Meet The AHS Faculty & Team

Lauren Gueits, RDH, BS

CEO/Founder

Lauren Gueits, RDH BS, a dental hygienist of 25+ years and a recipient of the 2010 RDH Sunstar Award of Distinction, lectures nationally to health professionals on airway health solutions, comprehensive care and oral/systemic links. Lauren received her degree from the State University of New York at Farmingdale in 1991 and post graduate training in Myofunctional Therapy through the AOMT in 2013. Lauren is Guest Faculty at New York University, an industry key opinion leader, published author, and has appeared on WNBC, WABC and the Colgate Oral Health Network. Lauren created/produced, along with Dr. Ben Miraglia, two of the most sought after courses for Align Technology: Invisalign Clinical Learn for the RDH, and Amplify Your Invisalign Practice.

You can find Lauren as an influencer of airway health on Airway Health Solutions’ Facebook, Instagram, and “Airway Chats” and Video Blogs on You Tube.

Ben Miraglia, DDS

Chief Clinical Officer

Dr. Ben Miraglia graduated from the SUNY at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. He has 31 years of general practice experience in Mt. Kisco, NY, including 21 years of interceptive orthopedic/orthodontic experience where his focus has been on early childhood growth and development. Dr. Miraglia lectures nationally on sleep-disordered breathing, clear aligner therapy, and craniofacial development. Dr. Miraglia is the Chief Clinical Officer at Airway Health Solutions. He is the Chief Clinical Officer at Toothpillow. He is the VP of GP Clinical Education at CandidPro. He is on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry. Dr. Miraglia has been recognized multiple times as a “Leader in Continuing Education” by Dentistry Today Magazine.

Kevin Boyd, MSc, DDS

Early Childhood Curriculum

Kevin Boyd, DDS, MSc, is a board-certified pediatric dentist practicing in Chicago, IL. He is also an attending instructor in the Pediatric Dentistry Residency-Training Program at Lurie Children’s Hospital where he additionally serves as a dental consultant to the Sleep Medicine service. He also serves as dental consultant to Lutheran General Hospital. He is a Visiting Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania’s Museum of Anthropology conducting research in anthropology and orthodontics.

Prior to completing his DDS degree from Loyola University’s Chicago College of Dental Surgery in 1986, he obtained an advanced degree (MSc) in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from Michigan State University. He completed his post-graduate residency training in Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Iowa due to its reputation for providing intensive clinical and didactic learning opportunities in the areas of early childhood orthodontics/dentofacial orthopedics, and also early childhood behavior guidance management and child psychological/emotional development.

Michael Gelb, DDS, MS

TMD Curriculum

Dr. Michael Gelb, DDS, MS is a world-renowned TMJ and Sleep Specialist with practices in both New York City and White Plains. He received his D.D.S. degree from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and his M.S. from SUNY at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Gelb is the co-author of GASP: Airway Health- The Hidden Path to Wellness, and the co-founder of both The Foundation for Airway Health and The American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry.

Bret Christensen, DDS, MS

Data-Driven Orthodontic Curriculum

Dr. Bret Christensen attended Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska, with a Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1993. Christensen completed his orthodontic residency at the University of Louisville, Kentucky where he not only received his Specialty Certificate in Orthodontics, but also received a Master’s Degree in Oral Biology. In 2019, he received Diplomate status with the ASBA (American Sleep and Breathing Academy).

Christensen has been treating Sleep Disorder Breathing since becoming an orthodontist in 1999. For children, being trained in bio-progressive orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, he has been able to treat breathing disorders through growth and development. It is a matter of knowing what is causing the airway obstruction. Treatment could consist of expansion of the upper and/or lower jaws.

David McCarty, MD, FAASM

Sleep Apnea Expert

Dr. Dave McCarty is a board-certified specialist in Sleep Medicine and a pioneer in the practice of patient-centered care for those who suffer from sleep disorders. An award-winning educator, he is passionate about empowering individuals with knowledge that restores confidence and personal agency, as each patient navigates the landscape of disease and wellness, within an increasingly fragmented healthcare system.

