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Nierman Practice Management Presents:

2026 Dental Sleep Medicine Symposium

Fort Lauderdale, FL

October 9-10th, 2026

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The DSM Symposium Starts in

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Learn

Acquire the knowledge to advance your dental sleep medicine practice by leveraging the strategies of the leading mentors in DSM.
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Network

Develop invaluable connections for your sleep practice by connecting with DSM peers, speakers, and industry resources.
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Grow

Bring your team and ignite the spark to action with practical content geared towards business growth that can be applied right away.

Symposium Overview

Join us for an incredible event to ignite inspiration and action to take your dental sleep medicine practice to the next level.

2026 Dental Sleep Medicine Symposium will provide the latest in state-of-the-art patient care management, clinical research, and business strategy.

Featuring an array of the most prominent educators and companies in dental sleep medicine, networking receptions, and 1.5-days of thought-provoking sessions, you’ll be energized and ready to transform your dental sleep medicine business.

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Symposium Brochure

Breakout Session Details

Medical Billing and Dental Sleep Medicine Attendees at the DentalWriter User Conference
Women using DentalWriter at a NiermanPM Course

DentalWriter Plus User Session 

Join us for an exciting session filled with hands-on training and networking designed exclusively for DentalWriter Plus users!

Whether you’re looking to maximize your software, improve your workflow, or increase medical reimbursement, this session will provide practical strategies and real-world solutions you can implement right away. 

Learn to utilize the full potential of DentalWriter Plus to:

  • Stay organized and efficient
  • Save hours of time per case
  • Build physician referrals
  • Streamline medical reimbursement
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Utilize lesser-known but powerful features in DentalWriter Plus, including:

    • Treatment Status Feature for easy patient tracking.
    • Patient Navigators to stay organized and efficient.
    • Electronic Signatures and a fully paperless workflow.
    • Connected Contacts Physician Referral System.
    • Powerful reporting options.
    • Customizing visits and forms and more!
2024 Dental Sleep Medicine Symposium

Dental Sleep Coordinator Session

This Dental Sleep Coordinator session is designed to provide your sleep team with the practical knowledge, systems, and communication skills needed to support every stage of the patient journey.

From patient screening and education to case presentation and ongoing care, your team will gain the tools to improve efficiency, enhance the patient experience, and help grow your dental sleep practice.

During this session, your team will learn how to:

  • Build an efficient dental sleep workflow by mastering patient screening, case presentation, treatment cordination, and follow- up.
  • Create a cohesive, high performing team with clearly defined roles, improved communication, and a shared vision for delivering exceptional sleep care.
  • Receive training on medical insurance billing for dental sleep medicine and TMD, including documentation, best practices and strategies to support successful reimbursement.
 
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2024 Dental Sleep Medicine Symposium
Medical Billing and Dental Sleep Medicine attendees at the DentalWriter User Conference

Location

Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Marina

1881 SE 17th St.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316

Embrace breathtaking waterfront views just minutes from Fort Lauderdale Beach at a hotel situated along the Intracoastal Waterway. This location offers easy access to the sandy shores through a convenient beach shuttle service.

Room Block:
$239/ night.
Ends Monday, September 7th

Room Block Ends

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2026 Speakers

Mayoor Patel

Mayoor Patel

DDS, MS

Kevin Mangelson

Kevin Mangelson

DMD

Rose Nierman

Rose Nierman

Founder, Nierman Practice Mgmt

Michael Gelb

Michael Gelb

DDS

Steve Carstensen

Steve Carstensen

DDS

Renata Nehme

Renata Nehme

RDH, BSDH, COM®, OMS™

Dr. Katherine Ahn

Dr. Katherine Ahn

DDS

Jeffrey Horowitz

Jeffrey Horowitz

DDS

Michael Cowen

Michael Cowen

CEO/ Founder, Awaken2Sleep

Jon Nierman

Jon Nierman

CEO, Nierman Practice Mgmt

Fatima Denney

Fatima Denney

COO & Executive Vice President of iSleep Physicians

Dr. Anjoo Ely

Dr. Anjoo Ely

DDS

Becky Reed

Becky Reed

Training Specialist, NiermanPM

Megan McCormick

Megan McCormick

Training Specialist, NiermanPM

Pricing

SPECIAL PRICING ENDS IN

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Special Pricing: Standard Ticket

