Dr. Ann Bynum is originally from Ocala, Florida. She completed her undergraduate training at Florida State University. She then attended dental school at the University of Iowa, where she met her husband, Dr. Matt Bynum. She did two further years of training in Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Dr. Ann moved to Greenville, South Carolina, in 1997 and opened her practice in Simpsonville. She has three children of her own (all boys!!) and understands and appreciates the arts of pediatric dentistry and parenting!

Although she had used lasers for much of her dental career, in 2013, Dr. Ann began her journey to learn about TOTs and how best to treat them. She has been helping families in the Upstate of South Carolina and surrounding areas for over 6 years with the help of a wonderful, supportive team of SLPs, IBCLCs, OTs, PTs, COMs, and DCs.

Dr. Ann is a Diplomat of the ABPD, a member of the SSPD, the AAPD, and the ADA. She has lectured and written numerous articles on customer service, marketing, leadership, and teamwork over the years. She enjoys spending time with her husband and their three boys, Matthew, Luke, and John, as well as working on her practice and traveling.

Dr. Ben Miraglia, a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, is a member of the ADA, the AGD, the NYSAGD, and the Ninth District Dental Society. He has been in private practice for 25 years and currently maintains a family practice in Mount Kisco, NY, with a focus on sleep and airway, TMD and occlusion, and full-mouth restorative dentistry, including Invisalign® and dental implants.

Dr. Miraglia lectures nationally on sleep-disordered breathing, GP orthodontics, TMD, occlusion, and comprehensive dentistry. He is on the board of directors for the American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry. Dr. Miraglia is a frequent guest speaker at the Dawson Academy, presenting viable solutions to increase oral volume capacity to reduce/eliminate symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing and TMD. In 2015, he was recognized as a “Leader in Continuing Education” by Dentistry Today Magazine and was recently honored with a position on the President’s Council of Northern Westchester Hospital in Mt. Kisco, NY.

Dr. Andrew Cohen is a family dentist in Jenkintown who specializes in dental sleep medicine. Believing that clarity leads to the best decisions, he helps patients understand complex issues related to sleep disorders and provides solutions that positively impact their lives. Embracing the motto “I make suggestions, you make decisions,” Dr. Cohen offers a collaborative approach that sets him apart in his field.

Holding a DMD from Temple University, Dr. Cohen earned diplomate status in dental sleep medicine from the Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorder Disciplines (ACSDD) in 2019. He serves on the ACSDD board of directors and is nationally recognized for his lectures on sleep disorders and comprehensive exams. As a visiting faculty member at Spear Education since 2011, he mentors dentists worldwide, sharing his expertise in dental sleep medicine. Outside of dentistry, he enjoys family time, playing tennis, and pursuing his passion for photography.

Dr. Peter Vitruk was born and raised in Ukraine. He earned his PhD degree in Physics from the Moscow Physics and Technology Institute, Moscow in the late 1980s in the former USSR. In the 1990s he held a Research Scientist position with The Academy of Sciences in the former USSR and then a Royal Society Visiting Research Fellow position at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. He later worked as Senior Scientist with Synrad Inc. in Seattle, WA, and then as Chief Scientist with Luxar/ESC/Lumenis also in Seattle, WA. In 2002 Dr. Vitruk founded Luxarcare LLC – an exclusive certified Luxar laser service and accessories provider for 12,000+ surgical Luxar laser installations around the globe. In 2005 he founded Aesculight LLC and LightScalpel LLC – the only American-based designer and manufacturer of surgical CO₂ lasers for small office out-patient market. Dr. Vitruk has authored 10 patents and over 20 articles on CO₂ lasers, and is a Member of The Institute of Physics, UK. In 2017 he founded the American Laser Study Club, an educational platform that helps physicians, dentists, veterinarians, and practice staff members to excel at the efficient and safe application of laser energy in everyday practice. He is married to his wife of 39 years Natasha and they together have two children, Olga and Alexander.

Dr. Gandhi is a recipient of the 2024 Kumar Patel Prize in Laser Surgery.

