Dr. Richard Baxter is a board-certified pediatric dentist, Fellow of the AAPD, and Diplomate of the American Board of Laser Surgery. He is an internationally-recognized speaker on tongue-ties, instructor of the 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 and owner 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 doing outdoor activities. He serves as a small group leader at his church and is on the board of Reach the Rest, a global missions organization.

Kumar N. Patel, PhD, MS, invented the carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser in 1964. This presentation describes the invention of the CO₂ laser. The course attendees are introduced to the main physics concepts behind the CO₂ laser technology. The presentation outlines the changes the invention has brought to soft tissue surgery since the laser’s inception over 50 years ago.

C. Kumar N. Patel was born in Baramati, India in 1938. He received his bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications from Poona University at the age of 19 (1958), then came to the US for graduate school. He earned an MS (1959) and PHD (1961) in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University. He spent more than 30 years at Bell Labs, starting in 1961.

Dr. Patel began doing fundamental research in laser action in the pure rare gases. This led him to discover laser action in carbon dioxide (CO₂) in 1963. He is the inventor of the carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and the Spin-Flip Raman lasers. He pioneered the use of these and other lasers to measure trace gases in difficult environments.

In February, 2000 he founded Pranalytica, Inc. in Santa Monica, CA. where he is CEO and Chairman of the Board. The company initially developed revolutionary ultra-sensitive trace gas detection instrumentation based on laser spectroscopy. Driven by advances in its laser sources, Pranalytica led the commercialization of revolutionary new infrared light sources – quantum cascade lasers.

Dr. Patel is a Professor of Physics with a joint appointment in Electrical Engineering at UCLA. He served as UCLA’s vice chancellor for research through 1999. Among his many awards, Patel was elected to the National Academy of Science in 1974 and the National Academy of Engineering in 1978. He received the National Medal of Science given by the President of the United States in 1996.

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 34 years Natasha and they together have two children, Olga and Alexander.

Dr. Ann Bynum is originally from Ocala, Florida. She did 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 Bynum 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!

Dr. Bynum is a Diplomat and Examiner 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, teamwork over the years. Over the last 4 years she has added teaching others about tongue ties, sleep, and airways. She enjoys spending time with her husband and their three boys, Matthew, Luke, and John. She enjoys working ON her practice and traveling.

Although my roots are in pediatric dentistry, I am well-versed in the clinical aspects of the connection between oral health and general health. As the founder and changemaker of health:latch, we pivoted from the traditional practice of pediatric dentistry in 2017 and I opened a niche healthcare model to correct oral dysfunction and enhance breastfeeding in newborns 0-3 months old. We built living systems and a model of care that has grown around a strong brand and solid leadership. After mastering the customer journey sequences for babies struggling with early oral dysfunction, in 2022 we have expanded to service the need to coordinate the care for all ages struggling with oral dysfunction, oral restriction, and airway issues. We understand the importance of how an authentic vision/mission/values paired with operational excellence and uber patient experience can change the health outcomes and lives of everyone that comes in contact with our brands. We are truly RADICALLY KIND, FIERCELY PATIENT, DISRUPTIVELY BRAVE, and DEFIANTLY JOYFUL and it works. There is not a day that passes where we are not thinking of innovative ways our healthcare brand can impact, evolve and reach more people. Why? Because more people seeking true health and well-being need to know what we believe is possible

Danielle Gauss is an advanced practice IBCLC Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant, ICCE Certified Childbirth Educator, Women’s health educator, and author of the new breastfeeding book titled: The Booby Fairy’s Guide To Breastfeeding. She is trained in Oral Tethering, specializing in the identification and treatment of lip ties, tongue ties, buccal and posterior tethering. She has received her education from UCSD. Over the course of her 17-year career, she has assisted in numerous births and helped educate thousands of women about the birth process and breastfeeding needs of their infants.

Currently, Danielle has her own practice in Irvine, California. She has been married to a stud of a man for twenty years and has two beautiful daughters: Alyssa, aged nineteen, and Alaina, seventeen.

