ADA Scientific Session 2026

Debra Schmit Peters, D.D.S., a general dentist in Michigan, is the Speaker of the American Dental Association (ADA). Dr. Peters has been an engaged member of the ADA for more than 30 years. She has served multiple terms as a Delegate to the ADA House of Delegates, and has also served as Chair of the ADA Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs and the ADA Council on Membership.

Dr. Jimmy Yoo, DDS, CCD is a seasoned dental executive and consultant with over 25 years of experience across private practice, corporate dental operations, and tech innovation. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from Loma Linda University in 1997 . From 1997 to 2007, he owned and operated Jimmy J. Yoo DDS , building a thriving private practice with multiple locations. In 2011, Dr. Yoo transitioned to Permanente Dental Associates in Oregon and Washington, progressing from Professional Director to Area Dental Director and then Dental Director of Operations & Specialty Care before becoming Chief Operating Officer. During his decade-plus tenure at Permanente, Dr. Yoo oversaw operational excellence and strategic growth, supporting hundreds of dentists and ensuring high‑quality patient care across complex group dynamics. In 2022, he furthered his leadership skills through the Harvard Business School Executive Education program. Today, Dr. Yoo focuses on empowering dental professionals through advisory roles in growth strategy, systems implementation, and team-building. He's also the President of Allyzent+ , spearheading the development of conversational AI tools tailored to streamline patient engagement and administrative workflows in dental practices. Dr. Yoo’s mission is clear: to help dentists build practices that serve them , rather than being consumed by them—whether you’re running a solo operation or managing a large group. His blend of clinical expertise, operational leadership, and tech-driven innovation positions him uniquely to guide practices toward sustainable success.

Dr. Emily Vanney , DDS serves as Chief Clinical & Operating Officer at United Dental Partners, a 22-location DSO serving the Chicago metropolitan area. Dr. Vanney brings a unique perspective to dental leadership, combining active clinical practice with extensive operational expertise gained through nearly a decade of DSO leadership. After graduating with honors from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry in 2012, Dr. Vanney practiced in diverse settings before joining United Dental Partners in 2016. Her dual role allows her to bridge the gap between clinical excellence and operational efficiency, focusing on strategies that enhance doctor & patient satisfaction. Dr. Vanney is passionate about developing sustainable practice models that support clinician autonomy while achieving organizational goals. Her leadership philosophy centers on collaborative problem-solving and empowering dental teams through clear performance goals and aligned incentives. She has successfully implemented clinical protocols and operational systems that have improved patient satisfaction scores and clinical outcomes across UDP's multi-specialty network. Maintaining her commitment to patient care, Dr. Vanney continues to practice general dentistry every Monday, treating patients of all ages. Her bilingual abilities in Spanish enable her to serve Chicago's diverse patient population directly. This ongoing clinical engagement informs her leadership approach and keeps her connected to the daily realities facing practicing dentists. Dr. Vanney earned her Bachelor of Science in Physics from Loyola University Chicago before completing her dental degree. She resides in Chicago's Little Italy neighborhood with her husband, Eamon.

Dr. Michael W. Berry, DDS, PC is a highly respected dentist in Moberly, Missouri. He earned his Bachelor of Arts with honors from the University of Missouri Columbia in 1983 and his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Missouri Kansas City in 1987. Dr. Berry was recognized with the American General Dentist Senior Student Award for excellence in general dentistry. After starting his career as an associate in Dodge City, Kansas, Dr. Berry opened his own practice in Moberly in 1988, later expanding to the present-day location in 1993. He is actively involved in several professional organizations, including the American Dental Association and Missouri Dental Association, where served as Trustee for the Northeast Dental Society and later as President for the state organization. He recently rejoined the Board of Trustees as Legislative and Regulatory Committee Chair. Committed to continuous learning, Dr. Berry has completed extensive training in orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, and other specialties. Since 2022, has been instrumental in expanding the scope of the American Dental Association in expanding their services to include dentist from all practice modalities. He is now teaching different modules for the Certified Clinical Directors Program for the ADA and is also a graduate of the Pride Institute for Dental Practice Management. Dr. Berry is a devoted family man and enjoys hobbies such as weightlifting, boating, golf, Scuba diving, skiing and wine collecting. He is a member of the St. Pius X Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and the Moberly Area Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Mariz Tanious, DDS is a seasoned dental professional with over 15 years of experience in the field. She joined Affinity Dental Management in 2021, where she is making a significant impact as the leader of the Quality Improvement Program. At Affinity Dental Management, Dr. Tanious is responsible for developing and implementing the Quality Improvement Program, which aims to support Affinity's doctors and staff in providing exceptional dental care to their patients though mentorship and education. Her commitment to creating a positive and uplifting work culture is a testament to her belief in empowering and developing her team. Prior to her role at Affinity, Dr. Tanious was the Dental Director for West Coast Dental Services and a Dental Consultant for Western Dental Services, where she focused on quality management and quality assurance. Dr. Tanious earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from New York University College of Dentistry and completed a general practice residency through Columbia University. Additionally, she holds a bachelor's degree in Neurology from the University of California, Davis.

