About ADA Forsyth dentech
ADA Forsyth dentech® is the leading oral health technology innovation conference. Convening thought leaders from research, industry, academia, and venture capital, ADA Forsyth dentech® aims to accelerate innovation and launch new ventures in the oral health space.
We look forward to dentech 2025, which will be held Oct. 10-11, 2025.
Register for ADA Forsyth dentech 2025
Registration for dentech 2025 is open! Purchase in-person or virtual access to dentech 2025.
dentech 2025 Progam
Find out what’s new at dentech 2024!
<– Review the full program as a PDF
Thursday, October 24, 2024
| 7:00 AM | Registration and Breakfast
Private Breakfast for VIP guests (by invite only) |
| 8:00 AM | Conference Opening – Video |
| 8:15 AM | Welcome – Dr. Raymond Cohlmia (ADA Executive Director) and Dr. Wenyuan Shi (AFI CEO) |
| 8:30 AM | Keynote: Dr. Edward Zuckerberg |
| 9:00 AM | Panel #1: The New ADA & AFI: Empowering Innovation
Moderated by: Dr. Ben Wu – CSO & COO, ADA Forsyth |
Panel members:
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| 10:00 AM | AFI Highlights: New ways you can work with AFI to support your innovations: Dr. Ben Wu |
| 10:30 AM | Coffee break |
| 11:00 AM | Panel #2: Developing a National Oral Health Initiative
Moderated by: Dr. Raymond Cohlmia – Executive Director, ADA Panel Members:
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| 12:30 PM | Networking Lunch for all attendees
Private lunch for VIP guests (by invite only) |
| 1:45 PM | Day 1 Technology Showcase and Innovation Expo, sponsored by Colgate
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| 3:00 PM | Flash talks
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| 3:30 PM | Coffee Break |
| 4:00 PM | Panel #3: Innovation and the FDA: Demystifying the regulatory process for developing devices, biologics and drugs
Moderated by: Dr. Hatice Hasturk – Director of Center for Clinical and Translational Research, ADA Forsyth |
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| 5:00-6:30 PM | Evening Reception and Poster Session, sponsored by CareCapital |
| 6:30-8:30 PM | VIP Dinner, sponsored by OraBio (on site, by invitation only)
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Friday, October 25, 2025
| 7:30 AM | Breakfast
Private breakfast for VIP guests |
| 8:30 AM | Session #4: Global innovation and investment
Moderated by: Dr. Wenyuan Shi – ADA Forsyth CEO |
Panel members:
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| 10:00 AM | Day 2 Technology Showcase and Innovation Expo, brought to you by CareQuest Innovation Partners
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| 11:10 AM | Coffee Break |
| 11:25 AM | Previous dentech winners: success stories
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| 11:50 AM | Announcing dentech 2024 Winners and Conference Closing |
Sponsorships
Are you interested in sponsoring Forsyth dentech?
AFI is now accepting sponsorships for dentech 2024. For more information, please email [email protected] or call 617.892.8320.
Sponsorship opportunities
Platinum sponsorship- $100,000
- Company video shared at the conference
- Sponsor spotlight social media post
- Spotlight use of the company logo on all event email marketing and select social media materials and high visibility on both days of the event
- Sponsorship of reception after Day 1 of event or Sponsorship of the VIP Dinner
- Company description and logo on the conference website
- Guaranteed sponsor booth
- Invitation to attend the pre-event cocktail party
- Six tickets to attend the event in person
- Invitation to VIP dinner
Gold sponsorship – $50,000
- First right to sponsor booth (after Platinum)
- Custom social media message and quote
- Company video shared at the conference
- High visibility on all event materials and on both days of the event.
- Sponsorship of one of the following:
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- Pre-event VIP Reception
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- Luncheon
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- One-day of the pitch competition
- Company description and logo on the conference website.
- Invitation to attend the pre-event cocktail party
- Four tickets to attend the event in person.
- Invitation to VIP dinner
Silver sponsorship – $25,000
- First right to sponsor booth (after Platinum and Gold).
- Custom social media message and quote
- Company Logo on the conference website and event materials
- Invitation to attend the pre-event cocktail party
- Three tickets to attend the event in person
- Invitation to VIP dinner
Bronze sponsorship – $10,000
- Invitation to attend the pre-event cocktail party
- Sponsor highlight post on social media
- Company logo on the conference website and event materials
- Two tickets to attend the event in person
Friends of Forsyth – $5,000
- Sponsor highlight post on social media
- Company Logo on the conference website and event materials
- One ticket to attend the event in person
Poster Session + Flash Talks
Finalists for ADA Forsyth’s Technology Showcase and Innovation Expo finalist have been announced! Learn all about them here
The Technology Showcase and Innovation Expo is dentech’s keystone event, offering a real-time glimpse into the future of oral health. We are extremely excited to welcome this year’s roster of incredible companies.