Justin has had an interest in tongue-tie since 1999 following the birth of his first daughter. Since then he has completed thousands of hours of continuing education related to tongue-tie to ensure he is at the forefront of care for infants, children, and adults. He is a Consultant Paediatrician and has run a dedicated multi-disciplinary clinic since 2010 and now works full-time at the National Tongue Tie Centre with co-director and Chartered Physiotherapist Kate Roche where they would assess and treat over a thousand infants, children, and adults each year.

Nicole is an ASHA board-certified speech-language pathologist, airway & sleep literacy advocate, and certified lactation educator/counselor. She is the founder & executive director of Minds In Motion and has served as a graduate teaching assistant at Johns Hopkins University. Nicole is a national and international speaker, as well as a published author on the topics of educational neuroscience, orofacial myofunctional therapy, airway function disorders and the autonomic nervous system, and sleep wellness in pediatrics. Nicole is the myofunctional therapy Section Leader for the American Academy of Physiological Medicine & Dentistry (AAPMD). In addition to obtaining an advanced graduate-level degree (EdS) in Brain Research (Educational Neuroscience), Nicole is a 2016 graduate of the Mind, Brain, Teaching graduate certificate program at Johns Hopkins University.

When Dr. Rula was a child, her goal was to become a pediatrician, as she loved science and wanted to work around children. During college at Furman University, she served as an intern in a pediatric dental office, and she realized that this was actually her calling. She embraced the challenge of making a trip to the dentist’s office a fun experience for a child and found satisfaction in helping children overcome their fears.

After completing her education at the Medical University of South Carolina, as well as two years of pediatric dental specialty training at the University of Southern California, Dr. Rula returned to her hometown of Greenville to start her family. She joined forces with Dr. Ann Bynum at Holly Tree Pediatric Dentistry in Simpsonville, and they opened the Easley location. Dr. Rula now owns the practice herself, renaming it Indigo Pediatric Dentistry. Now a diplomate of the ABPD, she feels humbled to see her dream become a reality and is enthusiastic to be a highly-skilled and nurturing pediatric dentist who can provide a fun experience to her young patients.

Dr. Rula is happily married with three boys. She loves to travel, cook, bake, and spend time with her family in her free time. She is also a self-proclaimed “wannabe” artist and loves taking painting classes.

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 around the world 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. Sarah is also Co-Director of the Myofunctional Therapy Department at The Breathe Institute where she is actively involved in publishing research on myofunctional therapy, in an effort to grow the field. 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.

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). 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. Samira Jafari graduated with a doctorate in dentistry in 2013 from Augusta University. Soon after graduating, Dr. Jafari fell into the path of pursuing post-graduate continuing education courses in airway dentistry. This field of dentistry became a huge passion of hers as she could see that by addressing problems related to the airways, she could make a huge difference in the lives of her adult patients and sometimes even completely change the life trajectory of children. Completing courses through The Breathe Institute and The American Laser Study club her eyes were opened to the world of tethered oral tissues as this was the missing link in treating her airway patients.

She began treating tongue ties in kids and adults using Dr. Zaghi’s functional frenuloplasty technique and saw amazing results in her patients. Due to this knowledge in tethered oral tissues, she was able to immediately diagnose her own newborn daughter with a tongue-tie which was then released at 7 days of age. The changes she felt and saw with her own daughter gave Dr. Jafari a new purpose. She had to extend her treatment to infants as well in order to help other moms and babies who are suffering from the effects of undiagnosed tethered oral tissues and guide families through this emotional journey.

Along with her husband and 2 children, Landon and Lana, Dr. Jafari lives in Johns Creek, Georgia. She enjoys outdoor activities, trying new foods, and exploring new restaurants and cuisines in the city. In her free time, she loves cooking, spending time with friends and family, and reading books.

