For the eighth consecutive year, Incisal Edge magazine has released its definitive ranking of dentistry’s most impactful thought leaders and disruptors in the summer print issue and digital edition.
Award-winning Incisal Edge magazine has been tracking dentistry’s most influential people for eight years.
Incisal Edge’s 32 Most Influential People in Dentistry—one entry for every tooth—always includes a diverse array of people from wide-ranging backgrounds: practitioners, of course, but also tech executives, nonprofit leaders, US Representatives, lobbyists, educators, mentors, media mavens, social stars, industry analysts, and even controversial figures who’ve simultaneously wielded their clout and divided opinions across all of dentistry.
At least a third of the list is generally comprised of new additions, and some years, more than half, revealing how startlingly fast power is shifting in dental healthcare worldwide. For example, only four individuals have appeared every year since the beginning:
- Dr. Gordon Christensen, Co-Founder of the product testing colossus, Clinicians Report Foundation;
- Dr. Howard Farran, Founder and Owner of Dentaltown magazine and Dentaltown.com;
- Michael Graham, Senior Vice President, Government and Public Affairs for the American Dental Association;
- Dr. John Kois, founder and director of the esteemed Kois Center continuing education program.
Only one of 2024’s top 3 is a dentist:
- No.1 is Guillaume Daniellot, the powerful CEO of Switzerland’s Straumann Group;
- No. 2 is Joseph Hogan, CEO of Align Technology, the company behind the wildly popular Invisalign clear aligner system;
- No. 3, the only dentist, is Dr. Rena D’Souza, DDS, MS, PhD, director at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and overseer of an annual budget exceeding $500 million.
Newcomers to the 2024 list include:
- Cover star Brittany Glauz (No. 26), a hygienist and social media influencer using her platforms to educate, inspire and support her fellow hygienists;
- Doug Brown (No.4), Managing Partner of venture firm Dental Innovation Alliance;
- Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan (No. 6), CEO of the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health;
- Sarah Chavarria (No. 10), CEO and President of Delta Dental of California;
- Eiichi Nakanishi (No. 22), President, CEO and third-generation owner of large Japanese handpiece manufacturer NSK, which made waves by acquiring Oregon-based dental equipment manufacturer DCI in 2023.
Notable clinicians include:
- Dr. Michael Apa (No. 28), boundary-pushing cosmetic dentist, educator, philanthropist and one-man megabrand;
- Dr. Bill Dorfman (No.9), dentist to stars like Eva Longoria and Mark Wahlberg and a social star himself;
- Dr. Bob Margeas (No. 17), gext-gen clinical guru, journal editor and room-packing speaker;
- Dr. Chris Steven Villanueva (No.15), CEO of the dental partnership organization MB2;
Read the full list on IncisalEdgeMagazine.com or browse the complete digital edition.
“This year’s ranking, perhaps more than ever, reflects how much faster dentists are embracing change and how much less entrenched establishment figures in business and culture are becoming,” said Edward Kobesky, Head of Content for Benco Dental, the publisher of Incisal Edge. “The 32 Most Influential unquestionably have the power to drive big changes and create ripple effects too big to be ignored.”
As with all of Incisal Edge magazine’s lists, rankings and awards, people and companies pay no fee to nominate, participate or be selected.
Feature stories in the 32 Most Influential issue include:
- Shotgun Wedding: Some experts say dentistry’s integration with general medicine is inevitable, but is that a good thing?
- The Great Hygienist Shortage: What can be done before things get even more dire?
- Students to Watch: 10 prominent student influencers documenting their educational journeys—and breaking out on social media as a result.
About Incisal Edge
Incisal Edge is focused on helping readers get an edge—and keep it—in the fast-changing worlds of healthcare and business. Known for its “40 Under 40 — America’s Best Young Dentists,” “32 Most Influential,” “Year In Innovation” and “Lucy Hobbs Awards” signature issues, Incisal Edge curates the industry’s most progressive thought leadership to concisely and compellingly spotlight the latest in dental innovations and the people behind them. Every edition delivers columns and features packed with sharp advice, expert success tips on everything from marketing to operations, and the latest clinical advances and essential tools for practicing and living smarter. Incisal Edge’s print edition reaches over 136,000 readers quarterly via a direct mail distribution package with Dentaltown magazine. IncisalEdgeMagazine.com leads with dynamic visuals and follows with exclusive web content, an improved mobile experience, and a centralized nomination hub for the magazine’s signature awards.
About Benco Dental
At Benco Dental, we believe that dental providers deserve a partner on their side. We’re proud to be a national dental distributor with a century-long history, strong distribution network, and a comprehensive range of products, solutions, and services. We offer the unwavering support that can only come from a privately-owned company with the flexibility to do what is in customers’ best interests, so they can focus on growing their practices and delivering the best patient outcomes. Our collaborations with the industry’s leading vendors, buoyed by the market’s best-trained sales and field service team plus our proven track record of agility, helps launch countless new innovations each year. Together, we are driving dentistry forward.
Visit www.benco.com.