$895
  • 1.5 Day Conference Access
  • 12 CE Credits Recognized by AGD
  • Networking Reception
  • Conference T-Shirt
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Special Pricing: Office Bundle (3 Tickets)

$1,695
  • Includes 3 Tickets to Symposium
  • 1.5 Day Conference Access
  • 12 CE Credits Recognized by AGD
  • Networking Reception
  • Conference T-Shirt
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Testimonials

“The event Nierman sponsored was amazing. If you’re looking to implement sleep, this is an event that will elevate your practice, and elevate you as a provider, and I would highly recommend it. I’ve attended a lot of sleep conferences, and this is at the top of my list”
Naomi Amador

“A great meeting! Speakers, topics, and the vendors were all impressive!”
Dr. Suzanne Mericle

“It’s not easy putting on an event like this, so congrats to the Nierman team. Everyone on the panel is working towards the same goal of growing our industry. Looking forward to future discussions.”
David Walton

“Thank you Rose and Jon for the WONDERFUL meeting.”
Dr. Viet Nghiem

“Fabulous course!!!!”
Dr. Sue Ellen Richardson

“Thanks to the Entire NPM team for their hospitality and providing a sense of community and collaboration for all!”
Dr. Eric Farmer

“Had a fantastic time in Denver at THE Dental Sleep Medicine Symposium with Nierman Practice Management. Jon Nierman, Rose Nierman, & their entire team did a fantastic job creating a fun learning environment for all. I look forward to seeing this meeting evolve and grow to become the premier dental sleep medicine symposium.”
Jason Tierney

“Great panel discussion. Change happens when you work together. Thank you Scott & Dr. Feigenbaum for moderating and Jon Nieman for putting this together.”
Kim Solomon

“Was so fun!!”
Dr. Suzanne Robertson

“What an absolute course ever!”
Dr. Samuel E Cress

“Such a well run conference with industry leaders, who could ask for anything better! Definitely looking forward to the next one!”
Karese Laguerre, CRDH

“Jon, kudos to you and the entire event team for putting together an excellent program. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute.”
Len Liptak

“Great meeting, thanks to Jon Nierman and all the other speakers, vendors, and learners that made it fantastic for us all.”
Dr. Steve Cartensen

“Profound joy being at such a well executed conference in person with some of the greatest mentors and vendors.”
Dr. Anjoo Ely

“Loved the entire weekend!”
Dr. Michael Gelb

Sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors for helping make this event possible.

Platinum Sponsors

NiermanPM Sponsor Dynaflex
Nierman PM Sponsor- Kettenbach Dental

Gold Sponsors

Legally Mine
OrthoApnea

Sponsors

Airway Management
Prosomnus sleep technologies
Quicksplint
itmar medical
SGS
Airway Management
itmar medical
itmar medical
itmar medical
Quicksplint
Prosomnus sleep technologies
itmar medical
itmar medical
SGS
AGD PACE LOGO

Refund and Cancellation Policies:
All cancellations are to be made in writing. Registrations may be refunded at 100% if canceled within the first 24 hours of registration. Attendees can transfer their registration to another course one time without penalty up until 10 days prior to the course. No refunds will be issued for cancellations within 10 days of the course.

Table of Contents

→ Index

Mayoor Patel

DDS, MS

Dr. Patel received his dental degree from the University of Tennessee in 1994. After graduation he completed a one-year residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD). In 2011 he completed a Masters in Science from Tufts University in the area of Craniofacial Pain and Dental Sleep Medicine. Dr. Patel has earned a Fellowship in the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, the International College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics, the Academy of General Dentistry and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. He also has earned Diplomate in the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, American Board of Orofacial Pain, American Board of Craniofacial Pain and American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine.

Presently, Dr. Patel is a cofounder of the British Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and Ben-Pat Institute. He also served on the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain as secretary, board member of the British Society of Dental Sleep Medicine, and a board member and as examination chair for the American Board of Craniofacial Pain and Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine. In the past has served as a founding and board member of the Georgia Association of Sleep Professionals.

Since 2003, Dr. Patel has limited his practice to the treatment of TMJ Disorders, Headaches, Orofacial Pain and Sleep Apnea. Additional contributions have been published a textbook for Dental Sleep Medicine and numerous textbook chapters on orofacial pain and dental sleep medicine, consumer books, one on treatment options for sleep apnea and the other on understanding temporomandibular disorders, and various professional and consumer articles.

Dr. Patel speaks nationally and internationally on topics of dental sleep medicine, Orofacial pain and TMJ disorders.