Dr. Max Sulla is a gentle, caring pediatric dentist who uses the most advanced materials and procedures available. He practices comfortable, health-centered dentistry with a strong emphasis on getting to know each of his patients. In addition to his technical proficiency, Dr. Max is a careful listener and will explain beforehand what treatment is best for your child’s individual needs. Dr. Max Sulla received his D.D.S. from the NYU College of Dentistry followed by his Pediatric Dentistry degree at the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey.

He is one of a few trained laser dentists offering procedures for infants, toddlers, and children relating to their airway, eating and speech issues offering laser lip ties and tongue tie releases without placing patients under general anesthesia utilizing CO₂ laser that allows for the procedure to be quick and painless. Mothers of so many newborns are thankful for making their breastfeeding experiences improve.

A member of multiple accredited organizations, Dr. Max is a past president of the NJ Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and an AAPD Council member and currently serves as a public policy advocate for children on behalf of both organizations as well. Additionally, Dr. Max has been selected as a “Top Dentist” by New Jersey Monthly from 2009 to 2021. Currently, he serves as a President of NorthEastSociety of Pediatric Dentistry where he oversees professional support to our affiliate states and provinces through communicating issues, supporting their CE courses and meetings, and providing leadership and other training opportunities. In addition, he lectures to both dentists and pediatricians about the importance of Pediatric Oral Health.

Dr. Diana Batoon has been at the forefront of integrative craniofacial dentistry in her community and her profession. She is an international lecturer and is passionate about bringing awareness to the healthcare community and collaboration between health care providers. As a Diplomate of the AADSM and ABDSM, she participates in research to move the needle in changing how we can better serve our patient population. She practices in Scottsdale, AZ where she has a restorative dental practice and another practice that focused on the airway, sleep, TMJ, and craniofacial dentistry. She has been a visiting faculty at SPEAR Education and is also a visiting lecturer at Midwestern University Dental Institute in Glendale, AZ and key opinion leader for dental education.

Dr. Piya Gandhi is a board-certified pediatric dentist specializing 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.

After finishing her pediatric dental residency, Dr. Gandhi pursued extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of tongue and lip tie. She believes in a comprehensive treatment approach by using the Function First Model. This allows treatment of tongue and lip tie(s) through therapy first and avoiding unnecessary procedures when possible.

Her team consists of a speech-language pathologist, pediatric chiropractor, myofunctional therapist, and international board-certified lactation consultant. This allows the office to provide both comprehensive and convenient care.

Dr. Gandhi is passionate about sharing her knowledge and conservative approach about Tethered Oral Tissue so she can better partner with other pediatric specialists. Her goal is to bring awareness to the space and provide knowledge about appropriate treatment modalities.

Dr. Tara, who was born and raised in Las Vegas, completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Southern California and then, 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.

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.

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 450 hours in continuing education specifically on ties and tongue function and continues to attend classes, courses, and conferences as often as possible. Dr. Tara takes great pride in bringing up-to-date knowledge to her patients for the best possible outcomes. In April 2021, Dr. Tara tested to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). The IBCLC credential is the highest-regarded professional qualification in breastfeeding knowledge and support, recognized all over the world.

Lana has been a practicing speech-language pathologist for over 15 years. She is trained in Orofacial Myology and is currently pursuing certification. She has worked in a variety of clinical and educational settings, is a certified member of ASHA, recipient of the Award for Continuing Education, and has specialized training and experience with infant feeding, TalkTools, PROMPT, Kauffman approach to Apraxia, Floortime/DIR model, Tethered Oral Tissues, Lindamood-Bell Programs, Alternative-Augmentative Communication, and many more. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Pace University (New York, NY) and her Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Long Island University (Brooklyn, NY). She has worked in New York, California, and Nevada.

To build confidence and trust in ourselves as providers, we must continue to put ourselves into new growth opportunities where we can learn, grow and evolve. By guiding your process through experience and collaborative efforts, you can create your vision. See it, feel it, and believe in it.

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.

