About Diana Batoon, DMD
Dr. Diana Batoon is an experienced dentist specializing in sleep, airway, and craniofacial dentistry. After earning her doctorate from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and completing a GPR residency at the VA Hospital in Loma Linda, she has been practicing since 1997. She operates both a general dentistry office and a specialized practice focused on sleep, TMD, and craniofacial care, utilizing advanced technologies like 3-D imaging and printing. As a Diplomate of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy, Dr. Batoon advocates for oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea. An international speaker and educator, she supports dental teams in adopting integrative dentistry, offers one-on-one coaching, writes articles, and actively promotes healthy living through nasal breathing, restorative sleep, and nutrition.
Diana is a part-time instructor at Midwestern Dental Institute and serves on multiple committees in organized dentistry. She volunteers for Team Smile, Give Kids a Smile and is part of Arizona Cares Foundation
Dr Batoon enjoys traveling, spending time with her husband John, her 3 sons and 2 German shepherds.
About Nerissa Boggan, BSDH, RDH CertBBM, AOMT-C, COM
Nerissa Boggan, BSDH, RDH, Cert BBM, AOMT-C®, COM®, is a myofunctional therapist and sleep and breathing educator with more than 25 years of experience in dental hygiene and over a decade in public health. A graduate of the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry Dental Hygiene Program, she serves as a pioneer board member and the first RDH/Myofunctional therapist of the AAGO (Academy of Airway and Gnathologic Orthopedics), as well as a contributing faculty member of the ASAP (Airway, Sleep And Pediatrics) Pathway. She holds certifications from the Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (AOMT) and the International Association of Oral Myology (IAOM). Nerissa has pursued advanced training through prestigious programs, including The Breathe Institute’s Myo Masterminds – First Class of 2021 and Dr. Audrey Yoon Institute’s Inaugural Class in Mastering Pediatric Dental Sleep Medicine. As the author of her first published children’s book, My Dog Myo and My Nose, Nerissa highlights the importance of nasal breathing and nasal hygiene. Her multidisciplinary background, compassionate approach, and commitment to preventive health make her a trusted advocate for families seeking to improve breathing, function, and overall wellness.
About Anthony Bolamparti, DDS
Dr. Anthony Bolamperti is the owner of Omaha Laser Dentistry and the Omaha Laser Dentistry Airway Institute, where he provides advanced, airway-centered dental care and trains doctors in laser dentistry from around the world. A graduate of Creighton University School of Dentistry in 1995, Dr. Bolamperti began his career practicing alongside his father before opening his own private practice, Optimal Health Dentistry, in 1997. In 2016, he rebranded the practice as Omaha Laser Dentistry to reflect its focus on innovative, minimally invasive laser treatments. In 2026, he expanded his educational mission by launching the Omaha Laser Dentistry Airway Institute. He also serves as a part-time faculty member at Creighton University School of Dentistry, mentoring future dental professionals.
With over 25 years of experience in laser dentistry, Dr. Bolamperti specializes in airway-centered dentistry and has performed thousands of laser frenectomies and frenuloplasties for newborns, children, and adults. His clinical expertise includes airway procedures, gingival contouring, oral surgery, bone grafting, dental implants, and anesthetic-free dentistry. As a sought-after educator, and trainer for Convergent Dental, he trains and mentors dentists internationally in laser dentistry techniques and airway-focused treatment protocols. Dr. Bolamperti is a published author in Dental Products Report and serves as an Ambassador for Dr. Zaghi’s The Breathe Institute and The Breathe Baby Institute. He is a proud member and guest speaker for the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, American Academy of Dental Sleep Solutions, Academy of Laser Dentistry, and numerous local dental and dental hygiene organizations.
About Jonelle Crichton, DDS
Dr. Crichton was originally born in Barbados and left to complete her Dental training in Florida at Nova Southeastern University with a surgical residency at The University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. She left the sunshine state to pursue her Masters in Orthodontics at The University of Manitoba. She has been practicing both aspects of her degree in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, which is focused on growth and development, incorporating airway disordered treatment with orthodontics for almost 10 yrs. She believes in being innovative and staying on the cutting edge of technology to further improve on the way she delivers care. She has been fortunate to be at the cutting edge of technology allowing her to beta test for Dentsply Sirona, Invisalign, and many other companies. She has been the #1 provider for Invisalign first treatment in Canada and #3 in U.S.A for the last 3 years. Her goal and focus are to improve on the overall health and wellness of her patients and to encourage her colleagues in support and continued growth. She believes in empowering women in dentistry to find that balance between work and life.