Kevin Mangelson

DMD

Dr. Kevin Mangelson is a graduate of Boise State University and Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Dr Mangelson has been working with TMJ disorders and dental sleep medicine patients since 2008. During that time he spent three and a half years in active duty service for the United States Army as a general dentist. CPT Mangelson spent much of his time treating members of our Armed Forces for TMJ disorders and Sleep Apnea. CPT Mangelson is decorated with the Army Achievement Medal and twice with the Army Commendation Medal for exemplary service to the United States Army.

Dr. Mangelson has had the privilege of being personally mentored by world renowned experts in craniofacial pain, pain management, and sleep disorders. His passion for TMJ disorders and dental sleep medicine has motivated him to seek out extensive CE to further his expertise. Dr. Mangelson is a member of the American Dental Association and American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.

Rose Nierman speaking at the Medical Billing/ CrossCoding CE Course

Rose Nierman

Founder - Nierman Practice Management

Rose Nierman is the founder & CEO of Nierman Practice Management, a dental innovator, pioneer, and educator. Rose is on a 34-year mission to help dentists get paid by medical insurance and has a long history of innovation of medical billing in dentistry solutions, including education, technology, and support resources.  

Rose is a former dental hygienist that worked in a prominent TMJ disorder treatment practice. She developed her passion and skills for helping TMD patients get out of pain and increasing case acceptance through medical insurance reimbursement. Her entrepreneurial spirit drove the creation of the first manual, forms, workshops, and software for medical billing for TMD and dental sleep medicine.  

Today, Nierman Practice Management has helped over 15,000 dental professionals implement dental sleep medicine, TMD, and medical billing. 

Dr. Michael Gelb

Michael Gelb

DDS

Dr. Michael Gelb, DDS, MS is a world-renowned TMJ and Sleep Specialist with practices in both New York City and White Plains. He received his D.D.S. degree from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and his M.S. from SUNY at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Gelb is the co-author of GASP: Airway Health- The Hidden Path to Wellness, and the co-founder of both The Foundation for Airway Health and The American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry.

The Gelb Center was founded over 30 years ago by Dr. Michael Gelb’s father, Dr. Harold Gelb. Since then, Dr. Michael has taken his father’s findings to the next level through his Airway Centric® integrated therapy. He invented the ACG™ Airway Centric® System with the help of ProSomnus Sleep Technologies. The ACG System is the first day and night dental appliance solution that offers an integrated approach to addressing airway issues. Dr. Michael Gelb is dedicated to improving his patients’ health by reducing pain, restoring refreshing sleep and transforming lives.

Steve Carstensen

DDS

Dr. Steve Carstensen has been treating sleep apnea and snoring since 1997. He has completed training at UCLA’s Mini-Residency in Sleep and is a diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He lectures internationally  to dentists and other healthcare providers.. In addition, he directs sleep education at the Pankey Institute. From 2007–2010, Dr Carstensen served on the ADA Council for Annual Sessions and was chair of the 2010 ADA meeting. He volunteers as Consultant to the ADA for Sleep Related Breathing Disorders and as a Board Member of the World Dentofacial Sleep Society, World Sleep Academy, and American Academy of Physiologic Medicine and Dentistry. He was cofounder and Chief Dental Editor of Dental Sleep Practice Magazine from 2014 - 2025. With a co-author, he wrote The Clinician’s Handbook for Dental Sleep Medicine, published by Quintessence, now in its second edition. In 2023, the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine awarded him the Distinguished Service Award.

Disclosures: In addition to paltry royalties for his half of book sales, Dr Carstensen is on the clinical advisory boards of Apnova, SoundHealth, and VizBriz startups. Many manufacturers and other companies in this industry solicit his opinions, freely shared and highly biased in favor of dentistry’s increasingly important role in helping more people sleep better.     

Renata Nehme

RDH, BSDH, COM®, OMS™

In 2016, while still practicing Dental Hygiene, Renata discovered the world of Myofunctional Therapy. She immediately recognized it as her calling, as it aligned perfectly with her interests in breastfeeding, early childhood development, and airway health. Driven by her newfound passion, she officially opened Myo Moves in 2018. Since then, Myo Moves has provided care to over 700 patients across more than 20 countries.

