Dr. Lauren is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2000 from the University of Maryland Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. After graduating from Dental School, she moved to Germany to join her husband, Dr. Matt Ballinger, who was stationed there as a Dental Officer in the United States Army Dental Corp. While Dr. Matt finished his General Practice Residency and tour, she worked as a General Dentist in Darmstadt Germany.

In 2004, Dr. Lauren returned to Maryland to begin her 2-year Pediatric Dental Residency at the University of Maryland Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, earning her Specialty Training in Pediatric Dentistry in 2006. After working in Private Practice in Maryland for a few years, she decided to move back “home” with her husband and children in 2009.
She has extensive experience in treating infants, children and adolescents and those with special needs with an emphasis on the prevention of dental disease, restorative care utilizing child-centered behavior guidance and anxiolytic techniques, and dental outpatient surgery under general anesthesia. However, her main focus of interest is Airway Focused Pre-Orthodontic and Orthodontic care in the growing child; combining her knowledge of craniofacial growth and development and training in functional and myofunctional orthodontic techniques.

Dr. Lauren believes that it is imperative to understand, address and treat the underlaying issues in the developing child that cause malocclusions in the first place and to put the focus on the child that is attached to the teeth, not just focus solely on the teeth. This passion comes from not only her own professional development and training as a Pediatric Dentist, but from her experience as a mother looking for better solutions to her own children’s health and dental issues and finding hope and health through an “airway health” centered approach.

When it comes to her own children, she often says “I wish I had known then what I know now”, but now uses that knowledge as an opportunity to share her own personal and professional experiences to the benefit of other families. She is a staff member of Berkshire Health Systems where she lectures in the Advanced General Dentistry Residency program as well as a provider of dental surgical services at the Crane Center at BMC.

Dr. Lauren is active in the professional medical, dental, and educational communities in promoting the “Dental Home” Concept and advocating that all children have proper access to dental care and see a dentist by age 1. She is also working to bring knowledge to the local dental and medical community about the need to work together to screen children for Sleep Disordered Breathing and Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea as well as recognize the risk factors such as mouth-breathing, soft tissue dysfunction, tongue or lip “ties”, as well as narrow palates.

She lives with her fantastic husband, Dr. Matt Ballinger, awesome kids Jack and Libby, and the sweetest dog ever, Kipper in Richmond, MA.

Dr. Diana Batoon has been at the forefront of integrative dentistry and dental sleep medicine to treat patients of all ages. She is an international speaker and clinical educator for Prexion, Clear Correct, and SPEAR Education. In the last 7 years, she has been building an integrative team of medical, ancillary and dental providers to successfully treat both children and adults. She successfully built her practice around laser dentistry, orthodontics, implant dentistry and dental sleep medicine to provide comprehensive treatment. She is an active member of the ADA, AACP, and AADSM. She maintains a private practice in Scottsdale, AZ, and spends her free time with her husband and 3 sons.

Dr. Richard Baxter is a board-certified pediatric dentist and Diplomate of the American Board of Laser Surgery. He is a nationally recognized speaker on tongue-ties, instructor of the comprehensive 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 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 that are causing nursing, speech, dental, sleep, and feeding issues. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and outdoor activities. He serves as an elder at his church and serves on the board of Reach the Rest, a global missions organization. He is currently working on several research and educational projects related to tongue-ties.

Kimberly Benkert is a graduate of Loyola University, College of Dentistry with a BS degree in Dental Hygiene, a Masters of Public Health in Health Policy and Administration from the University of Illinois-School of Public Health, and Certified in Orofacial Myology through the International Association of Orofacial Myology. She is a former faculty member at the University of Illinois-College of Dentistry, Kennedy King Dental Hygiene Program, a past President of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, the Illinois Dental Hygienists’ Association, and the West Suburban Dental Hygienists’ Society. Kimberly holds a Fellowship in Orofacial Myology and Temporomandibular Muscular Dysfunction with the American Academy of Dental Hygiene. She is a recipient of many awards including the ADHA/J&J Award for Excellence, the ADHA/Discus Dental Distinguished Service Award, the IAOM Connie Painter Award for Outstanding Achievement, and the IDHA Award of Merit. She has been teaching training courses and lecturing on orofacial myofunctional disorders, oro-motor imbalances, frenum assessment, dysphagia – oral and pharyngeal phases, digit sucking, bruxism, parafunctional habits, muscular TMD, and ergonomics since 1982 on a national and international basis. She maintains clinical therapy offices located in the Chicago metro-suburban area.

