2026 WDHS AS SPEAKER - Western Society of Periodontology

2026 WDHS Speakers

Susan S. Wingrove BS, RDH

Lecture: Prevention is KEY! Implant Maintenance, Home-Care and Disease Treatment

Kristen Ranaldo, RDH, BSDH

Lecture: Transforming Hygiene Practice: Dental Endoscopy and Desiccation Therapy.

Kristen Ranaldo, RDH, BSDH is a periodontal surgical hygienist and educator with over a decade of clinical experience. A top graduate of Farmingdale State College and recipient of the Golden Scaler Award, she is IALD Millennium Periolase Hygiene certified and an expert in dental endoscopy.

Kristen has successfully treated countless periodontal cases using minimally invasive, evidence-based methods and now trains dental professionals nationwide on advanced endoscopic techniques to achieve superior outcomes.

She is also a Professor at Hostos Community College and lectures nationally on periodontics, technology integration, and patient-centered care. Kristen believes dental endoscopy is a revolutionary tool that can transform the way every practice treats periodontal disease.

Anne O. Rice, RDH, BS, FAAOSH, CDP

Lecture: Prevention is KEY! Implant Maintenance, Home-Care and Disease TreatmenThe Silent Signals: Recognizing Systemic Risk Through Health Histories

Anne has been a clinical dental hygienist for over 35 years, is a speaker, writer, and consultant. She founded Oral Systemic Seminars in 2017 and is a Fellow and advisory board member of AAOSH, a Bale/Doneen preceptor, Certified Dementia Practitioner, and Longevity Specialist. In 2021, she published Alzheimer’s Disease and Oral – Systemic Health in Frontiers. She writes an oral-systemic column for RDH Magazine and serves on its editorial board, as well as O’Hehir University’s Editorial Review Board and Cloud Dentistry’s Empowering Women in Dentistry Council. She was honored with Sunstar’s 2024 Award of Distinction. Anne has consulted with Weill Cornell Medical Center’s Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic, Florida Atlantic College Center for Brain Health, the Atria Health and Research Institute and Florida Institute Neurodegeneration Diseases.

Melissa D. Shotell, DMD, MS

Lecture: 3 Minute Orthodontic Evaluation in the Hygiene Chair Improving Orthodontic and Periodontal Health.

Dr. Melissa Shotell is a Board Certified Orthodontist and practices in a multi-specialty practice in California, focusing on the interplay of orthodontics and restorative treatment. After completing dental school Dr. Shotell practiced as a restorative dentist for several years, then returned to school to complete a certificate and master’s degree in orthodontics from Loma Linda University. Dr. Shotell considers education to be her passion, and presents nationally and internationally on dental technology, clear aligners, digital workflow, and orthodontic techniques. She is also part-time clinical faculty in the orthodontics department at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, and teaches in the CE department for the University of Alberta in Canada. Dr. Shotell is also a reviewer for the Journal of Aligner Orthodontics. Dr. Shotell shares tips and tricks on orthodontics and clear aligners on social media as alignerbee.

Rafael Rondon, RDH, BS

Lecture: The Vital Signs of Dentistry: Aligning Patient Care with AAP & ADA Guidelines

Rafael Rondon, RDH, BS, has over 35 years of experience in the dental field. He began his career in a hospital setting and private practice before transitioning to dental group practices, where he has spent the past 20 years. Throughout his career, Rafael has played a key role in developing and implementing standardized dental hygiene protocols, with a strong focus on periodontal therapy, patient communication, efficient scheduling, and hygiene team development. His passion lies in mentoring and empowering hygienists while elevating our profession by supporting clinicians in strengthening their skills, enhancing patient care, and recognizing the full value of their role. Rafael has helped hundreds of practices achieve long-term success by improving leadership, teamwork, organizational systems, verbal skills, and overall patient outcomes. In addition, Rafael is the CEO of Mr. RDH, a platform dedicated to empowering male hygienists worldwide.

Lynn Atkinson, RDH

Lecture: Laser Focused Connection: Where Technology, Communication, and Care Unite

Lynn Atkinson, RDH, has over 35 years of clinical experience as a Registered Dental Hygienist, with a career dedicated to advancing patient care through technology and education. A graduate of Cypress College, she earned her Associate Fellowship with the World Clinical Laser Institute in 1996 and has since achieved both Standard and Advanced Proficiency Certifications with the Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD). Lynn is deeply committed to comprehensive periodontal care, integrating diagnostics, Guided Biofilm Therapy, and adjunctive laser protocols into everyday practice.

In addition to her four days a week in clinical care, Lynn lectures nationally, provides hands-on training, and serves as a U.S. trainer and speaker for EMS Guided Biofilm Therapy. She is an active leader within ALD, serving on its Board of Directors as Auxiliary Chair and contributing to multiple committees. Recognized for her clinical excellence and educational impact, she has received the ALD Leon Goldman Clinical Excellence Award (2022) and the Western Society of Periodontology Hygiene Speaker of the Year Award (2024).

Lora Hooper, BSDH, RDH, EFDA

Lecture: Decoding Saliva with Salivary Diagnostics

Lora Hooper, BSDH, RDH, EFDA, known nationally as The Saliva Hacker™, is a leading expert in salivary diagnostics and oral-systemic health. She has collaborated with top medical professionals, from serving as the first hygienist to work for a cardiologist at the Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention Center to educating physicians nationwide with MDVIP. Her passion lies in exposing how hidden oral pathogens drive inflammation and chronic disease. Now, through Salivary AI, she’s pioneering the integration of artificial intelligence into precision salivary testing. Lora bridges dentistry and medicine, empowering clinicians and patients to achieve measurable health transformations. Outside her professional pursuits, she enjoys life with her husband and five children and was once a competitive figure skater for The Ohio State University.

Giles B. Horrocks, DDS, MS

Lecture: Demystifying the Soft Tissue Seal Around Dental Implants: What Hygienists Need to Know About the Mucosa Where Technology, Communication, and Care Unite

Dr. Horrocks is the past president of the Western Society of Periodontology and of the Rocky Mountain Society of Periodontology. He was instrumental in bringing Piezosurgery to the US and has published on the benefits of using precision bone surgery in manipulating alveolar bone to increase bone volume for dental implant placement. He has lectured to both Oral Surgery and Periodontal Societies on soft tissue issues relative to dental implants. He is Board certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and internationally recognized as an author, key opinion leader, educator, and sought-after clinician in his field. He currently practices Rocky Mountain Dental Specialists in Longmont, Colorado.

Tiffany Wuebben, RDH

Lecture: The Superhero Hygienist Unleashed: A Hygiene-Driven Approach to Alignment, Culture, and Practice Success

Tiffany Wuebben, RDH, Founder and CEO of The HygienepreneurTM, is an internationally recognized speaker, consultant, and author with over 30 years in dentistry. Combining two decades of clinical experience with her expertise in leadership, communication, and practice growth, Tiffany helps dental practices elevate care, culture, and profitability. She is the author of Hygienepreneur: The Dental Hygienist’s Guide to Achieving Career Success & Personal Transformation and co-author of Culture Catalyst. Tiffany’s passion is helping dentists and their teams strengthen collaboration, elevate communication, and build thriving, patient-centered practices that enhance care, culture, and profitability.