Renata Nehme is a distinguished teacher, mentor, and specialist in the field of Myofunctional Therapy, with an extensive background and a passion for improving patient care. She has spoken internationally on a range of topics including sleep-disordered breathing, sleep surgery rehabilitation, Myofunctional Therapy Treatment Protocol, and Screening for Myofunctional Disorders.

In 2021, Renata founded Airway Circle, an online airway study club for healthcare professionals. This platform has enabled her to mentor over 70 myofunctional therapists through the advanced course Myo Circle, alongside other dedicated Airway Circle Instructors. Renata's dedication to her field and her extensive experience make her a leading figure in Myofunctional Therapy, continually contributing to the advancement and dissemination of knowledge in this vital area of health care.

Katherine Ahn

DDS

Dr. Katherine Ahn is an airway-focused dentist, educator, innovator, and founder of the Aviara Integrative Center for Airway, Lifestyle & Aesthetics. With more than 30 years of clinical experience, she has dedicated her career to advancing airway health, dental sleep medicine, myofunctional therapy, craniofacial pain, pediatric development, functional medicine, and regenerative aesthetics.

She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and completed her Pediatric Dental Residency at the UCLA School of Dentistry. Her extensive post-graduate training includes sleep and TMJ therapy, craniofacial pain, neuromuscular dentistry, orthodontics, orofacial myofunctional therapy, functional frenuloplasty, biological dentistry, and regenerative aesthetic medicine.

Dr. Ahn is an active member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), American Sleep & Breathing Academy (ASBA), American Academy of Craniofacial Pain (AACP), American Dental Association (ADA), and several other leading dental and healthcare organizations.

As a clinician, educator, mother, and founder of OCCares, a nonprofit supporting youth through compassionate social entrepreneurship, Dr. Ahn believes breathing, sleep, oral health, posture, and overall wellness are deeply connected. Through Aviara, she has created an integrative, airway-centered model of care that combines dentistry, sleep health, pediatric development, functional medicine, and regenerative aesthetics to improve whole-body health.

Jeffrey Horowitz

DMD, FAGD

Dr. Jeff Horowitz is a New Jersey native who completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh before earning his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. He went on to complete a General Practice Residency at Mountainside Hospital in Montclair, NJ, where he received advanced training in all areas of dentistry and general medicine.

In 1992, Dr. Horowitz founded the Carolina Center for Advanced Dentistry. Committed to lifelong learning, he has achieved Mentorship status at the renowned Kois Center for Advanced Dental Studies and is a Fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy. He is also a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.

Since 1995, Dr. Horowitz has focused on treating sleep-disordered breathing in children, recognizing its impact on tongue thrusting and inadequate arch development. In 2005, his passion for airway-focused care expanded to include adult patients who were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea but were unable to tolerate CPAP therapy. He now collaborates closely with pulmonologists, general practitioners, and ENT specialists to provide effective treatment, integrating his orthodontic expertise to enhance oral appliance therapy.

Michael Cowen

CEO, and Founder of Awaken2Sleep

Michael Cowen is the most dynamic speaker at any dental conference. His passion for empowering others, coupled with his extensive history in sleep medicine—over 20 years—and dentistry, allows him to speak to the modern dental professional.

CEO, and Founder of Awaken2Sleep started his journey in sleep medicine in 2003, performing in-lab sleep studies as a pediatric sleep technician at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital in Southern California. Five years later, this training and experience empowered him to save his infant daughter’s life from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a leading cause of SIDS in infants. After recognizing his calling to passionately assist others in helping their patients, Michael became an expert in the Business of Sleep Medicine, working with physicians, building sleep centers, CPAP technology, and home sleep tests.

In 2015, he founded Awaken2Sleep, which empowers growth-minded dental practices to level up with proven dental sleep medicine coaching, team training, and sleep testing

Jon and Rose Nierman

Jon Nierman

President

Jon Nierman’s mission is to remove the barriers and make it easier for dental practices to implement airway and orofacial pain treatment. 

As President of Nierman Practice Management, he specializes in the development of continuing education programs, software systems, and medical billing services to facilitate dental practice growth for medically necessary services. 

Under Jon, Nierman Practice Management has provided over 5,000 hours of continuing education featuring an internationally renowned faculty. 

Jon is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, a brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt, and a classical/jazz pianist.  

Favorite Hobbies

Piano, Jiu-Jitsu, Traveling

Skills, Qualities, or Attributes

Strategic planning, innovation, public speaking, leadership, management, marketing, sales, promotion, networking, education.

