MEET OUR SPEAKERS
Dr. Tammarie Heit, DDS
Dr. Heit is a clinical general dentist who practices all areas of general dentistry with a special interest of cranio facial development and optimization in patients of all ages. In her 25 year career, her major accomplishment is the practice of cranio facial sleep medicine to reduce, eliminate and prevent obstructive sleep apnea and pain along with general dentistry in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She is a published author, an international speaker and a clinical scientist and researcher collaboratively with medical specialists. She is an Integrated Clinical Advisor in the Vivos® Integrated Healthcare Network where she leads a multidisciplinary team of medical doctors, general dentists, and their staff.
A frequent consultant at Vivos Therapeutics Inc and on the clinical advisory board at the inception of the company, she works with clinicians from around the world to conduct certified research and develop clinical protocols for the treatment of cranio facial developmental deficiencies that can result in sleep apnea and cranio facial pain.
Dr. Heit has achieved her Mastership at the International College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics in Nagano, Japan in 2010 with the thesis ‘Neuromuscular Orthotics in the treatment of Craniomandibular disorders and the effects on Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study.’ Dr. Heit is on the board of Regents at The international College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics, is head of the mastership committee and is on track for incoming president. Dr. Heit practices collaboratively with all specialties in Medicine and promotes multidisciplinary collaboration in the clinic as an effective tool to help patients in all practices.
Dr. Heit promotes collaboration between clinicians and academics and appreciates all roles as vital for progress in any and all fields of study for the simplest, safest and most effective treatments for patients.
Dr. Bahar Esmaili, DDS
Dr. Esmaili grew up in Iran and immigrated to the United States when she was 20 years old to peruse her dream of becoming a doctor. Since graduating with honors from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine in 2009, she has completed numerous advanced Continuing Education courses in the fields of craniofacial pain, TMJ disorder, and airway development, and currently focuses her clinical practice on the connection between oral and whole-body health.
She holds the prestigious position of being one of 24 North American consultants with 3M as part of the Council of Innovative Dentistry. She also serves as a member of educational committee at American Academy of Craniofacial Pain ( AACP).
More than just a practitioner, she is a passionate educator and goes out of her way to help her patients understand the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’ of the issues for which they’re seeking help. She is a certified personal trainer, specializing in posture corrective and is passionate about interconnectedness of the human body – from head & neck posture to jaw joint alignment to facial muscle tonicity to gait. In light of her profound realization that straight teeth cannot functional on crooked faces, she is on a mission to enlighten practitioners of all kinds of their ability to impact compensatory mechanisms that ultimately lead to the breakdown of our bodies and our health. She is eager to inspire patients and professionals alike to join her on her journey.
Dr. Manisha Witmans BSc Med, MD, FRCPC, FAASM
Dr. Witmans is a Board Certified Sleep Specialist who also subspecializes in pediatric pulmonology. Originally from Slave Lake, Alberta, Dr. Witmans completed her medical training at the University of Saskatchewan, her residency in Pediatrics and her Fellowship in Pediatric Respirology at the University of Calgary, Alberta Children’s Hospital. She subsequently completed additional fellowship training in Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine at the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles, California.
After returning to Alberta, she developed the pediatric sleep program at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton. Currently, she is an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Alberta and has a busy private practice office in Sherwood Park, Alberta. Her expertise in sleep medicine have enabled her to play an integral part in the development of the current international guidelines on the use of polysomnography in pediatric respiratory and non-respiratory sleep disorders.
She has several publications and collaborations to her name, and is a sought-after journal and grant reviewer. She is involved with numerous committees to help address sleep problems in children nationally and internationally. Dr. Witmans is also involved in various research projects involving pediatric sleep medicine.
Dr. Kathleen S. Carson, DDS
Kathleen Carson, DDS, has been providing whole body health dentistry to patients in Los Angeles and surrounding areas for over two decades. About 18 years ago, she became intently focused on airway health and its effects on the entire body. Dr. Carson has extensive knowledge of the effects unhealthy breathing can have on our overall health and its intimate connection with the development of the orofacial structure. There has been high demand to share this knowledge with both her patients and other professionals.
Dr. Carson graduated cum Laude from the UCLA School of Dentistry and served a general practice residency with the Veterans Administration in Sepulveda. Dr. Carson earned her fellowship in neuromuscular/physiological dentistry as well as in Buteyko Breathing. She serves on the board of the AAPMD (American Academy of Physiologic Medicine and Dentistry), is a clinical advisor for Vivos Therapeutics, and is on faculty with TAO method (TMJ, Airway, Orthodontics) through Gelb Practice Solutions.
