Vermont Dental Conference - Speakers

Peter Auster, DMD

Dr. Peter Auster continues thirty-five years of cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry in his private practice in Pomona, NY. He has lectured from Portland, Maine, to Portland, Oregon, and internationally. He has written dozens of articles for major dental publications. His article, "Groundbreaking Composite Dentistry" was the cover story of Dentistry Today Magazine in February 2019, and he was named the cover story again in April 2022. Dr. Auster is a Fellow of the International College of Dentists and the American College of Dentists.

Dr. Auster has spent twelve years in leadership positions at the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), including the 2022 chair of their Professional Education Committee. He also founded their New York affiliate, the Greater New York Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (GNYACD). He is a speaker for Catapult Education's Speakers Bureau. He takes great pride in twelve years of volunteer dentistry abroad and an ADA award for international voluntary service.

Jacob Dent, DDS

Dr. Jacob Dent is an outside-the-box general dentist and speaker. In practice for 20 years and a multi-practice owner, Dr. Dent has built a successful career treating patients of all ages and disabilities in a non-conventional way using desensitization.

Dr. Dent is a fellow of the Academy of Dentistry International, clinical director for Special Olympics Special Smiles, and co-founder of Dental Desensitization Systems. He is married to his wife Jennifer, father to his daughter Jayden and son Ethan, who has Autism.

As a professional speaker, Dr. Dent has given presentations and workshops around the country for the past 8 years to dental professionals, health care providers, students, and families.

Samuel Shamardi, DMD

Dr. Sam Sharmardi is an established leader, educator, clinician, author, and dental entrepreneur. He has a passion for providing solutions to significant unaddressed problems for dental professionals via educational program and his faculty position at Harvard, while providing transformative changes for the periodontal health of his patients.

Dr. Shamardi earned his DMD at Tufts University, where he served as Class President for four years, and his Periodontal certificate at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and Implant Surgery and practices full-time in Boston while teaching part-time at the Harvard Division of Periodontics for the last decade. He lectures nationally and internationally on a wide array of topics and is a speaker for Catapult Education's Speakers Bureau.

He has been recognized as a dental entrepreneur for his revolutionary EarAid product, has published numerous articles, and is the author of The Financial Survival Guide for Dentists.

Thomas Viola, R. Ph., C.C.P.    

With over 30 year' experience as a pharmacist, educator, speaker and author, Tom Viola, R. Ph., C.C.P. has earned his reputation as the go-to specialist for delivering quality CE content through his informative, engaging presentations. Tom's sellout programs provide an overview of the most prevalent oral and systemic diseases and the most frequently prescribed drugs used in their treatment. Special emphasis is given to dental considerations and strategies for effective patient care planning. As a clinical educator, Tom is a member of the faculty of twelve dental professional degree programs and has received several awards for outstanding teacher of the year. Tom instructs dental hygiene students and practicing dental hygienists in pharmacology and local anesthesia in preparation for national board exams. As a published writer, Tom is well known internationally for his contributions to several professional journals in the areas of pharmacology, pain management and local anesthesia. In addition, Tom has served as a contributor, chapter author and peer reviewer for several pharmacology textbooks. As a professional speaker, Tom has presented continuing education courses to dental professionals internationally since 2001