Patricia Abby Berg has been an international board certified as a lactation consultant (IBCLC) since 1990. She has published on Nipple Shields, Staph Infections of the Nipple, Galactosemia, and the CranioSacral Therapist and IBCLC’s working together.

Ms. Berg has been studying with the Upledger Institute since 1996. She has received both her techniques and her diplomate certifications. She has training in craniosacral therapy, lymphatic drainage, and visceral manipulation. She is a craniosacral therapy teaching assistant and is working towards her mentorship status.

She is in private practice as an IBCLC and a CranioSacral therapist.

Ms. Berg has been active in her local ILCA affiliates and is on the board of the International Consortium of Oral Ankylofrenula Professionals.

Dr. Ann Bynum first moved to Simpsonville and opened Holly Tree Pediatric Dentistry in 1997. Originally from Ocala, Florida, Dr. Ann did her undergraduate training at Florida State University before attending 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, and is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist. Dr. Ann is passionate about pediatric dental care. Drawn to pediatrics in large part because of the unique educational opportunities the field affords, Dr. Ann sees her office as both a clinic and a classroom. She considers every visit, no matter how routine, an opportunity to teach and motivate her patients. Dr. Ann is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and an active member of the Southeast Society of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the American Dental Association. She has lectured and written numerous articles on customer service, marketing, and teamwork over the years. When not in the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their three boys: Matthew, Luke, and John.

Dr. Tara, who was born and raised in Las Vegas, completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Southern California but happily returned home afterward where she earned a DMD from the UNLV School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Tara is dedicated to providing excellent, comfortable dental care. She is exceptionally committed to children, and the life-changing potential of treating problems when they are noticed.

​Dr. Tara wanted to be a dentist even as a child; in fact, she saved and still has all of her baby teeth. When she is not practicing dentistry, she is spending time with her husband, Cliff, and sons, Kale, Rye, and Sage. She also loves to read, swing dance, and try out new restaurants.

​As a rare Las Vegas native, Dr. Tara has a deep connection to this community. She received great dental care in Vegas as a child and is happy to continue that cycle with future generations. Giving back to the community is very important to Dr. Tara. She makes it a priority that her services are available to all people in the community. She has also volunteered with the Huntridge Teen Dental Clinic, TeamSmile, Give Kids a Smile, and Saturday Children’s Clinic.
Ankyloglossia

Dr. Tara was introduced to tongue-tie while attending La Leche League meetings with her first child. As time went on she began to see how negatively ties impacted breastfeeding. She was inspired to learn more about how she, as a dentist, could help these moms and babies.

​As this information is not taught routinely in dental/medical/lactation education, Dr. Tara realized she must create her own pathway of education. In the summer of 2016, she traveled to Portland, OR to spend half a day observing Dr. Bobby Ghaheri perform the procedure.

Now, Dr. Tara is uniquely qualified to assess, diagnose, and treat tongue ties. She has completed over 400 hours in continuing education specifically on ties and tongue function and continues to attend classes, courses, and conferences almost monthly. Dr. Tara takes great pride in bringing up-to-date knowledge to her patients for the best possible outcomes.

Dr. Tara uses a LightScalpel CO₂ laser. A CO₂ laser uses laser light to cut soft tissue, as opposed to a diode which cuts tissue with a hot glass tip. A true laser allows a high level of surgical precision during the procedure with minimal collateral heat damage while still providing excellent bleeding control.

I am originally from New York, but I have lived in Houston since 2010. I never imagined being a Texan, but am now very proud to call West U home. I completed a two-year specialty training in pediatric dentistry at the University of Texas and am currently affiliated with Texas Children’s Hospital. I am excited about my practice and sharing my passion with my patients. As a healthcare provider, I believe my job is to partner with parents and empower them to make the best decision possible for their children. In my free time, I enjoy exploring the neighborhood parks in West U with my two daughters, Cyrah and Ayana, and my husband, Neil.