Dr. Kassi Klein, DDS
A West Texas native, Dr. Klein’s childhood passion for helping others look and feel their best ultimately led her to dentistry. After attending Texas Tech University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, Dr. Klein earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) from the University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston. Dr. Klein has practiced general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and airway-centered dentistry in the Houston area for the last seven years and is proud to call Spring, Texas, her newly adopted hometown. Dr. Klein completed the 2017 Texas AAID MaxiCourse in Implant Dentistry. This is a full-year course study in all phases of implant dentistry. She completed over 300 hours of surgical and didactic implantology education as a part of this program. In addition, she has successfully completed Part 1 of the examination toward becoming an Associate Fellow in the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. When Dr. Klein’s not using her artistic talents to reveal dazzling smiles, this self-proclaimed beauty product enthusiast can be found experimenting with the latest in makeup trends or pulling up a chair at a quiet wine tasting. That is, of course, when she’s not relaxing with her husband, Mike, son, Gavin, and baby girl, Sophie, during a Texas Tech football game. Go, Red Raiders!
Dr. Brenda Donato, DMD
My Mission
“A smile is happiness you’ll find right under your nose.” – Tom Wilson
To help my patients achieve and maintain optimal oral health in a comfortable, caring, compassionate, friendly and professional environment. I am committed to continually updating my training and education in order to improve the quality of care I provide.
Education
University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine – San Juan, Puerto Rico
Doctor of Dental Surgery (2003)
Marquette University School of Dentistry
(1995-1998)
Marquette University – Milwaukee, WI
Bachelor of Science (1995)
Professional Memberships & Continuing Education
Academy of General Dentistry
American Academy of Cosmetic Orthodontics
American Academy of Facial Esthetics
American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
River Valley Dental Association
American Academy of Craniofacial Pain TMD/Sleep Residency
Invisalign Regional Doctor Mentor
AIR Institute Residency
I have been a dentist for 20 years and have received extensive training in Sleep Medicine, Cosmetics, Endodontics, Oral Surgery, Facial Esthetics and Invisalign so that I can provide comprehensive care in one convenient location. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. Work brought me to Fort Smith, Arkansas in 2009, and it has become our home. I am committed to creating memories with my husband, our four kids, and our 6 dogs! I love to travel, cook, and grow our food in our small homestead!
Dr. Kathleen Carson
Kathleen Carson, DDS, has been providing whole body health dentistry to patients in Los Angeles and surrounding areas for over two decades. About 18 years ago, she became intently focused on airway health and its effects on the entire body. Dr. Carson has extensive knowledge of the effects unhealthy breathing can have on our overall health and its intimate connection with the development of the orofacial structure. There has been high demand to share this knowledge with both her patients and other professionals.
Dr. Carson graduated cum Laude from the UCLA School of Dentistry and served a general practice residency with the Veterans Administration in Sepulveda. Dr. Carson earned her fellowship in neuromuscular/physiological dentistry as well as in Buteyko Breathing. She serves on the board of the AAPMD (American Academy of Physiologic Medicine and Dentistry), is a clinical advisor for Vivos Therapeutics, and is on faculty with TAO method (TMJ, Airway, Orthodontics) through Gelb Practice Solutions.
Kassi Klein, DDS
A West Texas native, Dr. Klein’s childhood passion for helping others look and feel their best ultimately led her to dentistry. After attending Texas Tech University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, Dr. Klein earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) from the University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston. Dr. Klein has practiced general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and airway-centered dentistry in the Houston area for the last seven years and is proud to call Spring, Texas, her newly adopted hometown. Dr. Klein completed the 2017 Texas AAID MaxiCourse in Implant Dentistry. This is a full-year course study in all phases of implant dentistry. She completed over 300 hours of surgical and didactic implantology education as a part of this program. In addition, she has successfully completed Part 1 of the examination toward becoming an Associate Fellow in the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. When Dr. Klein’s not using her artistic talents to reveal dazzling smiles, this self-proclaimed beauty product enthusiast can be found experimenting with the latest in makeup trends or pulling up a chair at a quiet wine tasting. That is, of course, when she’s not relaxing with her husband, Mike, son, Gavin, and baby girl, Sophie, during a Texas Tech football game. Go, Red Raiders!