Dr. Piya Gandhi is a board certified pediatric dentist specializing in functional pediatric dentistry. Her practice screens all patients for airway, sleep, speech, feeding and growth and development disorders. She specializes in treating infants and children with airway disorders including the diagnosis and treatment of tongue and lip tie. Her passion for tethered oral tissue (TOTs) was born from her personal experience and struggles with her older daughter, Cyrah. Dr. Gandhi’s goal is to avoid the same experience for her patients and their families.

Dr. Gandhi has done extensive training beyond her residency in airway development and the diagnosis and treatment of tethered oral tissues. She screens all her patients for airway disorders and oral restrictions which could impact growth, development, and healthy sleep. She believes in a comprehensive team approach by using the Function First Model. She has worked to develop a network of practitioners in the greater Houston area as well as in her practices. Her in house team currently consists of a speech language pathologist, myofunctional therapist, pediatric chiropractor, and international board-certified lactation consultant. This allows the office to provide both convenient and comprehensive care.

Dr. Gandhi is passionate about sharing her knowledge with other practitioners. When she is not seeing patients clinically, she is usually meeting with local practitioners to further collaborations or lecturing nationally to increase the training and awareness about airway disorders and tongue ties.

Patricia Abby Berg is unique in being both an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and a Diplomate Certified CranioSacral Therapist. She has published and spoken locally and international on both and also on how the two can and should work together. She has a private practice in Connecticut, both as an IBCLC and as a CST-D.

Dr. Loeta Robles brings years of experience as a dentist and a deep understanding of oral development to Somnia. She is passionate about helping people of all ages breathe better, sleep soundly, and live their best lives. Dr. Robles is committed to patient education and creating a warm, welcoming environment where everyone feels heard and understood.

Dr. Robles believes in a team approach and collaborates with providers from various disciplines to offer a holistic and comprehensive approach to healthcare.

She understands that airway health is intricately connected to overall well-being, and she is dedicated to helping patients achieve a balanced and vibrant life.

Dr. Bret Christensen, DDS, MS, is a board-certified orthodontist and Diplomate of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy. Since 1999, he has focused on treating sleep-disordered breathing and airway-related orthodontic conditions in patients of all ages. With advanced training in bio-progressive orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, Dr. Christensen addresses the root causes of airway obstruction—such as underdeveloped jaws and tongue-tie—through growth guidance and non-surgical treatments.

A Fellow of the American Laser Study Club and a sought-after national lecturer, Dr. Christensen regularly speaks on airway development, sleep medicine, and tethered oral tissues. His comprehensive, health-focused approach integrates advanced imaging and diagnostic technologies to help clinicians achieve optimal outcomes in airway and facial growth.

Leah Whitley, IBCLC founded SOS Lactation, a decade-strong Houston practice that has guided 3 000+ families and partnered on more than 300 laser releases annually. She blends bedside mastery with clinical skills and data for optimal outcomes post release. Leah’s lively keynotes turn clinical pearls into bottom-line gains for release providers.

Dr. Najmeh Hannanvash, DDS, MSD, is a board-certified pediatric dentist and the owner of Little Star Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics and Little Star Breathe in San Diego.

Since 2013, she has focused on providing exceptional pediatric dental care with a special interest in oral restrictions, airway health, and functional growth modification. Dr. Hannanvash is known for her expertise in treating oral restrictions using advanced laser technology. Her work in this area has profoundly shaped the direction of her career, leading to a dedicated specialty clinic for this patient population.

Outside of her professional life, Dr. Najmeh enjoys spending time with her son, traveling, and exploring all that San Diego has to offer.

Jenna Katz Schwibner, DMD, FAGD, is a co-owner of Dental Partners of Vero Beach and the founder of Foundation First Dentistry, Airway & Sleep Education®, a platform that provides resources and valuable information on airway health and sleep disordered breathing. Dr. Jenna is recognized as a leading expert in her field, specializing in Airway Health-Focused Dentistry and Airway Orthodontics. She strongly believes that all dentistry outcomes improve by prioritizing airway health and focuses on the connection between oral health and overall health. To achieve this goal, she incorporates the latest advancements in medicine and technology into her evaluations and treatments to provide patients with “Complete Dental Care for Complete Health.”