This year’s finalists are-
- Cloud Dentistry
- Grin
- Oral Genome
- Oral Science International
- OrisDx
- Pearl
- Relu
- RTRS Technologies
- SprintRay
- Toothapps
- Vigilant Biosciences
Read more about these amazing startups here.
If you missed the deadline but still want the chance to showcase your innovations, you’re in luck! We are still accepting submissions for Poster Presentations.
To apply:
Email [email protected] with the following details:
– Company Name
– Website
– Title of your poster
– A general description of your company
– The problem you are solving
– Your proposed solution
– Your target market
– Business strategy
– Information about your team
Please Note: There is a $100 application fee, which will be processed and coordinated via email. You will be notified if you are chosen to give a poster presentation.
Speakers
Keep checking on this page as new speakers will continually be added up to the event!
Speakers listed alphabetically
Manal Al Halabi
Dean, Hamdan Bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine.
Manal obtained her dental degree from the University of Jordan in Amman and her Certificate of Specialty Training in Pediatric Dentistry and Master of Oral Biology from the University of Maryland at Baltimore in the USA. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Currently, Manal is serving as the Dean and Professor of Pediatric Dentistry at Hamdan Bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, UAE. Manal has provided significant contributions to numerous local and international professional committees including the Executive Board of the Emirates Pediatric Dentistry Club of the Emirates Dental Association, the Educational Committee of the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry as well as the Standardized Records Committee of the International Association of Dental Traumatology. She is the Chair of the Pediatric Dentistry Scientific Committee of the Emirati Board. Her experience includes academic positions with Boston University and the University of Maryland as well as private clinical practice in the USA and the UAE. Her research interests include dental education, oral health of pediatric patients with special needs, traumatic dental injuries, and biological caries management in primary teeth. Manal has numerous publications in the field of pediatric dentistry in internationally renowned high-impact professional journals.
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Daniel Burke, JD
Chief Enterprise Strategy Officer and General Counsel, PDS Health
Dan Burke joined PDS Health in 2011. Prior to joining the organization, Mr. Burke held senior management positions at leading global retail, manufacturing and consumer products companies, including oversight of the administration, strategy, legal, and human resources departments, as well as sales and new market-entry leadership positions. His current responsibilities include leading the enterprise strategy and strategic payor relationships at PDS Health. Mr. Burke also serves as General Counsel, overseeing the legal, legislative affairs, and compliance functions for the company. Mr. Burke currently serves on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (CDC-NACDD) Medical-Dental Integration Steering Committee. He is a past Chairman of the Board of the Epilepsy Foundation of Orange County and past member of the National Opioid Task Force. Mr. Burke received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Amherst College and his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. He has been recognized as one of the “Top 10 Innovative In-House Lawyers” in the State of California by The Daily Journal, and “General Counsel of the Year” by the Orange County Business Journal. He has also received the Seven Seals Award from the U.S. Department of Defense for his leadership and support of those serving in America’s National Guard and Reserve.
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Natalia I. Chalmers, DDS, MHSc, PhD
Chief Dental Officer, CMS
Dr. Chalmers is a board-certified pediatric dentist, oral health policy expert, and public health advocate who brings more than 20 years of clinical, research, industry, and regulatory experience to CMS in her role as Chief Dental Officer in the Office of the Administrator. Previously, Dr. Chalmers served as a Dental Officer at the US Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Chalmers has devoted her career to transforming scientific and health care data and information into actionable insights to address equity, improve care, and better inform policy and funding. Dr. Chalmers completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the Faculty of Dental Medicine of the Medical University of Sofia, a residency in pediatric dentistry at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, and a Ph.D. in oral microbiology from the Graduate Partnerships Program of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry and the National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research at the National Institutes of Health, Post-doctoral Fellowship at the Forsyth Institute, and Clinical Research Fellowship at the National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health. Dr. Chalmers holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Research from Duke Medical University and a Certificate in Drug Development and Regulatory Science from the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy. Her research has translated into action, improving oral care and advocating for the role health policy can play across the lifespan—particularly when it embraces dental well-being as a facet of care for the whole person.
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Larry Cohen
CEO, Health2047
Larry is Chief Executive Officer at Health2047. He has served as CEO since 2018, leading Health2047 to find, form and scale early-stage health care companies that will transform health care into a system that works for everyone. Prior to joining Health2047, Larry served as Executive Vice President of Research and Business Development at Kadmon Holdings, a publicly-traded biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for immune and fibrotic diseases. His previous experiences include serving as President and CEO of San Francisco’s VIA Pharmaceuticals, where he spearheaded efforts to develop small-molecule drugs to treat cardiovascular diseases; President and CEO of Fremont-based proteomics company Zyomyx; COO of Menlo Park-based Progenitor, Inc., which developed therapies for respiratory disease and oncology; and Vice President of Research of Somatix Therapy Corporation, a pioneer in gene therapy. He earned a PhD degree in Microbiology from the University of Illinois and completed his postdoctoral work in Molecular Biology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Department of Biochemistry at Harvard Medical School. He earned his B.A. from Grinnell College.
