The 2026 list.
Restorative, implant, periodontal, endodontic, orthodontic, pediatric, oral-medicine, airway, radiographic, anesthesia and hygiene clinical education.
1Registered dental hygienist and fractional hygiene director who created Thrive in the OP and hosts RDH Magazine's #AskAmberRDH.
On stage in 2026 atCDA Presents
MidwinterFlorida Dental Convention Sessions and sources
- CDA PresentsDonuts, Diabetes, and Dentistry: The Vital Role of Dental ProfessionalsProgressive Periodontal Therapy: A Comprehensive Management ApproachThe Dental Hygiene DetectiveOrganizer's program ↗
- Chicago Dental Society Midwinter MeetingRx for the Real World™: Homecare Innovations for High-Risk MouthsThe Gum Game Plan™Organizer's program ↗
- Florida Dental ConventionGuts, Gums and Glucose: The Missing Link for Optimal Health Source ↗Progressive Periodontal Therapy Source ↗The RDH Toolkit: A Modern Approach to Prevention Source ↗
- Greater New York Dental MeetingRx for the Real World™The Gum Game PlanOrganizer's program ↗
- Rocky Mountain Dental ConventionThe RDH Toolkit: A Modern Approach to Progressive PreventionWhat Lies Beneath: Treating Periodontal Disease SystemicallyOrganizer's program ↗
- TDA MeetingDonuts, Diabetes and Dentistry: The Vital Role of Dental ProfessionalsThe Dental Hygiene Detective: Advance Risk AssessmentsThe RDH Toolkit: A Modern Approach to PreventionOrganizer's program ↗
- Thomas P. Hinman Dental MeetingGuts, Gums & Glucose: The Missing Link for Optimal HealthHormones & Hygiene™: The Oral-Systemic Impact of Female Hormone FluctuationsWhat Lies Beneath: Treating Periodontal Disease SystemicallyOrganizer's program (archived copy) ↗
- Yankee Dental CongressThe Gum Game PlanOrganizer's program ↗
DC
2
David Clark
Tacoma, Washington dentist who invented the Bioclear Matrix System and founded the Academy of Microscope Enhanced Dentistry.
On stage in 2026 atCDA Presents
MidwinterHinman Sessions and sources
- CDA PresentsBlack Triangle CertificationCracked Teeth Prevention, Diagnosis and TreatmentSimply Better Composite RestorationsOrganizer's program ↗
- Chicago Dental Society Midwinter MeetingBetter, Faster, Prettier Composite DentistryClosing the Gaps: Treating Diastemas, Black Triangles, and Peg LateralsCrush Your Next Class II RestorationOrganizer's program ↗
- Thomas P. Hinman Dental MeetingBetter, Faster, Prettier Composite DentistryClosing the Gaps: Treating Diastemas, Black Triangles, and Peg LateralsCrush Your Next Class II RestorationThe Great Tooth Killer: Cracked Teeth Prevention, Diagnosis, and TreatmentOrganizer's program (archived copy) ↗
- Yankee Dental CongressBetter Composite RestorationsModern Monolithic Injection-Molded Composite Dentistry: Concepts and MaterialsThe Great Tooth Killer: Cracks and FracturesOrganizer's program ↗
LH
3
Leonard Hess
Restorative dentist in Monroe, North Carolina and Senior Clinical Director of The Dawson Academy.
On stage in 2026 atFlorida Dental Convention

Sessions and sources
- Florida Dental ConventionDawson Core 1: Occlusion & Smile Design, A Two-Day Course (Day 1) Source ↗Dawson Core 1: Occlusion & Smile Design, A Two-Day Course (Day 2) Source ↗
- Greater New York Dental MeetingComplex Treatment Planning: From Diagnosis to CareOrganizer's program ↗
- Rocky Mountain Dental ConventionThe Dawson Academy Core 1: Occlusion and Smile Design - Day 1The Dawson Academy Core 1: Occlusion and Smile Design - Day 2 (Continuation)Organizer's program ↗
- Thomas P. Hinman Dental MeetingFunctional Occlusion: Protocols to Put Your Practice in the Top 10% (Dawson Day 1)Functional Occlusion: Protocols to Put Your Practice in the Top 10% (Dawson Day 2)Organizer's program (archived copy) ↗
- Yankee Dental CongressMaster Occlusion, Smile Design, and Boost Your Bottom Line!Organizer's program ↗
UO
4
Uche Odiatu
Dentist, author and certified personal trainer. Speaks on energy, wellness and inflammation.
