Faculty
Our instructors and clinicians have taught at the highest level of dentistry to hundreds of dentists world wide, who have gone on to benefit from performing basic and advanced procedures in their own clinics. Our programs educate and guide participants to attain a high degree of care in the fields of implant and digital dentistry.
Founders
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Bobby Birdi
DMD, MSc, FRCD(C), FACP, DABP
Dr. Bobby Birdi is one of North America’s very few Certified Dual Specialists in Periodontics and Prosthodontics. Dr. Birdi is an adjunct Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia and the University of Minnesota, where he is involved in multiple dental implant research projects and clinical trials. He also actively lectures both nationally and internationally in the fields of implant surgery and prosthetics.
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Ron Zokol
DMD, DABOI, FACD
Dr. Zokol is proud to acknowledge his 20 years of practice partnership with his father, a certified specialist in prosthodontics. Prior to his involvement with implant dentistry, he became recognized for his restorative skills with direct and indirect gold restorations, resulting in him being awarded the Clinician of the Year by the American Academy of Gold Foil Operators award in 1997. Dr. Zokol is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry and of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He holds Fellowships in the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, the American College of Dentists, and the Academy of Dentistry International. He has over 25 years of experience in implant dentistry and has spent more than 10 years as a surgical instructor for the Misch International Implant Institute. Over the last 30 years, Dr. Zokol has been appointed to many posts in numerous dental associations, including the presidency of the Vancouver and District Dental Society, Chair of the General Examination Committee, and Chief Examiner for the College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia. Dr. Zokol has lectured internationally for many years in the field of Prosthodontics and Implant Surgery and is presently the director of the Pacific Implant Institute located in Vancouver, Canada, which is a learning centre for his fellow dentists. Dr. Zokol lives in Vancouver with his wife, Marie and their three sons.
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Saj Jivraj
BDS, DDS, MSED
Dr. Saj Jivraj is the co-author of the textbook “Treatment Planning in Implant Dentistry,” which is published by the British Dental Association. He recently released his new text on “Graftless Solutions for the Edentulous Patient, which has had over 11,000 downloads worldwide. He frequently gets call upon to lecture to dentists worldwide on implant and cosmetic dental procedures. He is also the former Chairman Section on Fixed Prosthodontics and Operative Dentistry at the Herman Ostrow USC School of Dentistry and an honorary clinical teacher at the Eastmann Dental Institute in London.
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Sundeep Rawal
DMD, Cert. Pros
Dr. Sundeep Rawal is among the most sought-after prosthodontists within North America. His education & experience has positioned him as a foremost leader in the field of digital dentistry. He has lectured extensively across the US as well as internationally. Over the past 10 years he has been a featured speaker at over 300 dental conference throughout the world. He trains other dentists on clinical technological advances in dentistry as well as how to improve the business side of their practice and be of additional value to the communities they serve.
Director
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Faraj Edher
DDS, MSc, Dip. Pros, FRCD(C)
Dr. Faraj Edher is a Specialist in Prosthodontics. He received his dental degree from the University of Sharjah College of Dental Medicine, and then continued his Masters in Craniofacial Science and post-graduate specialty training in Prosthodontics at the University of British Columbia. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, and an active member of the American College of Prosthodontists, Association of Prosthodontists of Canada, and the Canadian Association of Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics. He has founded, co-founded, and is actively involved with several international dental associations, and has represented Canadian dentists and dental students at multiple international platforms. Dr. Edher regularly gives presentations, seminars, and workshops, both locally and globally, on a range of different topics. These topics include generalized and specialized presentations related to Prosthodontics; more specifically focusing on digital dentistry, implant dentistry, treatment planning, and aesthetic rehabilitation. Dr. Edher is a Key Expert for the Digital Dentistry Institute, teaching comprehensive digital dentistry training programs globally. His current clinical and research interests are focused on complex implant reconstructions, aesthetic rehabilitations, and the applications of digital technology in dentistry. In addition to practicing full time in Vancouver and Coquitlam, Dr. Edher is a Clinical Assistant Professor and guest lecturer at the University of British Columbia, and has numerous publications in areas such as dental implants and digital dentistry.