Dr. Kelley Ryals , DDS is a dedicated dental professional and leader with a deep commitment to clinical excellence, public service, and the advancement of organized dentistry. A native of New Mexico, she earned her BS in Science from the University of New Mexico in 2003 and graduated cum laude from Creighton University School of Dentistry in 2011. Following graduation, Dr. Ryals returned to Santa Fe and joined Pacific Dental Services, where she successfully grew her leadership footprint by acquiring and managing six dental practices, primarily based at Santa Fe Modern Dentistry. That same year, she began her service with the New Mexico Army National Guard, where she currently serves as the State Dental Officer with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In this role, she oversees dental readiness statewide and has deployed to the U.S. Virgin Islands and Eastern Europe in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, providing care to soldiers across seven countries. Her leadership within organized dentistry is equally extensive. Dr. Ryals served as President of the New Mexico Dental Association following her tenure as President of the Santa Fe District Dental Society. She has represented District 14 as an alternate delegate to the ADA House of Delegates and has been an active voice on the ADA’s Large Group and Multi-Site Practice Task Force. In 2024, she chaired the New Mexico Large Group and Multi-Site Practice Task Force and led the successful passage of a landmark 2025 resolution establishing the first state-level committee dedicated to this growing segment of dental practice. In 2023, she was appointed to serve on the Council for Dental Education and licensure (CDEL) where she is currently the chair for Licensure. She also serves on the Quality Assurance Committee for the Delta Dental Board. Her professional affiliations include the American Dental Association (ADA), New Mexico Dental Association (NMDA), and Santa Fe District Dental Society (SFDDS). A passionate advocate for access to care, Dr. Ryals chaired the 2024 Santa Fe Mission of Mercy and founded Give Veterans a Smile, a New Mexico initiative dedicated to serving those who served. Dr. Ryals brings a dynamic combination of clinical experience, regulatory insight, and servant leadership to every role she undertakes, with a vision to strengthen the future of dentistry and expand access to care across the country.

Dr. Sarah Balaster, DMD isn’t here to rehash the status quo —she’s here to challenge the way you think about dentistry. A Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, she is a dynamic national speaker and driver of change in periodontics and implant care. Dr. Balaster brings fresh takes, sharp insights, and real-world strategies, expanding what’s possible in modern practice. With over a decade of clinical leadership, she’s been at the forefront of minimally invasive techniques, surgical regeneration, and systemic health integration. A published author and innovator, she cuts through the noise to deliver real world practice solutions. Dr. Balaster’s sessions are more than lectures—they’re a wake-up call. If you’re ready to shift your perspective, break out of routine thinking and walk away with ideas you can use immediately, grab a seat. This isn’t business as usual—it’s what’s next.

Dr. Lyubov Slashcheva, DDS, MS is a population oral health specialist with clinical expertise in geriatric and special care dentistry. She is a dentist and Research Director for Apple Tree Dental. Dr. Slashcheva completed her dental training at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. At the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, she completed a residency in Dental Public Health, fellowship in Geriatric and Special Needs Dentistry, and graduate certificates in Biostatistics, Global Health, and ILEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities). She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Public Health, a Fellow of the American Board of Special Care Dentistry, and a Fellow of the International College of Dentistry. She has lent volunteer leadership to numerous organizations, including the APHA Oral Health Section, International/American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, American Association of Dental Public Health, American Society for Geriatric Dentistry, Virginia/Minnesota Dental Associations, and ASTDD Healthy Aging Committee. Her research interests center making community settings and data an accessible and valuable resource for advancing health equity through workforce, policy, and practice innovation. She promotes using the Learning Health Systems model to accelerate community-engaged, evidence-based, advocacy-forward systems change.

Dr. Hana Alberti, DDS is vice president of Dental Practice at the ADA, overseeing policy areas impacting dental practice, including regulation, compliance, digital dentistry, technology, workforce development and provider well-being. She has taught practice management at Temple University and currently manages ADA Continuing Education. Before joining the ADA, Dr. Alberti balanced her clinical and educational roles while providing strategic leadership to a large, multi-location dental group. She has mentored new dentists and taught at a local hygiene school clinic. Dr. Alberti is driven by her commitment to advancing oral health and ensuring quality patient care. A graduate of Marquette University School of Dentistry, Dr. Alberti also holds a bachelor’s degree in microbiology and immunology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is an alum of the ADA's Institute for Diversity in Leadership.

Dr. Alan J. Acierno, DDS is a practicing dentist and President, Clinical Operations. He leads the Field Operations and Clinical Operations Teams responsible for all operational and clinical standards, clinical education, and new clinical initiatives. After receiving his D.D.S. from Creighton University, he practiced dentistry in both group and private environments, where he discovered the benefits and challenges of each. Compelled with a vision to make a difference in dentistry, Dr. A.J., together with his brother and fellow dentist, Dr. Michael Acierno, founded DecisionOne Dental Partners in 2011. DecisionOne joined forces with Smile Brands in 2019 and has grown to 40 dental practices. As the company continues to grow, DecisionOne remains dedicated to the mission of changing the way dentistry is done to improve lives. In 2020 Dr. Acierno became the COO of the Midwest Region of Smile Brands, where he led both Field and Clinical and Operations for over 250 dental practices. Dr. Acierno is committed to building a culture of patient-centered care and believes that when a dental practice has a culture of advocating for their patients, the possibilities are endless.

Heather Morton is a Certified Professional in Training Management and a certified facilitator in Emotional Intelligence and Psychological Safety. With a background in education and a passion for coaching, she helps professionals and teams develop strategic clarity, grow critical human skills, and lead with purpose and empathy. Heather partners with professionals and teams to develop actionable insights that drive strategic growth in both business outcomes and human potential.