Dr. Tammarie Heit, DDS
Dr. Heit is a clinical general dentist who practices all areas of general dentistry with a special interest of cranio facial development and optimization in patients of all ages. In her 25 year career, her major accomplishment is the practice of cranio facial sleep medicine to reduce, eliminate and prevent obstructive sleep apnea and pain along with general dentistry in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She is a published author, an international speaker and a clinical scientist and researcher collaboratively with medical specialists. She is an Integrated Clinical Advisor in the Vivos® Integrated Healthcare Network where she leads a multidisciplinary team of medical doctors, general dentists, and their staff.
A frequent consultant at Vivos Therapeutics Inc and on the clinical advisory board at the inception of the company, she works with clinicians from around the world to conduct certified research and develop clinical protocols for the treatment of cranio facial developmental deficiencies that can result in sleep apnea and cranio facial pain.
Dr. Heit has achieved her Mastership at the International College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics in Nagano, Japan in 2010 with the thesis ‘Neuromuscular Orthotics in the treatment of Craniomandibular disorders and the effects on Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study.’ Dr. Heit is on the board of Regents at The international College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics, is head of the mastership committee and is on track for incoming president. Dr. Heit practices collaboratively with all specialties in Medicine and promotes multidisciplinary collaboration in the clinic as an effective tool to help patients in all practices.
Dr. Heit promotes collaboration between clinicians and academics and appreciates all roles as vital for progress in any and all fields of study for the simplest, safest and most effective treatments for patients.
Dr. Bahar Esmaili, DDS
Dr. Esmaili grew up in Iran and immigrated to the United States when she was 20 years old to peruse her dream of becoming a doctor. Since graduating with honors from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine in 2009, she has completed numerous advanced Continuing Education courses in the fields of craniofacial pain, TMJ disorder, and airway development, and currently focuses her clinical practice on the connection between oral and whole-body health.
She holds the prestigious position of being one of 24 North American consultants with 3M as part of the Council of Innovative Dentistry. She also serves as a member of educational committee at American Academy of Craniofacial Pain ( AACP).
More than just a practitioner, she is a passionate educator and goes out of her way to help her patients understand the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’ of the issues for which they’re seeking help. She is a certified personal trainer, specializing in posture corrective and is passionate about interconnectedness of the human body – from head & neck posture to jaw joint alignment to facial muscle tonicity to gait. In light of her profound realization that straight teeth cannot functional on crooked faces, she is on a mission to enlighten practitioners of all kinds of their ability to impact compensatory mechanisms that ultimately lead to the breakdown of our bodies and our health. She is eager to inspire patients and professionals alike to join her on her journey.
Dr. Manisha Witmans BSc Med, MD, FRCPC, FAASM
Dr. Witmans is a Board Certified Sleep Specialist who also subspecializes in pediatric pulmonology. Originally from Slave Lake, Alberta, Dr. Witmans completed her medical training at the University of Saskatchewan, her residency in Pediatrics and her Fellowship in Pediatric Respirology at the University of Calgary, Alberta Children’s Hospital. She subsequently completed additional fellowship training in Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine at the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles, California.
After returning to Alberta, she developed the pediatric sleep program at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton. Currently, she is an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Alberta and has a busy private practice office in Sherwood Park, Alberta. Her expertise in sleep medicine have enabled her to play an integral part in the development of the current international guidelines on the use of polysomnography in pediatric respiratory and non-respiratory sleep disorders.
She has several publications and collaborations to her name, and is a sought-after journal and grant reviewer. She is involved with numerous committees to help address sleep problems in children nationally and internationally. Dr. Witmans is also involved in various research projects involving pediatric sleep medicine.
Dr. Mimi Guarneri, MD, FACC
Board certified in cardiovascular disease, internal medicine, and integrative holistic medicine, Mimi Guarneri, MD, FACC, ABOIM, is deeply committed to expanding integrative medicine, education, and research globally. A leading proponent of integrative medicine, she serves on the founding board of the American Board of Physician Specialties in Integrative Medicine (ABOIM). She is cofounder and has been medical director of Guarneri Integrative Health, Inc., at Pacific Pearl La Jolla in La Jolla, CA, since 2014, where she leads a team of experts in conventional, integrative, and natural medicine. Dr. Guarneri is cofounder and treasurer of Miraglo Foundation, a nonprofit public charity providing integrative medicine education and research and serving the underserved in the US and globally.
