Chief dental officers play a crucial role in the clinical operations and leadership of dental companies, including practices, DSOs, suppliers and payers.
Here are six chief dental officers to know:
Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Names are listed in alphabetical order.
Natalia Chalmers, DDS, PhD. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Dr. Chalmers is CMS' first chief dental officer, appointed in August 2021. She plays a vital role in the Biden-Harris administration's commitment to whole body care and reducing healthcare disparities. She is a past dental officer for the FDA and currently serves as a member of the dean's faculty at the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Dentistry.
Robert Crim, DDS. Smile Brands (Irvine, Calif.). Dr. Crim has been with the 700-practice DSO since 2008, first joining as an affiliated dentist and becoming the organization's market dental director before being appointed to his current position in 2014. He often travels worldwide to provide dental services to underserved communities.
Teresa Dolan, DDS. Overjet. Dr. Dolan joined dental artificial intelligence company Overjet in January after spending more than eight years with Dentsply Sirona as the dental supplier's vice president and chief clinical officer. She has over 35 years of experience in clinical education and dentistry, including serving as the dean of the Gainesville-based University of Florida College of Dentistry from 2003-13.
Micaela Gibbs, DDS. The University of Texas Health San Antonio School of Dentistry. Dr. Gibbs was named the university's first chief dental officer in October 2021. At the time of her appointment, the school said she also may be the first chief dental officer in an academic dental practice in the U.S. She joined the school after serving as a faculty member and chair of the department of community dentistry and behavioral science at the University of Florida in Gainesville. She is also an associate professor at the University of Texas.
Samuel Low, DDS. Biolase. Dr. Low was named vice president of dental and clinical affairs and chief dental officer of the dental laser company in October 2016. He is professor emeritus at the University of Florida College of Dentistry in Gainesville and a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. He has 30 years of private practice experience in periodontics, lasers and implant placement. His past roles include president of the American Academy of Periodontology, president of the Florida Dental Association and ADA Trustee.
Chris Salierno, DDS. Tend (New York City). Dr. Salierno was appointed Tend's first chief dental officer in June 2021, overseeing all clinical operations for the practice's 175 dental care professionals across its 21 locations. He is the former chief editor of Dental Economics and past chair of the American Dental Association's new dentist committee.