2022 Digital Forum

Dr. Pick is CEO of The Pick Group, a practice management firm. He is also currently engaged in full time private practice of Periodontics, Implants and Oral Medicine in Aurora, Illinois. He is a member of the attending staff of Northwestern Memorial Hospital and a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at the Northwestern University’s Medical School. Dr. Pick has also been involved with the Jack Welch Business Management Institute.

Dr. Pick is recognized by Dentistry Today as one of the top 200 Leaders in Continuing Education and has won this honor all 20 years that the award has been given. He was the recipient of the 1998 Gordon J. Christensen Outstanding Lecturer Recognition Award. Dr. Pick is a Fellow in both the American and International College of Dentists, is a member of the O.K.U. Honors Dental Society and the Pierre Fauchard International Dental Honors Society. He won the 2014 Northwestern University Merit Award for outstanding achievement in a profession. It is the highest award given by the University. Dr. Pick is on the Advisory Board of the Journal, Dentist’s Money Digest, where he also writes a monthly article.

Dr. Michael Scherer is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Loma Linda University, a Clinical Instructor at University of Nevada – Las Vegas, and maintains a practice limited to prosthodontics and implant dentistry in Sonora, California. He is a fellow of the American College of Prosthodontists, has published articles, books, and in-person and online courses related to implant dentistry, clinical prosthodontics, and digital technology with a special emphasis on full-arch reconstruction. As an avid technology & computer hobbyist, Dr. Scherer’s involvement in digital implant dentistry has led him to develop and pioneer new approaches with 3D printing, CAD/CAM surgical systems, implement interactive CBCT implant planning, and outside of the box radiographic imaging and digital design concepts.

Dr. John Cranham is a highly respected and renowned Dentist in Chesapeake, Virginia. At his state-of-the-art office, within a general practice setting, he focuses on Cosmetic-Esthetic dentistry, Implant dentistry, TMJ/Facial Pain and solving complex problems with an interdisciplinary focus. He uses his vast experience and knowledge to create healthy, long lasting, comfortable, and natural-looking smiles.

He is an honors graduate and clinical instructor of Virginia Commonwealth University. In 2004 he began lecturing at The Dawson Academy, a world-famous teaching institute based in St. Petersburg, Florida, which led to the merging of Cranham Dental Seminars with The Dawson Academy in 2007. He became a 1/3 partner and its acting Clinical Director. He held that position until September 2020.

To date he has presented over 1500 full days of continuing education all over the world. Today his focus is on integrating sound occlusal, esthetic, and sound restorative principles into efficient digital workflows, and ultimately coaching doctors on how to integrate them into their practices. He does this under the new umbrella of Cranham Clinical Coaching.

Lee Culp, CDT is the CEO of Sculpture Studios, a dental laboratory, research and product development center for new and innovative diagnostic and restorative and digital applied applications to surgical and restorative dentistry.

He is the 2007 recipient of the Kenneth Rudd Award from the American Society of Prosthodontics, the 2007 recipient of the AACD Presidents Award for Excellence in Dental Education, as well as the 2003 recipient of the National Association of Dental Laboratories, Excellence in Education Award, and the 2013 American College of Prosthodontics-Dental Technician Leadership Award, and the 2014 Spectrum – Lifetime Achievement in Dentistry award. Lee is an avid writer, and had been a contributor to four dental text books, including a chapter in Dr. Peter Dawson’s book Functional Occlusion: From TMJ to Smile Design.

He is a leading resource/inventor for many of the materials, products, and techniques used in dentistry today, holds numerous patents for his ideas and products, and writes many articles per year. His writing, photography, and teaching style have brought him international recognition, as one of today’s most exciting lecturers and innovative artisans in the specialties of digital dentistry, dental ceramics and functional esthetics.

Jillian Swafford is a Dental Laboratory Entrepreneur. Jillian started her career in the lab industry after a 15 year career in General Dentistry. During her dentistry career she was an assistant, financial coordinator and office manager, those years were immersed in Platinum Circle Fortune Management training and top level Scheduling institute trainings. Her time spent in general dentistry gave her a different viewpoint on the importance of communication, motivation and leadership. Since opening the lab, Jillian has become a well-versed speaker, product creator, and sought after coach for in-office trainings. During this year the group she co-created Ladies of the Mill is hosting their first ever standalone summit to highlight female speakers in the industry and was recognized by LMT as a Top 40 under 40. Jillian loves God, her husband and children, and truly enjoys seeing others succeed and live their dreams.

