Featured Speakers

Obad Alshamma

Obad Alshammaa

Dental Laboratory Technologist

Meet Abbad Alshammaa, a talented Dental Laboratory Technician, and the proud founder of Shama Dental Lab. After receiving his Dental Lab Certification from Bates Technical College, Abbad began his professional journey in 1993. Passionate about his work, he obtained his CDT in 1996. He is driven by a particular interest in All-on-X implant cases, constantly seeking opportunities to expand his knowledge and expertise in this specialized field.

Since 2017, Abbad has been an esteemed partner of the Washington Academy of General Dentistry, contributing his knowledge and skills to a variety of courses, especially the Implantology course. Additionally, he has been an active member of the Washington State Dental Laboratory Association, staying abreast of the latest industry advancements.

Michi Katafuchi

DDS, PhD, MSD

Dr. Michi Katafuchi was born and raised in Nagasaki, Japan. He graduated in 2003 from Dental School in Fukuoka, Japan, where he received the Dentsply Honor Student Award for Dentistry.

From 2003-2007, Dr. Katafuchi pursued his Ph.D. thesis both at the Department of Prosthodontics at Fukuoka Dental Collage as well as The Dental Research Center of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

After receiving his Ph.D., Dr. Katafuchi joined the faculty at the Department of Prosthodontics of his alma mater in Fukuoka, where he taught the next generations of dentists and maintained his private faculty practice until 2013.

Dr. Katafuchi completed his postdoctoral training in Periodontics / Implants at the University of Washington in Seattle. He has authored several articles on bone biology and dental implants and has been invited to present in national and international meetings such as;

Recently, he was invited to China where he shared his knowledge of computer-guided surgery with fellow colleagues in the East. This presentation and cooperation lead to the idea of forming an international Study Circle. Locally, he has taught at the University of Washington and continues to donate his time to the Dental School as an affiliate faculty member.

Timothy A. Hess

DDS, MAGD

Dr. Hess is a graduate of the University of Alberta and completed his DDS degree from the University of Washington in 1994. He is an Affiliate Assistant Professor in Restorative Dentistry, Affiliate Faculty in Oral Medicine and the Director of the Tucker Institute at the UW School of Dentistry. He currently lectures on implant failures due to restorative techniques, operative techniques, zirconia restorations as well as facial aesthetics including the topics of Botulinum toxin and dermal fillers. Dr. Hess also maintains a private practice in Auburn, Washington.

Dr. Hess has been published in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, IJOMI, CJRDP, Decisions in Dentistry and Operative Dentistry. He has presented at the ADA Annual Meeting, the AGD Annual Meeting, Pacific Northwest Dental Conference, International Academy of Gnathology, Pacific Coast Society of Prosthodontics and the Canadian Academy of Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics.

He is a Past-President of the Seattle-King County Dental Society. Dr. Hess is a Member of Academy of Operative Dentistry, a Fellow of the International College of Dentists, Pierre Fauchard Academy, American College of Dentist and has received his Life Long Service Recognition from the Academy of General Dentistry. He is a Member of the International Academy of Gnathology and an Active Member of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry.

Keith Phillips

DMD, MSD, CDT, FACP

Dr. Keith Phillips received his D.M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, a certificate in Prosthodontics with an M.S.D. from the University of Washington School of Dentistry and is also credentialed in IV Sedation Dentistry. A Prosthodontist is an expert in cosmetics, dental implants, crowns, bridges, and dentures. Dr. Phillips is one of the few Prosthodontists in Washington who is Board Certified, achieved by successfully completing a series of rigorous exams administered by the American Board of Prosthodontics.

After his postdoctoral training, Dr. Phillips became Assistant Professor of Restorative Dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania as well as Chief of Restorative Dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. Dr. Phillips returned to the University of Washington to become Director of the Graduate Program in Prosthodontics from 1996-2004. In 2014, he became the first dentist in Washington to earn a Certified Dental Technician credential, specializing in Implants.

In addition to his private practice, Dr. Phillips is Affiliate Associate Professor at the University of Washington, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Southern California. He lectures nationally and internationally, has extensive textbook and professional journal publications, and is a former Associate Editor of the Journal of the American Dental Association.

Robert J. Timothy

DDS, MS

After graduating from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry, Dr. Timothy joined the US Army dental corps and completed an AEGD one-year residency in general dentistry. After fulfilling his 3-year commitment, he returned to the Intermountain West and practiced in the southeast Idaho town of Montpelier. After 19 years in private practice, he returned to the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry to study Oral Maxillofacial Radiology. Dr. Timothy currently has a private practice in oral radiology and is a part-time clinical instructor at the University of Utah School of Dentistry. Dr. Timothy is a fellow of the American Board of Oral Maxillofacial Radiology.