The dental industry is a fascinating space with regional and national dental service organizations growing rapidly.
Below is a list of 10 leaders who have made a positive impact on their organizations and have their sights set on future growth.
Contact Cameron Cortigiano at ccortigiano@beckershealthcare.com to recommend a leader for future lists. To learn more about the dental industry and engage in lively debate about the future, join us at the Future of Dentistry Roundtable in October - register here.
Justin Jory. Founder and CEO of Lightwave Dental (Woodbridge, Va.). Mr. Jory has been the CEO at Lightwave Dental since founding it in 2016. He founded Lightwave by identifying an opportunity to provide the top benefits of a dental group without the drawbacks of traditional corporate dentistry. Mr. Jory also has a strong background in private equity and investing.
Clifton Cameron, DDS. Chief Dental Officer of Lightwave Dental (Woodbridge, VA.). Dr. Cameron has been the chief dental officer at Lightwave Dental since 2021. He has more than a decade of experience in clinical operations and growing successful dental practices. Dr. Cameron also founded CarolinasDentist in 2014 to create an improved group dentistry model focused on patient experience and dentist leadership development.
Scott De Rossi, DMD. Founding Dean and CEO of the High Point University Workman School of Dental Medicine (High Point, N.C.). Dr. De Rossi has been the dean and CEO at the High Point University Workman School of Dental Medicine since 2021. He has extensive skills in clinical research, dentistry, dental surgery and dental education. Before becoming dean at High Point University, Dr. De Rossi was the dean of the Adams School of Dentistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
David Welles. COO of Szmanda Dental Center (Wausau, Wis.). Mr. Welles has been the COO at Szmanda Dental Center since 2016. His skill set includes strategic planning, management and team building. Mr. Welles is also a partner at Eaton, John, Overbey & Welles, dealing with business and transactional law, contracts and commercial and residential real estate.
Dave Gaspar. COO of Smile Partners USA (Troy, Mich.). Mr. Gaspar has been the COO at Smile Partners USA since 2022. He is an accomplished manager with experience in all aspects of sales, sales management, operations and marketing. Before joining Smile Partners USA, Mr. Gaspar was a regional partner and manager with Pacific Dental Services for nine years.
Jared Parkinson, DDS. Dental Director of Spring Branch Community Health Center (Houston). Dr. Parkinson has been the dental director at Spring Branch Community Health Center since 2019. He enjoys working with families and providing excellent dental care in a welcoming environment. Dr. Parkinson previously was a dentist with the company from 2012-13 and returned to become the dental director.
Michael Weitzner, DMD. Dental Director of Delta Dental of Virginia (Roanake, Va.). Dr. Weitzner has been the dental director at Delta Dental of Virginia since 2019. He is responsible for clinical policy, developing and implementing processes for professional utilization review, data analysis and identifying emerging technologies and trends. Dr. Weitzner has extensive experience in the healthcare industry with an in-depth knowledge of both commercial and Medicaid dental benefits.
Mohiuddin Ifaz, DMD. Dental Director of Lumberton Family Dental (Lumberton, N.C.). Dr. Ifaz is the dental director at Lumberton Family Dental. He is skilled in diagnosing and treating problems in teeth, gums and related parts of the mouth. Lumberton Family Dental is part of Robeson Health Care Corporation with the mission to improve the health status of communities by providing an integrated system of high quality health services.
Ronald Toepke, DDS. Dental Director of Pascua Yaqui Tribe (Tucson, Ariz.). Dr. Toepke is the dental director in the dental center of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. The Pascua Yaqui Health Services Division Dental Center has 10 dental suites to provide dental therapy and hygiene services to clients of all ages. The center preaches that prevention is a priority and educates their patients on home care.
Samuel Zwetchkenbaum, DDS. Oral Health Program Chief and Dental Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (Providence, R.I.). Dr. Zwetchkenbaum has been in his current role with the Rhode Island Department of Health since 2016. He has advanced training in prosthodontics and geriatric dentistry. The mission of the Oral Health Program is to provide oral health and public health leadership to enhance community efforts for the prevention, control and reduction of oral diseases.