Robert A. Strauss, DDS, MD, FACS, Professor and Director of the Residency Training Program in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, and Past President of the American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Dr. Strauss is Board Certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and is a former Chair of the Major Surgery Section of the Board. Over the last 30 years he has authored numerous publications and textbook chapters on the use of lasers in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Dr. Strauss received his dental degree from the University of Buffalo and his medical degree from the UHSA School of Medicine. He completed his internship at the Buffalo General Hospital and residencies in both Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and in Anesthesiology at the Michael Reese Medical Center in Chicago.

Dr. Strauss specializes in laser surgery of the head and neck, facial and jaw reconstructive surgery, cosmetic facial surgery, and sleep apnea surgery. His research interests include laser and cosmetic surgery, sleep apnea, anesthesia and orthognathic and reconstructive surgery.

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, Toddler, and Adults.” She has additional training as a Certified Specialist in Orofacial Myology (CSOM). Dr. Cara very much enjoys helping families to reach their breastfeeding goals.

Dr. Stevanie Bahnerth is a family chiropractor with over 14 years of experience. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University and then went on the attend Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. Having breastfed her three own children, she developed a passion for helping breastfeeding families. She is an active La Leche League Leader. In her free time, Dr. Stevanie enjoys spending time with family and friends, yoga, and traveling.

Dr. Robert Levine is President of Global Laser Oral Health, LLC, and Levine Consulting. GLOH is a CERP Recognized provider for On-line Laser Training. Dr. Levine designs these programs for General Dental and Hygiene professionals as well as, Academics. He has been in the field of dentistry since 1973. He graduated from N.Y. University and completed a two-year residency from 1973 to 1975 at the VA Hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y. He remained as a consultant from 1975 to 1985 and was in private practice in NYC from 1978-2005.

Dr. Levine has 12 years of experience in the laser arena, both in academic and private practice. For the past 8 years, Dr. Levine has been a full-time faculty member at Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, (ASDOH). He served as clinical director of the AEGD Post Graduate program from 2009-2013, as well as, Director of Laser Dentistry. Dr. Levine has published many papers on the science and use of CO₂ Laser technologies for use in dentistry. He also lectures on Lasers and the new emerging technologies in dentistry.

Dr. Levine is also a proud co-developer of the first accepted laser curriculum at an accredited United States dental school. He also works heavily in the Special Care Dentistry arena, where he is able to apply this technology to a special group of patients.

His interest in oral cancer has led him to be a keynote speaker at the Major League Baseball meeting in Dallas, Texas, in 2011. He spoke on the dangers of using smokeless tobacco products. Dr. Levine educates the Major and Minor League players on the dangers of ST Products as well as HPV-related Oral Cancer.

Through the GLOH training process, Dr. Levine saw a way of introducing to the Dental Professional, a comprehensive pathway to laser technology. The GLOH website utilizes the Articulate Process to provide training. With these technologies, they would see the potential benefits for their patients and their practices. He realized that an online training program is the most viable way to share this information with a large audience of dentists at a very affordable price. Dr. Levine’s interests include baseball, golf, skiing, and tennis. He resides in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Dr. Levine is the owner and President of Global laser Oral Health, LLC (GLOH) and Levine Consulting LLC. Dr. Levine provides independent consulting services to various laser companies

Sheila Busch is a Family Nurse Practitioner with a family practice in Prescott, AZ. Sheila has been involved with laser frenulectomies, first as an assistant, and then as a provider. She has a special interest in releasing tethered oral tissues in older children and adults. She became aware of the sleep/TOT connection and has been striving to educate her patients and their families about the role that tethered oral tissues play in disruptive sleep practices, which in turn affect many aspects of their daily lives. Sheila uses a combination of traditional sleep clinics, at-home sleep apnea tests, TOT release, and OMT to assist her patients in finding the sleep they need.

Colleen has been practicing nursing for almost 30 years. After graduating from Lewis University in 1992 with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, she served in the United States Navy. After separating from the Navy, she went on to graduate school at the University of Illinois at Chicago to obtain her Master of Science in Maternal Child Nursing and became a Certified Nurse Midwife. 20 years of practice later, and countless happy memories, she left her longtime affiliation with St Mary Medical Center and is focusing on growing MomSense with the amazing women who work here.

