artificial intelligence. Her passion lies in preparing teams to embrace AI technology in practical ways, enabling them to streamline workflows, improve decision-making, and work smarter—not harder—while maintaining the human touch that defines exceptional patient care.
Laura is also the co-founder of Sober Life Rocks, an initiative focused on normalizing sober choices at industry events. Through her efforts, Laura is creating inclusive spaces and advocating for wellness and balance in professional settings.
Laura’s dedication to innovation, leadership, and inclusivity has cemented her reputation as a leading voice in the dental industry.
Ashley Mack
Ashley Mack is the founder of Mack Consulting Group and a leading voice in dental practice growth, with over 16 years of experience in the industry. She specializes in transforming underperforming practices by implementing systems that drive production, streamline efficiency, and improve case acceptance.
Ashley’s unique approach to case acceptance stems from firsthand experience, starting her career in a struggling practice generating only $30k a month, she helped turn it into a $250k/month success through strategic systems and team training. Today, she works with practices nationwide, helping financial coordinators master the art of closing cases through her signature Case Acceptance Bootcamp, a 10-week intensive sales and communication training program.
With a background in Business Management and a PMP certification, Ashley blends leadership, operations, and communication strategy to help practices not just grow, but thrive. She’s passionate about helping dental teams build confidence, improve patient relationships, and hit their goals with consistency.
When she’s not coaching dental teams, Ashley is a proud mom, a self-proclaimed foodie, and loves spontaneous weekend getaways.
Connect with her on Instagram @mackdentalconsulting or visit mackdentalconsulting.com.
Dr. Ashla Martin
Dr. Ashla Martin is a board-certified pediatric dentist, international speaker, and founder of Kids@Heart Pediatric Dentistry in Texas. Known for her infectious energy and unforgettable delivery, she transforms clinical content into captivating experiences that educate, inspire, and entertain. Attendees leave her sessions ready to transform their practices, reignite their purpose, and serve with heart.
Whether speaking to dental professionals, students, or families, Dr. Ashla brings a signature blend of faith, fun, and fearless storytelling to every stage. As a certified member of the John Maxwell Leadership Team, she infuses her presentations with powerful leadership principles-empowering dental practices to lead with clarity, confidence, and compassion.
With over 17 years of clinical expertise and a heart for community outreach, she is a trusted pediatric prevention and practice growth authority. She has trained providers nationwide on how to arrest decay, align with families, and advance outcomes—all while building joy-filled, profitable practices. Her content is evidence-based and experience-driven.
She is also a proud Louisiana native and graduate of Xavier University and the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry. Dr. Ashla completed a general practice residency and pediatric residency at Louisiana State University, where she became proficient in oral and IV sedation and hospital dentistry. She is a Fellow of the International College of Dentists and the American College of Dentists—prestigious honors held by fewer than 5% of U.S. dentists.
Dr. Ashla is the founder of Dentists@Heart, a faith-based mentorship, and the STEAM pipeline program that guides students from elementary school to college toward dental careers. Her global outreach includes service in Ethiopia and Nicaragua, and she partners locally with nonprofits and the WNBA’s Dallas Wings. She is also committed to building confident smiles and servant-hearted professionals. Her vision is simple: Inspire confident, healthy smiles—one heart, one child, and one community at a time.
Dr. Bethany Valachi
Dr. Bethany Valachi, PT, DPT, MS, CEAS is author of the book, “Practice Dentistry Pain-Free”, clinical instructor of ergonomics at OHSU School of Dentistry in Portland, OR and is recognized internationally as an expert in dental ergonomics. Bethany is founder and CEO of Posturedontics®, a company that provides research-based dental ergonomic education. For over 20 years, Dr. Valachi has helped thousands of dental professionals prevent pain and extend their careers with her ground-breaking dental ergonomic education. She has published more than 80 articles in dental journals and offers online dental ergonomic CE courses on her website at www.posturedontics.com.
Miladinov Milos
Miladinov Milos is a distinguished dental technician and internationally recognized speaker with over two decades of experience in digital dentistry, dental photography, and laboratory education. Born in Timisoara, Romania, Milos represents a unique blend of Eastern European expertise and global innovation.
He is the co-owner of Dental Lab Miami LLC and founder of SC DENTALTECH SRL and SC UGLYTOOTH TRAINING CENTER SRL, where he combines cutting-edge techniques with hands-on training. Milos is also an accomplished educator and a passionate dental photographer, known for blending artistry with science in every aspect of his work.