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Raymond Cohlmia, DDS
Executive Director, ADA
Dr. Raymond Cohlmia is currently serving as Executive Director of the American Dental Association. He graduated with a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry in 1988. He was in private practice for 27 years with his father and brother, while also holding a faculty appointment at the College of Dentistry. He served as Assistant Dean for Clinical Operations from 2013 to 2015 and was appointed as Dean of the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry from 2015 to 2021 and concurrently remained in the practice of dentistry during that time. Dr. Cohlmia has served as a delegate to the American Dental Association and Twelfth District Trustee from 2015 to 2019. Along with his involvement and leadership in academia, he has served in many capacities, including presidencies at the local and state level, served on many national councils, committees, and task forces for the American Dental Association, as well as many other dental organizations.
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Dai Feng
Co-Founder and Managing Director of CareCapital Advisors Limited
Dai graduated with bachelors in engineering from Harvard College in 1997. He was an associate at Goldman Sachs, and a partner in healthcare investing at Warburg Pincus, before co-founding CareCapital Advisors in 2015. CareCapital is a leading investor in oral health with a multi-billion portfolio of more than 40 dental technology and service companies worldwide. Currently, Dai is Chairman of AngelAlign Technology Inc., the second largest aligner company in the world serving orthodontists in more than 35 countries. Dai is also Chairman of Neoss Implants, a leading implant from Sweden with R&D still based in Gothenburg. Dai is also controlling shareholder of Purgo Biologics, a bone regenerative materials company based in Seoul, Korea. Software is also important for CareCapital as a way of delivering great products and clinical services. Clinical formats that CareCapital own are broad, from multi-specialty hospitals with hundreds of chairs serving urban communities, to digitally enabled clinics extending rural access. CareCapital’s mission is to commercialize innovative technologies and expand healthcare access by strengthening the heritage and community of dentistry. Dai was in the 32 most influential people in Dentistry as published by Incisor Edge Magazine in 2023 and 2024.
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Jack Ferracane, PhD
Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Biosciences, Oregon Health & Science University
Jack Ferracane is Professor and Chair of the Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Biosciences at Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon. He received a B.S. in Biology from the University of Illinois, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Biological Materials from Northwestern University. He is a founding fellow and past-President of the Academy of Dental Materials. He is a past-President of the Dental Materials Group of the International Association for Dental Research. He is a past-President of the American Association for Dental Research (now American Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research). He is the recipient of the IADR Distinguished Scientist Wilmer Souder Award from the Dental Materials Group of the IADR, the Founders Award from the Academy of Dental Materials, and the Hollenback Award from the Academy of Operative Dentistry. He is an honorary member of the American College of Dentists and the Oregon Dental Association. He is a fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering. He serves on the editorial board of ten journals, and is Editor-in-chief of an all open access, online only journal published by the American Dental Association and Elsevier entitled, JADA Foundational Science. He is a past Associate Editor of the Journal of Dental Research and Odontology. He has served as a regular member of the Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Sciences Study Section [ODCS] of the NIH/NIDCR. He has authored a textbook entitled “Materials in Dentistry. Principles and Applications.” He is co-editor of a textbook entitled “Craig’s Restorative Dental Materials.” Currently in its 14th edition. He is a co-editor of a textbook entitled “Summitt’s Fundamentals of Operative Dentistry. A Contemporary Approach,” now in its fourth edition. He has published and lectured extensively on dental materials, including dental composites, adhesives, amalgam, and practice-based dental research. He has provided continuing education at annual meetings of the ADA, British Dental Association, California Dental Association, Chicago Midwinter, Midwest Dental Conference, Oregon Dental Conference, Pacific NW Dental Conference, Southwest Dental Conference, Yankee Dental Congress, and to other professional dental organizations. His current research interests are in developing new monomers for enhanced dental composites, studying the factors that affect biofilm formation around dental composite restorations leading to the recurrence of caries lesions, and the use of bioactive glasses as potential antimicrobial and remineralizing agents in resin-based dental materials. His research has consistently been funded by the NIH/NIDCR as well as private industry. He also is actively involved in the establishment and operation of networks designed to conduct dental clinical research in the private practice setting, and most currently was involved in a large scale clinical study in the NIH-funded National Dental Practice-based Research Network (The Network) investigating the characteristics and progression of cracked teeth. He has co-authored over 300 peer-reviewed articles, six U.S. patents, and 11 book chapters, and has delivered over 130 invited presentations around the world.
