Stephen F. Balshi, MBE
Research Director

Stephen F. Balshi, MBE received his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering from the Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. He was awarded a Master's Degree at the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems at Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA with a published thesis on the stability of Brånemark implants and immediate function.

He is the Chief Operating Officer of CM Ceramics USA, the first branch of the international CM Ceramics dental laboratory (http://www.cmceramics.com in North America, located in Mahwah, NJ, that focuses on the rehabilitation of the fully edentulous, utilizing state-of-the-art CAD/CAM technology. He is also the Director of Research for Pi Dental Center at the Institute for Facial Esthetics in Fort Washington, PA and is responsible for numerous projects related to the bone-implant interface and stability of dental implants during the critical initial healing period, among others. He has been published in several refereed journals including, the International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants, Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research, the International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry, Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, and Implant Dentistry. He has lectured at national and international meetings including the Academy of Osseointegration, the American College of Prosthodontists, and the International College of Prosthodontists on immediate function, computer guided surgery, and the CM Ceramics line of fully edentulous restorations.

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Jie Yang, DDS, MMedSc, MS, DMD

Dr. Jie Yang is the director of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology Services at the Institute for Facial Esthetics. He has been a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology since 1996.

Dr. Yang is also an Associate Professor and Director of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology at Temple University School of Dentistry, and Associate Professor of Radiology at the School of Medicine. He is the Radiation Safety Officer at the School of Dentistry.

Dr. Yang has been serving as North American Regional Director and Board Member of the International Association of Dento-Maxillo-Facial Radiology (IADMFR) since 2005. Dr. Yang served as Vice President of the 16th Congress of IADMFR. He is the Voting Representative of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology to the American Dental Association’s Standards Committee.

Dr. Jie Yang obtained his first Dental Degree from Shanghai, China in 1984, and first Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology certificate from Peking University in 1990. Later he attended the University of Iowa and earned a Master of Science degree and the second oral and maxillofacial radiology specialty certificate in 1996. He received a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Temple University in 2001.

Dr. Yang serves on editorial boards of Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology and Endodontics. He is a reviewer for Dento-maxillo-facial Radiology and many other professional journals. Dr. Yang’s research has covered both dental and medical radiology. He has published numerous articles and research abstracts in prestigious dental and medical journals, such as Radiology, Investigative Radiology, American Journal of Neuroradiology, Academic Radiology, Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, & Endodontology, and Dentomaxillofacial Radiology.

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Robert J. Braun, BA., DDS, MPH

Robert J. Braun, B.A., DDS, MPH, is an Oral Medicine Specialist at Pi Dental Center.  Dr. Braun is professor of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology Medicine and Surgery at Temple University as well as Associate Dean of Advanced Education, Research and Continuing Education.  He is a professor at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Pennsylvania and consultant for the Medical Center of Delaware. Additionally, Dr. Braun is Director of Advanced and Graduate Education at Southern Illinois University, School of Dental Medicine, and Assistant Secretary for the Commission on Dental Accreditation for the American Dental Association.  Dr. Braun participates in ongoing research, lectures and presents courses and videos.  Dr. Braun received a Masters Degree in Public Health and Health Service Administration from University of California, Doctor Of Dental Surgery at Marquette University and Clinical Fellowship at John Hopkins University.  He is an active member of:  American Dental Association, National Association of Flight Instructors, Pennsylvania Dental Association, Philadelphia County Dental Society, American Association of Dental Research, Illinois State Dental Society, Madison District Dental Society, American Association of Dental Schools, American Academy of Science, Greater Milwaukee Dental Association, Wisconsin Dental Association. Dr. Braun is licensed to practice in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Pennsylvania. 

To view Dr. Braun's CV click here!   

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Vicki C. Petropoulos, DMD, MS

Dr. Petropoulos is Associate Professor of Restorative Dentistry-Clinician Educator in the Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences and Director of Fixed Prosthodontics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Currently, is the director of the predoctoral fixed partial dentures course. Her primary research focuses are on the biomechanics of implant-supported soft-tissue-retained overdenture attachments and immediate loading of implants. Her research has been published in the International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants, Journal of Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry. She is a member of the American College of Prosthodontists and has presented her research as oral presentations, posters and table clinics at major national and international meetings. In addition to her research and teaching activities, Dr. Petropoulos is a practicing prosthodontist at the University of Pennsylvania's Dental Care Network.

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Robert Winkelman, CDT, MDT
Master Dental Technician

Director of Fort Washington Dental Lab; Mr. Winkelman graduated New York University as a master dental technician and received dental implant training at Northwestern University. He has lectured in the United States, Europe and South America and published a text book entitled, "Dental Implants: Fundamental and Advanced Laboratory Technology."

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Hillerie Swinehart, EFDA

Hillerie Swinehart, EFDA has been practicing as an EFDA in prosthodontics since she joined Prosthodontics Intermedica in 2000, and has since been involved with teaching courses in TEETH IN A DAY™ and TEETH IN AN HOUR™ at the Institute For Facial Esthetics.

Anna Saccomandi, Office Manager, Lab Manager

Anna Saccomandi has been working in dental laboratories and with dental implant systems since 1978. She came to Fort Washington Dental Lab in 1989 as lab manager and office manager. Ms. Saccomandi is proficient in Procera surgical software, the Keystone Solution and Materialize Software. She is familiar with all dental implant systems components and procedures. Anna has worked with implant companies, including Nobel Biocare, in facilitating the Fort Washington Dental Lab as a beta test site.

Anna also is expert in all Microsoft programs and Adobe computer graphics software. She has a certificate in web design from Temple University.

Anna has assisted in teaching the Teeth In An Hour Guided Surgery course at Viewpoint. She currently instructs doctors in the use of the Forte machine for fabricating bridges and Tissue Integrated Prostheses as well as computer generated single tooth restorations. Anna is proficient with the iCat CT scanning machine and able to convert patient data for the Nobel Guide system and use the iCat Vision software. She has a great deal of knowledge in antiquated component systems and is able to troubleshoot and assist doctors in unusual cases. She trains dentists and dental technologists in Advanced Scanning Procedures For Procera Implant Bridges.

Connie Nguyen, Senior Ceramist and Dental Lab Technician

Connie Nguyen joined the Fort Washington Dental Lab in 2006. She has been working as a lab technician and ceramist in dental labs since 2002. Connie attended Rollins College, Winter Park, FL for health care management and Dental Technology Institute of Southern California to become a dental lab technician. She is currently a student at Immaculata University in Pennsylvania. Ms. Nguyen is an expert in all aspects of the dental lab including lab management. Her areas of specialty include esthetics, porcelain, crown and bridge, and Empress crowns. Connie has even worked as a dental assistant and is comfortable relating to patients in a clinical environment. In the past, Ms. Nguyen assisted in 3i lab courses and now trains dentists and dental technologists in Esthetic Veneers, Clinical and Laboratory Procedures. In her free time, Connie enjoys playing tennis and classical piano.