A clinical associate professor at University of California, San Diego (UCSD), she is also president of the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM) and past president of the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine (ABIHM). She served as senior advisor to the Atlantic Health System for the Chambers Center for Well Being, among other healthcare system advisory positions. Her television special, “Live Better Now with Mimi Guarneri, MD,” airs in 2019 and 2020 at hundreds of public television stations across the US.
Dr. Guarneri was an English literature major as an undergraduate at New York University. Her medical degree is from SUNY Downstate Medical Center in New York, where she graduated number one in her class. Dr. Guarneri served her internship and residency at Cornell Medical Center, where she later became chief medical resident. She served cardiology fellowships at both New York University Medical Center and Scripps Clinic in California. She is a fellow member of the American College of Cardiology, Alpha Omega Alpha, and the American Medical Women’s Association, as well as a fellow of the American College of Nutrition.
She cofounded the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine and served as medical director for 15 years. She began her career at Scripps Clinic as an attending in interventional cardiology, where she placed thousands of coronary stents. Recognizing the need for a more comprehensive and more holistic approach to cardiovascular disease, Dr. Guarneri pioneered the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine, where state-of-the-art cardiac imaging technology and lifestyle change programs are used to aggressively diagnose, prevent, and treat cardiovascular disease. Her current integrative health and wellness center at Pacific Pearl La Jolla has received recognition as Best of La Jolla for several consecutive years and is widely sought for clinical rotations and as a model for practice transformation.
Dr. Guarneri’s book, 108 Pearls to Awaken Your Healing Potential, was published by Hay House in 2017, and she is the professor of “The Science of Natural Healing,” a 24-lecture video set from The Great Courses. She is the author of The Heart Speaks (2006) and co-author of Total Engagement: The Healthcare Practitioner’s Guide to Heal Yourself, Your Patients & Your Practice (2014).
Dr. Guarneri is an internationally sought speaker and educator. She was an invited presenter in November of 2017 for two international conferences on integrative health and medicine in Brazil and at the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy of Sciences’ conference on global health. An annual featured speaker at the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine’s conference in San Diego, CA, she continues to advise, lead, and present at national integrative healthcare conferences. She also offers professional development programs to healthcare providers for integrative medicine.
Dr. Guarneri was recognized for leadership in integrative medicine by the Bravewell Collaborative and served as founding chair of the Bravewell Clinical Network for Integrative Medicine. She has garnered numerous awards, including the ARCS Foundation Scientist of the Year. In 2011, she was won the Bravewell Physician Leadership Award, which honors a physician leader who has made significant contributions to the transformation of the US healthcare system. She received the 2012 Linus Pauling Functional Medicine Lifetime Achievement Award from The Institute for Functional Medicine and the Grace A. Goldsmith award from the American College of Nutrition. Ranked as the number one female physician practicing integrative medicine by Newsmax in 2015, Dr. Guarneri was also honored with San Diego Magazine’s Woman of the Year Awards as Health and Wellness Pioneer 2016 for her outstanding leadership. In 2018, she received the Donna Feeley Memorial Award from the American Public Health Association’s Integrative, Complementary, and Traditional Health Practices section. For more information, please visit MimiGuarneriMD.com or PacificPearlLaJolla.com.
Dr. Kathleen S. Carson, DDS
Kathleen Carson, DDS, has been providing whole body health dentistry to patients in Los Angeles and surrounding areas for over two decades. About 18 years ago, she became intently focused on airway health and its effects on the entire body. Dr. Carson has extensive knowledge of the effects unhealthy breathing can have on our overall health and its intimate connection with the development of the orofacial structure. There has been high demand to share this knowledge with both her patients and other professionals.
Dr. Carson graduated cum Laude from the UCLA School of Dentistry and served a general practice residency with the Veterans Administration in Sepulveda. Dr. Carson earned her fellowship in neuromuscular/physiological dentistry as well as in Buteyko Breathing. She serves on the board of the AAPMD (American Academy of Physiologic Medicine and Dentistry), is a clinical advisor for Vivos Therapeutics, and is on faculty with TAO method (TMJ, Airway, Orthodontics) through Gelb Practice Solutions.
