JAMAICA DENTAL ASSOCIATION - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Associate Professor
- Director of Laser Dentistry
- Executive Director of the World Clinical Laser Institute
Dr Christopher Walinski is an Associate Professor of Dental Medicine and Director of Laser Dentistry at the Touro College of Dental Medicine. He has been an author, inventor and thought leader in Laser Dentistry for 25 years with a patent and two patents pending, and has authored a text on laser dentistry that has been translated into 10 languages.
Dr. Walinski is the Executive Director of the World Clinical Laser Institute and the International Dental Laser Research Institute, and is a Founding member of the American Academy of Oral Systemic Health. He is a Diplomate and Past-President of the World Congress of Minimally Invasive Dentistry.
His Fellowships include the International College of Dentists, The Royal Society of Medicine, The International Association for Laser Dentistry and the American Society for Lasers in Medicine and Surgery.
Dr Jose Manuel Roldan is a highly accomplished dentist specializing in orthodontics with a fervent passion for personalized treatments and a keen interest in the intersection of high-tech and digital dentistry. With a rich background in clinical experience, including practices at Vibart Dental Clinic and LiveD Digital Dental Center, Dr Roldan is not only a practitioner but also a Professor of Aligner Therapy and Digital Orthodontics at CES University, Colombia since 2018.
Dr Roldan's educational journey is marked by excellence, having earned degrees from CES University in Dentistry, Orthodontics, and a master's in dental science. Recognized as a Top Doctor by Invisalign and a member of the Digital Smile Design community, he is also affiliated with prestigious organizations such as the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO), and the Colombian Orthodontic Society (SCO). Additionally, he is the creator of Think First Orthodontics, where he pioneered the Aligner Biomechanics bootcamp.
His commitment to achieving the maximum benefit for patients is evident in his approach, characterized by interdisciplinary treatments that seamlessly blend cutting-edge technology with a personalized touch. Dr Roldan not only brings a wealth of clinical expertise to the table but is also emotionally invested in the art of teaching and sharing knowledge. His commitment extends beyond personal experiences, incorporating the latest scientific research and evidence-based dentistry into his educational endeavors.
Job Titles:
- Professional Member of the American College of Sports Medicine
Dr Uche Odiatu DMD is a professional member of the American College of Sports Medicine and a practicing dentist in Toronto. He is also the author of The Miracle of Health. This busy health care professional is an NSCA Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Yoga Instructor, Certified Boot Camp Instructor and has given 500 plus lectures in England, Canada, the USA, the Bahamas, Denmark, Bermuda and Norway. He has lectured at the American Dental Association Annual session 14 times since 2006. Has been the invited guest in over 400 radio and TV shows from Alaska to Atlanta and from NYC to California.
Job Titles:
- Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada
Dr. Gary Glassman graduated from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry in 1984 and was awarded the James B. Willmott Scholarship, the Mosby Scholarship and the George Hare Endodontic Scholarship for proficiency in Endodontics. A graduate of the Endodontology Program at Temple University in 1987, he received the Louis I. Grossman Study Club Award for academic and clinical proficiency in Endodontics.
The author of numerous publications, Dr. Glassman lectures globally on endodontics, is on staff at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry in the graduate department of endodontics. As Adjunct Professor of Dentistry and Director of Endodontic Programming from 2010-2017, Gary helped develop the dental school curriculum for the Oral Health Science programme for the University of Technology, Kingston, Jamaica.
Gary is a fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, Fellow of the American College of Dentists, endodontic editor for Oral Health dental journal, Editorial Advisory Board for Inside Dentistry, Faculty Chair for DC Institute and Chief Dental Officer for dentalcorp Canada.
He maintains a private practice, Endodontic Specialists in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His personal/professional website is www.drgaryglassman.com and his office website is www.rootcanals.ca He can be reached at gary@rootcanals.ca.
Ruth Parkin-Edwin DMD, MS, Diplomate of American Board of Periodontology is licensed to practice dentistry in both New Jersey and the country of Jamaica, West Indies. She holds certifications for screening individuals with Sleep Related Breathing Disorders, is a certified DME provider, and is recognized as a certified provider for Invisalign and Candid Pro Clear aligners.
Dr. Ruth Parkin-Edwin hails from Jamaica, having been born in the parish of Hanover. Her educational journey in Jamaica began at Bethel All Age and continued at Mount Alvernia High School from 1982 to 1987. She later attended Montego Bay Community College from 1989 to 1991 and the University of the West Indies from 1989 to 1991. She did not complete her studies there, having relocated to the USA to join her family in 1991.
