Authors

A - Z

Z - A

Recent : The Practice Management Products We've Left Behind (And What's Replaced Them)

Ruben Lopez is Director of Operations for Trinity Dental. Mr. Lopez brings more than 10 years of experience and expertise in operations management, accounting, and human resources to our company. He oversees the day-to-day operational management of our clinics with the direction of the President and Vice President of the company. He provides administrative management support to all 15 locations in our organization as well as oversees our Accounting, Credentialing, and Human Resources departments. He also manages our specialty departments (Orthodontics, Oral Surgery, Pediatric, Endodontics). Mr. Lopez joined Trinity Dental in 2010, as an Office Manager where he went on to manage multiple locations before assuming a role as a Regional Manager in 2011, and later becoming the Director of Operations in early 2013. Ruben is a Texas native, born in Dallas, Texas, and moved to Houston at a very early age with his family. He currently enjoys many activities including; horseback riding; interior designing, photography and spending time with his nieces and nephew. He currently volunteers at the Houston Food Bank as well as attends most of the Health Fairs in the Houston area. Ruben’s passion for dentistry allows him to go above and beyond to take care of each and every patient, employee, and member of management he encounters.

Flavia Pirih, DDS, PhD

Recent : Genetic Insights and Advanced Treatments in Peri-Implantology: A Comprehensive Approach to Peri-Implant Health

Flavia Pirih, DDS, PhD, is a prominent figure in the field of periodontology, serving as the Tarson Family Endowed Chair of Periodontics and the Chair of the Regenerative and Reconstructive Sciences Division at the UCLA School of Dentistry. She began her distinguished academic journey by earning her dental degree from the Universidade Federal do Paraná in Brazil, followed by a PhD in Oral Biology from UCLA. Dr Pirih further honed her expertise by completing residencies in periodontics at the University of Michigan.

Cher Thomas, RDH

Recent : How Effective Are COVID-19 Vaccines for the Immunosuppressed?

Cher Thomas, RDH, is a registered dental hygienist and a renal transplant recipient. After her kidneys failed due to ANCA positive vasculitis, in 1999 her brother became her kidney donor. Cher utilizes her experience with peritoneal dialysis and organ transplantation to explore the relationship between oral and renal health. She lives in Galveston, Texas.

Brandi Hooker Evans RDH-ER, MHE, MAADH

Recent : Checking on Patient Wellness

Brandi Hooker Evans is a registered dental hygienist and consultant.

Jessica Snell, Kenvue Global Head of Oral Care Research and Development

Recent : How Essential Oil Rinses Create a Healthier Mouth

Jessica Snell is an experienced leader with a passion for translating science and improving consumers’ lives through developing innovative products and solutions by continuing to challenge the status quo. Jessica has spent the last 16 years working on consumer products at Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue formulating in the lab and shaping the product development strategy and pipeline for brands such as Clean & Clear, Neutrogena, and Listerine, in product categories spanning cleansing, acne, moisture, anti-aging, wipes, and devices, such as light therapy and skin360, and most recently, mouthwashes. Throughout that time, she has either developed or shaped the execution of over 50 products in Kenvue’s portfolio. Some of her notable developments were the formulation of Neutrogena Naturals skincare line, the development and execution of Clean & Clear & Neutrogena’s Medicated dissolving blackhead strips, execution and deployment of Neutrogena’s Light Therapy Devices, and currently is proud to be part of the team elevating the role of mouthwash in your oral care routine through the launch of Listerine’s Clinical Solutions product line and the recent clinicals evaluating the impact of adding rinses to oral care routines.

Patrick L. Roetzer, DDS, FICD, FACD, PFAF

Recent : The Dental Products We’ve Left Behind (and What’s Replaced Them)

Patrick L. Roetzer, DDS, FICD, FACD, PFAF, is a Fellow in the American and the International Colleges of Dentistry and a member of the Pierre Fauchard Society. He has served as professional relations director at Danville Materials/Zest Dental Solutions and consults with several other manufacturers. He currently serves as a full-time associate professor and co-director of the International Dental Student program at the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, where he had served as the director of operative dentistry. He is a member of the Consortium of Operative Dentistry Educators and serves as a grader in the Western Regional Examination Board. Dr Roetzer is an international lecturer and has developed and patented a number of dental devices.

Jennifer Sims, CPA

Recent : What You Need to Know About Valuing Your Practice

Upon receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Accounting from Baylor University, Jennifer obtained her license as a Certified Public Accountant. After working in public accounting as an auditor of financial service companies, Jennifer transitioned her career to dentistry. She has been in the dental field since 2007 as a practice manager and accountant.

Conrad Rensburg, N.D. & N.H.D.

Recent : Dental Lab Products 2023 Innovation Guide

Conrad J. Rensburg is CEO and head of the dental implant division at Absolute Dental Services in North Carolina. He graduated with a 4-year Baccalaureate degree from Pretoria Tech in 1992. He is certified with an ND in technology and specialized with an NHD in fixed prosthetics.

Susan M Sheahan, DMD

Recent : Importance of Nitric Oxide – the Dental and Medical Connection

Susan Sheahan, DMD, graduated from Nova SE University and has over 20 years of experience. She is a member of the International Dental Implant Association, Academy of General Dentistry, ADA, FDA, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and an Ambassador of The Breathe Institute. Dr. Sheahan is passionate about dental sleep medicine and how breathing and sleep disorders can lead to many health problems. She is also interested in how a tongue-tie can lead to sleep and breathing disorders and how functional frenuloplasty with myofunctional therapy can improve quality of life. Dr. Sheahan served in the Air Force as a dentist and received advanced training after dental school.

Katie Poulsen, RDH

Recent : Unleashing the Power of Artificial Intelligence for Dental Hygienists

Katie Poulsen, RDH, is a product marketing manager at VideaHealth.