Biography

Dr. Priya Mistry graduated with Honors from University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2007. She practiced general dentistry until 2018, which is when she met her TMJ mentor - Dr. Arthur L. Parker. Dr. Mistry trained with him for three years before buying his practice in 2021. Her TMJ/TMD-only practice in Vancouver, Washington celebrates a 90% success rate in treating those who suffer from TMJ Disorder. Dr. Mistry fully recognizes the need to train other dental and/or healthcare professionals in the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ/TMD, which led her to create webinars and in-person courses! She hopes to help 1 million TMJ sufferers by educating dentists around the world in her treatment modalities.

Lecture Overview

Learning Objectives

• Understand internal derangement of the TMJ articular disc
• Recognize muscle dysfunction surrounding and supporting the mandible
• Review detailed TMJ anatomy and its relation to symptoms
• Learn to connect anatomical structures to specific patient symptoms (ear pain, headaches, jaw pain, etc.)
• Identify which patients are most susceptible to TMJ/TMD and why
• Understand the relationship between TMJ/TMD and tongue tie, orthodontic extractions, and sleep apnea
• Learn specific treatment protocols for various TMJ/TMD symptoms

Professional Highlights

Biography

Dick Tucker graduated from the University of Washington School of Dentistry in 1976, and has maintained a private practice in Bellingham Washington for the past forty years. He is currently the mentor of three clinical study clubs, each of which meets monthly to treat patients, and has lectured in Mexico, Canada, The United States, and Europe. Other educational endeavors include teaching an elective course in cast gold restorations at the University of Washington School of Dentistry, and teaching the Tucker Institute course in Cast Gold Restorations. Dick is a member of the Academy of Operative Dentistry, and The American Academy of Restorative Dentistry. If he can't be doing dentistry, he enjoys fishing, sailing, mountain climbing, (having climbed five peaks over 18000 feet), and skiing, (working on ski patrol for the past 17 years.)

Lecture Overview

Learning Objectives

• Understand optimal treatment sequencing and timing for cast gold restorations
• Learn to select techniques best suited to individual patient biology
• Evaluate long-term outcomes of cast and direct gold restorations
• Assess personal capabilities for providing outstanding treatment
• Review innovative techniques for optimal patient outcomes
• Examine long-term case follow-up results

Professional Highlights

Biography

Dr. Kris Swanson Speaker Bio (2025) After graduating from the University of Washington School of Dentistry in 1987, Kris Swanson joined his father, Dr. Richard Swanson, in private practice. Under the guidance of mentors Dr. Richard V. Tucker, Dr. John Kois, and his father, he pursued extensive postgraduate training in conservative restorative, gold, cosmetic, and comprehensive dentistry—training that became the cornerstone of his practice philosophy. During his 25-year membership of the RV Tucker #2 study club, Dr. Swanson was privileged to mentor clubs in New Hampshire and Hawaii and was invited by Dr. Richard V. Tucker to serve as Director of the Tucker Institute from 2008 to 2012. His work with Dr. Kois began in 1990, achieving Graduate status from the Kois Center in 2008. He continued to become a Mentor and now serves as a Course Facilitator for the Biomechanics course. In addition to this role, he has shared his knowledge and passion for dentistry through presentations at the PNDC, the Kois Symposium, study clubs and published multiple restorative articles. Born and raised in Bellevue WA., he remains dedicated to caring for his community. Outside the office, he enjoys golfing, hiking, and traveling. But most of all, he and his wife Beth cherish time spent with their four adult children.

Lecture Overview

Learning Objectives

• Review core Tucker principles for conservative restorative dentistry
• Apply Tucker principles to modern restorative treatment options
• Explore conservative alternatives for addressing patient chief complaints
• Learn integration of new protocols with traditional Tucker techniques
• Understand how proper technique yields predictable, long-lasting results
• See case examples of life-changing treatment outcomes

Professional Highlights

Biography

Mark A Cruz graduated from the UCLA School of Dentistry in 1986 and started dental practice in Monarch Beach, CA, upon graduation. He has lectured nationally and internationally and is a member of various dental organizations, including the Pacific Coast Society for Prosthodontics and the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry. He was a part-time lecturer at UCLA, a faculty group practice member, and a past assistant director of the UCLA Center for Esthetic Dentistry. He has served on the National Institute of Health/NIDCR (National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research) Grant review Committee in Washington, D.C. and served two terms on the DSMB (data safety management board) for the NPBRN (National Practice-Based Research Network overseen by the NIDCR) as well as on the editorial board for the Journal of Evidence Based Dental Practice (Elsevier) and a reviewer for the JADA (Journal of the American Dental Association) and reviewer for Practice Update (Elsevier). He is co-authoring the textbook, Airway Focused Clinical Dentistry: A comprehensive guide for global wellness beyond teeth, gums & joints, to be published by Elsevier at the end of next year.

Lecture Overview

Learning Objectives

• Define "airway" health in the context of restorative dentistry excellence
• Understand the importance of whole-patient evaluation beyond teeth
• Recognize medical and dental comorbidities linked to breathing and sleep
• Learn the emerging role of dental professionals in global health and wellness
• Differentiate between wellness and absence of disease
• Understand root cause treatment versus disease management

Professional Highlights