Pediatric Dental Growth Summit
‍^{The Ritz-Carlton | Pentagon City}

Dentists are among the highest earners, yet many fail to convert income into lasting wealth.This paradox stems from reliance on active income, lack of diversification, and limited tax and investment strategy. The solution lies in shifting from production-focused thinking to ownership, leverage, and long-term wealth design.

Upon completion of this course, attendees should be able to:

- Understand tax strategies that help reduce liability and accelerate wealth accumulation
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- Identify investment strategies that diversify beyond clinical income
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- Gain perspective on long-term wealth planning and legacy considerations

Amr Alian serves on the Board of Directors at Axxes Capital. With over two decades of experience in finance, investment and accounting, Mr. Alian has established multiple firms that have risen to prominence across their respective sectors.

Mr. Alian is the co-founder and Managing Partner of Synergy Consultants & CPAs, a full service financial advisory firm for the healthcare and dentistry industry, and co-founder of Investology Inc., an asset management firm tailored to healthcare professionals, where he serves as an Investment Board Advisor. He is also the founder of WaterFall Partners, an investment bank focused on advising clients on transactions in the healthcare space, and was Managing Partner of Miami Vice Capital, a private equity firm with a dedicated focus on nurturing healthcare startups and ventures in medical technology. His prior experience includes roles at Northrop Grumman, Allstate Insurance and BridgeStreet Worldwide Corporate Housing.

Mr. Alian received a BS in Commerce & Business Administration from Ain Shams University, an MBA from Old Dominion University.

What helps a pediatric dental practice grow today is not just great marketing or strong systems. It is what happens when patient experience, team culture, communication, and conversion all work together. In this interactive course, Minal and Malika will lead a roundtable style discussion designed to help practices think differently about growth from the inside out.

Minal will share strategies around marketing and patient experience, while Malika will focus on conversion and team culture. Together, they will guide attendees through real conversations, practical team building activities, and collaborative discussion around what it really takes to create a practice that attracts patients, builds trust, strengthens team connection, and supports long term growth.

This course is designed to be engaging, practical, and participatory, giving attendees ideas they can bring back to their practice right away.

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

- Identify the connection between marketing, patient experience, team culture, and case acceptance in a pediatric dental practice.

- Recognize common communication and team culture challenges that can impact patient trust, conversion, and overall growth.

- Apply practical strategies to improve the patient experience from first impression through follow through.

- Use team building activities and roundtable discussion to strengthen collaboration, communication, and accountability within the practice.

- Create actionable ideas to improve internal systems, team engagement, and patient conversion after returning to their office.

Malika Azargoon is recognized as a top dental management speaker and consultant. Her firm, Zar Dental Consulting, specializes in operations, leadership development, staffing, marketing and technology for growing dental practices. Her client-focused, results-driven strategies have earned her a reputation for significantly boosting dental practice profits. Malika excels in understanding the patient journey, fostering team culture, enhancing efficiency and profitability, and managing successful dental practice atevery stage. Malika educates audiences nationwide and is known for engaging teams and driving remarkable breakthroughs. Dentists and their teams appreciate her relatable approach, earning her titles like “Dental Therapist” and “Team Whisperer.” Malika frequently contributes to industry journals and appears on podcasts. An avid runner, Malika infuses the same energy into her work as she does into her races. Using her marathon training as an analogy forprofessional develop

‍Minal Sampat, RDH, BA is a bestselling author, marketing strategist, social media coach, and registered dental hygienist who helps dental practices grow production while reducing wasted marketing spend. She is the founder of Minal Sampat LLC, Marketologist™, an online marketing training and strategy program, and the creator of CE on The Beach™. Minal is also the co-founder of the Pediatric Dental Marketing Course and the Pediatric Dental Growth Summit.Born in India and raised in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Minal built her career at the intersection of dentistry, communication, and modern marketing. She earned degrees in Communication and Biology from Rutgers University and, while working in a dental practice, completed dental hygiene school. That experience deepened her love for patient care and sparked her passion for the business of practice growth. In 2013, Minal launched her first healthcare marketing company by breaking a Guinness World Record. Her record-setting event, Swish Away Breast Cancer, brought together 1,500+ participants and raised awareness for oral health and breast cancer while showcasing the power of community-driven marketing, digital strategy, and social media done the right way. It reflected Minal’s approach from day one: lead withheart, build systems that communicate clearly, and make it simple for people to say yes, because when people feel connected to the “why,” they show up.

