Meet our Experts
Kirk Behrendt is a renowned speaker, author, and consultant in the dental industry. With over 20 years of experience, he has established himself as an expert in dental practice management and marketing. Kirk is the founder and CEO of ACT Dental, a consulting firm that helps dentists and their teams enhance their communication skills, increase productivity, and achieve their business goals. He is also the host of the popular podcast The Best Practices Show, which features interviews with top dental professionals and provides valuable insights into the industry. As a sought-after speaker, Kirk has delivered keynote presentations at numerous dental conferences and events worldwide. He has authored several books and articles on practice management and marketing, including his latest book, "The Ultimate Patient Experience: The Six Key Elements of World-class Patient Care." He is also an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry. Through his innovative ideas, engaging presentations, and practical solutions, Kirk Behrendt has helped countless dental practices achieve success and improve the lives of their patients.
Stephanie Botts, BSDH, RDH, CEAS, has practiced clinical dental hygiene for 15 years. She currently practices in Denver. Stephanie is passionate about dentistry, especially dental professionals' role in a patient's health. She has spoken at the Denver Cardiology Summit, advising physicians and cardiologists about the oral/systemic link and the damaging effects of medication-induced dry mouth. She has spoken at numerous annual dental hygiene and dental sessions about substance use disorder and chemical dependency.
Nancy Dewhirst, RDH, BS, graduated from the University of Southern California, practiced dental hygiene for 20 years, is an adjunct dental hygiene faculty at West Coast University, and is a member of Sigma Phi Alpha. Ms. Dewhirst is consistently listed as one of the nation’s “leaders in CE”, presents over 100 interactive workshops and seminars a year, is featured at major U.S. and Canadian Dental Conferences, and is a licensed California CE Provider. She is a ANSI/ADA Standards Program member and committee chair, Editor-in-Chief of OSAP’s Infection Control in Practice, has published many articles in peer-reviewed dental journals, and contributed to dental textbooks and ADA, OSAP, and Sate and University guidance documents.
Robert Nadeau, DDS, MD, FACS, is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Minnesota. He is the Interim Director of the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic and the Director of Advanced Education in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Dr. Nadeau serves as a Commission on Dental Accreditation site inspector for advanced training programs in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and is a member of the AAOMS Committee on Professional Conduct. He is a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and a Fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons as well as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has co-authored several textbook chapters related to maxillofacial reconstruction. Dr. Nadeau has won numerous teaching awards and enjoys the academic setting. He lectures locally and regionally about office medical emergencies, anxiolysis techniques, management of head and neck infections, and surgical management of obstructive sleep apnea.
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. Relationships of spouse/partner with proprietary entities producing health care goods or services should be disclosed if they are of a nature that may influence the objectivity of the individual in a position to control the content of the CDE activity. Disclosure information is reviewed in advance to manage and resolve any possible conflicts of interest. Specific disclosure information for each speaker, course director, and planning committee member will be shared with the audience prior to the speaker’s presentation.
Continuing Dental Education Staff members have nothing to disclose.
The speakers disclosed the following information for this course. It is not assumed these financial interests or affiliations will have an adverse impact on course presentations. They are provided to inform course participants fully.
Kirk Behrendt
Receives grants and/or research funding from ACT Dental. Does not intend to discuss off-label/investigative use of a commercial product/device.
Stephanie Botts, BSDH, RDH, CEAS
Indicated no relevant affiliations or financial interests and does not intend to discuss off-label/investigative use of a commercial product/device.
Nancy Dewhirst, RDH, BS
Receives grants and/or research funding from West Cost University and is a consultant/speaker for ProEdge Dental. Does not intend to discuss off-label/investigative use of a commercial product/device.
Robert Nadeau, DDS, MD, FACS
Indicated no relevant affiliations or financial interests and does not intend to discuss off-label/investigative use of a commercial product/device.