Dr. Kassi Klein, DDS
A West Texas native, Dr. Klein’s childhood passion for helping others look and feel their best ultimately led her to dentistry. After attending Texas Tech University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, Dr. Klein earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) from the University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston. Dr. Klein has practiced general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and airway-centered dentistry in the Houston area for the last seven years and is proud to call Spring, Texas, her newly adopted hometown. Dr. Klein completed the 2017 Texas AAID MaxiCourse in Implant Dentistry. This is a full-year course study in all phases of implant dentistry. She completed over 300 hours of surgical and didactic implantology education as a part of this program. In addition, she has successfully completed Part 1 of the examination toward becoming an Associate Fellow in the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. When Dr. Klein’s not using her artistic talents to reveal dazzling smiles, this self-proclaimed beauty product enthusiast can be found experimenting with the latest in makeup trends or pulling up a chair at a quiet wine tasting. That is, of course, when she’s not relaxing with her husband, Mike, son, Gavin, and baby girl, Sophie, during a Texas Tech football game. Go, Red Raiders!
Dr. Brenda Donato, DMD
My Mission
“A smile is happiness you’ll find right under your nose.” – Tom Wilson
To help my patients achieve and maintain optimal oral health in a comfortable, caring, compassionate, friendly and professional environment. I am committed to continually updating my training and education in order to improve the quality of care I provide.
Education
University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine – San Juan, Puerto Rico
Doctor of Dental Surgery (2003)
Marquette University School of Dentistry
(1995-1998)
Marquette University – Milwaukee, WI
Bachelor of Science (1995)
Professional Memberships & Continuing Education
Academy of General Dentistry
American Academy of Cosmetic Orthodontics
American Academy of Facial Esthetics
American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
River Valley Dental Association
American Academy of Craniofacial Pain TMD/Sleep Residency
Invisalign Regional Doctor Mentor
AIR Institute Residency
I have been a dentist for 20 years and have received extensive training in Sleep Medicine, Cosmetics, Endodontics, Oral Surgery, Facial Esthetics and Invisalign so that I can provide comprehensive care in one convenient location. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. Work brought me to Fort Smith, Arkansas in 2009, and it has become our home. I am committed to creating memories with my husband, our four kids, and our 6 dogs! I love to travel, cook, and grow our food in our small homestead!
Dr. Kathleen Carson
Kathleen Carson, DDS, has been providing whole body health dentistry to patients in Los Angeles and surrounding areas for over two decades. About 18 years ago, she became intently focused on airway health and its effects on the entire body. Dr. Carson has extensive knowledge of the effects unhealthy breathing can have on our overall health and its intimate connection with the development of the orofacial structure. There has been high demand to share this knowledge with both her patients and other professionals.
Dr. Carson graduated cum Laude from the UCLA School of Dentistry and served a general practice residency with the Veterans Administration in Sepulveda. Dr. Carson earned her fellowship in neuromuscular/physiological dentistry as well as in Buteyko Breathing. She serves on the board of the AAPMD (American Academy of Physiologic Medicine and Dentistry), is a clinical advisor for Vivos Therapeutics, and is on faculty with TAO method (TMJ, Airway, Orthodontics) through Gelb Practice Solutions.
Kassi Klein, DDS
A West Texas native, Dr. Klein’s childhood passion for helping others look and feel their best ultimately led her to dentistry. After attending Texas Tech University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, Dr. Klein earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) from the University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston. Dr. Klein has practiced general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and airway-centered dentistry in the Houston area for the last seven years and is proud to call Spring, Texas, her newly adopted hometown. Dr. Klein completed the 2017 Texas AAID MaxiCourse in Implant Dentistry. This is a full-year course study in all phases of implant dentistry. She completed over 300 hours of surgical and didactic implantology education as a part of this program. In addition, she has successfully completed Part 1 of the examination toward becoming an Associate Fellow in the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. When Dr. Klein’s not using her artistic talents to reveal dazzling smiles, this self-proclaimed beauty product enthusiast can be found experimenting with the latest in makeup trends or pulling up a chair at a quiet wine tasting. That is, of course, when she’s not relaxing with her husband, Mike, son, Gavin, and baby girl, Sophie, during a Texas Tech football game. Go, Red Raiders!
Course Objectives
- Learn how to diagnose a tongue restriction can affect the growth and development of the craniofacial region
- Learn the impact of an undergrown craniofacial complex on the health of the child
- Learn how you can help your patient collaboratively with medicine reverse disease from an undergrown craniofacial complex at any age