Ahoy, pediatric dental crews! Is your practice sailing smoothly—or taking on water?

In this fast-paced, high-energy session, I hope to help chart a course to help you and your team get your SHIP together—aligning leadership, culture, marketing, and systems to create a thriving, FUN and high-performing practice. From defining your core values (your compass) to building (and keeping) a cohesive team (your crew) and leveraging marketing strategies that actually move the needle (catching the right wind).  I will deliver practical, real-world strategies and nuggets you can implement on Monday.

Whether you’re the captain of your ship or a key crew member, you’ll leave with a clearer map, fun tools, and the confidence to navigate challenges without drifting off course. To a successful journey!

Upon completion of this session, attendees should be able to:

- Identify and implement clear core values and vision to guide decision-making and align the entire team.

- Apply practical strategies to improve teamwork, communication, and accountability within the dental practice.

- Recognize key leadership principles that drive culture, performance, and long-term success.

- Evaluate and implement simple, effective marketing and social media strategies to attract and retain ideal patients.

Dr. Ann Bynum is a board-certified pediatric dentist originally from Ocala, Florida. She earned her undergraduate degree from Florida State University and her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Iowa, where she met her husband, Dr. Matt Bynum. She completed her specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.

In 1997, Dr. Bynum relocated to Greenville, South Carolina, and opened her pediatric dental practice in Simpsonville. As a mother of three boys, she brings both professional expertise and personal experience to her care—combining the science of dentistry with the heart of parenting.

Dr. Bynum is a Diplomate and examiner of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD) and an active member of several professional organizations, including the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry (SSPD), the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), and the American Dental Association (ADA). She currently serves as the Southeastern Trustee for the AAPD.

A respected educator and leader, Dr. Bynum has lectured nationally and published widely on topics including customer service, marketing, leadership, teamwork, burnout prevention, financial wellness, and pediatric airway health—covering areas such as tethered oral tissues and sleep-disordered breathing.

Outside of dentistry, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband. She is also deeply passionate about growing her practice, with a focus on systems, team development, and long-term success.

Case acceptance in pediatric dentistry isn’t just about explaining treatment—it’s about guiding parents through a moment of uncertainty with clarity, confidence, and trust. While the clinical need may be obvious to the provider, the decision-making process for parents is often emotional, rushed, and influenced by how the message is delivered—not just what is said.This presentation breaks down the key drivers behind pediatric case acceptance, including communication style, team alignment, handoffs, and financial clarity. Attendees will learn how to move beyond “presenting treatment” and instead lead conversations that reduce hesitation, build confidence, and create a clear path to yes.This continuing education course is designed for dental healthcare providers seeking to understand the specific criteria and expectations that Dental Board Inspectors focus on during inspections. The course will provide an in-depth analysis of these aspects, along with a thorough review of the essential health and safety regulations mandated by the CDC and OSHA for dental settings. Participants will learn how to align these regulations with their workflow processes to ensure compliance. Finally, participants will be guided on how to create a comprehensive inspection readiness plan, incorporating the implications of specific Dental Board citations and sanctions.

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

- Confidently guide parents through treatment conversations using clear language, emotional intelligence, and trust-building techniques that increase case acceptance.

- Identify the key breakdown points in pediatric case presentation—from handoff to financial discussion—and implement simple, repeatable systems to improve consistency and results.

Angela Davis-Sullivan is a powerhouse in dentistry and business leadership, blending over 30 years of hands-on dental experience with her passion for coaching, consulting, and inspiring others to grow beyond their limits. She is the founder of Adaptive Dental Solutions, where she equips doctors and teams with systems that actually work, leadership that sticks, and a culture that retains both patients and people.

Angela’s career path is a masterclass in adaptability—she’s been an expanded function dental assistant, administrator, office manager, and new-patient coordinator. These roles give her the rare perspective of seeing dentistry from every angle, and she translates that insight into practical strategies that transform practices from the inside out.

Certified with the John Maxwell Leadership program, Angela brings a unique leadership lens to dentistry. Her frameworks like the Adaptive Practice Method and Retention RX are reshaping how practices think about vision, accountability, and long-term growth. Whether she’s working one-on-one with a practice, speaking on stage, or leading mastermind circles, Angela has one goal: to help dental professionals succeed without burning out.

Angela is also the author of Coming Home to a Better Practice. Her work is grounded in resilience, strategy, and real stories—including her own journey of bouncing back from adversity with grit and humor.

