Chrissy Ford
RDH, BSDH
RDH Evolve Founder/Speaker
Chrissy Ford, RDH, is a registered dental hygienist, practice manager, speaker, published author, and founder of the Ford Dental Institute and the RDH Evolve Dental Hygiene Conference. With more than 25 years of experience in dentistry, she is passionate about helping dental professionals elevate patient care while building thriving, sustainable practices.
Recognized for her engaging and practical teaching style, Chrissy specializes in periodontal therapy, hygiene department optimization, practice growth, and team development. She has developed innovative continuing education programs and coaching systems that empower dental teams to implement evidence-based clinical protocols, strengthen patient relationships, and improve practice performance.
Through online education, hands-on workshops, and customized in-office coaching, Chrissy has helped dental professionals across Canada enhance clinical outcomes, increase confidence, and rediscover their passion for dentistry. Her mission is to advance the profession through mentorship, education, and actionable strategies that support both professional fulfillment and business success.
Melissa K. Turner
BASDH, RDHEP, EFDA
RDH Evolve 2027 Emcee
A 20-year veteran dental hygienist and founder Melissa K. Turner is a sought after consultant, dynamic speaker and top millennial content creator-affectionately known by her influencer handle @thetoothgirl. Melissa’s combined experience as an executive, founder, hygienist, and influencer provides unique insight into what both dental professionals and patients want. She is a founding board member for the American Mobile & Teledentistry Alliance and co-founder of The Denobi Awards and the National Mobile & Teledentistry Conference. She is referred to as a “fresh force of change” – representing a new generation in dentistry with a focus on transforming the future through innovative technology, inclusion and practitioner wellbeing.
SPEAKERS
Katrina M. Sanders
RDH, BSDH, M.Ed, RF
Speaker
As a clinical dental hygienist, author and international speaker, Katrina is passionate about elevating the dental profession by creating an undeniable movement that educates, encourages, and empowers the profession to rise in its power.
Known as the “Dental WINEgenist™,” she pairs her desire for excellence in the dental profession with her knowledge and passion for wine.
She is the Clinical Liaison for Hygiene Excellence at AZPerio, founder of Sanders Board Preparatory and has been published in various publications including RDH Magazine and Today’s RDH. Recently, Katrina proudly received the University of Minnesota Distinguished Alumni Award and the 2024 Sunstar Award of Distinction. @TheDentalWINEgenist
Joe Siegfried
RDH, Myofunctional Therapist
Speaker
Joe began his journey in dental hygiene and oral health in 2006. With over a
decade of experience in Myofunctional Therapy, Joe is passionate about integrating sleep dentistry, airway health, and functional approaches into everyday clinical practice to support patients in achieving optimal health.
An international speaker and educator, Joe is a strong advocate for the role of the dental hygienist as a health educator, believing education is at the core of what we do as clinicians.
Joe leads the Myofunctional Therapy Curriculum at rdhu Inc., where he designed and delivers one of Canada’s most sought-after programs, attracting dental hygienists from across the country for hands-on, implementation-focused training. He is also the owner of Kingsmill Dental Hygiene and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy in Toronto, Canada.
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Dr. Parul Makkar
BSc, DDS, FACD
Speaker
Dr. Parul Dua Makkar is a general dentist, national speaker, author, and grief coach based in Long Island, NY. She is the owner of PDM Family Dental and the founder of Dua Good Job, an initiative dedicated to advancing oral cancer awareness, early detection, and healthcare provider education.
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After oral cancer claimed the life of her only sibling, fellow dentist Dr. Manu Dua, Dr. Makkar transformed her personal loss into a mission to prevent delayed diagnoses and save lives. She now educates clinicians across the country on integrating comprehensive oral cancer screenings into routine care, combining clinical protocols with powerful storytelling that drives lasting change.
Dr. Makkar has been recognized with multiple honors, including nominations for Best of Long Island, Power Women of Long Island, and the Bob Pick Humanitarian Award.
Michelle Strange
MSDH, RDH, CDICP
Speaker
Michelle is a practicing dental hygienist, educator, and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in the dental field.