Brandon Smith, CDT has been an Academy Trainer at 3Shape for 2 years, where he provides training for the company’s resellers and end users, lectures and helps support sales. Brandon is a certified dental technician specializing in Implants. He started working in a dental laboratory in 2007 and worked in the lab industry for 10 years. He then went to work for The Whip Mix Corporation for 2 years, which is a 3Shape reseller, doing technical support, training, R&D, and lecturing.

Gary is Vice President and Senior Consultant of SafeLink Consulting, Inc., a nationally recognized consulting firm located in Cumming, Georgia. SafeLink specializes in regulatory compliance consulting, including Quality Systems implementation, FDA, OSHA, and HIPAA compliance. A Certified Dental Technician, Gary began lecturing on health and safety in the dental field in 1989 and is an Authorized Trainer under OSHA’s Outreach Program. Gary is also a DAMAS consultant and auditor and is a Certified Quality Auditor by the American Society for Quality.

As a certified 3Shape and Roland trainer, Cory manages relationships with Asiga distributors in the United States. Before joining Asiga, Cory worked at Whip Mix as a CAD/CAM equipment & software training manager. He also worked for 2-years in his father’s dental laboratory, Heartland Dental Laboratory in Hillsdale Michigan as a 3Shape Cad/Cam Technician. Cory received his Bachelors of Science in Finance from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan.

Abeer helped Whip Mix establish a 3D print resin laboratory, and has led a team that developed all of the company’s print resins, one of which was the first FDA approved 3D Splint in the USA. “Our team has enabled Whip Mix to be at the leading edge of digital dental technology by designing and developing top-quality 3D dental resin products,” said Abeer.

Abeer’s main job is to lead her team to develop outstanding and safe resin formulas, ensure their compatibility with various 3D printing technologies, examine the safety and biocompatibility of products, and work closely with the regulatory team to ensure that the product is meeting all local and international regulations and guidelines. Also, she works with other departments throughout the organization, such as marketing, technical support, and production to assist in the manufacture and introduction of the products to our customers.

Outside of work, Abeer is a mother of two young boys. She enjoys yoga, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her kids and her friends.

Dr. Noemi Cruz-Orcutt has a full-time private practice in Mason City, Iowa with focus in Restorative, Cosmetic and Digital dentistry. She is a member of Cranham-Culp Digital Dental and has fully transitioned her dental practice to digital. Dr. Cruz-Orcutt earned her DDS degree from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and completed an AEGD at VCU School of Dentistry. Dr. Cruz is a member of the honor society Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) and a graduate of The Dawson Academy. She is also a member of the ADA, AGD, AACD, AACD, AACA, Seattle Study Club, Kois Center and Spear Education.

Dr. Chris Salierno is a general dentist from Long Island, New York. He graduated from Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine in 2005. Dr. Salierno has served as the National President of the American Student Dental Association, Chair of the ADA New Dentist Committee, and as President of his local dental society. He lectures internationally on clinical dentistry, practice management, and leadership development. His material can be viewed on his blog, The Curious Dentist. In 2017 he became a Chief Development Officer with the Cellerant Consulting Group. He was the Chief Editor of Dental Economics from 2014 to 2021. In 2021, he became the Chief Dental Officer at Tend.

BJ Kowalski is the President of ROE Dental Laboratory, a progressive full-service laboratory which have served dentistry for almost 100 years. ROE is proud to employee over 250 full time team members, its primary location is outside of Cleveland, with two additional satellite locations. ROE prides itself by leading dental technology through CAD/CAM investment and highly skilled staff, while remaining aware of the perils of early adoption. The laboratory has fully integrated all areas of production in a digital process. BJ is a graduate of Ohio Northern University and is an active student of dentistry, attending and presenting countless hours of CE annually. His education is furthered through membership in numerous study clubs, professional organizations, and advisory panels as well as his zest for advancing dental technology. The audience is sure to learn from both his accomplishments and mistakes.

After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Susquehanna University, Kristen’s passion for teeth and technology could not keep her away from the field. In addition to her schooling at Susquehanna, Kristen has also completed her class for dental assisting and has had extensive training in orthodontic digital software. When the opportunity came to go into business with her mom, Kristen seized it and now runs all the digital workflow.

