Vermont Dental Conference Speaker Biographies

Dr. Gerard J. Chiche - 
Dr. Gerard J. Chiche  is the Thomas P. Hinman Endowed Chair in Restorative Dentistry, and the Director of the Center for Esthetic & Implant Dentistry at Augusta University, Dental College of Georgia. He is a Past President of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry and he is also, respectively with Alain Pinault and Hitoshi Aoshima the author of two textbooks: Esthetics of Anterior Fixed Restorations, and Smile Design - A guide for Clinician, Ceramist and Patient, both published by Quintessence Pub. Co. He is the recipient of the 2003 LSU Alumni Award, the 2003 Award of the Seattle Study Club for best dental educator of the year and the 2007 Distinguished Lecturer Award of the Greater New York Academy of Prosthodontics. In 2009, he became the first recipient of the Endowed Chair sponsored by the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Society.

Dr. Daniel Pompa is a Fellow in both The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He co-established The Oral Surgery and Implant Center in Forest Hills, NY in 1985. After graduating from New York University College of Dentistry, Dr. Pompa completed a GPR at Long Island Jewish Hospital followed by specialty training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Lincoln Hospital, New York Medical College. He has been a guest lecturer at many well-known University Colleges of Dental Medicine/Dentistry. Dr. Pompa has lectured extensively both nationally and internationally. He is an author, having published in such journals as JADA and the NYSAGD Journal as well as Dentistry Today that has sited Dr. Pompa as a “Leader in Continuing Dental Education for 2018 and 2019”. Dr. Pompa is also an inventor, having been issued a U.S. Patent for his contribution in developing a protocol for CT Guided Surgery in Dental Implantology.

Thomas Viola, R.Ph., C.C.P. the founder of “Pharmacology Declassified”, is a board-certified pharmacist who also serves the profession of dentistry as a clinical educator, professional speaker and published author. Tom is a member of the faculty of ten dental professional degree programs and has received several awards for outstanding teacher of the year. Tom has presented hundreds of continuing education courses to dental professionals, nationally and internationally, in the areas of oral pharmacology and local anesthesia and is well known for his regular contributions to several dental professional journals. Through his informative, humorous and engaging seminars and webinars, Tom has earned his reputation as the go-to specialist for making pharmacology practical and useful for all members of the dental team.

Rebecca S. Wilder, BSDH, MS is a Professor and Assistant Dean for Professional Development and Faculty Affairs at the University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry. She was formerly the Director of the Master of Science Degree Program in Dental Hygiene Education at UNC. Rebecca is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Dental Hygiene. She has received the Colgate/International Association for Dental Research Oral Health Research Award for outstanding accomplishments in oral research, the Pfizer/American Dental Hygienists’ Association Award for Excellence in Dental Hygiene and the Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Rebecca has published over 200 articles and abstracts in professional journals and she speaks internationally in the areas or periodontics, oral-systemic health, oral health products, risk and practice management.