Her commitment to excellence is demonstrated by ongoing professional development, including earning a Certificate in Dental Infection Prevention and Control, Myofunctional Therapy, Interim Restorative Therapies, and Neuromodulators.
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Michelle is the founder of MichelleStrangeRDH and Level Up Infection Prevention, two platforms dedicated to empowering dental professionals through education, hands-on resources, and practical strategies for success in clinical care and compliance.
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Most recently, she became the proud owner of SmileLogic, a dental hygiene practice in Colorado that delivers value-based, patient-centered care.
With a unique blend of clinical expertise and entrepreneurial drive, Michelle continues to elevate the profession—bridging education, innovation, and real-world application.
Amanda Hale
BS, RDH
Speaker
Amanda is a registered dental hygienist with over 18 years of clinical experience and a strong passion for patient-centered care. She is HIAOMT-accredited through the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology and is the host of Functional Roots: The Biological Hygiene Podcast (formerly co-host of Hygiene Elevated).
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Amanda serves as a professional educator and Key Opinion Leader for oral care brands and has contributed to RDH Magazine and Dentistry IQ with a focus on bridging oral health and whole-body wellness. Most recently, she completed her health coaching program through the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy in partnership with the Institute for Functional Medicine and has earned her NBC-HWC credential. Now, she’s stepping into her next chapter—finding creative, real-world ways to bring these tools to life and help patients transform their oral health as part of their overall wellness journey.
Rachel Hicks
Speaker
Rachel is a retired Certified Level II Dental Assistant turned full-time entrepreneur and industry leader. With experience in orthodontics, general dentistry, dental sales, and college teaching, she stepped outside the traditional dental world by launching Canada’s first commercial teeth whitening studio. From there, Rachel pioneered multiple pop-up models and built expertise in chairside whitening systems. The overwhelming demand for her results inspired her biggest passion project yet, creating North America’s leading professional whitening supply company.
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Today, Rachel is a 3x founder, international speaker, and host of the Whitening Wednesday Podcast. Under the handle @mentorrach, she shares cutting-edge whitening education across social media, simplifying complex science for dental professionals. Rachel is committed to mentorship and professional development, helping providers integrate whitening safely while building the systems and confidence to grow as entrepreneurs and providers. Her mission is clear: bridge the gap between dentistry and the grey market.
Dr. Diana Liu
DDS, MBA, YTTC, CHC
Speaker
Dr. Diana Liu is a practicing dentist and the founder of Rest to Thrive™, a wellness education company devoted to helping ambitious professionals build success without sacrificing their body, health, or nervous system.​
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With over a decade of experience studying and teaching mindfulness-based approaches, and as a certified yoga and meditation teacher, she delivers workshops, programs, and retreats for dental professionals and high-performing teams. Her work centers on what she calls "the missing link to sustainable success" —mindfulness, nervous system care, and learning how to source real, restorative energy rather than running on stress and fumes.
Through her work, Dr. Liu supports individuals and organizations in shifting from burnout and overdrive… to a way of working and living that is resilient, fulfilling, and truly sustainable—both in their careers and at home!
Dr. Michael Glogauer
DDS, PhD, DipPerio
Speaker
Michael Glogauer is an internationally-recognized periodontist and leader in the fields of oral immunity and periodontology. He is a Professor at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Head of Dentistry for University Health Network, Chief of Dental Oncology. He has generated over 225 peer reviewed publications (more than 17,000 citations) in dental health and oral immunology.
Dr. Sanjukta Mohanta
DDS
Speaker
Dr. Sanjukta “Sanj” Mohanta is a general dentist practicing in Toronto. She graduated from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry in 1999 and recently received the Alumni of Influence award. She started the New Dentist Study Club and hosts their podcast. Sanj is a writer, speaker, mentor, advocate and volunteer.
She volunteers with the Ontario Dental Association which awarded her the Merit Award and Service Award. She loves everything about teeth. Her favourite saying, “You have no cavities.” She also loves her husband, son, daughter, dog and fish.