Lisa Paladino, CNM, IBCLC is an internationally recognized lactation consultant, midwife, and educator dedicated to improving infant health through breastfeeding support and airway development education. She is the founder of Tongue Tie Experts, where she leads a thriving online community, produces the Tongue Tie Experts Podcast, and creates educational content for both parents and professionals. Through her courses, lectures, and social media outreach, Lisa empowers healthcare providers to recognize and manage tongue tie and related feeding challenges.

In her private practice, Lisa specializes in tongue tie evaluation and management, while also supporting individuals with hormonal, thyroid, milk supply, and fertility concerns using a functional medicine approach.

Before establishing her private practice in 2015, Lisa spent 28 years at Staten Island University Hospital, serving as a Registered Nurse, Certified Nurse Midwife, and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. During her time there, she co-founded and coordinated the hospital’s Breastfeeding Initiative and partnered with the NYC Department of Health for eight years on Baby-Friendly Hospital efforts.

Passionate about collaborative care and lifelong health, Lisa continues to educate and advocate for evidence-based, inclusive breastfeeding support—starting from the earliest days of life.

Dr Suraj (DDS Imp Dent RCS(Ed), Cert Perio RCS, Implant Surgeon with special interest in Oral Surgery & Periodontics) started providing Frenectomy releases at our practice 3 years ago and has carried out 500+ procedures to date, with great success using the CO₂ laser we have in house.

Dr. Eric is a board-certified pediatric dentist and laser-certified professional, expert-trained provider in releasing tethered oral tissues (tongue and lip ties), and treats patients as young as a few days old and from all walks of life. He values a conservative and comprehensive team approach to optimal health and works with multiple providers to ensure the best possible outcome. He is an Ambassador of the Breathe Institute, a Tufts Pediatric Sleep Medicine Residency graduate, a Tongue Tie Academy graduate, TOTs Specialty trained, and a Verified Airway Dentist with Airway Health Solutions. He’s actively involved in the community, an avid DC sports fan, and a kid at heart. You can find Dr. Eric exploring the world in his free time with his wife and three daughters. You can follow him on social media @Dr.EricDMV to see what he’s up to.

Dr. Jenna Davis is an internationally recognized chiropractor, educator, author and speaker focusing on pediatrics, preconception, neurodevelopment, prenatal, and postnatal care. She is the creator of the P.I.P.S. Technique (Pediatric Intraoral Palate Specific Technique), an innovative approach addressing tongue-tie, pediatric TMJD, dural tension, and oromotor challenges, and has also developed unique programs in neurodevelopment and retained primitive reflexes. As owner and clinical director of Acorn Family Health and Wellness Centre and Baby Boom Creations in Oakville, Ontario, she leads a multidisciplinary team dedicated to optimizing the brain–body connection for families. A sought-after expert, Dr. Davis has presented across North America, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia to diverse professional groups including chiropractors, manual therapists, dentists, physicians, airway specialists, and oral–feeding therapists.

Dr. Elizabeth Turner is an airway-focused dentist and the founder of Untethered Airway Health Center in Lakewood, Colorado. She lectures nationally on the full-body impact of oral restrictions and has a special interest in how retained primitive reflexes disrupt posture, behavior, and nervous system regulation. As both a clinician and a mom of two, she is passionate about early intervention and interdisciplinary collaboration. Dr. Turner’s work bridges oral function, structural development, and neurodevelopmental care.

Dr. Victor Avis, DDS, is a third-generation dentist and founder of The Airway Revolution Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and improving care for airway disorders. A graduate of Duke University and Georgetown University Dental School, Dr. Avis leads a comprehensive restorative practice on Staten Island, New York, offering orthodontics, implant surgery, and integrative dental care.

