Meet Our
Guest Speakers
Join us for an insightful and empowering event designed for dental professionals committed to excellence in patient care, infection control, and professional growth. Our lineup of expert speakers brings you practical knowledge, inspirational perspectives, and essential safety protocols every dental team needs to thrive in today's evolving healthcare landscape.
"The Importance of Dental Water Quality"
Mr. Chris Gibson
Christopher has been in the dental field for about five years now. He is currently working with BCJ Consultants as an OSHA and HIPAA compliance consultant and also assists part-time in multiple orthodontist offices, which keeps him connected to hands-on patient care. Christopher is a proud UNC Charlotte graduate with a background in health systems management bachelor’s degree, and his love for dentistry started early, inspired by doctors in his family and close friends.
Christophers believes in serving others with excellence and integrity, knowing that God has placed him here for a purpose. One quote he lives by from Dr. Eric Thomas: “When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful.” Christopher also believes walking in the purpose God has set before him allows him to use his gifts and talents to impact others in a positive way.
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Learning objectives:
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Understand the risks associated with poor dental water quality
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Recognize current regulations and best practices for dental water systems
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Apply effective methods to monitor and maintain dental unit waterline safety
"Understanding the "WHY" in Dentistry for the Dental Assistant"
Dr. Kay Davis-Porter,
EdD, RDH
Dr. Kay Davis-Porter, EdD, RDH, is a highly accomplished educator and healthcare professional with over 30 years of experience as a registered dental hygienist. She is an alumna of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Guilford Technical Community College, and Pfeiffer University, and holds a Doctorate in Education with a specialization in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University.
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With 31 years of clinical dental hygiene expertise and 16 years in academic leadership, Dr. Davis-Porter has taught dental assisting, dental hygiene, medical assisting, and medical administration at the collegiate level. She has also served as program director for two dental assisting and dental hygiene programs. Presently, she is a professor in the Department of Population Health Services Management at North Carolina A&T State University, where she plays a vital role in preparing the next generation of leaders in health-related disciplines.
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For the past 13 years, Dr. Davis-Porter has partnered with Cook Health & Safety Compliance, LLC as a state-approved instructor, delivering essential training in nitrous oxide monitoring, coronal polishing, and dental radiology to dental professionals. Committed to staying clinically current, she continues to practice part-time as a clinical dental hygienist, ensuring that the latest dental practices and innovations inform her academic instruction.
Dr. Davis-Porter’s extensive knowledge, leadership, and unwavering commitment to advancing dental education and practice have made her an invaluable asset to students, colleagues, and the broader healthcare community
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Course Description:
Discover the vital role of dental assistants in patient care and clinic efficiency while exploring the reasoning behind essential dental procedures and protocols. Reflect on your motivations for entering the dental field and discover how understanding the ‘why’ behind daily tasks can enhance empathy, communication, and professional satisfaction. Connect the three A’s—Attitude, Aptitude, and Altitude—to chart your course for career advancement in dental assisting.
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Recognize the importance of the dental assistant’s role in patient care and clinic efficiency: Understand how dental assistants contribute to the functioning and productivity of a dental office, patient satisfaction, and a positive patient experience.
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Explore the reasons behind dental procedures and protocols: Examine the rationale for common clinical procedures, infection control measures, and the use of specific dental materials, focusing on how these “whys” lead to safer outcomes and higher care standards.
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Connect personal motivation to professional practice: Reflect on the underlying reasons for choosing dental assisting as a career and discuss how understanding the “why” behind daily tasks and broader dental care enhances motivation, empathy, and patient communication.
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Connect the 3 A’s for career advancement: Attitude, Aptitude, and Altitude.
"Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office"
Dr. Bertrand Bonnick
Dr. Bonnick is a 1986 Graduate of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, where he served for two years as the SNDA President. He did two years of post-graduate training at Long Island Jewish Medical Center—after serving as Chief Resident and was a part-time Instructor for ten years, achieving the Instructor of the Year Award from the Residents in 1991. He moved to North Carolina in 2003 and started a full-time practice dedicated to Sedation General Dentistry. He currently practices with a DSO in High Point and runs a practice with his wife in Walnut Cove, North Carolina.
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"Infection Control, Do You See What I See"
Mr. Reginald B. Cook, CDA, OST, OSHA Outreach Trainer
Reginald “Reggie” Cook is the CEO of Cook Health and Safety Compliance, LLC (CHSC, LLC). Providing health and safety compliance training and consulting services that are specialized to the dental environment in the North Carolina and South Carolina regions.
Reggie’s professional work experience in the dental environment from the front end to the back end of the dental office, coupled with his expertise as: an OSHA Outreach Trainer, Infection Control & Sterilization Specialist, NC SPICE Certification and HIPAA Instructor, and Dental Office Occupational Skills Trainer, brings a valuable range of knowledge, and expertise to the dental environment. As a Dental Compliance Specialist, Reggie works closely with OSHA, CDC, OSAP, and the NC and SC County Health Departments in relation to community outbreak crisis such as the COVID-19 Pandemic and Substance Abuse & Mental Health Awareness in the dental environment.
Reggie has worked in the dental environment for over 30 years in several capacities to include; but not limited to: a Dental Tech in the US Army, and a Dental Assistant Staff Member at UNC School of Dentistry-Graduate Department of Pediatrics.
Reggie believes in the biblical principle to much is given, much is required. Thus as healthcare professionals, we have a required responsibility to the health and safety of patients, staff, ourselves, and the community we serve through active compliance.
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Learning Objective:
1. Understanding how pathogenic organisms spread and the modes of transmission - (airborne, bloodborne, contact, droplets).
2. Demonstrating proper hand hygiene - (effective techniques, sanitizing solutions, and PPE’s).
3. Recognizing and identifying risk factors for infection - (situational, environmental, and practices).
4. Learning how to apply standard and transmission-based precautions to minimize the risk of transmission during patient care.
"Are You Wearing Your Crown"
Mrs. Tammie Cook, CPLC
Certified Professional Life Coach/ Facilitator
Tammie coaches and facilitates you through "YOUR processing experience" to obtain and sustain personal growth, professional development, and total wellbeing.
Tammie creates a safe-place environment where participants feel free to be their authentic selves while effectively unpacking personal truths that help build upon optimum performance.
Tammie has over 25+ cumulative years of Teaching, Training, Counseling, Advocating, and Life-Coaching experience. Her skilled ability and compassionate nature to include wisdom with laughter without forsaking the seriousness of subject matter, creates a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for engaging in interactive and thought-provoking activities and discussions customized to meet individual and group specific needs, while enhancing overall experience.
Tammie's goal for participants is to leave each sessions with clarity of mindset, revived purpose, and acceptance of “being.” Making a conscious choice to be and live safer, healthier, happier, and fulfilled - the essential elements for a productive employee and well-balanced human being.
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Objectives:
An interactive group activity and discussion utilizing the correlation of a dental crown to:
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Identify and discuss stress factors that can crack and effect work/life performance.
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Strengthen and preserve the integrity of staff’s work-relations through team-bridging.
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Discuss temporary -vs- cemented resilience for stress management/wellbeing techniques.
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Develop a custom-fit SAP Crown (Self-care Action Plan).