Dr. Geivelis is a periodontal specialist, whose practice is limited to Periodontics and Dental Implants.  Dr. Geivelis is on staff at Northwestern Medicine- Central DuPage Hospital and he believes that the most important people in our practice are our patients. He strives to deliver the highest quality care, utilizing the most up-to-date techniques and equipment, in the most comfortable and gentle manner possible.

Education

Born in Athens, Greece, Dr. Geivelis received his dental and graduate training from Northwestern University. He has a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree, a Master of Science Degree, and a Specialty Degree in Periodontics.

Dr. Geivelis regularly participates in continuing education and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology.  He is also certified in Dental Lasers by the Academy of Laser Dentistry. From 1993 to 2001, Dr. Geivelis was professor and director of Graduate Periodontics at Northwestern University Dental School, training the residents in Periodontal and Implant Surgery. He has been involved in academic research and has authored and co-authored several professional articles.  One of his main clinical interests is Bone Regeneration procedures and Computer Guided Surgery for the placement of Dental Implants.   Dr. Geivelis lectures about Periodontics, Implants, as well as Tongue and Lip Ties (TOTs) nationally and internationally.  He has been given several academic and clinical awards for his work as a scientist and a Periodontist.  In the last several years Dr. Geivelis has dedicated a significant part of his time treating infants, children, and adults with tongue-ties and lip-ties.  He collaborates with some of the most well-known and skilled clinicians in these procedures, Dr. Bobby Ghaheri, Dr. Larry Kotlow, Dr. Scott Siegel, Dr. Soroush Zaghi (Functional Frenuloplasty).  He completed a mini-residency in Functional Frenuloplasty with Dr. Zaghi in Los Angeles, and he became the first Affiliate member of the Breathe Institute.

Our Philosophy

Our goal is to restore our patients’ oral health in the most gentle and professional manner.  We strongly believe in the Team Approach to treatment.  The patient, the dentist, other Health Professionals, and Dr. Geivelis confer in all cases before any treatment is initiated.

Dr. Gunsaulis is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, Member of the Medical Staff at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center of Spokane, Affiliate Faculty Member at University of Washington School of Dentistry, Clinical Professor and Advisory Board Member at Eastern Washington University School of Dental Hygiene and member of the American Laser Study Club. Dr. Gunsaulis has provided frenectomies since graduation from Northwestern University Dental School in 2000. She actively attends laser/tongue-tie courses year-round with an emphasis on integrating a Team approach for best outcomes which she incorporates in her Spokane pediatric dental practice daily.

Founder/operator of True Sleep Diagnostics Ken is a registered respiratory therapist with 7 years of experience and a registered polysomnographic technologist for adults and pediatrics with 6 years of experience. He is also the polysomnographic technician instructor at Greenville Technical College. He co-authored the case report “Rapid Maxillary Expansion and Adenotonsillectomy in 9-Year-Old Twins with Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: An Interdisciplinary Effort. He is currently working on 2 case studies; “Pediatric Home Sleep Testing” and “Myofunctional Therapy, the Missing Link”.

Dr. Khurana is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She earned her dental degree from the University of Maryland and attended New York University’s College of Dentistry for her specialty training. At NYU, Dr. Khurana supervised undergraduate dental students and provided treatment in complex cases involving patients with special needs.

To this day, she maintains a profound interest in her work with children and adults who have rare health conditions, syndromes, and genetic disorders. She enthusiastically collaborates with other dental and medical specialists, including occupational and speech therapists, to ensure that every patient receives the best comprehensive care possible.

Dr. Khurana is not only a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, she is also an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Diplomate of the American Board of Laser Surgery.

Dr. Kirk Kollmann graduated from the University of Florida College of Dentistry and received his pediatric dental degree from Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. Keeping with his hospital background, he is a clinical instructor and volunteers his time working with the Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Team at Children’s Memorial Hospital. Dr. Kollmann has taken extensive continuing education in the field of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist by the Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy. He serves as a spokesperson for the Chicago Dental Society and is involved in various aspects of organized dentistry.

He loves to be the do-it-yourself craftsman, being proficient in electricity, carpentry, woodworking, plumbing, etc. Computers and gadgets are another one of his hobbies.