On stage in 2026 at
Midwinter
Star of the North Sessions and sources
- Chicago Dental Society Midwinter MeetingBody on Fire: Integrating Total Patient Health into Your Chairside ConversationsOrganizer's program ↗
- Greater New York Dental Meeting50 Shades of Inflammation/Preventing Failure Before Treatment BeginsOrganizer's program ↗
- Star of the North Meeting7 Things Every Dental Professional Needs to Know About the Human MicrobiomeThe Secret Life of PatientsOrganizer's program ↗
- TDA MeetingEssential Nutrition for the Dental ProfessionalThe Secret Lives of Patients: Five Habits You Need to Know!Organizer's program ↗
- Yankee Dental CongressGLP-1 Medications and the Dental Patient: Clinical Considerations for Oral HealthInflammation SOSOrganizer's program ↗
TV
5
Thomas Viola
Board-certified pharmacist and founder of Pharmacology Declassified who teaches dental pharmacology and local anesthesia.
On stage in 2026 at
Midwinter
Hinman Sessions and sources
- Chicago Dental Society Midwinter MeetingDon’t You (Forget About These): What Your Patients May Not Be Telling You About Their Self-MedicationHit Me with Your Best Shots! Mastering the Science and Safety of Dental Local Anesthetic AgentsUn-break My Heart! : What You Don't Know What You Don't Know About Your Patients' Cardiovascular DiseaseOrganizer's program ↗
- Rocky Mountain Dental ConventionHurts So Swell: Management of Acute Dental Pain and Appropriate Opioid PrescribingIt’s Medically Complicated: Essential Pharmacology for Treating Medically Complex Dental PatientsOrganizer's program ↗
- Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting"Hit Me With Your Best Shots!" : Mastering the Science and Safety of Dental Local Anesthetic Agents“(Don’t) Take It On The Run, Baby!” : Illicit Drugs, Licit Drugs Used Illicitly and Management of Substance Use Disorder“C’mon Baby, Make It Hurt So…Swell!” : Non-Opioid and Opioid Approaches For Safe and Effective Dental Pain Management“Don’t You (Forget About THESE)!”: What Your Patients May Not Be Telling You About Their Self-Medication“I Can’t Get No…Osseointegration!” : A Comprehensive Overview of Medication-Induced Early Dental Implant Failure“Sweet Dreams (Are NOT Made of This)!” The Dental Implications of Diabetes Mellitus and The Medications Used To Treat ItOrganizer's program (archived copy) ↗
- Yankee Dental CongressIt’s (Medically) Complicated!“Something in Our Mist!”: Is Vaping Cannabis Dentistry's Next Tobacco?“Sugar! Yes, Please!”: Diabetes Mellitus and Its Dental Implications“UnBreak My Heart!”: Cardiovascular Disease and Dental ImplicationsOrganizer's program ↗
59 speakers met the qualification threshold in this category for 2026. The 5 highest-placing are named. Speakers with equal standing share a place. Being listed reflects where a speaker taught this year. It does not mean they work only in dentistry.
Earned on stage, not voted on.
Built from published programs.
Every appearance traces to the organizer's own program. No self-reported bios, no bureau listings, no nominations.
Breadth across the profession.
The Index rewards speakers chosen by many of dentistry's major meetings, not many sessions at one of them.
Membership changes nothing.
SCN members and non-members are ranked on the same evidence. Membership is added only after places are final.
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