Years of Experience

12

Years at Nierman Practice MGMT

12

Anjoo Ely

DDS

Dr. Ely is a graduate of the University of Michigan Dental School 1997, one of the best in the country. She has been a dentist for over 20 years and has been through several post-graduate courses in different fields of dentistry since receiving her DDS degree. Dr. Ely is a Diplomate of The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, Diplomate of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy, Member of the American Dental Association, and Member of the Michigan Dental Association.

Dr. Ely is a member of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain and also a staff member of Ascension Hospitals Group.

Her emphasis on patient comfort as well as keeping up-to-date with the latest advancements in dentistry enable her to provide her patients with the best quality of care in the field. Dr. Ely has a wide range of experience in different areas of dentistry, from cosmetic and restorative dentistry to Invisalign, and root canal treatments.

Jon and Rose Nierman

Jon Nierman

President

Jon Nierman’s mission is to remove the barriers and make it easier for dental practices to implement airway and orofacial pain treatment. 

As President of Nierman Practice Management, he specializes in the development of continuing education programs, software systems, and medical billing services to facilitate dental practice growth for medically necessary services. 

Under Jon, Nierman Practice Management has provided over 5,000 hours of continuing education featuring an internationally renowned faculty. 

Jon is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, a brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt, and a classical/jazz pianist.  

Favorite Hobbies

Piano, Jiu-Jitsu, Traveling

Skills, Qualities, or Attributes

Strategic planning, innovation, public speaking, leadership, management, marketing, sales, promotion, networking, education.

Years of Experience

12

Years at Nierman Practice MGMT

12

Mayoor Patel

DDS, MS

Dr. Patel received his dental degree from the University of Tennessee in 1994. After graduation he completed a one-year residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD). In 2011 he completed a Masters in Science from Tufts University in the area of Craniofacial Pain and Dental Sleep Medicine. Dr. Patel has earned a Fellowship in the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, the International College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics, the Academy of General Dentistry and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. He also has earned Diplomate in the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, American Board of Orofacial Pain, American Board of Craniofacial Pain and American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine.

Presently, Dr. Patel is a cofounder of the British Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and Ben-Pat Institute. He also served on the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain as secretary, board member of the British Society of Dental Sleep Medicine, and a board member and as examination chair for the American Board of Craniofacial Pain and Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine. In the past has served as a founding and board member of the Georgia Association of Sleep Professionals.

Since 2003, Dr. Patel has limited his practice to the treatment of TMJ Disorders, Headaches, Orofacial Pain and Sleep Apnea. Additional contributions have been published a textbook for Dental Sleep Medicine and numerous textbook chapters on orofacial pain and dental sleep medicine, consumer books, one on treatment options for sleep apnea and the other on understanding temporomandibular disorders, and various professional and consumer articles.

Dr. Patel speaks nationally and internationally on topics of dental sleep medicine, Orofacial pain and TMJ disorders.

Kevin Mangelson

DMD

Dr. Kevin Mangelson is a graduate of Boise State University and Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Dr Mangelson has been working with TMJ disorders and dental sleep medicine patients since 2008. During that time he spent three and a half years in active duty service for the United States Army as a general dentist. CPT Mangelson spent much of his time treating members of our Armed Forces for TMJ disorders and Sleep Apnea. CPT Mangelson is decorated with the Army Achievement Medal and twice with the Army Commendation Medal for exemplary service to the United States Army.

Dr. Mangelson has had the privilege of being personally mentored by world renowned experts in craniofacial pain, pain management, and sleep disorders. His passion for TMJ disorders and dental sleep medicine has motivated him to seek out extensive CE to further his expertise. Dr. Mangelson is a member of the American Dental Association and American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.

Rose Nierman speaking at the Medical Billing/ CrossCoding CE Course

Rose Nierman

Founder - Nierman Practice Management

Rose Nierman is the founder & CEO of Nierman Practice Management, a dental innovator, pioneer, and educator. Rose is on a 34-year mission to help dentists get paid by medical insurance and has a long history of innovation of medical billing in dentistry solutions, including education, technology, and support resources.  

Rose is a former dental hygienist that worked in a prominent TMJ disorder treatment practice. She developed her passion and skills for helping TMD patients get out of pain and increasing case acceptance through medical insurance reimbursement. Her entrepreneurial spirit drove the creation of the first manual, forms, workshops, and software for medical billing for TMD and dental sleep medicine.  

