Vermont Dental Conference - Speakers

Karen Davis, RDH, BSDH

International Speaker Karen Davis, RDH, BSDH is founder of Cutting Edge Concepts®. With insightful humor and how-to information, she delivers the timely and effective messages dental industry members need to succeed in today’s world.

Karen is also a practicing dental hygienist in Dallas, Texas. Karen received her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from Midwestern State University. She has served on numerous advisory boards in the profession and is considered a Key Opinion Leader to several corporations.

Dentistry Today has recognized Karen as a “Top Clinician in Continuing Education” annually since 2006. She is an accomplished author and continues to share her passion for practicing on the cutting edge of the profession.

Nancy Dewhirst, RDH, BS

Ms. Dewhirst graduated from the University of Southern California, practiced dental hygiene for 20 years, is adjunct dental hygiene faculty at West Coast University and a member of Sigma Phi Alpha. 

Ms. Dewhirst is consistently listed as one of the nations “Leaders in CE”, presents over 80 seminars a year, is featured at major US and Canadian Dental Conferences, and is a member of the California Dental Association Speakers Bureau. 

She has had many articles published in dental peer-reviewed journals and has contributed to dental textbooks and guidance documents. 

Tieraona Low Dog, MD

Tieraona (Tier-oh-nay) Low Dog, MD is an internationally recognized physician, educator, author, and expert. Dr. Low Dog is a founding member of the American Board of Integrative Medicine, was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy. 

Dr. Low Dog served as the Chair of the Dietary Supplements and Botanicals Admission Evaluation Sub-Committee from 2010–2020.

Dr. Low Dog has spoken at over 600 medical conferences, has written 54 peer-reviewed articles, 24 medical textbook chapters, and authored five books of her own, including four with Natural Geographic: Fortify Your Life, Healthy at Home, Life is Your Best Medicine, and Guide to Medicinal Herbs.

Jeanette MacLean, DDS, DABPD, FAAPD

Dr. Jeanette MacLean is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, owner of Affiliated Children’s Dental Specialists in Glendale, Arizona, and mother of two.  She received her dental degree, with honors, from the University of Southern California in 2003 and completed her specialty training in pediatric dentistry in 2005 at Sunrise Children’s Hospital through the University of Nevada School of Medicine.  

Dr. MacLean has become an internationally recognized advocate and expert on minimally invasive dentistry, appearing in newspapers, magazines, television, and continuing education lectures on this hot topic.  

Most notably, she was featured in the July 2016 New York Times article “A Cavity Fighting Liquid Helps Kids Avoid Dentists’ Drills,” which brought national attention to the option of treating cavities non-invasively with silver diamine fluoride.

Having been named as one of the nation's leader's in dental continuing education for over ten consecutive years, Dr. Sangrik has written for Dentistry Today, Dental Economics and Dental Practice Success on the topics of medical emergencies and dental fear.  Recently, Dr. Sangrik developed and authored a 4-part video and workbook for the American Dental Association on medical emergency preparedness. 

Dr. Sangrik’s research project assessing patient expectations of medical emergencies occurring in dental office was published by the American Association of Dental Boards.  Active in organized dentistry, Dr. Sangrik has long held numerous positions at the local and state levels. He also has served as a consultant to the Ohio State Dental Board on a task force concerning the use of oral sedation.

Dr. Sangrik is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. He completed the intravenous sedation program at Miami Valley Hospital of Dayton, Ohio and the comprehensive externship at Midwest Implant Institute.

Dr. Steven Shepard is the founder of the Shepard Communications Group in Williston, Vermont. A professional author, photographer, speaker, audio producer, and educator with more than 40 years in the technology industry, he has written books and articles on a wide variety of topics.

Dr. Shepard received his undergraduate degree in Spanish and Romance Philology from the University of California at Berkeley (1976), his master’s degree in International Business from St. Mary’s College (1985), and his PhD at the Da Vinci Institute in Rivonia, South Africa (2009).

Dr. Shepard specializes in international issues in technology strategy, with an emphasis on the social, geopolitical, economic, and competitive implications of technological change. Thanks to a childhood in Spain, Steve routinely publishes and delivers presentations in Spanish.

Magician Alyx Hilshey entertains at the Social Mixer- Thursday 5:00-6:00pm. 

Alyx Hilshey is technically elegant and her style of magic pulls you in and touches your intrigue.  She is a skilled magician mentored for many years by top professionals.  She was on the cover of Vanish, the International Magic Magazine and performs authentic street magic and elite sleight of hand.  She has a delightfully likeable sense of humor and a strong rapport with her audience.  It is pure fun, laughs, and the sensation of wonder.