Angela believes culture isn’t a perk—it’s the whole point. And through her coaching, she helps teams build practices that are not just profitable, but purposeful.

Join us as we focus on the intersection of medical billing and frenectomies, as well as trauma cases. This session will explore common procedures typically covered by medical insurance, providing clarity on how to navigate these claims effectively. Additionally, attendees will gain a foundational understanding of medical plans, empowering them to optimize patient care while ensuring proper reimbursement. Perfect for those looking to streamline their billing processes and enhance their practice's efficiency.

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

- Identify common procedures covered by medical

- Better understanding medical plans

Dilaine Gloege, CDA, CPC, recently celebrated 39 years in dentistry. Renowned for her extensive expertise in coding and insurance, Dilaine has built a formidable reputation in the dental industry. The seven years she spent working alongside Dr. Charles Blair and Practice Booster marked a significant chapter in her professional journey, during which she played a pivotal role in developing essential coding and insurance resources for dental teams.

Dilaine's contributions include several prestigious publications, where she has provided valuable insights for the Insurance Solutions Newsletter, helping readers stay informed about industry developments. Her involvement with Coding with Confidence and Administration with Confidence has empowered numerous professionals to navigate the complexities of dental coding and administration. Moreover, her work on Medical Dental Cross Coding with Confidence has offered critical guidance on cross-coding between medical and dental billing.

As the founder of Tidewater Dental Consulting, Dilaine continues to demonstrate her commitment to education and excellence, offering invaluable resources and training to dental teams nationwide through her speaking, writing, and consulting. Her dedication to advancing knowledge and expertise now extends to her role as a legal analyst, where she brings her meticulous approach and industry insights to the legal field, helping dentists navigate payer audits and other investigations.

Residing in the southern Outer Banks of North Carolina, Dilaine enjoys spending time on the beach and boating with her husband, four kids and four grandchildren.

Expanded Function Dental Auxiliaries (EFDAs) are one of the most underutilized assets in today’s dental practices. What the EFDA?! explores what EFDAs can legally, safely, and effectively do—and how proper training, doctor support, and team integration can dramatically improve efficiency, patient care, and practice profitability.

This session examines real-world workflows, delegation strategies, and return-on-investment opportunities while dispelling common myths and compliance concerns. Attendees will leave empowered to fully leverage EFDAs as both restorative and preventive team members in a modern, team-driven practice.

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

- Identify the expanded functions EFDAs can perform and how appropriate training and doctor oversight support safe, compliant delegation

- Implement practical EFDA utilization strategies that increase productivity, enhance patient experience, and improve practice efficiency and ROI

Stacey holds a degree in Business Administration and currently serves as Practice Administrator for Harborside Dental and York County Pediatric Dentistry in Wells, Maine. She is an active member of the American Association of Dental Office Management and has earned the organization’s highest distinction, the Diplomate designation.

She is the founder and past president of the Maine Dental Leadership Coalition.

Serving the dental community since 1997, Stacey is both a Certified Dental Assistant and an Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary. She is also the Dental Director at York County Community College, where she leads the dental assisting and EFDA programs as an instructor.

Her work has earned numerous recognitions for office culture and management excellence. She was a Dental Assistant of the Year runner-up in 2016 and received the Dental Office Manager of Distinction award in 2023. She is also a published author, speaker, and consultant helping dental practices reach new levels of success.

It’s a heart-wrenching moment when a doctor discovers that someone they trusted has been stealing from their practice. For many, it’s a long-time employee—the very person they relied on. It’s a betrayal that cuts deep. And, for Susan, it’s a call she answers all too often.

This presentation reviews key provisions commonly found in dental practice office leases that practice owners may not fully understand. The session will analyze these terms and explore how they may impact the operation, viability, and long-term marketability of a dental practice.Designed to be practical and engaging, this presentation equips dentists with a foundational understanding of lease provisions so they can better evaluate their own lease agreements and make more informed business decisions.

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

- Summarize how specific provisions in dental office leases may affect practice operations, viability, and marketability

- Analyze their own office lease terms to understand potential business and legal implications

Michael Skerritt focuses his legal practice on the business needs of dentistry. He works closely with clients to anticipate, identify, and resolve issues related to starting, operating, acquiring, or transitioning a dental practice.

His services include entity formation, practice purchases and sales, buy-sell and operating agreements, associate agreements, partnership buy-in and buy-out transactions, commercial lease review, and dental support organization (DSO) transactions.

With more than 20 years of experience, he helps dentists navigate complex legal and business matters while protecting the long-term value of their practices.