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Professor Thomas F. Flemmig
Emeritus Professor
Professor Flemmig earned his dental degree at the University of Freiburg and received training in Oral Surgery at the University of Hamburg and in Periodontics at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). He holds a Dr. med. dent. degree from the University of Freiburg, a Dr. med. dent. habil. degree from the University of Würzburg, and an M.B.A. with a certificate in Health Sector Management from Duke University; he is board certified in Periodontology and maintained an intramural practice limited to Periodontology and Implant Dentistry for 25 years. He served as Chairman at the Departments of Periodontology at the Universities of Würzburg and Münster, and at the University of Washington where he also held the Schluger Endowed Chair. Professor Flemmig served as Director of the Prince Philip Dental Hospital in Hong Kong SAR, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry and Head of the Institute for Advanced Dentistry at The University of Hong Kong where also held the Kingboard Professorship in Advanced Dentistry and is now an Emeritus Professor.
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Brett H. Kessler, D.D.S.
President-Elect, ADA
Dr. Brett Kessler, a general dentist in Denver, Colorado, is ADA President-Elect. Dr. Kessler has held several leadership positions within the ADA. He served as a delegate in the ADA’s House of Delegates from 2008 to 2019 and has been a consultant to the Council on Dental Wellbeing Advisory Committee from 2007 to 2018. He also served as the vice chair of the Council on Dental Benefit Plans. In 2010, he received the ADA’s Golden Apple Award (the highest award bestowed by the Association) for outstanding leadership in mentoring. Dr. Kessler served as president of the Colorado Dental Association from 2014 to 2015 and was instrumental in the formulation and implementation of an adult Medicaid dental benefit in Colorado. Dr. Kessler speaks nationally on well-being and leadership topics to help dentists live their best lives. Dr. Kessler has received fellowships from the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. He has testified before both the U.S. Congress and Colorado state legislature in an effort to help enact laws that serve the profession and the public. Dr. Kessler graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry in 1995. He completed his general practice residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in 1997. Dr. Kessler is an accomplished endurance athlete and competes in events across the country. Dr. Kessler has been married to his wife, Gina Kessler, D.D.S, M.S., since 1995 and together they have four children.
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Roger Kitterman, MBA
Senior Vice President, Venture, Business Development and Licensing and Managing Partner of Mass General Brigham Ventures
Roger Kitterman, MBA is Senior Vice President, Venture, Business Development and Licensing and Managing Partner of Mass General Brigham Ventures. In these roles, he leads the Venture Fund and BD&L teams, as well as our translational development programs. Roger has been with the Mass General Brigham Ventures, which has over $450 million under management since its launch in 2008. He is an experienced venture capital investor with more than 25 years in the industry and has guided multiple venture-backed companies through the earliest stages of development. He has also been the startup CEO for three venture-backed companies and is a founder of Mass Medical Angels. He has previously served as a partner at life science-focused venture funds in the Boston area. Roger began his venture capital career in Eastern Europe with the Bulgarian- American Enterprise Fund, a $55 million venture capital fund. Roger holds an MBA in Finance and Business Development from the Columbia Business School and an AB from Harvard College.
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Norman Kwong, MBA
Vice President, Business Development and Innovation, ADA
Norman Kwong, MBA is the Vice President of Business Development and Innovation as part of the ADA Business Group. Mr. Kwong champions innovation efforts, partnership development, business research, leveraging market analysis opportunities to develop and grow product and service innovation across the ADA and its subsidiaries. He is also responsible for providing strategic direction, executive leadership and management oversight with results and accountability of the Innovation Advisory Committee of the ADA Board of Trustees. Mr. Kwong joined the ADA from Amazon where he served as the Business Development Leader in Amazon Web Services (AWS) Division. He joined Amazon in 2019 with 20 years of experience leading sales, marketing and business transformation within the consumer-packaged goods, retail and industrial/wholesale distribution industries. In his tenure, Mr. Kwong helped customers build brands that consumers love, increase organizational agility to react to market opportunities and drive digital transformation with proven, industry-specific innovations and solutions from AWS. Prior to joining Amazon, Mr. Kwong was with S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. where he successfully launched their Global Professional Division serving commercial and institutional channels as the Head of Sales for Customer Marketing. He also led various brands, developed innovative new products and drove category growth in S.C. Johnson’s consumer retail business. Mr. Kwong also has previous experience at Videojet Technologies, a Danaher Operating Company, and helped found the Business Architects Association where he served in various volunteer positions including on their Board of Directors. Mr. Kwong holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Information and Decision Sciences from the University of Illinois Chicago and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at DePaul University. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife Caroline and their three children. When he’s not on the job, Mr. Kwong enjoys playing tennis, traveling and coaching kids’ sports.
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Wooin Lee, PhD
Associate Professor at the College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University
Dr. Wooin Lee is an Associate Professor at the College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University (SNU), Seoul, Korea. Her research focuses on investigating the genetic and molecular factors that influence variable drug responses and drug-drug interactions, with a particular emphasis on drug metabolizing enzymes and membrane transporters. Furthermore, she specializes in the development of innovative anticancer therapeutics targeting proteasomes and drug delivery strategies aimed at optimizing pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles. Her recent work integrates physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling to gain mechanistic insights into drug-drug interactions and the disposition of small-molecule drugs and therapeutic proteins. Dr. Lee has contributed over 100 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters to the field. Since February 2023, she has also taken on the role of Deputy Vice President of Research Affairs at SNU.
