Contributors

May 30, 2023
Stephanie Botts, RDH

Ms. Stephanie Botts has been a clinical dental hygienist for over 14 years. She is a Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist providing both in-office and virtual ergonomics consulting and coaching to dental professionals. She also provides continuing education (CE) to dental and dental hygiene associations on the topic of ergonomics. Her experience as a clinical dental hygienist and ergonomics expert has allowed her to recognize the unique challenges of practicing pain-free in the dental setting. Botts believes that by learning effective strategies to optimize proper ergonomics both inside and outside the operatory, dental professionals can practice pain-free and ensure career longevity.

Paresh B. Patel, DDS

Dr. Paresh Patel is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry and the Medical College of Georgia/AAID MaxiCourse. A clinical instructor who has placed more than 5,000 implants, Dr. Patel has published numerous articles in leading dental journals, is a diplomate of the ICOI, and has worked extensively as a lecturer and clinical consultant on dental implants and prosthetics for several companies.

Bradley Eli, DMD, M.S.

Dr. Bradley Eli graduated from Temple University School of Dentistry and received a Master of Science degree in oral biology from UCLA. Based in Encinitas, California, he is a nationally recognized specialist in orofacial pain management who treats all types of head, neck and jaw pain as well as sleep-disordered breathing. Dr. Eli has served as an educational staff member at Loma Linda University Medical Center, the UC San Diego Department of Anesthesiology and Scripps Memorial Hospital. He also holds several patents for medical devices designed to improve patient care.

Lex Pierre, DDS
Lex Pierre, DDS

Dr. Lex Pierre graduated from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and later worked as a general dentist with Southwest Louisiana Primary Health Care Center in Opelousas. He is now the director of dentistry at OmniPoint Health in Houston, Texas, where he focuses on delivering patient-centric dental services with personalized care. 

Joshua Prentice, DDS
Joshua Prentice, DDS

Dr. Joshua Prentice graduated from the University of Oklahoma School of Dentistry. He later founded the Ponderosa Dental Center in Bend, Oregon, and now utilizes the most advanced dental technologies available, including in-office milling equipment. Dr. Prentice has been a speaker at a multitude of webinars, study clubs, conferences and podcasts. 

Jinny Bender, DMD

Dr. Jinny Bender is a clinical dentist at Glidewell. After earning her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, she practiced general dentistry for 27 years before joining Glidewell in 2022. Dr. Bender is a member of the ADA, CDA and Orange County Dental Society.

Taylor Manalili, DDS

Dr. Taylor Manalili is director of clinical prosthodontics at Glidewell. In the onsite dental clinic at Glidewell, Dr. Manalili helps to enhance laboratory protocols, conduct clinical research, and perform advanced restorative work — including implant placement, chairside restorations and full-mouth rehabilitations. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Northeastern University and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Stony Brook University, where she also obtained an advanced certificate in prosthodontics and digital technologies. Dr. Manalili completed her fellowship and diplomate in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. She joined the Resnik International Implant Institute as a prosthodontic faculty member and has over ten years of teaching experience in diverse education settings.

Randolph R. Resnik, DMD, MDS
Randolph Resnik

Dr. Randolph Resnik is a leading clinician, educator, researcher, and author in the field of prosthodontics and oral implantology. Dr. Resnik received his dental degree from The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. Upon graduation from dental school, he continued his training at the University of Pittsburgh, receiving a specialty degree in prosthodontics, a surgical fellowship in Oral Implantology, and a master's degree in oral implantology/radiology. He is currently the director of the Resnik Implant Institute. Dr. Resnik serves on faculty positions at numerous universities, including The University of Pittsburgh (graduate prosthodontics), Temple University (oral implantology and periodontics), and Allegheny General Hospital (oral and maxillofacial surgery). Along with his passion for lecturing and education, Dr. Resnik is also an accomplished author, having published over 200 articles. His recent textbooks, Avoiding Complications in Oral Implantology, 4th Edition of Contemporary Implant Dentistry, and 3rd edition of Dental Implant Prosthetics are bestsellers in the field of implant dentistry. Dr. Resnik currently maintains a private practice in Orlando, Florida.

Justin Chi, DDS, CDT

Dr. Justin Chi is director of clinical technologies at Glidewell. He joined Glidewell as a clinical research associate in 2015 after graduating from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC. Dr. Chi’s previous education included receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in dental laboratory technology from the LSU School of Dentistry and earning his CDT in crown & bridge in 2007.

Neil I. Park, DMD

Dr. Neil Park is vice president of clinical affairs for Glidewell. He received his DMD from Temple University School of Dentistry and practiced general dentistry in Florida before moving on to an accomplished career in the dental implant field, developing continuing education programs and implementing a predoctoral implant curriculum in universities throughout North America. In 2016, Dr. Park joined Glidewell, where he oversees clinical research as well as training and education programs for implant and restorative solutions.