When she is not working, Colleen reads books with complete absorption, travels as often as possible, and treasures the time she spends with her husband of 27 years, two adult sons, her daughter-in-law, and her first grandchild.

Dr. Stevanie Bahnerth is a family chiropractor with over 14 years of experience. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University and then went on the attend Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. Having breastfed her three own children, she developed a passion for helping breastfeeding families. She is an active La Leche League Leader. In her free time, Dr. Stevanie enjoys spending time with family and friends, yoga, and traveling.

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, Toddler, and Adults.” She has additional training as a Certified Specialist in Orofacial Myology (CSOM). Dr. Cara very much enjoys helping families to reach their breastfeeding goals.

Dr. Justin Welke is a board-certified pediatric dentist who owns and operates multiple pediatric and orthodontic offices in the Chicago land area, including The Chicago Tongue-Tie Center. He has been a part-time clinical faculty member for 5 years and is currently at Midwestern University.

Dr. Kaplan earned his dental degree at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 1975. While attending dental school he became involved with the pediatric dental department and was captivated by the comprehensive nature of the program and the ability to treat the youngest of patients and direct them to better oral and physical health. Upon graduating from Tufts, he was accepted into a pediatric dental residency program at Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center where he received his certification as a pediatric dentist. Following the residency, he opened his pediatric dental practice in Stoughton, Massachusetts. In 2003, Dr. Kaplan became interested in dental lasers and became an early adopter of this new treatment modality. He became laser certified through the Academy of Laser Dentistry in 2003 and achieved his Fellowship stasis in 2013. He has been a long time contributing member and lecturer in the academy and has been a volunteer laser instructor at Tufts Dental School in the post-graduate pediatric dental department from 2006 through 2016. In 2015 he was instrumental in developing the first in the country “Infant Laser Frenectomy” training class through the continuing education department at the dental school. The class has been attended by dentists and physicians from around the globe. Dr. Kaplan is a 45-year member of the American Dental Association, Massachusetts Dental Society, the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Academy of Laser Dentistry, the American Board of Laser Surgery, the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition, Breastfeeding USA plus multiple other professional organizations. In 2016 he also became a Diplomate of the American Board of Laser Surgery and is its first-ever director of Dental Laser Surgery. Dr. Kaplan joined the American Laser Study Club at its inception in 2017 and received the Kumar Patel Award for Pediatric dental Laser Education.

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. 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, Southwest 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). 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 LightScalpel 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.

Dr. Shehzad M. Malik specializes in adult congenital heart disease and cardiac electrophysiology. He currently practices at The Heart Care Group, PC. and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Lehigh Valley Hospital and JFK Medical Center. He received his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine and has been in practice between 11-20 years. He has more experience with Adult Congenital Heart Conditions than other specialists in his area.

Non-Invasive Cardiology

School: St. George’s University College of Medicine, June 2001

Internal Medicine Residency: Drexel University College of Medicine, July 2004

Cardiology Fellowship: Drexel University College of Medicine, July 2007

Cardiovascular Practice: The Heart Care Group, PC, Aug 2007 to present time / President

Board Certifications:
• Internal Medicine
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Diplomate of the Certification Board of Nuclear Cardiology

Research/Medical Interests:
• Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine
• Sleep Apnea
• Integrative and Community Health

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 and has been practicing dentistry since 1994. Dr. Santos completed her residency program in Pediatric Dentistry at The Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, NY. She has earned privileges to practice dental surgery at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL and has been on staff since 2002. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and a Fellow of the American Laser Study Club. She is also certified in laser dentistry and oral myology. Dr. Santos completed a Pediatric Dental Sleep Medicine Mini-Residency at Tufts and is currently doing a surgical proctorship with Dr. Sorough Zaghi to become an Affiliate of The Breathe Institute.

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 and gives back to the community by providing consultations and treatment to patients with Cleft Lip and Palate and other craniofacial deformities.

