img-0
JOIN TODAY!

DISC 2024

Speakers

img-1

Rick Ferguson, DMD

Dr. Rick Ferguson has been involved in teaching implant dentistry for the last 28 years and has lectured nationally and internationally on topics such as treatment planning, case selection, simple and complex surgical placement and restoration, advanced bone grafting and bone graft materials, use of Computed Tomography and surgical guides, Dr. Ferguson has been instrumental in bringing low cost 3D
printing technology to dentistry and developing digital workflows for implant placement, restorative dentistry and clear aligner orthodontic therapy.

Dr. Ferguson has been instrumental in developing and implementing implant training programs and hands on bone grafting courses including a Live Surgery Continuum at his Alma Mater the University of Florida and also at LSU which have been attended by thousands of dentists. He maintains a private practice with his wife Dr. Katherine Ferguson in Davie, FL emphasizing dental implants and implant repair.

img-2

Mariano Polack, DDS, MS.

Dr. Mariano Polack received his dental degree in 1995, and his specialty training in Prosthodontics and Master of Science degree from the University of Minnesota in 2000. Since then, Dr. Polack has been in private practice limited to prosthodontics in the Washington DC metropolitan area. Between 2002 and 2004 he was also a guest researcher at the Ceramics Division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. He is a member of the Academy of Osseointegration, American College of Prosthodontists and a Fellow of the International of Osseointegration, American College of Prosthodontists and a Fellow of the International Team for Implantology.

Dr. Polack has published more than 40 abstracts and papers on prosthodontics and dental materials in various scientific journals, and lectures both nationally and internationally.

img-3

Sausha Toghranegar, DMD, MS.

Dr. Sausha Toghranegar is originally from Tampa, FL where he attended the Hillsborough High School International Baccalaureate program. After high school, he began his collegiate journey at the University of Florida (Go Gators!). He graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelors Degree in Microbiology and minors in Nutritional Sciences and Theater. His passion for dentistry brought him to Nova Southeastern University where he obtained his doctorate. He then continued on at Nova to pursue his Master’s degree and complete his periodontal residency. Dr. Sausha has received multiple honors throughout his educational career, including induction into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon honorary dental society.

After his educational career, Dr. Sausha returned back to his hometown to bring back the knowledge and skills he has obtained to provide the best care possible to those in his community. Dr. Sausha remains active in his educational endeavors and remains on top of the progressive trends of periodontal procedures and dental technology. He has lectured locally and nationally on minimally invasive periodontal plastic surgery, accelerated orthodontics, digital dental planning, and the latest dental implant technology. With the use of digital technology and 3D printing, Dr. Sausha has been providing customized dental Implant treatment. This allows him to provide the care each patient personally needs. He has also researched and lectured on a new minimally invasive approach to speeding the movement of teeth and preventing possible gum tissue problems that can sometimes occur after having braces. Research has shown a 2-3 times faster treatment time with the use of these techniques.

Dr. Sausha firmly believes in giving back to a community that has given to him. He volunteers throughout the Tampa Bay area and abroad providing dental care in such places as Jamaica and Bolivia.

Outside of dentistry, Dr. Sausha is an avid independent film-maker. Ever since he was in elementary school, he has been creating movie magic. He also loves following, watching, and playing sports. He passionately follows the Buccaneers, Gators, Lighting, Rays, and as of late the Rowdies. On his free time, he enjoys especially enjoys traveling and exploring nature with his family and friends.

img-4

Craig M. Misch, DDS, MDS

Dr. Craig Misch received certificates in postgraduate prosthodontics, oral implantology as well as a Master of Dental Science from University of Pittsburgh. Thereafter he became faculty and acted as Co-Director of the University of Pittsburgh Oral Implantology Center. Dr. Misch then completed specialty training in oral and maxillofacial surgery in Pittsburgh and is board certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery as well as the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry. Dr. Misch practices as a dual specialist in Sarasota, Florida. He is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Florida, Penn and Michigan in the departments of periodontics.

Dr. Misch serves as Editor in Chief of The International Journal of Oral implantology and is on the editorial boards of the Journal of Oral Implantology and the International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry. He has been a featured speaker for numerous organizations and has published extensively with over 50 publications and 20 textbook chapters. His textbook on bone augmentation will be published by Quintessence in 2023.

img-5

Brian J. Goodacre, DDS, MSD,

Prosthodontist

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 a board-certified prosthodontist and the director of clinical technologies for Nobel Biocare North America. He is an adjunct professor at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry providing lectures to both dental and graduate students.

Dr. Goodacre lectures both nationally and internationally on topics related to digital dentistry, prosthodontics, and implant dentistry. Additionally, he has published over twenty articles in peer-reviewed journals and contributed to 6 textbook chapters. He maintains a private practice located in Upland, California where he practices with his father and classmate.

img-6

Aldo Leopardi, BDS, DDS, MS, Prosthodontist

Dr. Leopardi received his dental training from the University of Adelaide, South
Australia and University of Detroit Mercy (UDM), Michigan. He received his specialist training and master’s degree in combined fixed, removable and implant Prosthodontics, at the University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill (UCH-CH). He was faculty at UNCCH, UDM, and Colorado Health Sciences School of Dentistry.

In 1999, after 15 years of combined academic and dental practice, Dr. Leopardi
resumed private practice limited to implant, fixed and removable Prosthodontics in Denver, Colorado. Today he lectures nationally and internationally on subjects involving fixed, removable and implant dentistry. He is involved in clinical research and has contributed articles and textbook chapters. He is also the founder of the Denver Implant Study Club and co-founder of Dentutopia, an online dental educational platform.