About Toshi Hart DDS, DASBA, QOM, CertBBM
Dr. Toshi Hart is a 1992 graduate of UOP Dental School, San Francisco and completed a hospital residency at the VA Palo Alto with rotations at Stanford. Dr. Hart she served 6 years in Public Health establishing a dental clinic in Healdsburg, CA. She was invited to take over a legacy, pediatric practice in Modesto, CA where she practiced for over 2 decades. In 2021, she published a study of significant reduction in decay with growth/guidance appliances. Dr. Hart is a Board Member & Diplomate of ASBA, Vivos Clinical Advisor, Solea Laser KOL, Candid KOL, The Breathe Institute Ambassador, AAPMD Liaison, Qualified Oral Myofunctional Therapist, Certified in Buteyko Breathing and Nasal Release. She was invited by her former professor Dr. Peter Chase to take over his premier Dental Sleep & TMD specialty practice in Walnut Creek, CA where she currently practices under physician referral/medical model.
www.dentsleepmed.com
About Lajuan Hall, DDS, FACD, FICD, NACD.DC
Dr. LaJuan Hall, DDS, is a visionary dental leader, educator, and consultant dedicated to advancing innovation, leadership, and excellence in dentistry. A graduate of the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry, she completed her residency in Pediatric Dentistry at UCSF Children’s Hospital and now serves as a Regent for the American College of Dentists.
Honored with the ACD’s Fleming Award and the UCSF Medal of Honor, Dr. Hall is recognized for her contributions to dental education and community service. A champion of non-invasive care, she promotes early detection and minimally invasive techniques that expand access and improve outcomes. As the author of The Four Pillars of Leadership Development, Dr. Hall empowers dental professionals to lead with compassion, integrity, and lasting impact.
About Mark Levi, DDS, DASBA
Graduated in 1981, Sydney Australia with a dental degree
Practiced as a solo dental practitioner
In 1998 at age 40 got diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea
From age 40 to today spent many years in USA learning about dental airway breathing & sleep.
Starting treating adults only.
In 2015 for 4 years ran 3 separate Medical/Dental Sleep Clinics with a Specialist Lung Sleep doctor.
In 2018 got published in the European Sleep Journal.
In 2021 stopped general dentistry fulltime and became an exclusive Pediatric Airway Breathing Sleep clinic treating mostly 3-12 year olds.
About Felix Liao, DDS
Felix Liao, DDS, is a bestselling author and thought-leader in natural wellness and the mind/mouth/body connection. He is the founder and director of the Whole Health Dental Center in Falls Church, VA, and has served as president of the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine.
A practicing dentist for more than 30 years, Dr. Liao gained acclamation for having identified Impaired Mouth Syndrome as an overlooked source of many medical and dental issues – and for developing an effective intervention framework for redeveloping an impaired mouth into a holistic mouth. He is the author of the bestselling books Six-Foot Tiger, Three-Foot Cage and Early Sirens, and the just released Amazon Best Seller Licensed to Thrive.
About Patrick McKeown, MA, DIP BUTEYKO, FRSB
Buteyko Breathing for Children and Teenagers: A Practical Demonstration
Patrick McKeown MA, Dip Buteyko, FRSB. CEO of Buteyko Clinic International and best selling author in Buteyko Breathing Method: Galway, Ireland.
Patrick McKeown is an internationally recognized breathing expert, author, and educator. He trained at Trinity College Dublin and the Buteyko Clinic in Moscow.
Patrick teaches breathing techniques to help decongest the nose, improve functional breathing, and address the habit of mouth breathing in children. His work also supports better sleep and overall wellbeing for people of all ages. He has been teaching children, teenagers, and adults since 2002, helping thousands worldwide breathe more efficiently and live healthier lives.
About Manisha Witmans M.D.
Dr. Witmans is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan and completed her medical degree with BSc Med with honors. Following residency and fellowship at the Alberta Children’s Hospital and the University of Calgary, she completed additional respirology and sleep medicine training at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Southern California, Keck School of Medicine. She is board certified in sleep medicine, pediatric pulmonology, and pediatrics. She has an ABIM certification for sleep medicine.
