20th Annual Robert J. Feigal Pediatric Dentistry Symposium - Zoom Webinar

Piranit Nik Kantaputra, DDS, MS
Dr. Kantaputra is a professor of medical genetics and the Director of the Center of Excellence in Medical Genetics Research at Chaing Mai University in Thailand. He is a faculty member of the Division of Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry at Chaing Mail University. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Chiang Mai University in 1986 and his Certificate and Master of Science degree in Pediatric Dentistry from the University of Minnesota in 1990. Dr. Kantaputra completed his fellowship training in Clinical Dysmorphology with Professor Robert J. Gorlin at the University of Minnesota in 1990-1991. 

Dr. Kantraputra’s main research interest is to find the causes of rare, interesting and unusual craniofacial malformation syndromes, especially when teeth are involved. He was the first to discover the gene responsible for isolated tongue-tie. Recently, his research team identified the genes responsible for the smallest and largest teeth in the world. Dr. Kantaputra has identified more than 13 new genetic syndromes, one of which bears his name, Mesomelic Dysplasia, Kantaputra Type.  Dr. Kantaputra has published more than 125 international papers and 4 book chapters. Recently his group has identified a novel gene for pain sensation, a gene for natal teeth and oligodontia, a gene for hereditary gingival fibromatosis, 5 genes for pustular skin lesions, 7 genes for tooth agenesis, and 8 genes for supernumerary teeth and mesiodens formation and oral exostoses. Dr. Kantaputra has been the only university dental faculty in Thailand who was promoted from the position of lecturer to professor. He serves on the editorial boards of the American Journal of Medical Genetics, the Journal of Human Genetics, and the International Journal of Dentistry.

Ronald Kosinski, DMD
Dr. Kosinski is serving as Medical Director Associate at Elevance Health. Prior to starting with Elevance in October 2025, Dr. Kosinski served as the founding Clinical Director of the NYU Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities. He spent ten years at NYU as Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatric Dentistry. Prior to joining NYU, Dr. Kosinski served as Chief of Pediatric Dentistry at Northwell Health System: The Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York. Dr. Kosinski is a dual trained pediatric dentist and dentist anesthesiologist. He continues to lecture across the country about pediatric sedation.

LaRee Johnson, DDS, MS, FAAPD
Dr. Johnson has been in full-time private practice for nearly 26 years, following her residency at the University of North Carolina. She founded Carolina Pediatric Dentistry, a multi-doctor, two-location practice in Raleigh, North Carolina, and speaks nationally and internationally. Dr. Johnson has a Certificate in Leadership from the Kellogg School of Management Leadership Institute at Northwestern University (Cohort V) and holds adjunct faculty appointments at the University of North Carolina and East Carolina University. She is a fellow of the International College of Dentists, American College of Dentists, and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She has served as the president of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and is the Chief Dental Director for Blue Cloud Pediatric Surgery Centers across the United States. 

Jeremy Horst Keeper, DDS, MS, PhD
Dr. Keeper is a nationally recognized expert in non-invasive biological dentistry. He has over 45 scientific publications and has developed therapies for non-invasive dental care in UCSF School of Medicine. Dr. Keeper initiated non-invasive dentistry guidelines for the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Dental Association (ADA).

Disclosure Summary

It is the policy of the University of Minnesota Office of Continuing Dental Education to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all its sponsored educational activities. All participating speakers, course directors, and planning committee members are required to disclose to the program audience any financial relationships related to the subject matter of this program. Disclosure information is reviewed in advance to manage and resolve any potential conflicts of interest. Specific disclosure information for each speaker, course director, and planning committee member will be shared with the audience prior to their presentation.

All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.