Milos is a key opinion leader and ambassador for top industry brands including Ivoclar Vivadent, Medit, Shera, GC, DentalFab, LeafDental, UpCera, Renfert, Exocad, 3Shape, and many more. His influence spans continents, having lectured at prestigious events and institutions such as ESCD, EADD, AACD, FACD, AIOP, AEEDC, and others.
Fluent in English and Serbian/Croatian, and conversational in Spanish, Italian, and German, Milos brings a multicultural approach to his global engagements. His work has been featured in numerous publications including Dental Dialogue, Reflect Magazine, Labline Magazine, JCD, and IJFD.
Whether on stage or in the lab, Milos continues to inspire innovation, elevate dental education, and champion digital excellence around the world.
Dr. Trudy-Ann Frazer
Dr. Trudy-Ann is a board-certified pediatric dentist originally from Lucea, Jamaica who practices in Atlanta, Georgia. She is an international speaker renowned for her skillful combination of chair-side dental care and educational leadership, particularly in teaching dental professionals how to treat children in the dental setting with ease, teaching dental professionals how to overcome burnout, and lecturing dental students in preparation for the National Dental Board Examination. Dr. Trudy-Ann is honored to be the Host and Master of Ceremony for the American Dental Association’s 2024 National Smilecon Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Driven by her own defining moments, including overcoming professional dissatisfaction and burnout, Dr. Trudy-Ann is committed to fostering resilience and self-empowerment among dental professional women. Her goal is to guide them towards a life of balance and self-worth. She passionately leads a wellness podcast series “Not Just A…Dentist” and a wellness retreat company, where she advocates for a holistic approach to health encapsulated in her ‘PMS Formula’ that integrates physical, mental, and spiritual well-being for dental professionals. Actively seeking collaborations with brands and influencers who resonate with her holistic health philosophy, she aims to build a supportive community.
Dr. Brooke Fukuoka
Dr. Brooke is a passionate speaker whose primary focus is improving oral health for patients who have special healthcare needs and geriatric patients who live in long-term care. She has practiced in a diverse array of settings and has built programs to help expand access to care for her patients. In her part time practice, Your Special Smiles PLLC, she practices portable dentistry, hospital dentistry, teledentistry and most importantly has developed a professionally aided home hygiene program in two long-term care facilities.
She also works full time with a Federally Qualified Health Center, Family Health Services of Idaho where she has developed their Advanced Delivery Dental Clinic for patients who have special healthcare needs. She is active in organized dentistry and enjoys working with diverse groups of people. Her high-energy and fast-paced courses can be catered to any group regardless of size or education level. She strives to create a fun, yet educational, interactive environment where learners gain knowledge and experiences they can immediately implement into practice.
Dr. Marvin R. Smith
Dr. Marvin R. Smith is an esteemed clinical pharmacist, health systems expert, and internationally recognized leader in pharmaceutical policy and supply-chain management. With over two decades of experience spanning clinical, administrative, and legislative roles, Dr. Smith has served as Director of Pharmacy Services for the Public Hospitals Authority in the Bahamas and has held numerous leadership positions including President of the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists and President of the Bahamas Pharmaceutical Association.
Dr. Smith’s expertise includes formulary management, regulatory compliance, counterfeit drug prevention, controlled substance governance, and digital health transformation. He has represented the Bahamas on global platforms such as the Organization of American States (OAS), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and COPOLAD.
As a dynamic educator and mentor, Dr. Smith has served as a clinical preceptor to doctoral pharmacy students from institutions across the Caribbean and the United States. He is a frequent presenter at regional and international conferences, sharing insights on medication safety, procurement optimization, and leadership in pharmacy practice.
Dr. Smith holds a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from Mercer University and has received multiple awards, including the Caribbean Pharmacist Primus Award and Mercer University’s Distinguished Young Alumnus Award. His work continues to shape pharmaceutical care and policy across the Caribbean region.
Dr.Kathryn Alderman
Dr. Kathryn Alderman is the founder and CEO of Intelligent Care Alliance, with over 20 years of experience in dentistry and business leadership. She has successfully launched and scaled multiple dental startups and led seasoned practices to greater profitability and operational excellence.
Kathryn is also a pioneer in AI innovation for dentistry, leading the creation of tools like Yekaterin AI and the Quantum Dental AI ecosystem. Known for her strategic vision and execution, she blends real-world dental experience with modern technology to drive AI transformation.