Celebrating over a century of family practice, Dr. Avis has devoted his career to exploring the oral-systemic connection and the role of dentistry in overall health and longevity. His studies in airway health, orthotropics, and disease prevention inspired the creation of The Airway Revolution Foundation, which he co-founded with his daughter, Sydney, to advance education, research, and public understanding of airway-related conditions.

Dr. Alayna Pagnani-Gendron is the owner and doctor at HealthPro Family Chiropractic & Acupuncture, which has been serving families in the Houston area for over a decade.

Dr. Pagnani-Gendron holds special certificate training in perinatal and pediatric chiropractic as well as Acupuncture. She completed her C.A.C.C.P., certified by the Academy Council of Chiropractic Pediatrics. She has specialty training in craniosacral therapy and pre and post-frenectomy bodywork. She has lectured around the country on the importance of chiropractic care and how to best serve patients with other specialty providers. She is the Past President of the Texas Chiropractic Association and a former Board of Regents member of Texas Chiropractic College. Her goal in the treatment of patients is preventative care. She believes in a healthy living lifestyle and treating patients to help them to return to their normal state of health. Dr. Pagnani loves to treat the entire family from birth and beyond and keep everyone healthy.

Dr. Richard Baxter is a board-certified pediatric dentist, Fellow of the AAPD, Diplomate of the American Board of Laser Surgery, and recipient of the 2021 Kumar Patel Prize in Laser Surgery. He is an internationally-recognized speaker on tongue-ties, instructor of the acclaimed online course Tongue-Tied Academy, and lead author of the bestselling book Tongue-Tied: How a Tiny String Under the Tongue Impacts Nursing, Speech, Feeding, and More. He is passionate about educating parents and healthcare providers about the effects a tongue-tie can have throughout the lifespan. He lives in Birmingham, AL, with his wife, Tara, and their three girls, Hannah, Noelle, and Molly. He is the founder of the Alabama Tongue-Tie Center, where he uses the CO₂ laser to release oral restrictions. He had a tongue-tie himself, and all of his girls were treated as infants, so this field is a personal one. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, running, and outdoor activities. He is a Small Group Leader at the Church at Brook Hills and participates in global missions projects around the world.

Dr. Kristen Geist, DDS, D.ABDSM, is a general dentist and Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. A graduate of Cornell University and the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, she combines her background in nutritional sciences and human biology with a holistic approach to oral health and wellness.

Dr. Geist is passionate about helping patients understand the vital connection between oral health, sleep, and overall well-being. Her clinical interests include dental sleep medicine, airway health, and cosmetic dentistry. Dedicated to providing gentle, patient-centered care, she focuses on prevention, education, and conservative treatment to help patients look, feel, and sleep their best.

I am a pediatric dentist who completed dental school at Nova CDM in 2009, AEGD at UF in 2010, and pediatric dentistry training at UCLA in 2012. I was a board-certified pediatric dentist for 8 years prior to recognizing I was missing some basic understanding of tongue function, its impacts on growth and development, and overall quality of life. In 2020, I fell asleep with my 3-year-old daughter. The entire night, I was not able to sleep due to her constant teeth grinding, tossing and turning, and gasping for air. The next morning, I woke up tired but motivated to find out what exactly was going on with her during sleep. It was not anything I had learned about in my formal training. That restless night planted the seeds for an unexpected journey of learning, collaboration, and questioning. In the past 5 years, I have taken many courses to advance my understanding of tongue ties, lip ties, and cheek ties and their impact on daily life. During the learning process, it became apparent that even among experts on the subject, there were still questions and differences of opinion as to when one should or should avoid performing a release. The compilation includes patients from newborns to 7o years old.

Robyn Merkel-Walsh, M.A., CCC-SLP, COM ® is a NJ/NY Licensed Speech Pathologist, Certified Orofacial Myologist® & Vocologist with three decades of experience in the state of NJ. She is employed full-time by the Ridgefield Board of Education and runs a private practice (Diamond MYO & Vocology) in Ridgefield, NJ. She was elected as one of the NJ Kids Top Doctors in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018 & 2023. Robyn received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Montclair State University, where she was later invited to be an adjunct/clinical supervisor. She is on the adjunct faculty at Brescia University, taught at Bergen Community College, and is a clinical site coordinator for Seton Hall University. She is the proud recipient of four ASHA ACE Awards and the Ridgefield Woman of the Year 2019 in Business. She is an Ambassador and a guest of The Breathe Institute.