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Orlando Lopez, Ph.D, CMP, CMHC
Director, Dental Materials and Biomaterials Program, and Coordinator, Small Business Program Division of Extramural Research National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Dr. Orlando Lopez is the director of the Dental Materials and Biomaterials Program and coordinator of the Small Business Program at NIDCR. He provides scientific leadership and strategic vision to strengthening a diverse national research agenda on basic science and translational research on biomaterials, biosensing and digital technologies addressing unmet clinical needs in dental, oral, and craniofacial conditions. He serves on trans-NIH and external professional committees and working groups and leads interagency collaborations with NIST and FDA supporting the development of clinically relevant standards and other initiatives to improve R&D cycles and regulatory evaluations of emerging technologies. Prior to NIDCR, Dr. Lopez served as lead regulatory reviewer at CDRH/FDA in medical devices and combination products for cardiovascular applications. He received his undergraduate degree from Boston University, a doctoral degree from the Mayo Clinic in biomedical engineering, a master’s certificate in project management from George Washington University, and is a certified mental health coach.
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Allison Neale
Vice President, Public Policy, Henry Schein, Inc. Managing Director, Henry Schein Cares Foundation
Allison Neale has worked in global health, corporate social responsibility and human rights for twenty-five years. As Henry Schein’s Vice President of Public Policy, Allison leads the company’s public policy and global health engagement by partnering with government, industry groups, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations. Allison also leads the Henry Schein Cares Foundation, which advocates and supports efforts to advance health equity and empower healthcare professionals to promote a healthier tomorrow. Allison leads Henry Schein’s engagement in several private sector initiatives in global health, including: the Private Sector Roundtable on Global Health Security (serving as Chairwoman), the Gold Foundation Corporate Council (serving as Chairwoman), the World Economic Forum Oral Health Group (serving as Co-Chair), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Corporate Roundtable, the National Academy of Medicine Decarbonization of the Healthcare Sector Collaborative, and various engagements with the World Economic Forum and World Health Organization. She co-directs Henry Schein’s engagement as private sector lead of the Pandemic Supply Chain Network, a global public-private initiative aimed at strengthening the resilience of the healthcare supply chain which the company co-founded in 2015. In addition, she co-founded and serves as Co-Chair of the Alpha Omega-Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivor Oral Health Program, a program that has since 2015 provided free dental care to more than 2,500 survivors in need across North America. Allison received her Master in Public Policy degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School, where she was awarded the Pforzheimer Merit Fellowship, and received her Bachelor’s Degree magna cum laude from Tufts University.
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Isaac Rodriguez-Chavez, PhD, MHS, MS
Independent Consultant, Strategic Advisor, BlueCloud® by HealthCarePoint.com, Reveles Inc. Former Senior Officer, FDA
Dr. Isaac R. Rodriguez-Chavez is a visionary leader and innovator in biomedical research, clinical development, and regulatory affairs with over 30 years of experience spanning both public and private sectors. As a multidisciplinary executive, he has spearheaded transformative initiatives across the life sciences landscape, from bench to bedside and beyond. With a distinguished career encompassing roles at the FDA, NIH, major pharmaceutical companies, and leading contract research organizations, Dr. Rodriguez-Chavez has been at the forefront of revolutionizing drug development and clinical trial methodologies. His expertise covers a broad spectrum of therapeutic areas, including oncology, infectious diseases, immunology, vaccines, and rare diseases, with a particular focus on cutting-edge technologies and patient-centric approaches. Notably, Dr. Rodriguez-Chavez served as the Director of the AIDS & Immunosuppression Program at the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), NIH from 2008 to 2016. In this role, he directed a national and international program for HIV/AIDS, comorbidities, oncology, immunology, vaccines, and infectious diseases, effectively managing over 2,000 research projects, preclinical studies, and clinical trials (phase I-III). His leadership doubled the research budget to $50M and expanded the program's scope from 3 to 10 fields of science. Dr. Rodriguez-Chavez was instrumental in establishing a research vision and strategic plan that significantly advanced oral health research in the context of HIV/AIDS and related conditions. As the former Senior Vice President at ICON plc, Dr. Rodriguez-Chavez led the global strategy for Decentralized Clinical Trials (DCTs) and Digital Medicine, pioneering innovative approaches that enhanced patient access, reduced costs, and accelerated drug development timelines. His leadership resulted in the successful implementation of over 300 innovative studies, contributing to a $1.2 billion portfolio and driving significant profit increases. During his tenure at the FDA as a Senior Officer, Dr. Rodriguez-Chavez played a pivotal role in shaping regulatory policies for clinical research modernization, including the integration of decentralized clinical trials, digital health technologies, and real-world evidence in clinical trials. His work has been instrumental in advancing regulatory science and fostering a more agile and efficient drug development ecosystem. Throughout his career, Dr. Rodriguez-Chavez has been instrumental in the development and regulatory approval of numerous drugs, biologics, vaccines, and medical devices. His expertise in global regulatory affairs, including successful interactions with FDA, EMA, and other international regulatory bodies, has been crucial in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and bringing innovative therapies to patients. As a thought leader and industry influencer, Dr. Rodriguez-Chavez holds several prestigious board positions, including co-chair of the IEEE-SA Clinical Trial Technology Modernization Network and founding board member of the Digital Medicine Society. He is a sought-after speaker and author, having delivered over 150 presentations at global conferences and authored more than 25 scientific publications. Dr. Rodriguez-Chavez's academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Virology and Immunology, an M.S. in Microbiology, an M.H.S. in Clinical Research, and a B.S. in Biology. His multifaceted expertise, combined with a passion for innovation and patient-centric approaches, positions him as a transformative force in the biomedical and healthcare industries. As an independent consultant, Dr. Rodriguez-Chavez continues to drive innovation in clinical research, regulatory affairs, and digital medicine, helping organizations navigate the complex landscape of modern drug development and healthcare delivery. His unique blend of scientific acumen, regulatory expertise, and strategic vision makes him an invaluable asset in advancing medical science and improving global health outcomes, particularly in the field of oral health and its intersection with systemic diseases.