Dr Parkin-Edwin excelled in her academic pursuits, earning a BS (Summa Cum Laude) in Biology from Upsala College in 1994. Shortly after her undergraduate studies, she was accepted into dental school in 1994 and graduated with honors from the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey in 1998. Following her dental degree, she completed a three-year specialty program, obtaining a Certificate in Periodontics. Dr. Parkin-Edwin holds a master's degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey and a Continuing Education Certification in Orthodontics from Progressive Orthodontic Seminars. She is actively engaged in research and has been published in a periodontal microbiology journal.
Dr. Parkin-Edwin has received several prestigious awards, including the Martin Luther King Scholarship, membership in the OKU-National Dental Honor's Society, the Uriel Gunthrope Student National Dental Award, and the International Congress of Oral Implantology Award.
She is an active member of numerous dental associations including the American Board of Periodontology, American Dental Association, American Academy of Periodontology, Essex County Dental Association, National Dental Association, and New Jersey Dental Association
While pursuing her dream of becoming a dentist, she dedicated her summers to meaningful community service, including volunteering at the Colgate Palmolive Special Olympics, N.J Children Dental Health Day at Liberty Science Center, and N.J Children Dental Health Day at Turtle Back Zoo, where she provided free dental care to underprivileged children.
Dr. Steven R. Schwartz is a graduate of NYU College of Dentistry and completed his postgraduate training in General Practice Dentistry, General Anesthesia, and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and a Fellow and member of numerous professional organizations including American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Academy of Osseointegration, American Dental Association and several local dental organizations.
Dr. Schwartz was Director of Surgical Implantology in the Department of Dentistry and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center and was a Senior Attending Surgeon and member of the teaching faculty in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at The Brooklyn Hospital Center.
He practiced the full scope of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery with emphasis in Implantology (including surgery and prosthetics), Dentoalveolar and Reconstructive Surgery and Orthodontic Temporary Anchorage Devices and has lectured at various study groups, medical centers, dental societies and symposia on these and other topics locally, nationally and internationally.
Dr. Tamara-Kay Tibby received her bachelor's in Spanish from Duke University and her Doctorate in Dental Medicine from the University of Florida College of Dentistry. She completed her residency in Pediatric Dentistry at Harvard University School of Dental Medicine and earned a master's in public health (MPH) at the University of South Florida.
Dr. Tibby has over 20 years of experience in pediatric dentistry and public health. She has served as the Dental Director for community health centers in four different counties in Florida - including Gadsden, Leon, Palm Beach, and Hillsborough. In these roles, she has initiated school and daycare-based preventative dental programs for low-income children. She has also done her fair share of adult emergency exams and extractions. Dr. Tibby has also served as an attending pediatric dentist for the NYU-Lutheran pediatric residency program in Tampa. Currently, Dr. Tibby serves as the Florida Dental Director for Liberty Dental Plan.
Laura Nelson is an accomplished and highly-respected figure in the dental industry. As the founder of Front Office Rocks™, a virtual training platform for dental teams, she has earned international acclaim for her expertise in office systems and methods that drive exceptional customer service.
She has mentored thousands of dentists and team members, helping them achieve remarkable growth and excel in performance-based leadership with her unique interactive and innovative approach.
Beyond her role as a speaker and trainer, Laura is also the bestselling author of Step Away from the Drill, an invaluable guide that aims to help dentists master the business side of dentistry. Her latest publication, Hiring Without Hesitation: A How-To for Small Business Success, aims to simplify the hiring process to make it a productive and enjoyable experience for all.
With a background in Human Resources and a master's degree in organizational development, Laura brings a wealth of knowledge to her work. She is a member of many prestigious dental associations, and various awards have recognized her expertise, including being named one of Dental Products Report's Top 25 Women in Dentistry. When not transforming dental practices, Laura enjoys traveling and exploring new destinations. She resides in Coronado, CA, with her husband, Chris.
Dr Orville Nembhard is a graduate of The University of the West Indies from which he holds Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees as well as a master's degree in Public Health. He also has a master's degree in business administration from the University of Leicester, as well as diplomas in Occupational Health and HIV treatment from the University of Illinois and Washington respectively.
His work experience includes the Ministry of Health, lecturing in the department of Community Health and Psychiatry at The University of the West indies, and being Caribbean Medical Advisor for a large pharmaceutical company. He is the founder and Director of Health Plus Associates, a multidisciplinary medical centre in Kingston, Jamaica. His hobbies are fishing, music, singing, and most recently learning to play the steel pan.