Conference Speakers
Dr. Marta Baird
Dr. Marta Baird is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, a Northern California Angle Society Member, and a Diamond Plus Invisalign provider based in Pleasanton, CA. She serves as a faculty member at the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, where she directs courses in Clear Aligner Therapy and Orthodontic Principles. Dr. Baird collaborates with Align University to support orthodontic education for residents and new graduates. With expertise in digital treatment planning, patient communication, and interdisciplinary care, she is passionate about building efficient systems that empower doctors to deliver exceptional clinical results.
From Vision to Precision: Designing ClinCheck Plans with Biomechanical Foundations and Interdisciplinary Integration
Course Objectives:
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Apply foundational principles of aligner biomechanics to design ClinCheck®️ treatment plans that achieve desired movements predictably, including strategic use of attachments and force systems.
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Apply the biomechanical principles that govern aligner tooth movement, including how force systems are created through staging and anchorage design based on case type.
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Utilize Smile Architect and 3D visualization tools to create interdisciplinary treatment roadmaps that communicate esthetic and functional goals to patients and dental partners.
Dr. Hitesh Kapadia
Hitesh Kapadia is on faculty at Baylor College of Medicine and is a member of the Craniofacial team at Texas Children's Hospital in Austin. He has been in Austin since August 2024. Prior to this, he was at Seattle Children's Hospital, where he was chief of Craniofacial Orthodontics and director of the fellowship training program in Craniofacial Orthodontics.
Hitesh is passionate about helping children and their families understand the complexities of cleft and craniofacial care and guiding them through various phases of treatment. He works closely with Craniofacial team members to manage the orthodontic needs of children with craniofacial differences.
Hitesh attended the University of Texas at Austin for his undergraduate studies and earned his D.D.S. and Ph.D. at The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston. He received fellowship training in craniofacial orthodontics at NYU Medical Center. He is an active member of the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association, International Society of Craniofacial Surgery, Angle Society (Northwest Component and now the Southwest ) and American Association of Orthodontists.
Orthodontic Considerations in Cleft and Craniofacial Care
Course Objectives:
- Understand Cleft and Craniofacial Anatomy and Development
- Recognize the Role of the Multidisciplinary Team
- Assess Growth and Development in Patients with Cleft and Craniofacial Conditions
- Evaluate the impact of cleft and craniofacial anomalies on facial growth and dentofacial development.
- Interpret diagnostic records (radiographs, photographs, study models) to track growth and orthodontic needs over time.
- Plan and Deliver Orthodontic Treatment
- Develop treatment plans for different stages of development, including presurgical orthopedics, mixed dentition, and permanent dentition phases.
- Apply orthodontic techniques and appliances tailored to patients with cleft and craniofacial anomalies.
- Coordinate Pre-Surgical and Post-Surgical Orthodontic Care
- Understand the timing and orthodontic preparation required for surgical interventions such as alveolar bone grafting, distraction osteogenesis (DO) and orthognathic surgery.
Charles Moss Duke, JR.
Charlie Duke is an active motivational and inspirational speaker. As an entrepreneur, business executive, military officer, and Astronaut, he brings to the speaker’s platform 50 years of experience. His speeches are entertaining, informative and sprinkled with humor. He has appeared on numerous TV shows, and spoken for hundreds of associations, clubs, organizations, churches, and schools all over the world.
He and his wife reside in Greenville, SC. They have co-authored the book, Moonwalker. released by Oliver Nelson Publishers in March 1990, and produced two videos/DVDs - Moonwalker and Walk on the Moon, Walk with the Son.
The Challenge and Adventure of Spaceflight
Course Objectives:
Join Apollo 16 astronaut and Moonwalker Charlie Duke as he shares the extraordinary journey of space exploration from a deeply personal perspective.
Drawing from his remarkable career as a military officer, business leader, and NASA astronaut, General Duke will take us on a journey through the challenges, risks, and rewards of space exploration.
His story isn’t just about reaching the Moon—it’s about leadership, precision, and the human drive to push boundaries. Expect an inspiring, entertaining session that reminds us how discipline, teamwork, and bold thinking can take us far, whether in space or practice.
Dr. Trevor Nichols
Dr. Trevor Nichols, an Arizona native and board-certified orthodontist, is celebrated globally for his transformative work and attention to aesthetic details.
Following his undergraduate studies as valedictorian at Arizona State University, he excelled at the Arizona School for Dentistry and Oral Health where he earned his Doctorate in Dental Medicine and served as class president. Dr. Nichols then completed a residency and specialty training in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics while obtaining a Master’s in Orthodontics with a groundbreaking thesis on TMD. Since 2016, he has treated thousands of his own patients while simultaneously teaching his dynamic lectures on fixed orthodontics and clear aligners to orthodontists worldwide.
Dr. Nichols has developed an innovative approach to objective, personalized orthodontic treatment with the creation of the Nichols Smile Score. He strongly believes his mission is about more than teeth—it’s about the people. Beyond his impressive career, he cherishes his roles as a husband to Alyssa and father to their four boys. Rooted in faith and family, and with a strong passion for fitness, he inspires others with his philosophy that “the way you do anything is the way you do everything.
SPARK in Practice: Precision, Control, and Clinical Outcomes
Course Objectives:
This one-hour discussion offers a focused, clinical look at how SPARK aligners are used in everyday orthodontic practice. Dr. Nichols will briefly outline the core features of the SPARK system that influence treatment control and predictability, then walk through select cases that highlight how those features translate into real clinical outcomes. Rather than an exhaustive overview, the emphasis is on practical decision-making, treatment design, and execution—what matters most when incorporating SPARK into modern orthodontic workflows. The session is intended to be conversational, case-driven, and relevant for clinicians interested in understanding how SPARK performs in real-world application.