Dr. Black owned his own dental practice for over 30 years. Once he built a high-level of productivity in his dental practice, he was able to sell to a group practice, and the rest of his career as a dental practice owner is history. In 2015, Dr. Black decided to share his knowledge to help other dentists duplicate his level of success and started his own dental consulting company. His niche was treatment planning and case presentation. Dr. Black is currently an associate coach and consultant, for Dental Practice Solutions, one of the leading consulting firms for nearly twenty years. By adding the perspective of a seasoned practitioner, Dr. Black adds to the proven hygiene profitability coaching that Dental Practice is well-known for providing to dental practices on a global level. Dr. Black’s expertise as an EQ and DISC trainer, makes him the best person to help more patients to say “YES!” to your patient care, as well as, enjoy working together as a team and love what you do for your patients!

Dr. Stephen Hsu, a tenured professor of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences at the Dental College of Georgia, is a world-renowned expert in green tea polyphenol research and inventor of green tea technology-derived products and medications, which treat dry mouth, dandruff, hair loss, cold sores, and viral infections with natural ingredients.  Dr. Hsu was awarded a number of patents on novel technologies targeting autoimmune diseases, herpes simplex virus, virus-induced infections, and salivary dysfunction (xerostomia or dry mouth).  Dr. Hsu has been selected as a TED speaker in 2014.  Dr. Hsu received the International Association for Dental Research (IADR)/GSK Innovation in Oral Care Award in 2011.   In 2015, he received the Georgia Bio Innovation Award for his unique inventions. Also in 2015, Dr. Hsu received the Oral Discoveries & Inventions Award from Georgia Dental Association (GDA).  Dr. Hsu has been invited to appear on numerous TV and radio/podcast programs, and frequently invited to international conferences as a keynote speaker.    Dr. Hsu earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Wuhan University after a six-year forced labor experience in a rural farm in China.  After moving to the United States, he received a Master of Arts degree in molecular biology from Montclair State University in New Jersey and a Ph.D. in cell biology and anatomy from the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine.  He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City before a career change to television.  During the four years as a television commentator and sports anchor for ESPN International, Dr. Hsu taught at the National University of Singapore as a Lecturer.  In 1998, Dr. Hsu received the Ruth L. Kirstein Research Service Award from the National Cancer Institute, and conducted cancer research at New York University School of Medicine.  Dr. Hsu joined the Augusta University, formerly the Medical College of Georgia, in 1999 and serves as Course Director for Nutrition and Course Director for Biochemistry in the Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences.  Dr. Hsu has joint appointments in the Institute of Molecular Medicine and Genetics and the Graduate School.  He is a former President of the Georgia chapter of the American Association for Dental Research and a member of the American Association for Cancer Research and the International Association for Dental Research.  He has published more than seventy research articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, eight books or book chapters, and has presented his research findings at scientific meetings worldwide, as well as lectured for CE courses to dentists, dental hygienists, and pharmacists.  He has served as reviewer of grant applications for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), the National University of Singapore, and for numerous scientific journals.  Dr. Hsu’s research has been funded by the NIH and the U.S. Department of Defense, IADR, Georgia Research Alliance (GRA), among other organizations. Dr. Hsu has collaborated with researchers representing the fields of oral biology/maxillofacial pathology, dermatology, virology, and molecular biology from Universities in the US, China, and Japan. He and his wife, Tracy, live in Evans, Georgia with their sons, Alexander and Andrew.

In three words Dr. Safarian is hard working, persistent and a lifelong learner. He lived in the San Diego area for nearly 30 years when he started 3 dental practices from scratch. Since graduating for Tufts School of Dental Medicine in Boston 2001 Dr. Safarian has taken many continuing education courses, receiving training in cosmetic dentistry, TMJ and orthodontic treatments. Running his own practices has taught him a great deal about customer service and marketing, and his inspiring success prompted him to start 7 Figure Dental Practice in order to assist other dental practitioners in achieving their own business dreams. Dr. Safarian believes success is not something you can just have in a blink of an eye. It requires hard work, consistency, self-belief, self discipline, accountability, and determination.

Dr. Hobbs is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and has over 25 years of dental and periodontal experience. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland in College Park and went on to receive her DDS from the University of Maryland Dental School, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Dr. Hobbs completed her General Practice Residency at York Hospital in York, Pennsylvania and was the Chief Resident the following year at Carolina’s Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. Dr. Hobbs worked as general dentist in Charlotte for a year before deciding to specialize in Periodontics. She attended the University of California at San Francisco where she earned her certificate in Periodontology Specialty while simultaneously earning a Master’s Degree in Oral Biology with emphasis on the link between Periodontal Disease and Diabetes and TGFB growth factor. She received the “Most Innovative” Clinical Research Award in her Senior Year at UCSF from the Western Society of Periodontology. In 1997, Dr. Hobbs moved to Durham, NC where she established a private practice in Periodontology and Implantology.  She operated a highly successful, private clinic in Durham and received her Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology in 2000. She has been an Assistant Professor at UNC school of Dentistry Post- Graduate Periodontology Department since 1997 and she rose through the ranks of the North Carolina Society of Periodontist serving as President in 2014.    In 2015, Dr. Hobbs started the Hobbs’ Spear Study Club. She enjoys the opportunity to interact with great restorative doctors and specialists and has been a member of numerous Study Clubs in the Triangle Area including the Wake County Dental Society and the Seattle Study Club. In 2018 she sold her practice and joined NuImage surgical center.  She has presented to numerous organizations over the years, including Wake County Dental Society, Wake and Durham/Orange Hygiene Society, NC Chapter of AAWD, Durham Health Department, Duke Endocrinology Grand Rounds and numerous local Study clubs. Dr. Hobbs was born in Egypt and raised in Germany. At the age of 9, she came to the U.S. with her family.   Dr. Hobbs is married to Jim Hobbs, a Greensboro native, and they are proud parents of their daughter, Madison. In her free time she enjoys spending quality time with her family, exercising and watching her daughter do gymnastics. Dr. Hobbs is a proud supporter of Hospice, The Food Bank of N.C., The Pulmonary Fibrosis Society, The American Cancer Society, Durham Rescue Mission, Doctors without Borders and the Salvation Army. She also volunteers for the Baptist Mission Dental Bus, Wake Smiles Dental Clinic and Miriam Dental Clinic.