Dr. Santos-Cordero 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 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-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 being involved in her non-profit organization, Ride 2 Remember, to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s disease research.

Dr. Christensen attended Creighton University School of Dentistry graduating 3rd in his class in 1993. Completed his AEGD US Army Dental Corp at Fort Carson, Colorado 1993-1994. There he received specialized training in oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics, and orthodontics. From 1993-1997 he served as a general dentist at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany. He also served as the XO (Executive Officer) of the 464th Medical Company during Operation Joint Endeavor (Bosnia Conflict). 1997-1999 he did his orthodontic residency at the University of Louisville, Kentucky receiving a Specialty Certificate in Orthodontics and Master’s Degree in Oral Biology with his thesis, Treating Class III Malocclusions in Children with Expansion and Facemask Protraction. 1999-2001 served as Chief of Orthodontics at the Ft. Bragg Bravo Program. From 2001 to the present he has practiced in Lewiston, Grangeville, Orofino, and Moscow. In the last 12 years, his orthodontic practice has incorporated Sleep Medicine as a driving force in treating patients in a more comprehensive health-focused way. In May 2019, Dr. Christensen received Diplomat Status with the ASBA (American Sleep and Breathing Academy) and became the first orthodontist in Idaho to become Board Certified in Sleep Medicine

Dr. Kirk Kollmann graduated from the University of Florida College of Dentistry and did his Pediatric Dental residency at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. He is active in organized dentistry being the editor for the Chicago Dental Society North Side Branch Newsletter for many years. He co-produced a video on Stainless Steel Crowns with Dr. Marvin Berman and has spoken on various topics at the Chicago Midwinter Meeting, National AGD Meetings, AAPD, and numerous other meetings. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentists and enjoys serving the Cranio-Facial population in the Chicagoland area while teaching the pediatric dental residents at Lurie Children’s Memorial Hospital.

Another passion of Dr. Kollmann stems from learning about Myo-functional therapy and its relationship to breastfeeding. This propelled him to work with the dyad of mother and infant and the problems they were having with breastfeeding. He’s been releasing TOTS for over 10 years. He has been practicing dentistry for over 30 years and is a partner in private practice on the north side of Chicago.

Dr. Jill Ghormley is a graduate of Bastyr University and the first licensed deaf Naturopathic physician in the United States. She is currently an adjunct professor at Bastyr and a past adjunct professor at the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Ghormley is a coalition leader for medical aid in developing nations worldwide. She received the Top Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine award in 2016, 2018, and 2020 from The Leading Physicians of the World. She also received the VIS Award in 2019 from her profession. The Vis Award acknowledges persons who represent the Vis, the Healing Power of Nature, as demonstrated through their work, life, and community service. Her passion for international medicine has led her to do volunteer medical work in Nepal, DR Congo, Russia, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka. She plans to continue her work in developing countries and teach the power of self-reliance and self-healing both in the US and abroad. Dr. Ghormley completed a year and a half residency with an osteopath and chiropractor specializing in physical medicine and spinal manipulation techniques as well as naturopathic modalities and has extensive knowledge and experience in sacral occipital technique, spinal and extremities manipulation (alignment), hydrotherapy, physical therapy rehabilitation especially pelvic floor, applied kinesiology, acutonics, cranial osteopathy, and muscle energy stretching – to name a few. She is certified in IV and injection therapy; craniosacral therapy, visceral manipulation, activator technique, Gonstead technique, and Kinesio taping.

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 nasal obstruction, 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 practices in Los Angeles, CA as Medical Director of The Breathe Institute, which provides comprehensive functional and structural treatment options for pediatric and adult sleep and breathing issues. Dr. Zaghi is particularly interested in how tethered-oral tissues (such as tongue-tie) and oral myofascial dysfunction impact maxillofacial development, upper airway resistance syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea. He is an invited lecturer, author, and journal reviewer for topics relating to sleep-disordered breathing and tongue-tie disorders.