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Maria Ryan, DDS, PhD
Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at the Colgate-Palmolive Company
Maria Emanuel Ryan, DDS, PhD is Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at the Colgate-Palmolive Company where she provides oversight and leadership to Dental and Dermal Clinical organizations, Knowledge Management and Scientific Communications teams. Dr. Ryan previously served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Oral Biology and Pathology at Stony Brook University where she was actively involved in teaching, clinical practice of periodontology and research. She is the Past President of the American Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) and has served on many academic and foundation boards. Dr. Ryan has received numerous awards including NIH National Research Service Awards and a Physician Scientist Award. She received an achievement award from the American Dental Association and was the first recipient of the Victress Health Award to recognize her educational and research efforts in the area of women’s health. Dr. Ryan is a nationally and internationally known speaker and author who has appeared on multiple media outlets to discuss the importance of oral health to overall health and wellbeing as well as the role of the dental professional in the provision of optimal overall health care.
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James Schulz
Senior Vice President of Government and Public Affairs, ADA
For nearly 30 years, James Schulz has been involved in state and federal government and politics, having held key staff positions in the U.S. Congress as well as New Jersey’s legislative and executive branches. Having a career that spans both the public and private sectors, he has a deep knowledge of government operations and its impact on business development. Jim Schulz has been a leading advocate for dentistry and oral health for more than two decades, having successfully managed the New Jersey Dental Association’s advocacy and political operations. Mr. Schulz has extensive governmental, non-profit, and corporate board experience, having held key leadership and advisory positions in each segment. In 2019, Jim was inducted as an Honorary Fellow in the International College of Dentists for his years of service to the dental profession and his efforts to improve oral health. Mr. Schulz is one of the few non-dentists to have been bestowed this honor in the College’s 100-year history. In 2022, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy nominated Mr. Schulz to serve on the College of New Jersey Board of Trustees, his alma mater. He is a native of Mercer County, New Jersey, and has two daughters, Alexis, and Lauren.
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Wenyuan Shi, PhD
CEO, ADA Forsyth
Dr. Wenyuan Shi is Chief Executive Officer of the Forsyth Institute and has led the Forsyth Institute since 2017. He also served as Forsyth’s Chief Scientific Officer until Dr. Ben Wu joined the team in 2023. Before his appointment, Shi was the chairman and professor of Oral Biology at UCLA Schools of Dentistry as well as the Professor of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics at UCLA School of Medicine for 20+ years. Dr. Shi has been leading numerous NIH grants to use multidisciplinary approaches to study oral microbial pathogenesis with a specific focus on microbial biofilm, inter-species interaction and signal transduction. In addition, Dr. Shi’s laboratory is actively involved in the development of next generation of diagnostic and therapeutic tools against oral microbial infections, including instant chairside detection of oral pathogens and peptide based targeted antimicrobial therapeutics. These translational research efforts have resulted in novel technologies that were licensed and developed by major pharmaceutical, dental and biotech companies. Dr. Shi is the founding scientist, former chief scientific officer and chairman of the scientific advisory board of C3J Therapeutics Inc., which is now called Armata Pharmaceuticals (https://www.armatapharma.com), listed on NYSE. Dr. Shi obtained his BS degree from Fudan University (Shanghai) in 1984, acquired his Ph.D degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1991 and fulfilled his postdoctoral training at University of California-Berkeley during 1992-1995. He is co-author and co-inventor of over 200 scientific articles and 40 patents and patent applications.
