The 2026 list.
Infection control, OSHA, HIPAA, cybersecurity and data privacy, regulatory compliance, employment and HR risk, emergency preparedness and patient-safety programs.
1Dental hygienist and certified infection preventionist. Hosts the Your Dental Top 5 podcast.
On stage in 2026 at
MidwinterFlorida Dental Convention
Sessions and sources
- Chicago Dental Society Midwinter MeetingBreaking the Chain: Mastering Infection Control BasicsOrganizer's program ↗
- Florida Dental ConventionBreaking the Chain: Mastering Infection Control BasicsOrganizer's program ↗
- Rocky Mountain Dental ConventionBreaking the Chain: Mastering Infection Control BasicsOrganizer's program ↗
- Thomas P. Hinman Dental MeetingBreaking the Chain: Mastering Infection-Control BasicsCrashing the Biofilm Party: The Path to Safe Dental Unit WaterlinesLearning Your Lines: Maintaining your Dental Unit Water and Suction Lines for Optimal SafetyOrganizer's program (archived copy) ↗
- Yankee Dental CongressBreaking the Chain: Mastering Infection Control BasicsOrganizer's program ↗
KD
2
Karen Daw
OSHA-authorized trainer and infection control consultant known as The OSHA Lady.
On stage in 2026 atMidwinterStar of the NorthHinman Sessions and sources
- Chicago Dental Society Midwinter MeetingTalk Dirty to Me: Tackling OSHA and Infection Control SwiftlyOrganizer's program ↗
- Star of the North MeetingTalking Dirty: An Informative and Enlightening Presentation Around OSHA and Infection ControlOrganizer's program ↗
- Thomas P. Hinman Dental MeetingNow We've Got Bad Blood: Preventing and Managing Workplace Violence Incidences Swiftly!Talk Dirty to Me: An Enlightening Talk on OSHA and Infection ControlOrganizer's program (archived copy) ↗
SCN member
3
Tija Hunter
Certified dental assistant, director of the Dental Careers Institute and author of Rock Star Dental Assistant.
On stage in 2026 atMidwinterStar of the North Sessions and sources
- Chicago Dental Society Midwinter MeetingDental Assistants and Documentation: Are You Doing All You Need to Do?Organizer's program ↗
- Rocky Mountain Dental ConventionFast Track - Dental Unit Waterline Contamination: What’s In Your Water?Fast Track - Risk Management: Do You Understand It All?Organizer's program ↗
- Star of the North MeetingDocumentation and the DAEthics: Legal Do's and Don'tsOrganizer's program ↗
SCN member
4
Amy Wood
CEO of Copper Penny Consulting and a HIPAA compliance, cybersecurity and data-breach consultant for dental practices.
On stage in 2026 atAADOMMidwinter Sessions and sources
- AADOM Annual ConferenceWhat the Tech? Internet Hygiene and CybersecurityOrganizer's program ↗
- Chicago Dental Society Midwinter MeetingData Drama: Turning Tech Chaos and Cybersecurity Woes into Predictable FailuresWhen Seconds Count: Disaster Drill Coaching for Dental PracticesOrganizer's program ↗
KS
5
Kandice Swarthout
Texas registered dental hygienist, licensed professional counselor and educator who teaches human trafficking recognition for healthcare professionals.
On stage in 2026 atMidwinter
Sessions and sources
- Chicago Dental Society Midwinter MeetingIn Plain Sight: Confronting the Human Trafficking Crisis in the Healthcare SettingOrganizer's program ↗
- TDA MeetingHuman Trafficking Training for Dental ProfessionalsOrganizer's program ↗
7 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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