DentalForum USA Spring 2026 Agenda

12:00 13:30

Enjoy a light lunch and pick up your badge at registration
13:30 13:55

You don't have to live it, to learn it

Chairperson

Ray Caruso, President & CEO - Lone Peak Dental Group
13:55 14:20

Lab Consolidation That Works: Featuring Dr. Dental - Powered by

Speakers

Kcy McCullough, Founding Enterprise Account Executive - Dandy
14:20 15:05

Panel - Understanding Today's M&A Market

Moderator

Brian Colao, President - Dykema

Speakers

David Pegg, CFO & CGO - Kids Dental Brands

Mandy Gast, Chief Development Officer - Lone Peak Dental Group

Jason Porter, Managing Director - Baird Global Investment Banking
15:05 15:25

Building A Strong Culture

Speakers

Saam Zarrabi, CEO - Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics
15:25 15:35

Vendor Power Pitches
15:35 16:00

Refreshment break and changeover to meetings!
16:00 17:25

1-to-1 Meetings Program
17:25 18:30

Free time: relax, network and refresh
18:30 20:30

Drinks reception and dinner at the hotel

07:30 08:30

Networking Breakfast
08:30 09:30

C-Suite Roundtable Discussion

Moderator

Joe Crowder, Director of Procurment - Lightwave Dental

Speakers

Lane Theriault, CEO - Independence Dental Services

Steve Higginbotham, CEO - Smile America Partners

Todd Cruse, CEO - Chord Specialty Dental Partners

DR AJ Acierno, Chief Dental Officer - Smile Brands

Saam Zarrabi, CEO - Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics
09:30 10:00

Podcast - Technology Session: Selection, Adoption, Integration

Moderator

Mckenzie Fagan, VP of Enterprise Sales - Pearl

Speakers

DR AJ Acierno, Chief Dental Officer - Smile Brands

Sepand Hokmabadi, CEO - Total Health Dental Care
10:00 10:30

Panel - Leading Today's Workforce

Moderator

Aman Kaur, Founder - Women in DSO

Speakers

Curtis Swogger, CEO - North Pittsburgh Oral Surgery

Jeremy Hodge, Clinical Program Director - Lone Peak Dental Group

Rebecca Misner, VP of Clinical Operations - Hero Practice Services
10:30 10:50

Change over to meetings and refreshment break
10:50 11:40

1-to-1 Meetings Program
11:40 11:55

Refreshment Break
11:55 12:40

1-to-1 Meetings Program
12:40 13:50

Enjoy some lunch at the hotel
13:50 14:20

Keynote Session - Lessons Learned the Hard Way

Speakers

Dr. Tarek Aly, CEO - Community Dental Partners
14:20 15:00

Panel - Creating Value in Challenging Environments

Speakers

Dipesh Patel, CEO - Blueprint Smiles

Antonio Molina, Partnership Development - Guardian Dentistry

Marc Faber, CEO - Edge Dental Management
15:00 15:10

Closing Remarks from Event Chairman Ray Caruso

Chairperson

Ray Caruso, President & CEO - Lone Peak Dental Group
15:10 15:20

Changeover to meetings
15:20 16:20

1-to-1 Meetings Program
16:20 16:35

Refreshment Break
16:35 17:20

1-to-1 Meetings Program
17:20 18:15

Free Time
18:15 18:40

Coaches to venue
18:40 21:00

Last night dinner & drinks at The Van Ryder Rooftop sponsored by