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Andrew Smith
CEO, Association of Dental Support Organizations (ADSO)
Andrew Smith served as executive vice president of government relations and external affairs for Parallel (formerly Surterra Wellness) where he managed the state and federal government relations teams, served as the company’s chief advocate and spokesperson to policymakers and regulators, and led the company’s advocacy and communications goals in the public affairs space. Prior to joining the private sector, Smith spent a decade working in government, campaigns, and public policy. In particular, Smith worked as finance director and senior advisor for Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe where he oversaw the strategy, development, and implementation of a record-breaking $44 million fundraising operation. Smith is a graduate of Georgetown University with a degree in government and history. Originally from Chicago, Smith now resides in Greenwich, Connecticut.
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Stephen E. Thorne IV
Founder & CEO, PDS Health
Stephen E. Thorne IV, BA, MHA is the Founder and CEO of PDS Health®, which continues the vision started by Pacific Dental Services® in 1994. Based in Henderson, Nevada, PDS Health is redefining healthcare by integrating dental and medical services, enhancing operations and care delivery for nearly 1,000 dental, dental specialty, and primary care practices across 24 states. This approach, centered on the connection between oral health and overall health, aims to create healthier, happier patients and set new benchmarks in the healthcare industry. Under Mr. Thorne’s leadership, PDS Health has become a leader in promoting the Mouth-Body Connection®, advocating for enhanced collaboration between dental and medical professionals to improve patient outcomes and reduce overall healthcare costs. The company was the first large dental organization to implement Epic®, the largest electronic health record system in the U.S., revolutionizing patient data exchange and care coordination across its network.Mr. Thorne's influence extends beyond company operations to significant contributions within healthcare education, scientific research, and policy. He has held positions on several prestigious boards, promoting the integration of oral health and medical care, and has been recognized with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from A.T. Still University. Residing in Nevada with his wife and family, Mr. Thorne continues to drive healthcare innovation, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to advancing the field.
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Marko Vujicic, PhD
Chief Economist, Vice President of the Health Policy Institute, Chief of International Relations, ADA
Marko Vujicic currently serves as Chief Economist and Vice President of the Health Policy Institute as well as Chief of International Relations at the American Dental Association. In his role as Chief Economist, he oversees a comprehensive research program focusing on oral health policy issues in the U.S. health care system. In his role as Chief of International Relations, he oversees all global initiatives within the Association. Previously, he was Senior Economist with The World Bank in Washington D.C. where he focused on health systems reform in developing countries and directed the global health workforce policy program. He was also a Health Economist with the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. In all of these roles, Dr. Vujicic led large-scale strategic initiatives focused on bringing cutting edge data and research to specific health policy challenges. Dr. Vujicic has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals such as Health Affairs, The New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, Health Services Research, Health Economics, Social Science and Medicine, and Medical Care. He is also the lead author of the book, Working in Health, which examines health workforce challenges globally and has written several book chapters on health care policy issues. His team’s work has been cited by CNN, The New York Times, NBC News, CNBC, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Fox News, PBS NOVA, and The Atlantic. He has provided testimony to federal and state legislative committees, most recently to the US Senate Committee on Finance, Subcommittee on Health Care. Dr. Vujicic holds several academic appointments. He is adjunct senior fellow at the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania and affiliate faculty at the Center for Health and the Social Sciences, University of Chicago as well as the Center for Health Services and Policy Research at the University of British Columbia. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto and a visiting assistant professor at Tufts University. Dr. Vujicic obtained his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor’s degree in Business from McGill University in Montreal.
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Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque, DDS, PHD
Deputy director of National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health
Dr. Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque is the deputy director of National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health. An accomplished clinician, researcher, and leader, Dr. Webster-Cyriaque had previously served as a faculty member at the University of North Carolina (UNC) schools of dentistry and medicine for more than two decades. As a tenured full professor at UNC, Dr. Webster-Cyriaque also served as the attending on clinical service at the UNC Hospital’s dental clinic. While there, she led research into a potential etiologic agent for salivary gland disease in patients living with HIV, assessed the oral microbiome and its implications for cancer-causing viruses, and studied the impact of the oral microbiome and oral health on HIV outcomes. In addition to her research, Dr. Webster-Cyriaque has held leadership roles as the chair/vice chair of the Oral HIV/AIDS Research Alliance, as research director at the National Dental Association Foundation, as director of postdoctoral CTSA training, along with multiple roles within the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research and the International Association for Dental Research. Since 2004, she has led the UNC Malawi project and provided assistance in founding Malawi’s first dental school in 2019. Dr. Webster-Cyriaque earned her PhD in microbiology/immunology from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1998, her DDS from SUNY Buffalo in 1992, and her BA in biology and interdisciplinary social science from SUNY Buffalo in 1988.
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Benjamin Wu, DDS, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer, ADA Forsyth
Dr. Benjamin Wu joined Forsyth in January 2023 as the Chief Scientific Officer. Before his appointment at Forsyth, Dr. Wu was the Professor and Chair of the UCLA Division of Regenerative and Reconstructive Sciences for 23 years, and Director of the Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology at the UCLA School of Dentistry.