Today, Nierman Practice Management has helped over 15,000 dental professionals implement dental sleep medicine, TMD, and medical billing. 

Dr. Michael Gelb

Michael Gelb

DDS

Dr. Michael Gelb, DDS, MS is a world-renowned TMJ and Sleep Specialist with practices in both New York City and White Plains. He received his D.D.S. degree from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and his M.S. from SUNY at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Gelb is the co-author of GASP: Airway Health- The Hidden Path to Wellness, and the co-founder of both The Foundation for Airway Health and The American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry.

The Gelb Center was founded over 30 years ago by Dr. Michael Gelb’s father, Dr. Harold Gelb. Since then, Dr. Michael has taken his father’s findings to the next level through his Airway Centric® integrated therapy. He invented the ACG™ Airway Centric® System with the help of ProSomnus Sleep Technologies. The ACG System is the first day and night dental appliance solution that offers an integrated approach to addressing airway issues. Dr. Michael Gelb is dedicated to improving his patients’ health by reducing pain, restoring refreshing sleep and transforming lives.

Steve Carstensen

DDS

Dr. Steve Carstensen has been treating sleep apnea and snoring since 1997. He has completed training at UCLA’s Mini-Residency in Sleep and is a diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He lectures internationally  to dentists and other healthcare providers.. In addition, he directs sleep education at the Pankey Institute. From 2007–2010, Dr Carstensen served on the ADA Council for Annual Sessions and was chair of the 2010 ADA meeting. He volunteers as Consultant to the ADA for Sleep Related Breathing Disorders and as a Board Member of the World Dentofacial Sleep Society, World Sleep Academy, and American Academy of Physiologic Medicine and Dentistry. He was cofounder and Chief Dental Editor of Dental Sleep Practice Magazine from 2014 - 2025. With a co-author, he wrote The Clinician’s Handbook for Dental Sleep Medicine, published by Quintessence, now in its second edition. In 2023, the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine awarded him the Distinguished Service Award.

Disclosures: In addition to paltry royalties for his half of book sales, Dr Carstensen is on the clinical advisory boards of Apnova, SoundHealth, and VizBriz startups. Many manufacturers and other companies in this industry solicit his opinions, freely shared and highly biased in favor of dentistry’s increasingly important role in helping more people sleep better.     

Renata Nehme

RDH, BSDH, COM®, OMS™

In 2016, while still practicing Dental Hygiene, Renata discovered the world of Myofunctional Therapy. She immediately recognized it as her calling, as it aligned perfectly with her interests in breastfeeding, early childhood development, and airway health. Driven by her newfound passion, she officially opened Myo Moves in 2018. Since then, Myo Moves has provided care to over 700 patients across more than 20 countries.

Renata Nehme is a distinguished teacher, mentor, and specialist in the field of Myofunctional Therapy, with an extensive background and a passion for improving patient care. She has spoken internationally on a range of topics including sleep-disordered breathing, sleep surgery rehabilitation, Myofunctional Therapy Treatment Protocol, and Screening for Myofunctional Disorders.

In 2021, Renata founded Airway Circle, an online airway study club for healthcare professionals. This platform has enabled her to mentor over 70 myofunctional therapists through the advanced course Myo Circle, alongside other dedicated Airway Circle Instructors. Renata's dedication to her field and her extensive experience make her a leading figure in Myofunctional Therapy, continually contributing to the advancement and dissemination of knowledge in this vital area of health care.

Katherine Ahn

DDS

Dr. Katherine Ahn is an airway-focused dentist, educator, innovator, and founder of the Aviara Integrative Center for Airway, Lifestyle & Aesthetics. With more than 30 years of clinical experience, she has dedicated her career to advancing airway health, dental sleep medicine, myofunctional therapy, craniofacial pain, pediatric development, functional medicine, and regenerative aesthetics.

She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and completed her Pediatric Dental Residency at the UCLA School of Dentistry. Her extensive post-graduate training includes sleep and TMJ therapy, craniofacial pain, neuromuscular dentistry, orthodontics, orofacial myofunctional therapy, functional frenuloplasty, biological dentistry, and regenerative aesthetic medicine.

Dr. Ahn is an active member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), American Sleep & Breathing Academy (ASBA), American Academy of Craniofacial Pain (AACP), American Dental Association (ADA), and several other leading dental and healthcare organizations.