A 1996 graduate of the University of Indianapolis with a baccalaureate in nursing and a minor in psychology and in 100 days will complete her Master’s degree and clinical practicum as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Lisa has taken many extra training in craniosacral therapy, infant massage, holistic and complementary therapies, and certificate programs in lactation and myofunctional therapy. She is active as a board member with the International Affiliation of Tongue Tie Professionals, Member of the International Lactation Consultant Association, United States Lactation Consultant Association, The International Consortium of Ankylofrenula Professionals, and the Applied Academy of Myofunctional Sciences. She is also a contributing author to the book Tongue Tied. Lisa has a private practice located in Indianapolis with a focus on lactation and myofunctional therapy across the lifespan. You will find her hiking or biking with her family when she is not working and looking to unplug.

Dr. Brynn Leroux is a graduate of Louisiana State University School of Dentistry and was ranked 2nd in her graduating class. She completed a residency in Pediatric Dentistry at the Medical University of South Carolina, acting as Chief Resident. A native of Maringouin, LA, Dr. Leroux graduated as Valedictorian from Catholic High School of Pointe Coupee and continued on to study Biological Sciences at LSU in Baton Rouge. Dr. Leroux is a partner in Associates in Pediatric Dentistry, a group practice with 4 locations serving the Greater Baton Rouge area. She is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and has begun the certification process through the American Board of Laser Surgery. Dr. Leroux has completed Standard Proficiency certification by the Academy of Laser Dentistry. She is an active member of numerous local and national dental organizations and honorary societies, including the Greater Baton Rouge Dental Association, Louisiana Dental Association, American Dental Association, Southwestern Society of Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, OKU National Dental Society, C.E. Kells Honorary Society, and Pierre Fauchard Honor Society.

After being personally affected by tongue-tie and sleep-disordered breathing, Dr. Leroux has taken a special interest in tethered oral tissues, airway centered dentistry, sleep medicine, and interceptive orthodontics. She is a TOTS trained professional, an active member and speaker of the American Laser Study Club, and a founding member of the International Consortium of Oral Ankylofrenula Professionals (ICAP), in which she currently serves on the Board of Directors as Treasurer. She evaluates her patients for signs and symptoms of tethered oral tissues and sleep-disordered breathing and provides laser lip and tongue tie revisions from birth through adulthood using the Light Scalpel CO₂ laser. Her practice can offer any level of sedation or anesthesia “in house” as needed to provide patients with the most thorough, positive, and safest laser revision experience. Dr. Leroux works closely with a team of local lactation consultants, therapists, bodyworkers, pediatricians, and ENTs to ensure collaboration, follow-through, and comprehensive care for her patients. In her spare time, Dr. Leroux, her husband, Lance, and her children, Anson and Amelie, enjoy entertaining family and friends, attending LSU football games, exercising, traveling, and spending time at their lake house.”

Robyn Merkel-Walsh, M.A., CCC-SLP, COM® is a Licensed Speech Pathologist and Certified Orofacial Myologist with over 24 years of experience in the state of NJ. She is employed full time by the Ridgefield Board of Education and runs a private practice in Ridgefield, NJ. She has been elected NJ Kids Top Doctors in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2018.

Robyn specializes in Oral-Placement, feeding and orofacial myofunctional disorders in children. Her private practice focuses on Oral-Placement Disorders in children, and she has expanded her practice to teens and adults over the past two years. She conducts evaluations and Program Plans for children across the tri-state area.

Her publications include SMILE (Systematic Intervention for Lingual Elevation), Art Talk, Handy Handouts, OPT-S Kit, and she 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 several articles for the TalkTools® website, the ASHA Leader and Advance Magazine for Speech Pathologists. She has been published five consecutive years at the annual convention of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.

Robyn is a lecturer for professional enhancement courses as part of TalkTools® Speakers Bureau. She teaches OPT,  TOTs, Tongue Thrust and Autism classes that have been offered for ASHA CEUs, and has been invited to speak on Oral Placement disorders by the New Milford Board of Education, The Apraxia Network, AAPPSPA, the International Association of Orofacial Myology The American Laser Study Club and the MOSAIC Foundation. She is actively involved in parental support groups for apraxia and autism, and monitors an interactive Oral Placement Discussion Board on Facebook. Robyn was a chief clinician in a research project for the Moebius Foundation, and trains Level 3 and 4 Talk Tools candidates.

