Dental Venture, Innovation & Partnering Summit - 2026 Archive

February 18, 2026

Wednesday, February 18

8:00 am

Registration and Networking Breakfast

8:45 am

Welcome & Opening Remarks by Summit Co-Chairs

Marty Jablow, DMD, President, Dental Tech Advisors

Jeremy N. Krell, DMD, MBA, Founder & Managing Partner, Revere Partners

Travis Rodgers, CEO, DrDDS Innovations

9:00 am
The Impact of Innovation on the State of the Dental Industry 

Brian Colao, Director, Dykema Dental Service Organizations Industry Group

THE DIGITAL DENTIST OF 2026: EXPLORING THE INTERSECTION OF AI, ROBOTICS, AND DATA-DRIVEN CARE

9:30 am

Setting the Stage for AI in Dentistry

Andreas Augat, Founder, dentaiware

9:40 am
Presenting Company

Dr. Bernard Casse, CEO, Trust AI

9:47 am
Presenting Company

Khamir Patel, DMD, Founder & CEO, SmartChair.AI

9:54 am
Presenting Company

Lincoln Harris, CEO and Founder, RipeGlobal

10:02 am

PANEL DISCUSSION: Exploring the Intersection of AI, Robotics and Data Driven Care

PANEL MODERATOR:

Dr. Shervin Molayem, Periodontist, Co-Founder, Trust AI

PANELISTS:

Kathryn Alderman, Founder & CEO, Intelligent Care Alliance

Andreas Augat, Founder, dentaiware

Kianor Shah, DMD, MBA, Co-Founder, Healthcare Intelligence Board

10:30 am
The Next Advancement in Toothbrush Technology

Mark Goldstein, Founder & CEO, Great Gums

10:40 am

Networking Coffee Break

DENTAL TECH INNOVATION SHOWCASE

11:00 am
Presenting Company

Kim Kubiack, Founder & Managing Director, Dental Twin

Ziad Salemeh, Board Member, Advisory Board, DentalTwin by KOMBO medical solutions

11:07 am
Presenting Company

Lawrence Obstfeld, CEO, Image Navigation

11:14 am
Presenting Company

Greg Ambra, CEO, Oral Biolife

11:21 am
Presenting Company

John McDevitt, Founder & Chief Scientific Officer, OraLiva

11:30 am

Voices of Influence on the Future of Dentistry: “Deans vs DSOs”

PANEL MODERATOR:

David A Kochman, Senior Vice President, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Henry Schein Inc

PANELISTS:

Arwinder Judge, DDS, Chief Clinical Officer, Aspen Dental

Andrew Smith, CEO, The Association of Dental Support Organizations

Nader Nadershashi, DDS, MBA, EdD, Sr VP, Education and Professional Affairs, American Dental Association

Carol Anne Murdoch-Kinch, DDS, PhD, Dean, Indiana University School of Dentistry

Ali Shazib, DMD, Dean, Workman School of Dental Medicine, Highpoint University

12:00 pm
FIRESIDE CHAT:

Convergence of Care: Medical & Dental Integration

Stephen Thorne, Founder & CEO, PDS Health

Interviewed By:

Jeremy N. Krell, DMD, MBA, Founder & Managing Partner, Revere Partners

12:30 pm
LUNCHEON PRESENTATION: Global Insights on Innovation in New and Emerging Markets

Andrea Albertini, CEO Global Distribution & Technology, Henry Schein

1:30 pm
PANEL DISCUSSION:

Funding the Future: Dental Venture Capital in 2026

PANEL MODERATOR:

Eva Allan, Innovation Strategist & Fund Advisor

PANELISTS:

Shawn Cousins, Investment Manager, PDS Health

Stephen Socolof, Managing Partner, Tech Council Ventures LLC

Dana Sun, Partner, Equitage Ventures

Jeremy N. Krell, DMD, MBA, Founder & Managing Partner, Revere Partners

DENTAL TECH START-UP SHARK TANK

2:00 pm

Shark Tank Moderator

Travis Rodgers, CEO, DrDDS Innovations

2:05 pm
Presenting Company

Brock Predovich, CEO & Founder, Bitezen

2:15 pm
Presenting Company

Vin Cardillo, Founder & CEO, Pronto

2:25 pm
Presenting Company

Mark Aniello, Co-Founder & CEO, Effex

2:35 pm
Presenting Company

Laith Alhussein, PhD, CEO, Hesy Tech

2:45 pm

Sharks:

Mariya Filipova, Managing Director, 4100 Group

Arash Hakhamian, CEO, Dentulu

Travis Rodgers, CEO, DrDDS Innovations

Samantha Strain, Chief Development Officer & Founding Partner, HealthStream Ventures LLC

Tiffany Yu, Principal, 7wire Ventures

2:45 pm

Networking Refreshment Break

3:05 pm

Dental Disruptors

PANEL MODERATOR:

Paul Feuerstein, DMD, Editor in Chief, Dentistry Today

PANELISTS:

John Cox, Chief Growth Officer, SprintRay

Joe Lynch, Head of Go To Market, Dandy

Alon Mozes, PhD, CEO & Co-Founder, Neocis Inc.

Ophir Tanz, CEO, Pearl

3:35 pm
Lifetime Innovator Award Presentation

DENTAL TECH INNOVATION SHOWCASE

3:45 pm
Presenting Company

Harald Steltzer, CEO, OrisDX

3:52 pm
Presenting Company

Nidhi Pai, Founder & CEO, Zerobrush

3:59 pm
Presenting Company

Evan Schlossberg, Co-Founder & CEO, The Gleamery

4:06 pm
Presenting Company

Vajahat Yar Khan, Founder & CEO, DentTracks

4:15 pm
PANEL DISCUSSION:

Industry Perspectives on Strategic Partnerships

PANEL MODERATOR:

Brett H. Kessler, DDS, Past President, American Dental Association

This panel brings together senior leaders from across the dental ecosystem to explore how effective partnerships are formed, structured, and scaled. Panelists will share real-world insights on identifying the right partners, aligning incentives, navigating pilot programs, and moving from proof-of-concept to long-term commercial impact. 

The discussion will also address common pitfalls, governance considerations, and how strategic partnerships differ from traditional vendor relationships or M&A pathways. What large dental organizations look for with innovation partners, how start-ups can position themselves for strategic collaboration, structuring partnerships for speed, scale, and mutual value creation, and how strategic partnerships differ from traditional vendor relationships or M&A pathways. Attendees will gain practical guidance on:

    • What large dental organizations look for with innovation partners
    • How startups can position themselves for strategic collaboration
    • Structuring partnerships for speed, scale, and mutual value creation
    • Measuring success and sustaining partnerships over time
    • Whether you are building, buying, or partnering to drive the future of dental care, this session will provide actionable perspectives on how strategic partnerships can serve as a catalyst for growth and innovation.
PANELISTS:

Ryan Hungate, Chief Clinical & Strategy Officer, Henry Schein One

Aman Kaur, Founder & President, Women in DSO

Eric Shirley, CEO, VistaApex Solutions

Rich Rosato, President, American Dental Association

Heather Trombley, President & COO, DENTALEZ

Jason Woods, VP of Strategy & Innovation, Delta Dental of Minnesota

5:00 pm
Post Show Wrap-up with Key Takeaways
5:10 pm

Networking Reception

6:00 pm

Close of Summit





No Agenda API URL configured.