Whitney is an EDDA, X-ray Technician, and is in the process of completing all 3 exams for her CDT. She started with a clinical background in clinic leading in pediatric, general & cosmetic dentistry, and transitioned into oral surgery and Digital CAD/CAM. She has lectured at Whip Mix’s Digital Dentistry Forum, LMT LabDay for 3Shape and Roland, trained individual offices in 3Shape DS and Trios. She has also lectured at the University of Kentucky’s COD EDDA program teaching fabrication of Temporary Restorations and Digital Dentistry. While employed there she also taught 3rd and 4th year Student Doctors in digital acquisition of records for surgical planning, and crown and bridge scanning. She spent 4 years total working in a clinic/lab setting where she specialized in full arch restorations from surgical & final records to product completion. Whitney is now a CAD/CAM Technician and Hybrid Department Manager at Midwest Dental Arts in Palm Bay, Florida where she oversees the milling processes on multiple CAM platforms and the Hybrid production process at MDA. Whitney works alongside the President and Owner of Midwest Dental Arts, Jamey Schropp.

Jim Collis has been a CDT and actively practicing laboratory technician for over forty years. He possesses a degree in Dental Technology from Triton College. He retired from his laboratory, Collis Prosthodontic Laboratory in 2016, He specialized in high-quality, removable prosthodontic appliances. The lab served a select clientele of dental offices in the north and west suburbs of Chicago. Jim has also previously served as an instructor in the Junior/Senior laboratory of Northwestern University Dental School for ten years. In that capacity, he presented numerous courses to the dental school students on prosthetics including advanced esthetics pertaining to removable prosthodontics, fixed work, and advanced attachment and implant techniques. He now works for Kulzer North America. Jim has been very active on the lecture circuit over the past sixteen years. He has presented lectures and hands-on clinics, accredited for Continuing Education hours, at various venues throughout the United States, Canada, Germany the UK, and Ukraine. Jim is also a visiting instructor at the Harvard Dental School of Medicine. He is a consultant and lecturer for several companies in the industry. Since 2013, he has served as Master of Ceremonies, featured lecturer, and moderator of the panel discussion for the Spectrum Day Removable Symposium in Chicago. He is an Advisory Board Member for Spectrum Dialogue and has written numerous articles on a wide variety of topics that have been published in Spectrum, as well as articles that have appeared in other industry publications. Jim also won the Educator of the Year award in our industry in 2017. In 2022 Jim was declared to be in the top twelve removable technicians in the world by Palmeri Publishing.

Ian O’Neill’s scope of experience ranges from the dental lab, technical support, and sales management. His broad range of knowledge allows him to assist DGSHAPE dealers and end-users in ensuring the best product experience. Understanding the complete digital workflow how to implement DGSHAPE’s milling technology properly is where he shines. Ian has been with the Roland/DGSHAPE team for two years and resides in Connecticut with his wife and two sons.

CIMsystem, an Italian software developer, was founded in 1999 with the singular goal of making the world’s best mechanical software.  In 2007 we stepped into dental manufacturing and quickly became the world leader in CAD/CAM solutions.  We support customers all over the world with cutting edge, effective, and customizable solutions.  Our US office is in Louisville, KY.  Eric Hall is the Commercial Director and is glad to help show you how MillBox, Pyramis, and Make&Mill softwares can set your lab apart.

Jimmy Stegall is a seasoned dental lab operations and management executive with over 40 years of teaching and clinical experience in the US and Canada. He is a published author and has assisted in research projects with dentists, universities, and manufacturers. After a successful 30+ year career helping build and lead a large dental lab in South Carolina, Jimmy is now a National Procedural Solutions Specialist for Dentsply Sirona where he has provided over 400 clinical and laboratory training & educational events. As a key opinion leader, teacher, and trainer, Jimmy has a demonstrated history of bringing relaxed, informative, results-oriented strategies and techniques to dental practices and labs throughout the US.

Rich Green is a Technical Sales Consultant for B&D Dental Technologies. He’s been in the industry for 30 years and has experience as a small lab owner, lead ceramist and line ceramist for production labs. With the advent of automation and the requirements as a result of the adoption of this new technology, Rich finds ways to leverage materials and marketing to help labs position themselves in a highly competitive marketplace.

Bryce Hiller has an Associate’s Degree in Information Sciences from Indiana-Wesleyan University and received his lab experience in his family lab, where he was instrumental in transitioning the lab from analog to digital. Originally a technician at Ford’s Dental Lab in Nelsonville, Ohio, he now specializes in 3Shape design, 3D printing, and milling. With a passion for helping labs and practices transition from analog to digital workflows, Bryce’s goal is to foster innovation and empower professionals in the dental industry with various CAD/CAM and digital manufacturing technologies.