2026 Sleep & Wellness Conference Speakers
(Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25)
About Timothy C. Adams DDS, D. ABSA, D. ACSDD
Dr. Adams graduated from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1983 and started his private practice in Indianapolis shortly after his graduation. His clinical skills were recognized early by the faculty at the IU School of Dentistry where he taught clinical dentistry for 5 years. He has published over 25 articles in national and international journals as well as co-authoring a chapter in the prestigious textbook Dental Clinics of North America.
He was a Clinical Instructor and eventual Clinical Director at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI) from 1997 to 2005. Dr. Adams also served as Clinical Director of Occlusion at the Center for Exceptional Practices.
Dr. Adams has received national recognition as a dentist who has lectured to and trained dentists in Cosmetic Dentistry, Sleep Apnea, TMJ, Occlusion, Full Mouth Reconstruction, Neuromuscular Dentistry and Craniofacial Asymmetries. He is a member of IDA, IDDS, ADA, AACD, ASBA, D.ABSA, D.ACSDD
About Jon Caufield, DDS
Dr. Jon W. Caulfield owns and operates Epic Dentistry in Littleton, Colorado where he takes an integrated, whole health approach to dentistry, focusing on the areas of Sleep, Airway and TMJ. He has been fortunate to work alongside world leaders in neuromuscular occlusion and pneumopedics and is now paying it forward, teaching hundreds of dentists worldwide how to integrate solutions for sleep, airway and TMJ into their practices. Dr. Caulfield is an instructor at the Institute for Craniofacial Sleep Medicine and leads the Clinical Advisory and Advocate Program at Vivos Therapeutics. A graduate of University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Dr. Caulfield also holds an advanced graduate degree with Occlusion Connections and a diplomate status with the American Sleep and Breathing Academy.
About Joseph R. Cohen, DDS, FACD, FICD, FAHS, FAAOP
Dr. Cohen is a board-certified specialist in orofacial pain (OFP) and has treated thousands of TMD, OFP and sleep apnea patients in his private practice in the greater Phoenix area since 1980. He also treats OFP and sleep disordered breathing and trains residents and students at A T Still University, Mesa Campus, where he is currently Assistant Professor and Director of the Orofacial Pain and Sleep Clinic and trains the AEGD residents and Pre Doc students in the diagnosis and treatment of TMD, OFP and Sleep Disordered Breathing. He also is a part-time faculty member at the UCLA OFP residency program where he treats OFP and sleep patients and trains OFP residents. The scope of practice for OFP specialists includes expertise in diagnosing and treating all jaw joint and muscle disorders and all related neck and shoulder pain. OFP specialists are also trained extensively in diagnosing and treating sleep disordered breathing, migraine and tension type headaches as well as all facial neuralgias, (including trigeminal neuralgias) and facial movement disorders.
Dr Cohen is a section editor for the Journal “Cranio” ( The official Journal of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain) and is a frequent reviewer for several Journals including: The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), American Headache Society, and many others.
Dr. Cohen is past president of the American Board of Orofacial Pain (ABOP) and the American Academy of Orofacial Pain (AAOP) and just completed four years as the Commissioner for the specialty of Orofacial Pain for the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). This means he was the chair of the committee that sets the educational standards for this specialty for all dental schools in the United States.
He is a member of many professional organizations including American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and has lectured on this topic in many sleep conferences including the ASBA. He is also an active member of the American Dental Association, American Pain Society, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain and the American Headache Society.
Dr. Cohen is a graduate of the University of Tennessee Dental School, received advanced training in Orofacial Pain at UCLA, and has been in private practice in Phoenix since 1971. He has authored many articles and is currently finalizing a research study on the use of laughter in the treatment of head and neck pain. He has also contributed several chapters for the “Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of TMD and OFP’ published by Quintessence.
He has and continues to lecture extensively nationally and internationally on Orofacial Pain, TMD and Sleep Disordered Breathing.
About Andre Collins, Executive Director PAF and NFLPA
Andre, a former player himself, currently serves as the Executive Director of the Professional Athletes Foundation helping players transition out of the game. He is responsible for creating a sense of community and opportunity for former players. Andre’s driving force to make the transition smoother for former players is made stronger by his personal experiences after leaving the game.