Our Team
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Amarjit Rihal
DMD, BS
Dr. Rihal obtained his DMD degree from the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Dentistry, in 1995. His professional interest has involved all aspects of implant and CAD/CAM dentistry. He has additional training in both hard and soft tissue grafting as well as placing and restoring implants. In addition to implantology, Dr. Rihal has acquired expertise in CAD/CAM based prosthetic dentistry, involving numerous CAD systems and materials. Utilizing his CEREC ac, Sirona InLab system, 3Shape software and Nobel Procera scanner he has designed over 4000 restorations. He currently manages operations of his in house lab Lodge Dental, and is the owner of his own digital lab called Rihal Digital Designs. Dr. Rihal has trained with numerous ceramists in California and is versed on ceramic pressing and layering techniques over zirconia and metal substructures. He presently is a partner in a large group practice in Winnipeg, MB and serves on the boards of the Manitoba Dental Association, National Dental Examination Board and the current chair of the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada. He was also a part time instructor at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry and is a fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, American College of Dentists and International College of Dentist.
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Andonis Terezides
DDS, OMS
Dr. Andonis Terezides graduated from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry and completed specialty training in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami. He practices the broad scope of the specialty with a special emphasis in facial trauma & reconstructive surgery, tissue engineering, digital work-flows, minimally-invasive techniques, and full-arch/immediate load implant techniques. Dr. Terezides is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, and a Fellow of the American of Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons.
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Angus Barrie
RDT
Angus became a dental technician in 1987 after completing the dental technology program at Vancouver Community College and worked for both his father's dental laboratory as well as Turner Dental Lab on Vancouver Island before moving to Vancouver in 2002. Since 2002 Angus has concentrated on implant restorations and the growth of CAD/CAM technology in the dental laboratory. He as worked as implant department manager for Fine Arts Dental Lab, operations manager for UniNature Dental Enterprise and general manager for the Aurum Group lab in Vancouver. Angus has experience with Dental Wings, 3Shape, NobelProcera and other CAD software as well as 3M and Roland milling machines. He is currently Chair of the College of Dental Technicians of BC and a member of the PAC for Dental Technology program at VCC. When Angus is not at work he enjoys activities with his dogs and motorcycling.
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Brian Goodacre
DDS, MSD
Dr. Brian J. Goodacre received his DDS degree from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in 2013. He completed a four-and-a-half-year combined program in Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in 2017, earning an MSD degree. He is currently an assistant professor at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry.
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Effrat Habsha
DDS
Clinical Assistant Professor, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester Associate in Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto Professor, George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology, Toronto Staff Prosthodontist, Department of Dentistry, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto Private Practice limited to Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry
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Eric Kukucka
DD
Eric graduated from George Brown College of Applied Arts & Technology with Dean's List Honors in 2010. He received his Diploma of Denturism . He was named Valedictorian of the Centre for Health Sciences. dedicated to creating high-quality removable, fixed, and fixed-detachable implant prosthetic restorations. He is president and owner of The Denture Center, a quickly growing network of denture clinics that currently comprises three facilities throughout Ontario. His main practice is in Windsor, Ontario. In addition to his clinical practice, Eric regularly contributes to collaborative research projects and product development and testing initiatives at a global level. Most significantly, he is recognized as an important consultant and key opinion leader by Ivoclar Vivadent and key opinion leader for Nobel Biocare. In 2014, Eric was the first North American beta tester for the Ivoclar Vivadent Digital Denture System . Since then, he has made a significant contribution to product development and performed an abundance of successful clinical patient trials using multiple workflows. Eric was the first clinician globally to employ an immediate provisional complete prosthesis in conjunction with the All on 4 to support a full-arch interim hybrid restoration using the Ivoclar Vivadent Digital Denture System. Eric has authored 12 published articles and delivered more than 30 podium lectures on behalf of both Ivoclar Vivadent and Nobel Biocare. He belongs to the Editorial Committee for Denturism Canada/Denturologie Canada, the official publication of the Denturist Association of Canada. He is also on the advisory board for Spectrum Denturism Magazine.
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Hooman Zarrinkelk
DMD, OMS
Dr. Zarrinkelk completed his undergraduate studies at Loma Linda University. He received his dental degree also from Loma Linda University (1994). Following dental school Dr. Zarrinkelk was named Research Fellow in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Parkland Hospital. During the two years term he studied patients undergoing major reconstructive surgery for facial deformities. Dr. Zarrinkelks research resulted in a significant contribution to the field of Orthognathic surgery in the form of multiple articles and presentations. Upon completion of his research project, Dr. Zarrinkelk returned to California to complete his surgical residency training at Loma Linda University Medical Center. The intensive four years Hospital based training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery included rotations on branches of medicine such as internal medicine, anesthesia, general surgery and others. The remainder of time was spent on training in major Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, with special emphasis on Reconstructive Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic), Facial Trauma, and Facial Cosmetic Surgery. Following residency he entered private practice in Ventura and Ojai, CA (2000). Dr. Zarrinkelk has been a Board Certified surgeon since 2003 when he received the designation of Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He is a fellow of the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons and American College of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons. He is also a Diplomate of the American Dental Board of Anesthesiology. Dr. Zarrinkelk is an associate professor of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at Loma Linda University where he helps train future surgeons. He is an active staff member at Community Memorial Hospital of San Buenaventura and Ventura County Medical Center. He prides himself on providing the full scope of maxillofacial surgical care to the community. He lives in Ventura with his wife and two young children. His hobbies include sailing, golf and snow skiing.