Dr. Taylor Clark is the author of the hit book Beating All Odds- Discover Exactly How You Can Succeed in Life and Work. He is a practicing dentist, entrepreneur, author, dental success coach and speaker whose passion is making life better for people. His accomplishments have been recognized in newspapers, magazines, radio, television and podcasts to many cities throughout the United States and abroad. He can tell you how to set and begin to achieve big goals quickly and easily. He can also tell you how to avoid the mistakes that may be killing your chances for personal success and happiness. Be sure to have a pen and paper handy. He’ll be giving you information you won’t want to miss.

Laurie Rowland is a dental hygienist and educator with 20 years of experience. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and her Master of Science Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. In 1999, she received her Dental Hygiene license after graduating from the Blinn College Dental Hygiene Program in Bryan, Texas. She is now a professor at Blinn College, serving as Clinic Coordinator and teaching Pre-Clinical Dental Hygiene, Dental Hygiene Care, and Dental Hygiene Practice. 

John has been in the dental software business for over 26 years. With a background in engineering and an MBA degree, he spent years in sales and marketing with several computer hardware and software companies. After marrying a dentist, he became frustrated with her dental software. Shopping for a new, easier program proved futile so he founded ACE Dental Software 26 years ago. ACE has spent years in the relentless pursuit of the easiest program in the industry.

Dr. Shiffman is in general practice at the Laser Dental Center in Boynton Beach, Florida. He is a graduate of Georgetown University School of Dentistry and completed a general practice residency at Georgetown University Medical Center, with an emphasis on treating medically compromised patients. Dr. Shiffman completed certification with the Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD) in three types of Laser systems and was recently awarded a Fellowship in the ALD. He is personally involved in the use and development of cutting edge technology and has performed tens of thousands of laser dental procedures over the last 18 years. Dr. Shiffman is an instructor for the Academy of Clinical Technology (ACT). Dr. Shiffman most recently lectured at the Rocky Mountain Dental Conference, Seattle Study Club Symposium, Yankee Dental Congress, American Sleep and Breathing Academy, the Greater New York Dental Meeting on Advances in Laser Dentistry. And the 2018 Lasers and Health Conference in Slovenia. Dr.Shiffman is an adjunct professor in the Department of Prosthodontics at Nova Southeastern College of Dental Medicine, most recently was awarded the Expert Lecturer Status from the Laser and Health Academy.

Dr. David W. Epstein is a retired Pediatric Dentist residing in Bloomfield, CT. He attended the University of Wisconsin on a scholarship in Metallurgical Engineering. He received a degree in Mathematics in 1964, followed by a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1968 and a Master’s Degree in Pediatric Dentistry in 1970 all from Indiana University. In 1970, he joined the original Dental School Faculty at the University of Connecticut Health Center and taught until 1988. He began his private practice in 1972 in West Hartford, Connecticut and the practice has grown into a group practice consisting of five Pediatric Dentists and two Orthodontists. He is proud that his repacement upon his retirement was one of his former patients. For more than 45 years, the primary focus of his practice was preventive care with an emphasis on active child and parent participation. After listening to many negative comments about the taste of dental products being used, Dr. Epstein researched the idea of developing both a new prophy paste and fluoride varnish with delicious flavors and superior properties. His vision in creating Wonderful dental was to solve 2 major issues: 1) There was a need for better products to make the dental experience more pleasant for children. 2) Reduce the price by selling direct in order to save other pediatric dentists money on premium supplies.  3) In His words, “This is my way of giving back to a wonderful profession that gave me so much. I loved treating patients and I love participating online giving advice and help where I feel competent.” 

A highly experienced leader, with a track record of generating results through leadership, talent management and culture development. Maurer thrives on the challenge of successfully turning around, building and creating enormous growth opportunities.  As a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, Maurer was recruited to Procter & Gamble, where he became their top sales representative in less than two years.  He spent 12 years of rapid and successive promotions in both Sales & Marketing at P&G and Novartis in the US and Canada.  He then rose to CEO positions in both venture capital and private equity funded health care companies. Maurer currently serves as President and CEO of Smile Source, where he has grown the company to over 630 independently operated franchise dental practices with an average practice size of $1.2 million in annual production. Based on current projections, Smile Source will be the largest dental group in the U.S. by 2020. Maurer is also actively involved in Youth Sports in his community, coaching travel hockey programs for over a decade.