About John Comisi, DDS, MAGD, D’ASBA
Dr. Comisi is a graduate of Northwestern University Dental School and practiced general dentistry in Ithaca, NY, for nearly 35 years. In August 2017, he was recruited to join the faculty of the Medical University of South Carolina’s James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine in Charleston, SC, where he served as an Associate Professor of Restorative Dentistry. There, he created and instituted a unique multidisciplinary elective course in Dental Sleep Medicine that certified more than 200 pre-docs, residents, and faculty in this important field.
He was recruited and appointed as a Professor in the Department of General Dentistry at the Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University. He currently serves as the Course Director for Bioclinical Seminar VI—Oral Biology & Diagnostic Sciences. He is collaborating to establish a Sleep Services Committee to integrate dentistry and medicine, with the goal of better serving the people of Georgia and South Carolina.
He has published more than 40 articles, with over 520 citations since 2020, and has authored four textbook chapters.
Dr. Comisi is an Emeritus Member and Master of the Academy of General Dentistry and a Diplomate of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy. He is recognized as a Fellow of several prestigious organizations, including the Academy of Dentistry International, the American College of Dentists, the Pierre Fauchard Academy, and the International College of Dentists. Additionally, Dr. Comisi served with distinction as President of the South Carolina Dental Association in 2023 and currently serves on the American Dental Association’s Council on Scientific Affairs and its SEAL Subcommittee.
About Francisco Eraso, DDS, MS, MSD
Dr. Eraso is a certified Orthodontist and Oral & Maxillofacial Radiologist. He earned his DDS from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Bogotá, Colombia), completed an advanced standing dental degree at Indiana University School of Dentistry, obtained his M.S. in Oral Biology from the University of Louisville, an M.S. and Certificate in Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology from UNC Chapel Hill, and an Orthodontic Certificate and M.S.D. from Indiana University.
Industry Contributions & Thought Leadership
Dr. Eraso is an active reviewer for top journals including American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Angle Orthodontist, Journal of Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology & Endodontics, and Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology.
About David Gergen
David Gergen is a pioneer in the field of dental sleep medicine. He was involved from the very beginning with insurance reimbursement and later Medicare reimbursement for dental appliances. In 1984 David Gergen he designed the “Orthopedic Corrector” AKA the D.N.A Vivo appliance. In 1986 Gergen gave us the Original Snoring Guard and Shorty after 1991 Followed it up with the Removal Acrylic Herbst. Now after 40 years at the Bench David Gergen has another new sleep appliance “The Glide”
Gergen is credited on the patents of many of the first sleep apnea appliances, including the Sleepinator, the Original Snore Guard, the Orthopedic Corrector for Sleep and the Serrano Sleeper for Pediatric Sleep.
About Michael Hansen, DDS
Dr. Michael Hansen is a general dentist in Edmond, Oklahoma. His clinical emphasis is in the area of craniofacial orthopedic development. He works closely with a multidisciplinary team that treats craniofacial underdevelopment of the jaws, and the oral muscle dysfunctions that are associated with it. Through this treatment modality he nonsurgically helps develop and balance the jaws and face to improve Sleep Disordered Breathing problems, TMJ disorders, and other craniofacial anomalies using oral orthopedic appliance therapy, orthodontics and myofunctional therapy.
As ankyloglossia is a major contributor to both jaw underdevelopment and sleep disordered breathing, Dr. Hansen has taken a special interest in treating ankyloglossia and other tongue dysfunctions as part of his orthopedic and orthodontic therapy.