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Israel Ismaj
DDS
Dr. Ismaj has been practicing General Dentistry since 1972, and was educated in the UCLA dental program. He first underwent implant dentistry training in 1985 at the University of Washington in Seattle, which was conducted by Professor Per-Ingvar Brenemark. A year later in December of 1986, Dr. Ismaj was invited by Professor Brenemark to present cases that he had done during that year in his original office in Chula Vista, California. Dr. Ismaj is certified by the Academy of Osseoinegration. To meet the certificate's requirements, Dr. Ismaj presented evidence of completing 200 hours of continuing education over a three-year period, including 85 hours of core knowledge. He also submitted four case presentations covering the following categories: single tooth, fixed partial denture (fixed bridge), full arch fixed reconstruction, and over denture. Dr. Ismaj has been an AO member for three consecutive years and attended at least two Annual Meetings during that time.
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Jason Battah
DMD, DABOI, FAAID, FICOI
Dr. Battah is a 2003 graduate of Laval University's school of dental medicine. He joined the Centre d'Implantologie Dentaire de Quebec in 2007, and has since dedicated his career to the clinical advancement and treatment of patients through the science and practice of implantology and implant dentistry. Dr. Jason Battah has extensive experience in both the surgical and restorative aspects of implant dentistry, and is board certified from the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant dentistry. He is also a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI), a Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) and an active member of the Academy of Osseointegration (AO). His involvement in these organizations allows him to remain current on all the new research and the constant advances in this field of dentistry. Dr. Battah maintains a surgical and restorative practice dental implant practice out of his two clinics in Montreal and Quebec City, Canada. He performs all implant related procedures, such as dental implant placement, ridge or socket preservation, bone grafting and soft tissue augmentation procedures, as well as conventional crown & bridge treatments. On a ongoing basis, Dr. Battah also holds a comprehensive theoretical and hands-on dental implant training course at the teaching facility in our Montreal office. Doctors are invited to attend lectures and live surgeries throughout the year in order to improve their skills and understanding of current treatment possibilities using dental implants. In his free time, Dr. Battah enjoys family time with his wife and two kids and follows his passion for music and fitness!
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Julian Conejo
DDS, MSc
Dr. Conejo is the Director of Clinical CAD/CAM Technologies in the Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Conejo obtained his DDS from the Universidad Latina, Costa Rica in 2005 and then completed his training as a prosthodontist at Universidad Intercontinental, Mexico in 2008. Subsequently, he was appointed as a Professor at the Prosthodontics Department, Universidad Latina. At Penn Dental Medicine, he conducts research on CAD/CAM technology, prosthodontics, and implant dentistry. Dr. Conejo was awarded the Young Clinician Award at the Nobel Biocare World Tour Mexico City in 2008 and the ICP Research Fellowship in Dental Restorative Materials in 2016. He has lectured in over 30 countries focusing on digital workflows for esthetic tooth and implant-supported restorations.
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Kyle Stanley
DDS
Dr. Kyle Stanley, named as 'The Next Generation of Cosmetic Dentistry' by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry in 2015, and one of - 'The Top 10 Young Educators in Dentistry' in 2017 by Incisal Edge Magazine and the Seattle Study Club graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC and then went on to complete a dental implant residency and dental implant specialty in Florianopolis, Brazil. While at USC, Dr. Stanley completed an Esthetic mini-residency with the world leader in minimally invasive dentistry, Dr. Pascal Magne, and was honored with the Charles L. Pincus Award for outstanding achievements in esthetic dentistry by the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. In addition to Dr. Stanley's clinical artistry, he is also a dedicated researcher who has published in some of the top international dental journals about topics relating to esthetics, dental materials, dental implants, and plastic surgery. Dr. Stanley is a Key Opinion Leader for Nobel Biocare, a well-respected implant company and has presented on multiple continents as a highly in-demand speaker. A Key Opinion Leader for DSD (Digital Smile Design), Dr. Stanley works closely with Dr. Christian Coachman on lip manipulation and the future of dentistry, The Orofacial Club. As a clinical and pre-clinical faculty member at the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, he is part of an elite team who focusses on minimally invasive (biomimetic) treatment. Alongside Dr. Sascha Jovanovic, a world leader in dental implants and bone augmentation, Dr. Stanley is the co-director of the gIDE (Global Institute of Dental Education) Implant Foundation Program and works hand-in-hand with Dr. Jovanovic on complex cases needed truly esthetic outcomes. Dr. Stanley maintains an exclusive private practice in Beverly Hills, CA where alongside Dr. Matthew Nejad and Dr. Mark Helm, they treat quality focused patients with Biomimetic, Implant, and Cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Stanley focuses his practice on minimally invasive esthetic, surgical, and dental implant treatment.