Robyn is a well-respected subject matter expert and advocate of evidence-based practices. Her publications include: MYOSolutions (Systematic Intervention for Lingual Elevation), Art Talk, Handy Handouts, and OPT-S Kit. She also co-authored Sensory Stix, A Sensory Motor Approach to Feeding, Functional Assessment and Remediation of Tethered Oral Tissues, and OPT Goals for Speech Clarity. She has also written multiple articles for the TalkTools® website, the ASHA Leader, and Advance Magazine for Speech Pathologists. She has been published for five consecutive years at the annual convention of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. Recently, Robyn has also been published in multiple journals, including Clinical Pediatrics, Journal of the American Laser Study Club, and the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. Additionally, her four contributions in the International Journal of Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy are included in the top ten downloads of all time.

Dr. Riek is a recipient of the 2024 Kumar Patel Prize in Laser Surgery.

Dr. Cara graduated from Arizona State University with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. She is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and also holds her IBCLC certification. Her practice, Arizona Breastfeeding Medicine and Wellness, has been providing feeding support to families throughout the state of Arizona since 2015. Dr. Cara has additional training as a Certified Specialist in Orofacial Myology (CSOM). In 2023, Dr. Cara was accepted as a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Dr. Cara very much enjoys helping families to reach their breastfeeding goals.

Leyli Norouz-Knutsen is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of The Breathe Institute.

She is known for her uniquely fine-tuned ability to streamline organizational management structures, optimize collaboration and communication, drive impactful media and branding campaigns and to inspire innovation and entrepreneurship.

Leyli has over a decade of experience in higher education, non-profit, board management, and operations as a director at both the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and San Diego State University (SDSU).

Since leaving UCLA’s Anderson School of Management in 2007, Leyli’s extensive background in healthcare-specific consulting and corporate strategy parlayed perfectly into co-founding The Breathe Institute and now having the honor to serve on the Board of the American Academy of Physiological Medicine & Dentistry (AAPMD).

Dave Henrichsen is a myofunctional therapist and educator known not only for his clinical expertise but also for his powerful use of stories and analogies to make complex concepts come alive. With a background rooted in clinical practice and professional education, Dave has helped countless patients—and practitioners—understand the critical role of airway health, oral function, and muscular balance in overall wellness.

In his work, Dave addresses dysfunctions related to breathing, swallowing, posture, and oral habits, but he does so through a unique lens: clear, relatable communication. Whether he’s helping a child understand tongue posture by comparing it to a car in a garage or explaining orofacial growth like building a house on solid ground, Dave uses narrative tools to break down barriers between clinical science and patient understanding.

As a speaker and teacher, Dave empowers healthcare providers to improve patient outcomes by learning how to connect—heart and mind—through language. He believes that analogies, stories, and metaphors aren’t just teaching aids—they’re bridges that foster trust, insight, and lasting change. His lectures are known for their humor, energy, and takeaway-rich content that attendees can immediately apply in their practices.

Passionate about interdisciplinary care, Dave continues to inspire collaboration across dentistry, medicine, and therapy. Whether in a clinic or on a stage, he is driven by one mission: to help people live healthier, happier lives by making their bodies—and their stories—work better together.

Dr Hal Stewart has dedicated over 30 years to the practice of whole health dentistry, specialising in airway management, orthopedic remodeling, and TMJ therapy. He has pursued extensive education at renowned institutions such as the Pankey Institute, LVI, Orognathic Bioesthetics, the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, and the American Sleep and Breathing Academy, in addition to completing all of the AMD levels of training under Dr Felix Liao at various AMD levels. Furthermore, he has studied and taught at The Breathe Institute, where he completed a surgical residency with Dr Soroush Zaghi in 2020. His practice primarily concentrates on orthopedic airway therapies and the related challenges that accompany them.