Mr. Skerritt co-founded Klewans & Skerritt, P.C. in 2018. Prior to that, he practiced with Grad, Logan, Klewans & Bowen in the same area of law.

Life inevitably brings seasons where roles shift faster than our identity can catch up. Careers remain demanding while family and leadership responsibilities evolve. Externally, life appears successful, yet internally many professionals feel depleted, reactive, and untethered as they navigate change without clear structures to rely on.

In this program, Dr. Valerie Woo provides a practical pathway for designing sustainable rhythm during seasons of transition.

Using the Half Nester™ lens and her LEADS Framework, Valerie helps participants make intentional decisions about priorities, energy, and emotional responses. The focus is on rhythm, emotional regulation, and developing a leadership style that is responsive rather than reactive—resulting in greater stability, presence, and capacity across both work and life.

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

- Identify the defining characteristics of Half Nester™ seasons

- Recognize where over-functioning, self-reliance, or outdated roles may be draining capacity

- Explore simple, repeatable strategies for navigating personal and professional leadership roles

- Apply the LEADS pathway to translate Half Nester™ principles into practical rhythms, boundaries, and support structures

- Identify one season-appropriate next step that supports sustained forward momentum

Dr. Valerie Woo, DMD, is a pediatric dentist, healthcare entrepreneur, and leadership educator who helps high-achieving professionals navigate the Half Nester™ shift—the stage of life when responsibilities expand but familiar ways of operating no longer fit.

After founding and growing a multi-doctor pediatric dental practice recognized for its culture and patient experience, Valerie successfully sold the practice in 2021. With more than two decades of experience in healthcare leadership, ownership, and consulting, she has worked closely with clinicians managing growing professional demands alongside changing family roles.

From her own lived experience navigating these transitions, Valerie developed the Half Nester™ concept as both language and leadership framework for managing periods of overlap, transition, and complexity.

She now speaks to healthcare organizations, professional conferences, and leadership audiences, offering practical programs that help professionals design rhythm, boundaries, and support structures that protect capacity while sustaining meaningful work.

A cornerstone of productive, positive work cultures is the ability to communicate within a team with compassion, accountability, non-judgment, and accuracy. This presentation will help owners, managers, and team members stop avoiding important conversations and instead learn to embrace and succeed in them by using a self-management checklist and a simple four-step conversation framework.

Through real-life examples, live demonstrations, and practical inspiration, participants will see what can be accomplished both professionally and personally when necessary conversations are handled effectively—whether addressing broken agreements, underperformance, non-participation, negativity, or toxic behavior.

Attendees will learn a life-changing approach to improving leadership, strengthening relationships, and achieving better results.

Upon completion of this course, attendees should be able to:

- Strengthen their leadership mindset using three simple steps

- Engage in more successful Courageous Conversations using a simple four-step framework

- Lead and coach others to unlock potential and create greater alignment and accountability

Katherine Eitel Belt, CSP, is America’s Unscripted Communications Coach. She has worked with hundreds of organizations across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom—including Procter & Gamble, CareCredit (Synchrony Financial), and Henry Schein—to help leaders build teams that are aligned, accountable, and committed to achieving their organization’s future vision.

Katherine is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), a designation earned by fewer than 17% of speakers worldwide through the National Speakers Association. With more than 35 years of experience in authentic leadership communication, she is highly regarded by business owners, CEOs, and team leaders.

Her insights have been featured on podcasts such as Business of Happiness and The Best in Practices Show, in the documentary Women Shaping Dentistry Tomorrow, and on the cover of Dental Entrepreneur Women magazine.

Her newest book, Lead Like a Lion: Unleash Your Team with Courageous Conversations, is scheduled for release in Spring 2026.

Through her speaking and coaching, Katherine helps leaders transform low-performing teams by mastering her Leadership Conversation Trifecta and A.R.C.H. Conversation Framework.

During this workshop, attendees will learn how to recognize oral and airway dysfunction early, guide healthy function and structure, and confidently present findings to parents. This session will cover practical, age-appropriate screening tools, functional strategies, safe approaches to frenectomy, early growth guidance, and a simple case-presentation framework you can use the very next day in your practice.