Briean Clark
Briean Clark is the Founder and Coach of Pivotal Solutions and during her two decades in dentistry, she crafted a unique method for discussing diagnosis and treatment with patients. After successfully applying her case presentation techniques to thousands of treatment plans, Briean now works diligently to share her message to impact dental practices throughout the country. Her journey from dental assistant to administrative team, to practice management, to overseeing operations has allowed her to gain extensive knowledge with relevant information to teach what works in every patient conversation.
In addition to being an accomplished speaker and coach, Briean’s passion and excitement for dentistry is passed on to her attendees to fuel their learning. You will be equipped with information that allows you to take action on what you learn and enjoy a fun and engaging learning environment.
Briean is a proud Fellow of the American Association of Dental Office Management (AADOM) and a member of the AADOM Speaker/Consultant Alliance, as well as an active member of Dental Entrepreneur Women (DeW), an active member of the Dental Speaker Institute (DSI), and still holds her EFDA license.
Dr. Jim Dufty
Dr Jim Dufty is a Dentist whose practice is limited to Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, based in the West Midlands UK. He works mainly in private practice taking referrals for the assessment and management of periodontitis & peri-implantitis, treatment with dental implants and for combined restorative and orthodontic cases. His main interests are in the surgical treatment of periodontitis and the treatment of peri-implantitis.
Dr Dufty also works in the Periodontics Department at Birmingham Dental Hospital and lectures and supervises postgraduate students on the King’s College London distance learning programmes for the MClinDent in Fixed & Removable Prosthodontics and for the MSc in Aesthetic Dentistry. He also lectures on behalf of the Academy of Dental Excellence. He spent the formative part of his career in the British Army as a Dental Officer in the Royal Army Dental Corps.
Dr. Ankur A Gupta
Ankur A Gupta, DDS, after completing a one-year GPR in Cleveland, started a practice from scratch in 2005. Armed with what he considered adequate dental knowledge, hand skills, and a personable demeanor, he watched as his practice floundered, finances became un-predictable, and his lower back and spirit toward his profession became worrisome. Rather than continue the trend, he made a guinea pig out of his office, family, and self, attempting any and all personal and professional “experiments” in self-improvement.
More than a decade later, he enjoys an excellent practice, a solution oriented dental team; and most importantly, a meaningful and positive identity. He happily shares the failures and successes with dental and community groups throughout the country, always ending his presentations with practical, implementable, step-by-step ways to be better.
Dr. Gupta graduated from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 2004. In 2005, after completing a one-year General Practice Residency in Cleveland, Ohio, he and his wife Dr. Nisha Gupta started North Ridgeville Family Dentistry. In addition to founding North Ridgeville Family Dentistry, Dr. Gupta is a member of the American Dental Association, Greater Cleveland Dental Society, Ohio Dental Association, ADA Success Speaker Corp and an active board member and a speaker for Catapult Education’s Speaker Bureau.
Dr. Kevin Dapaah BDS, BEng (Hons)
Principal Dentist & Clinical Director, The Dental Spa London
Dr. Kevin Dapaah is an award-winning cosmetic and restorative dentist based in London, known for his ability to create natural, confident smiles through a truly integrative approach to dental care. As Principal Dentist and Clinical Director at both The Dental Spa London and Dove Dental & Wellbeing Spa, he brings together the disciplines of orthodontics, periodontics, restorative dentistry, and prosthodontics to deliver comprehensive, bespoke treatment plans tailored to the individual.
Dr. Dapaah is particularly passionate about digital smile design and facially driven aesthetics, using advanced digital workflows to plan treatments that not only enhance the smile but harmonise with each patient’s facial features, personality, and goals. His approach places the patient at the heart of the process —
from visualising outcomes to co-designing their smile journey, making the experience both collaborative and empowering.
He has a strong clinical focus on clear aligner therapy, porcelain veneers, composite bonding, and managing gummy smiles with an emphasis on achieving aesthetic results that are as functional as they are beautiful. His work is defined by subtle, detail-driven refinements that produce impactful yet natural-looking outcomes.
Dr. Dapaah obtained his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) from Plymouth Peninsula Dental School and a BEng (Hons) in Dental Materials Science from Queen Mary University of London. He began his career with hospital posts in Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, Paediatrics, and Restorative Dentistry at Kingston and St. George’s Hospitals. He now works exclusively in private practice and is currently pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Dental Implantology.
At this year’s conference, Dr. Dapaah will share his insights on digital smile design and how integrating multiple disciplines of dentistry with digital technology can create a cohesive, modern approach that delivers the ultimate “wow factor” for patients.