Dr Stewart is an Affiliate of The Breathe Institute. He has also achieved Diplomate Status with The American Sleep and Breathing Academy. He was inducted as a member into the prestigious American College of Dentistry in 2018.

Jenna Katz Schwibner, DMD, FAGD, is a co-owner of Dental Partners of Vero Beach and the founder of Foundation First Dentistry, Airway & Sleep Education®, a platform that provides resources and valuable information on airway health and sleep disordered breathing. Dr. Jenna is recognized as a leading expert in her field, specializing in Airway Health-Focused Dentistry and Airway Orthodontics. She strongly believes that all dentistry outcomes improve by prioritizing airway health and focuses on the connection between oral health and overall health. To achieve this goal, she incorporates the latest advancements in medicine and technology into her evaluations and treatments to provide patients with “Complete Dental Care for Complete Health.”

Melissa is a pioneer within the modern Myofunctional Movement. Since becoming an Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist in 2014, she has improved the lives of hundreds of patients, lectured around the country, and raised the standards of the profession. Her background as a Dental Hygienist and experience in the fields of Orthodontics and Pedodontics contributes to her success. Melissa treats patients of all ages suffering from a wide range of conditions stemming from adverse myofunctional habits. She now resides in Las Vegas, where she enjoys being with her family, cooking, and being involved in her community.

Sarah Hornsby graduated with a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from Eastern Washington University in 2008. After practicing as a hygienist for only one year, she began to explore complementary modalities to help her patients achieve optimum oral health. She discovered the then-little-known field of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy and pursued training with the Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (AOMT) in early 2010.

She studied under leaders in the field, such as Barbara Green and Joy Moeller, and in 2011, she enrolled in Sandra Holtzman’s training program through the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM).

Sarah opened her practice, Faceology, in Seattle and began seeing patients in 2010. In 2014, she transformed her practice into the world’s first fully online telehealth myofunctional therapy practice. She has been working with patients from across the country and worldwide since then. In 2015, Sarah opened MyoMentor, a new branch of her business designed to mentor, train, and support hygienists and dentists who want to incorporate myofunctional therapy into their practices and careers. Today, over 600 hygienists and dentists have gone through her mentoring program. Although Sarah has become a speaker, teacher, and leader in the field, it’s her journey through recognizing and treating her own oral myofunctional symptoms that makes her so passionate about the field and spreading the message about this critical component of dental health and overall wellness.

Dr. Shervin Yazdi, DDS, is a board-certified pediatric dentist with over 25 years of experience providing compassionate, high-quality care to children and families. A graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Dentistry and its esteemed pediatric residency program, Dr. Yazdi is dedicated to creating positive, comfortable experiences for every child through warmth, humor, and understanding.

A returning speaker at previous Breathe and Thrive Symposia, Dr. Yazdi is known for sharing his expertise in pediatric laser dentistry and patient-centered care. He remains committed to clinical excellence and delivering the highest standard of care in a nurturing environment. Outside the office, he enjoys swimming, resistance training, ballroom dancing, and perfecting his espresso craft—recently adding matcha to the mix.

Tara Erson, DMD, IBCLC, D. ABDSM, has dedicated her career to oral function, tethered oral tissues, airway health, and early intervention expansion. She left general dentistry in 2018 to open Smart Mouth, a Las Vegas team-based practice focused exclusively on functional evaluation and treatment, and has since evaluated and treated thousands of infants. Her passion for this work is rooted in her journey as a breastfeeding mother of three boys, navigating challenges with feeding, sleep, and airway issues. When she’s not in the clinic, Dr. Tara can be found practicing with her improv team, dancing, or planning her next trip to Hanson Day. She lectures nationally, sharing practical, experience-informed strategies to improve tongue tie evaluation and support collaborative, family-centered care.

Trish Wierenga has been an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in central Illinois since 2011 and a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner since 2021. She is also one of only a few practitioners in Central Illinois certified in Perinatal Mental Health through Postpartum Support International.