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Markus Blatz
DMD, PhD
Dr. Markus B. Blatz is Professor of Restorative Dentistry, Chairman of the Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences, and Assistant Dean for Digital Innovation and Professional Development at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he also founded the Penn Dental Medicine CAD/CAM Ceramic Center. Dr. Blatz graduated from Albert-Ludwigs University in Freiburg, Germany, and was awarded additional Doctorate Degrees, a Postgraduate Certificate in Prosthodontics, and a Professorship from the same University. Dr. Blatz is co-founder and immediate past President of the International Academy for Adhesive Dentistry (IAAD). He is a Board-certified Diplomat in the German Society for Prosthodontics and Biomaterials (DGPro) and a member of multiple other professional organizations, including the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, the European Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, the International College of Prosthodontists, the American College of Prosthodontists (honorary member), Academy of Osseointegration, and O.K.U. Honor Dental Society. He serves on the editorial boards of numerous recognized scientific dental journals and is Associate Editor of Quintessence International. He is coauthor of the international bestseller “evolution – contemporary protocols for anterior single-tooth implants”. Dr. Blatz is the recipient of multiple teaching and research awards and has published and lectured extensively on dental esthetics, restorative materials, and implant dentistry.
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Michael Singer
DDS, FACP, Dip. Pros
Dr. Michael Singer earned his DDS in from University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry after a B.S. in Biological and Biomedical Engineering from Cornell University. He completed both a one-year General Practice Residency at the Veterans Hospital of San Diego, and a three-year post-graduate residency in Advanced Prosthodontics at University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Singer is a Board-Certified Prosthodontist and is recognized as a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics and Fellow of the American College of Prosthodontists. He is also a member of the American Dental Association and California Dental Association. He has instructed and trained numerous prosthodontic and surgical residents on digital dental technology, guided surgery and lectures to local dental societies and study clubs on emerging as well as traditional dental technology and integration of novel uses for CAD/CAM dentistry. He currently maintains a private practice in San Diego with a focus on using technology to improve patient outcomes and experience.
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Rana Tarzemany
DDS, FRCD(C), DABP
Dr. Rana Tarzemany received her D.D.S. degree from Iran, and then completed her graduate studies in the field of combined PhD and Diploma in Periodontics at the University of British Columbia (UBC). She is a board-certified periodontist, a Fellow of Royal College of Dentists of Canada FRCD(C), and a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and Dental Implant Surgery (DABP). Currently, she serves as the Director of the Graduate Periodontics Program at UBC Faculty of Dentistry, and is a faculty member at the Digital Dentistry Institute (DDI). She practices as an associate periodontist in Vancouver. Dr. Tarzemany is a recipient of numerous prestigious research awards. She has authored several publications in peer-reviewed journals, and is involved in teaching and lecturing in study clubs and national and international meetings.
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Stephanie Yeung
DDS, Cert. Pros
Dr. Stephanie Yeung earned her dental degree and prosthodontics specialty certificate at the University of Southern California, after attending the University of California at Berkeley. She was clinical faculty at the University of Southern California and has published in the subjects of removable, fixed, and implant prosthodontics. Presently, she is in private practice in Santa Monica, California and Oxnard, California, focused on aesthetic restorative and implant dentistry. Her member affiliations include the American College of Prosthodontics, Academy of Osseointegration, American Dental Association, and California Dental Association.
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Suzie Maxwell
DD
Suzie graduated from the George Brown Denturism program in 2002. She worked in private practice for four years before joining Chrysalis Dental Centers, where she has been able to focus almost exclusively on the All-on-4 Treatment Concept®. Participating in over 3000 All-on-4® cases, she has extensive knowledge both on the clinical and laboratory side. Today, she is one of the profession's most experienced and sought after specialists on the conversion and restoration of the All-on-4® permanent teeth treatment. In addition, Suzie is a Key Opinion Leader and International speaker for Nobel Biocare, an implant company leading the way with the most innovative dental implant solutions.