As a clinician, educator, mother, and founder of OCCares, a nonprofit supporting youth through compassionate social entrepreneurship, Dr. Ahn believes breathing, sleep, oral health, posture, and overall wellness are deeply connected. Through Aviara, she has created an integrative, airway-centered model of care that combines dentistry, sleep health, pediatric development, functional medicine, and regenerative aesthetics to improve whole-body health.

Jeffrey Horowitz

DMD, FAGD

Dr. Jeff Horowitz is a New Jersey native who completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh before earning his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. He went on to complete a General Practice Residency at Mountainside Hospital in Montclair, NJ, where he received advanced training in all areas of dentistry and general medicine.

In 1992, Dr. Horowitz founded the Carolina Center for Advanced Dentistry. Committed to lifelong learning, he has achieved Mentorship status at the renowned Kois Center for Advanced Dental Studies and is a Fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy. He is also a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.

Since 1995, Dr. Horowitz has focused on treating sleep-disordered breathing in children, recognizing its impact on tongue thrusting and inadequate arch development. In 2005, his passion for airway-focused care expanded to include adult patients who were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea but were unable to tolerate CPAP therapy. He now collaborates closely with pulmonologists, general practitioners, and ENT specialists to provide effective treatment, integrating his orthodontic expertise to enhance oral appliance therapy.

Michael Cowen

CEO, and Founder of Awaken2Sleep

Michael Cowen is the most dynamic speaker at any dental conference. His passion for empowering others, coupled with his extensive history in sleep medicine—over 20 years—and dentistry, allows him to speak to the modern dental professional.

CEO, and Founder of Awaken2Sleep started his journey in sleep medicine in 2003, performing in-lab sleep studies as a pediatric sleep technician at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital in Southern California. Five years later, this training and experience empowered him to save his infant daughter’s life from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a leading cause of SIDS in infants. After recognizing his calling to passionately assist others in helping their patients, Michael became an expert in the Business of Sleep Medicine, working with physicians, building sleep centers, CPAP technology, and home sleep tests.

In 2015, he founded Awaken2Sleep, which empowers growth-minded dental practices to level up with proven dental sleep medicine coaching, team training, and sleep testing

Jon and Rose Nierman

Jon Nierman

President

Jon Nierman’s mission is to remove the barriers and make it easier for dental practices to implement airway and orofacial pain treatment. 

As President of Nierman Practice Management, he specializes in the development of continuing education programs, software systems, and medical billing services to facilitate dental practice growth for medically necessary services. 

Under Jon, Nierman Practice Management has provided over 5,000 hours of continuing education featuring an internationally renowned faculty. 

Jon is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, a brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt, and a classical/jazz pianist.  

Favorite Hobbies

Piano, Jiu-Jitsu, Traveling

Skills, Qualities, or Attributes

Strategic planning, innovation, public speaking, leadership, management, marketing, sales, promotion, networking, education.

Years of Experience

12

Years at Nierman Practice MGMT

12

Anjoo Ely

DDS

Dr. Ely is a graduate of the University of Michigan Dental School 1997, one of the best in the country. She has been a dentist for over 20 years and has been through several post-graduate courses in different fields of dentistry since receiving her DDS degree. Dr. Ely is a Diplomate of The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, Diplomate of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy, Member of the American Dental Association, and Member of the Michigan Dental Association.

Dr. Ely is a member of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain and also a staff member of Ascension Hospitals Group.

Her emphasis on patient comfort as well as keeping up-to-date with the latest advancements in dentistry enable her to provide her patients with the best quality of care in the field. Dr. Ely has a wide range of experience in different areas of dentistry, from cosmetic and restorative dentistry to Invisalign, and root canal treatments.

Jon and Rose Nierman

Jon Nierman

President

Jon Nierman’s mission is to remove the barriers and make it easier for dental practices to implement airway and orofacial pain treatment. 

As President of Nierman Practice Management, he specializes in the development of continuing education programs, software systems, and medical billing services to facilitate dental practice growth for medically necessary services. 

Under Jon, Nierman Practice Management has provided over 5,000 hours of continuing education featuring an internationally renowned faculty. 

Jon is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, a brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt, and a classical/jazz pianist.  

Favorite Hobbies

Piano, Jiu-Jitsu, Traveling

Skills, Qualities, or Attributes

Strategic planning, innovation, public speaking, leadership, management, marketing, sales, promotion, networking, education.

Years of Experience

12

Years at Nierman Practice MGMT

12