Robyn received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Montclair State University, where she was later invited to be an adjunct/clinical supervisor. She also taught classes at Bergen Community College, and is a former clinical site coordinator for Seton Hall University. She currently is a clinical site supervisor for Malloy College. She is a member of ASHA, AAPPSPA, NJEA, IAOM, OMI, Ankyloglossia Bodyworkers, ICAP, and The Bergen County Apraxia Association.  She served a term on the NJSHA Board of Directors and as the private practice chair. She is the Board Chair of the Oral Motor Institute which was founded by Pamela Marshalla. She is the proud recipient of the ASHA ACE Award and the Ridgefield Woman of the Year 2019 in Business.

Robyn has specialized training in Oral-Placement Disorders, feeding, apraxia, Applied Behavioral Analysis, TOTs, autism, Myofunctional disorders, orofacial myology, craniofacial anomalies, Beckman Techniques and PROMPT.  Robyn also has a specialized interest in integrative medicine and holistic healing.

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. Melissa is proud to announce that she has become a Breathe Associate at the Breathe Institute in Los Angles with Soroush Zaghi, MD, ENT.

Leyli Norouz-Knutsen is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of The Breathe Institute, based in Los Angeles, CA. She is known for her uniquely fine-tuned ability to streamline organizational management structures, maximize collaboration, communications, media and branding and to inspire innovation and entrepreneurship.

Leyli has more than 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 has had the privilege to visit many countries, exploring cultural and business trends around the world. Leyli’s extensive background in healthcare-specific consulting and corporate strategy was the perfect combination to parlay into Co-Founding The Breathe Institute, and having the honor to serve on the Board of the American Academy of Physiological Medicine & Dentistry (AAPMD).

Dr. Chelsea Pinto is a general dentist specializing in infant tongue ties at The Breathe Institute in Los Angeles. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the USC Ostrow School of Dentistry and completed a post-graduate General Practice Residency program. Dr. Pinto’s interest in helping babies with feeding challenges due to oral restrictions turned into an undeniable passion after having her first son and experiencing her own breastfeeding journey.

Dr. Pinto is a member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, International Affiliation of Tongue-Tie Professionals and International Consortium of Oral Ankylofrenula Professionals. When a mother has breastfeeding problems, she should feel confident and comfortable turning to her established system of medical support for help. Dr. Pinto provides CO₂ laser frenectomy treatment and is proud to offer a comprehensive approach – educating families on appropriate bodywork therapy, oral motor and breastfeeding support referrals to best address tongue function and its impact on the rest of the body.

Dr. Cara graduated from Arizona State University with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. She is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner in addition to having her IBCLC certification. Dr. Cara is also a diplomate of the American Board of Laser Surgery, specializing in “Oral Surgery in Infants, Toddlers, and Adults.” She has also is a Certified Specialist in Orofacial Myology (CSOM).

Dr. Cara describes her career as a diversifying adventure: research, teaching, nursing, and now breastfeeding medicine specialist. She strives to provide meaningful, evidence-based care to mother-baby dyads. Her mission is to support mothers where they are at and help them journey into the breastfeeding relationship they desire. She strives to make sure that each patient is able to reach their desired goal and have an amazing breastfeeding relationship.

Justin is a Consultant Paediatrician and a Member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH) and a Fellow of the Faculty of Paediatrics, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and have registration with the Medical Council (Number 171584) under the Specialist Division for Paediatrics.

He has spent thousands of hours on continuing education having attended numerous conferences and courses on tongue-tie, predominantly in the States, in order to be at the forefront of care for infants, children, and adults. He is also a board member of the International Consortium of Ankyloglossia Professionals (ICAP).

Justin’s interest in Tongue Tie dates back to 1999 when his first daughter was born. At 5 days old she had her tongue tie divided in Southampton. Six children and four tongue ties later, he returned to Southampton to start his training in how to divide tongue ties himself. He has been treating tongue ties since 2008 and running a dedicated tongue tie clinic since 2010. Currently, Justin and the Team would assess and divide tongue-ties +/- lip-ties in over one thousand children each year.