Dr. Hansen is a graduate of the Clinical Foundation of Orthopedics and Orthodontics and is a Clinical Advocate and Integrated Provider for Vivos Therapeutics. He is a Breathe Institute Affiliate, Myometer graduate and an ASBA Diplomate
About Dr. Jerry Hu, DDS, DABDSM,DACSDD, MICOI, FICOI, AFAAID, LVIF, FIAPA, FIADFE
Jerry has been lecturing, doing clinical research, and practicing full time dentistry for over 28 years. He lectures internationally on cosmetic & implant dentistry, as well as on his greatest passion, in the field of dental sleep medicine. He has won numerous national awards in cosmetic and full mouth reconstruction dentistry, been published in several peer reviewed world renowned dentistry journals such as JDSM, JCD, Aegis, Dentistry Today, DSP, and his work even landed the cover of the highly regarded peer reviewed Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD’s peer reviewed journal), cover of ASBA’s Sleep & Wellness and also the cover of Dental Sleep Practice (DSP). He’s also adjunct faculty at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) teaching the first interdisciplinary sleep medicine curriculum to Medical M4, Dental D4 and fellows/ Residents of the University, and also teaches at several annual national meetings and sleep medicine conventions and several online webinars, Clinical Pearls forum on social media (FB), teaches for several dental Academies/organizations (ACSDD, ASBA, Roundtable, Neirman’s ) and had taught for many years for Sleep Group Solutions, Modern, Global/Microdental USA, and also for several other state level dental society’s such as Missouri Sleep Society and North Carolina AGD. He also has developed 5 IP patents in dental sleep medicine and did a start up, O2&U, in Melbourne, Australia. He also has help developed the WhaleGauge from DreamWhale and is integral of sleep medicine AI software development with them. When time permits, Dr Hu loves traveling and spending time with his family exploring the great outdoors in Alaska and Nevada.
About John Nierman
President of Nierman Practice Management (NPM), enabling dentists to implement and bill medical insurance for sleep apnea, TMJ, and oral surgeries. Our core product DentalWriter Plus is a cloud-based EMR software for dentists that streamlines documentation for sleep apnea, TMJ, and oral surgery cases and integrates with Nierman Medical Billing Service for a seamless system that saves time, adds revenue and expands their practice.
About Scott Parker, DDS
Dr. Scott Parker graduated from Loma Linda University in 2008. He spent a few years away in Guam and Montana before returning to Calimesa. He loves to pursue his knowledge of dentistry and is a faculty club member of Spear Education, a member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, and the Tri-County Dental Society.
About Patricio Reyes, MD, FAAN
Dr. Patricio Reyes is a board certified and highly regarded neurologist and neuropathologist with more than 30 years of clinical expertise, research, and drug development in Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. He currently serves as the Chief of Neurology and Director for Traumatic Brain Injury and Alzheimer’s Disease & Cognitive Disorders Clinics at the Phoenix VA Medical Center.
He was one of the first to establish rapid autopsy brain banking in the United States, and the first to build Dementia Centers in three states. He also was a principal in numerous clinical trials that led to the FDA approval of new drugs for Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Reyes has worked extensively with the Retired Players Association to improve health care for retired NFL players, as well as improving health care awareness for the boxing profession in his native Philippines.
He has been conferred with numerous awards throughout his career, including Scientist of the 21st Century, Physician of the Day by the Arizona House of Representatives, and Top Doctor in the Who’s Who Global Medical Directory.
About Virend Somers, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Somers directs the Cardiovascular Facility and the Sleep Facility within Mayo Clinic’s Center for Clinical and Translational Science in Rochester MN.
His team’s research focuses on the role of the autonomic nervous system in cardiovascular regulation in humans, with an emphasis on normal and disordered sleep. The team is also involved in studies of vascular biology in humans, examining how changes in neural mechanisms may influence the local control of blood vessels. Extensive collaborative interactions within and outside Mayo Clinic are fundamental to the successful evolution of Dr. Somers’ research program. Current collaborations include studies with investigators at the University of Iowa and the University of Cincinnati and joint projects with academic medical centers in Italy, Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany and Belgium.
Support for Dr. Somers’ research consists of four R01 grants from the National Institutes of Health, a Dana Foundation grant and a NATO grant
https://www.mayo.edu/research/
Rod Willey, DDS, D’ACSDD, MASTER DIPLOMATE ASBA
Rodney Willey, is the founder of Beyonn, a systems-driven platform that enables dentists to deliver compliant, scalable OSA and TMD treatment. He specializes in building fully integrated medical–dental workflows that align physician collaboration, on-demand staff and doctor training and experienced treatment planning, along with medical billing infrastructure—giving practices clarity, consistency, and long-term sustainability.
As a practicing dentist, Dr. Willey operates two exclusive OSA and TMD practices generating more than $2.8 million in combined annual revenue, proving the real-world performance of the Beyonn model.