Course Speakers
Dr. Gerard Chiche
Dr. Chiche is Clinical Professor at Augusta University, Dental College of Georgia and formerly Thomas P. Hinman Endowed Professor in Restorative Dentistry, and Director of the Augusta University Center for Esthetic & Implant Dentistry. He is a Past President of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, and a member of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry. He has given over 1000 programs in Esthetic Dentistry nationally and internationally in 35 countries and he is the author of: “Esthetics of Anterior Fixed Restorations” with Alain Pinault, and “Smile Design” with Hitoshi Aoshima both published by Quintessence co. He is Emeritus Professor at Louisiana State University, he became in 2009 the first recipient of the Endowed Chair sponsored by the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Society, and he is the 2020 recipient of the Icon Award for Lifetime Achievement in Dentistry of the Seattle Study Club.
Markus B. Blatz, DMD, PhD
Dr. Markus B. Blatz is Professor of Restorative Dentistry, Chairman of the Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences, and Assistant Dean for Digital Innovation and Professional Development at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he also founded the Penn Dental Medicine CAD/CAM Ceramic Center. Dr. Blatz graduated from Albert-Ludwigs University in Freiburg, Germany, and was awarded additional Doctorate Degrees, a Postgraduate Certificate in Prosthodontics, and a Professorship from the same University. Dr. Blatz is co-founder and immediate past President of the International Academy for Adhesive Dentistry (IAAD). He is a Board-certified Diplomat in the German Society for Prosthodontics and Biomaterials (DGPro) and a member of multiple other professional organizations, including the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, the European Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, the International College of Prosthodontists, the American College of Prosthodontists (honorary member), Academy of Osseointegration, and O.K.U. Honor Dental Society. He serves on the editorial boards of numerous recognized scientific dental journals and is Associate Editor of Quintessence International. He is coauthor of the international bestseller “evolution – contemporary protocols for anterior single-tooth implants”. Dr. Blatz is the recipient of multiple teaching and research awards and has published and lectured extensively on dental esthetics, restorative materials, and implant dentistry.
Ariel J. Raigrodski, DMD, MS, FACP
Dr. Raigrodski is a diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics and maintains a full-time private practice for aesthetic, restorative, and implant dentistry in Lynnwood, Wa. He is an affiliate professor at the Department of Restorative Dentistry at the University of Washington. Dr. Raigrodski is assistant editor of The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry and a member of the editorial review boards of The Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, The Journal of Prosthodontics, and The International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry. A former full professor and director of the Graduate Prosthodontics Program at the University of Washington in Seattle, he is immediate past president of the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics. Dr. Raigrodski is a graduate of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel. He received his certificate in prosthodontics at Louisiana State University School of Dentistry, where he also completed a fellowship in implants and esthetics and obtained his MS degree. He is a fellow of the American College of Prosthodontists, a fellow of the International College of Dentists, and a member of many professional organizations. An author of numerous scientific articles and book chapters, Dr. Raigrodski’s clinical research focuses in all-ceramics, implants, and CAD/CAM technology. He is the author of Soft Tissue Management: The Restorative Perspective-Putting Concepts into Practice published in 2015 by Quintessence Publishing and lectures extensively both nationally and internationally.
Aki Yoshida, RDT
Aki Yoshida graduated from the Dental Technician School of Nihon University in Japan. Mr. Yoshida serves as technical instructor at Tufts University, Dept. of Post-Graduate Prosthodontics in Boston. He was appointed as Lecturer for Harvard School of Dental Medicine and instructor for Kuraray Noritake Dental Supply. He is fellow member of the AAED (American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry) and executive board member of SCAD (Society for Color and Appearance in Dentistry).
Michael Bergler, MDT
Michael Bergler, MDT, is internationally recognized in the area of esthetic ceramic restorations and CAD/CAM technology, and he is a cofounder of the CAD/CAM Ceramic Center at University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine. He has published and lectured extensively on restorative materials and dental technology. In 2013m he received a faculty position in the Department of Restorative and Preventive Sciences at UPenn.
CUSP Master Technicians
Noriyuki Kajita, CDT, RDT
Noriyuki Kajita, CDT, RDT has been named the recipient of the John T. Griffin Technician of the Year Award given to a dental technician for exceptional work in the field at the Yankee Dental Congress 2013. A graduate of Shin-Osaka College of Dental Technology in 1990, Kajita completed his advanced study at the International Dental Academy Lab-Tech School in Tokyo, Japan. In 1998, he relocated to the United States to further advance his career, earning his CDT in 1999. He now serves as a production manager for quality assurance at Cusp Dental Laboratory, acting as the lead of the CAD/CAM department.