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

- Identify early airway issues using a quick, reliable screening protocol

- Recognize structural and functional red flags in children under six

- Implement simple functional interventions (nasal breathing, oral posture, habit cessation, early myofunctional patterns)

- Understand impact and management of tethered oral tissues - lingual/labial restrictions for airway health

- Understand when and how to use functional appliances in the primary dentition

- Know how to discuss benefits and limitations with parents

- Present airway cases clearly and confidently using parent-friendly language

- Integrate airway workflows into a modern pediatric dental practice

About Dr. Jaju

TEDx Speaker | Harvard-Trained | Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist | Laser Frenectomy Expert

Dr. Rishita Jaju is a Harvard-trained, board-certified pediatric dentist and nationally recognized speaker focused on airway health, tethered oral tissues, and functional pediatric dentistry. Known to many as “Dr. Rishita,” she is a laser frenectomy expert and educator who helps dental professionals confidently recognize oral dysfunction early and guide healthy growth and development in children.

Dr. Jaju earned her dental degree from Harvard School of Dental Medicine and completed her specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC, where she served as Chief Resident.

She is the only pediatric dentist in the Mid-Atlantic region to achieve Advanced Laser Proficiency Certification from the Academy of Laser Dentistry, along with Breastfeeding Specialist Certification. Her clinical focus includes early airway screening, infant feeding challenges, tethered oral tissues, and growth-guided pediatric treatment.

Dr. Jaju is actively involved in advancing her profession. She serves on the Council of Clinical Affairs for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and on the Examination Committee for the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Through her practice, Smile Wonders, she also participates in Give Kids A Smile, providing free dental care to children in her community.

Outside of dentistry, Dr. Jaju enjoys traveling the world with her husband, spending time with their toddler, and keeping up with their two Maltese dogs, Kaju and Kulfi.

About Tracey

Dr. Tracey Nguyen maintains a private practice 30 minutes outside of Washington, DC in Northern Virginia. In 2015, she was accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. In 2016, she was honored with Top 25 Women in Dentistry by Dental Products Magazine. Also in 2016, she finished her graduate training at the prestigious Kois Center in Seattle, Washington.

She lectures on dentistry’s role in treating patients with dental malocclusions that are comorbid with airway and sleep issues. As a visiting faculty mentor at Spear Education, she frequently mentors the Airway Workshop by Dr. Jeff Rouse.

In 2016, she developed the Sleep and Airway Group, a local interdisciplinary group of doctors of various specialities. Her passion to create an awareness of the dental intervention strategies available to her peers and to her community.

In 2020, she co-founded ASAP, Airway, Sleep and Pediatric Pathway. ASAP is an online mini-residency for pediatric dental sleep medicine.

It is no secret that she has an exceptional breadth of knowledge of Pediatric Airway Management. In 2021, she was honored as the Scientific Advisor for the prestigious advanced dental education center, the Kois Center.

She speaks all over the world and is currently in the Seattle Study Club curriculum. This program has over 150 study clubs all over the world.

Her social media platform brings clinicians all over the world together for a common cause. Her mission is to develop a better understanding for the complexities of the disease and bring like minded professions together to co-diagnose and treat.

Want to leverage Social Media and learn cohesive strategies to grow your practice? Join the Marketologist™ herself, Minal Sampat, for 3 hours as she dives into Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Meta Ads, AI in Marketing & more to start getting conversions. Includes hands-on Meta Ads training, Reels training, Maximizing video and communication and more.

Upon completion of this session, attendees should be able to:

- Develop effective social media strategies across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to increase engagement and conversions.

- Apply Meta Ads, video content, and AI tools to generate leads and improve marketing performance.

Minal Sampat, RDH, BA is a bestselling author, marketing strategist, social media coach, and registered dental hygienist who helps dental practices grow production while reducing wasted marketing spend. She is the founder of Minal Sampat LLC, Marketologist™, an online marketing training and strategy program, and the creator of CE on The Beach™. Minal is also the co-founder of the Pediatric Dental Marketing Course and the Pediatric Dental Growth Summit.Born in India and raised in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Minal built her career at the intersection of dentistry, communication, and modern marketing. She earned degrees in Communication and Biology from Rutgers University and, while working in a dental practice, completed dental hygiene school. That experience deepened her love for patient care and sparked her passion for the business of practice growth. In 2013, Minal launched her first healthcare marketing company by breaking a Guinness World Record. Her record-setting event, Swish Away Breast Cancer, brought together 1,500+ participants and raised awareness for oral health and breast cancer while showcasing the power of community-driven marketing, digital strategy, and social media done the right way. It reflected Minal’s approach from day one: lead withheart, build systems that communicate clearly, and make it simple for people to say yes, because when people feel connected to the “why,” they show up.