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Domenick T. Zero, DDS, MS, BS
Tenured Professor, Department of Cariology and Operative Dentistry, Indiana University School of Dentistry. Former Director, Oral Health Research Institute.
Domenick T. Zero, DDS, MS, BS is a tenured professor in the Department of Cariology and Operative Dentistry, Indiana University School of Dentistry. He recently stepped down as director of the Oral Health Research Institute after serving for 22 years. He is an internationally recognized Cariologist and widely regarded for his expertise in running clinical trials. Dr. Zero’s current research interests include evaluation of the clinical anticaries efficacy of topical fluorides, non-fluoride remineralization agents, new early caries diagnostic systems, caries-associated virulence properties of dental biofilms, and the use of biologics for the treatment of Sjögren’s disease and temporomandibular joint disorder. As a principal investigator, he has received research grants from the National Institutes of Health and private industry totaling well over 30 million dollars. He has published more than 170 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and book chapters and over 220 abstracts. His work has been cited over 20,000 times. In 1996 he assumed the presidency of the IADR Cariology Research Group. From 1999 to 2001 he served as an elected member European Organization for Caries Research (ORCA) Advisory Board. He has also served as chair and vice-chair of the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs, as a member of the Dental Products Panel of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Medical Devices Advisory Committee, and as a member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Expert Panel on School-based Dental Sealant Programs. He is a founding board member of the International Caries Detection and Assessment System Foundation and the recently formed American Academy of Cariology. He currently serves as a member of the ADA Center for Evidence-Based Dentistry’s Expert Panel for the American Dental Association (ADA) Clinical Practice Guideline on Caries Management, a consultant to the ADA Presidential Task Force on Sugar, Nutrition, and Diet, and recently has been again appointed as a member of Dental Products Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee of the FDA. He has recently received several awards recognizing his research contributions, including the Yngve Ericsson Prize for Research in Preventive Odontology, the American Dental Association's Norton M. Ross Award for Excellence in Clinical Research, and the IADR Distinguished Scientist William H. Bowen Research in Dental Caries Award.
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Travel/Lodging
Dentech 2024 will be held at the Norton’s Woods Conference Center at the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in Somerville, Massachusetts, USA. The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is a premier venue for dentech, offering a prestigious environment that fosters innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. With its rich history of advancing knowledge and addressing challenges, the Academy provides the ideal setting to bring together leading minds in oral health.
The ADA Forsyth Institute is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts in Kendall Square, a global biotech hub. Kendall Square offers a captivating spirit of innovation along with a plethora of restaurants to dine at, sights to see, and activities to enjoy. As a world leader in oral health research, education, and care, we are proud to operate in this area and contribute to its unique culture. Come visit our site right next to the Charles River to experience everything The ADA Forsyth Institute and Kendall Square have to offer.
Transportation/Directions
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is located at 136 Irving Street, Cambridge, MA. However, PLEASE NOTE that the vehicle entrance (for drop offs, Taxi/Uber/Lyft) is located at 200 Beacon Street, Somerville, MA.
There is no parking available at the Norton’s Woods Conference Center. Please plan to take an Uber or Lyft to the event.
ADA Forsyth is 245 First Street in Cambridge. However, the main entrance to the building is on Athenaeum Street. We are within walking distance of the Kendall Square Station on the Red Line of the MBTA, the area subway system.
Parking
There is a parking garage located at the same address as the ADA Forsyth building that is operated by LAZ Parking. The rate to park for a day in this garage is $42.
Lodging
Hotels near the American Academy of Arts and Sciences:
Cambria Hotel Boston Somerville (0.3 miles, 7-min walk)
515 Somerville Avenue, Somerville, 02143
Hotel 1868 (0.8 miles, 4-min drive, 17-min walk)
1868 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02140
Sheraton Commander Hotel (1.1 miles, 5-min drive, 20-min walk)
16 Garden St, Cambridge, MA 02138
The Charles Hotel (1.3 miles, 7-min drive, 25-min walk)
1 Bennett St Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA 02138-5707
Holiday Inn Boston Bunker Hill Area, an IHG Hotel (1.6 miles, 10-min Drive, 37-min walk)
30 Washington St, Somerville, MA 02143
Hotels with discounted rates located near the AFI office:
Kimpton Marlowe Hotel: Book via this link: Forsyth OR enter corporate ID 786894528
25 Edwin H Land Blvd, Cambridge, MA 02141
Royal Sonesta Boston: select “Corporate/Promo” on the top (next to Date, Room and Guest selection), and enter promo code SBR.
40 Edwin H Land Blvd, Cambridge, MA 02142
Additional Hotels located near the AFI office:
50 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02142
350 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02142
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Boston – Cambridge, an IHG hotel
250 Monsignor O’Brien Highway, Cambridge, MA 02141