Trish is a member and the current Chairperson of the International Affiliation of Tongue Tie Professionals (IATP), a member of the Central Illinois Breastfeeding Task Force (CIBTF), and a former member of the Board of the Illinois chapter of Postpartum Support International (PSI). She has spoken at conferences locally and internationally on the role of the IBCLC and in the assessment and management of tongue and lip tie issues in relation to breastfeeding challenges, as well as the impact of feeding difficulties on perinatal mental health. She lives in central Illinois with her husband Brian and has four children.

Dr. Alpa Merchant, DDS, is a Tucson-based dentist with over 25 years of experience in comprehensive, airway-focused dental care. A graduate of the University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston, she integrates expertise in TMJ disorders, sleep and breathing, orofacial pain, orthodontics, and restorative dentistry to deliver personalized, whole-health treatment for every patient.

Dr. Merchant is a Diplomate of both the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and the American Sleep and Breathing Academy, a Fellow of the International College of Cranio-Mandibular Orthopedics, and the only Surgical Affiliate of The Breathe Institute in Arizona. She lectures nationally and internationally, including at the North American ICCMO Conference, and contributes to NIH-funded and TBI-led research exploring the connection between sleep, airway health, and neurocognitive function.

Dedicated to education and collaboration, Dr. Merchant co-founded the Tucson Airway Provider Study Club, uniting interdisciplinary professionals in airway and myofunctional care. Outside of dentistry, she enjoys hiking, cycling, swimming, and exploring the world with her husband.

Dr. Radhika Kapoor, DDS, is a board-certified pediatric dentist and Breathe Institute Affiliate specializing in laser dentistry, early orthodontics, and airway-focused care. A New York City native now based in New Jersey, Dr. Kapoor is known for her compassionate, patient-centered approach that combines advanced technology with a holistic understanding of child development and wellness.

A graduate of Columbia University, Dr. Kapoor completed her pediatric dental residency at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., gaining extensive experience in treating children with special health care needs. Inspired by her own experience as a mother navigating infant tongue-tie, she became an early adopter and educator in CO₂ laser frenectomy techniques, helping infants, children, and adults overcome challenges related to feeding, airway, and sleep.

She frequently lectures on pediatric airway health and laser surgery, continuing to lead in the integration of dentistry and medicine to improve the quality of life for patients of all ages.

Dr. Neel Bulchandani is an integrative airway and feeding practitioner who merges interdisciplinary manual therapy techniques, movement, mindfulness, and modern advances in technology to optimize outcomes in patients suffering from pharyngeal arch formation issues. Entering the health care field 17 years ago as a chiropractor, Dr. Neel found his way into the airway and feeding field when his daughter was born with a tongue tie 9 years ago. He has created the Floor of the Mouth Protocol and specializes in complex cases related to tethered oral tissues, palate dysfunction, and other pharyngeal arch formation issues. He’s on a mission to inform the world about the Floor of the Mouth’s connections to over 70 areas in the body so practitioners, patients, and the public can navigate the problems we’re facing with more certainty and success. Dr. Neel lives in Santa Barbara with his wife and 3 children, and he practices in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

Dr. Soroush Zaghi is an internationally recognized ENT and sleep surgeon, researcher, and educator specializing in the comprehensive treatment of sleep-disordered breathing, tongue-tie, and nasal obstruction. He serves as Medical Director of The Breathe Institute in Los Angeles, where he leads an interdisciplinary team providing functional and structural solutions for both pediatric and adult airway and sleep issues.

A graduate of Harvard Medical School, Dr. Zaghi completed his residency in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at UCLA and a Sleep Surgery Fellowship at Stanford University. His pioneering research—spanning over 90 peer-reviewed publications—explores the role of tethered oral tissues, oral myofunctional dysfunction, and maxillofacial development in sleep and breathing disorders.

A sought-after speaker and educator, Dr. Zaghi lectures globally on airway health, myofunctional therapy, and laser frenuloplasty. Through The Breathe Institute, he continues to advance evidence-based, multidisciplinary approaches that bridge medicine and dentistry to improve breathing, sleep, and overall quality of life.