Dr. Maribel Santos-Cordero was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She earned a DMD degree from the University Of Puerto Rico School Of Dental Medicine with high honors and has been practicing dentistry since 1994. Dr. Santos-Cordero completed her residency program in Pediatric Dentistry at The Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, NY. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, certified in Oral Myology and a member in good standing of the Academy of Laser Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and its local affiliates.

Treating children is her vocation and it is her mission to provide each patient with the necessary tools to achieve better oral health. She speaks Spanish and English fluently. She has earned privileges to practice dental surgery at the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL, and has been on staff since 2002.

A firm believer of the quote: “If you can’t repay a favor, pay it forward”, she often volunteers her time and services to those in need through different charitable events. Since 2012, she has organized a “Give Kids a Smile” event at her office and provided free dental treatment to children from disadvantaged homes with limited access to care. She also gives back to the community by providing consultations and treatment to patients with Cleft Lip and Palate and other craniofacial deformities.

Dr. Santos-Cordero believes that learning is a never-ending process. She regularly attends continuing education courses internationally and across the United States to expand her professional scope and to stay up to date on the very latest techniques. She has been a guest lecturer at various local and international groups and organizations. Dr. Santos is deeply passionate about the need to create awareness of the potential health problems in children with lip & tongue ties and sleep disorder breathing. She engages in a team approach with other healthcare professionals to provide her patients with treatment options that will help them thrive.

Dr. Santos-Cordero moved to Sarasota, Florida with her husband and two boys in 2001. When she is not in the office you can find her exercising, enjoying church and sports activities with her family or involved in her non-profit organization, Ride 2 Remember, to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s disease research.

Dr. Thomas received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He discovered his love for working with young patients while volunteering at a special needs camp in Bay Cliff, Michigan, and decided to focus on preventing oral health problems in the youngest population. He completed his Masters in Pediatric Dentistry (MS) from The University of Michigan in 2005. After relocating to Seattle in 2006 with his family, Dr. Thomas practiced as an associate in Lakewood and Mt. Vernon before opening his own practice – Everyone By One – in Bellevue, and later a second practice in Lynnwood and business office in Centralia. He sold the entire business in April 2016 in order to found health:latch. After treating thousands of children, some of whom struggled with breastfeeding due to tongue and lip tie, he has a unique understanding of the issue. Seeing firsthand how stressful it can be for families, he has created a specialty practice dedicated to changing the lives of these babies and their families.

Dr. Thomas is a member of the Tongue Tie and Lip Tie Support Network, the International Affiliation of Tongue Tie Professionals, the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the WA State Association of Pediatric Dentists, the WA State Dental Association, and the Seattle Lactation Journal Study Club.

Dr. Zaghi graduated from Harvard Medical School, completed a residency in ENT (Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery) at UCLA, and Sleep Surgery Fellowship at Stanford University. The focus of his sub-specialty training is on the comprehensive treatment of tongue-tie, nasal obstruction, mouth breathing, snoring, and obstructive sleep apnea. He is very active in clinical research relating to sleep-disordered breathing with over 80+ peer-reviewed research publications in the fields of neuroscience, head and neck surgery, and sleep-disordered breathing.

Dr. Zaghi is particularly interested in studying the impact of tethered-oral tissues (such as tongue-tie) and oral myofascial dysfunction on maxillofacial development, upper airway resistance syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea. He is an invited lecturer, author, and journal reviewer for topics relating to the diagnosis and management of sleep-disordered breathing and tongue-tie disorders.

Research interests include Study design, literature review, and statistical analysis. Special interest in collaborative and multidisciplinary research projects relating to airway and breathing disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, nasal obstruction, upper airway resistance syndrome, pediatric sleep disorders, myofunctional therapy, frenuloplasty, facial and airway development, and maxillofacial reconstructive surgery.

Clinical interests: Sleep and Breathing Disorders, Tongue-tie, Snoring, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Nasal Obstruction, Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome, Inspiratory Flow Limitation, Sleep Endoscopy, Deviated Septum, Tonsil Hypertrophy, TMJ Pain, Teeth-grinding, Mouth Breathing, Frenuloplasty, Tonsillectomy, Septoplasty, Turbinate Reduction, Vivaer Nasal Valve Remodeling, Maxillary Skeletal Expansion, MMA Jaw Surgery.