He is the co-creator of Empowered Sleep Apnea (more info at www.EmpoweredSleepApnea.com), an innovative cross-platform educational project combining storytelling, cartooning, scientific rigor, and quite a bit of fun, all in the name of helping individuals (and providers) navigate the fascinating but complex disorder known as “Sleep Apnea.”

In 2023, the project comprises a website, a book (Empowered Sleep Apnea: A Handbook for Patients and the People Who Care About Them, co-authored with Ellen Stothard, PhD), a blog (Dave’s Notes) and a podcast (Empowered Sleep Apnea: THE PODCAST).

Susan Maples, DDS, MBA

Total/Airway Health Dentistry Expert

Dr. Susan Maples climbed from being an effective, busy clinician doing tooth-based dentistry, to an accomplished and fulfilled total health and advanced restorative dentist, performing at the forefront of her profession.

Susan recognized first-hand the declining health trajectory in America, and wanted to help. She saw that patient’s mouths provided plenty of telltale signs of systemic disease, putting her preventive team in a perfect position to help patients turn things around and reclaim their health, happiness and positivity.

Brittny Sciarra Murphy, RDH, BS, MAS™, COM®

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Curriculum

Brittny Sciarra Murphy, RDH, BS, COM™, QOM, is a Certified Orofacial Myologist, and Buteyko Breathing Educator who offers Telehealth Services. Brittny received her degree from the Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene at MCPHS in 2011 and post graduate training in Myofunctional Therapy through the AOMT and IAOM in 2016-2017.

Brittny takes a passionate and optimistic approach in preventing and treating the causes of orofacial myofunctional disorders, getting to the root of the problem, instead of merely treating the symptoms. She owns her own myofunctional therapy practice called CT Orofacial Myology.

Brittny is the face behind the “I Spy with My Myo Eye” podcast.

Karese Laguerre, RDH, OMT, MAS™

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Curriculum

Karese is a dental hygiene 2013 graduate of the University of Medicine and Dentistry NJ and received completed her orofacial myofunctional training in 2017 from the IAOM.

Karese owns her own private practice, The Myo Spot in New Jersey and is an industry leader in the quest for myofunctional therapy awareness and public education.

Her latest published book, Accomplished, delves into how to sleep better, eliminate burnout, and execute goals.

Rachel Smith, RDH, BS

Financial & Digital Integration Consultant

Rachel Smith has been in the dental field for over 25 years. Working as a chairside assistant, clinical hygienist, and new patient coordinator gives her a unique outlook on the whole practice. Rachel is also highly respected educator/ speaker for Align Technologies. She has presented at: Yankee Dental Congress, AACD national meeting, Align Summit, and RDH Under One Roof. Her expertise is digital integration, insurance/billing, innovations in dental hygiene, and case acceptance

Gerald Luistro

Director of Operations

Gerald is a graduate of De La Salle University, Manila with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. He provides the necessary quality support for both Airway Health Solutions and its clients. He is responsible for the administrative and creative tasks in the team such as communications, management of social media accounts, and maintenance of the website.

Kevin Ohlendorf

President, Ohlendorf Lab Appliances Dedicated Lab Technician

Kevin Ohlendorf is the 3rd generation owner of the Ohlendorf Appliance Laboratory. The lab is located in St. Louis, MO and services doctors in all 50 states. Kevin has worked full time at the lab for 25 years. He has attended thousands of hours of CE courses on a variety of topics including, Cephalometrics, Orthodontics, Growth and Development, Minor Tooth Movement, Airway and Sleep Disorders. He has also lectured to hundreds of doctors on those topics as well. He is an expert in all areas of Appliance Therapy and Orthodontics.

Lauren Gueits, RDH, BS

CEO/Founder

Lauren Gueits, RDH BS, a dental hygienist of 25+ years and a recipient of the 2010 RDH Sunstar Award of Distinction, lectures nationally to health professionals on airway health solutions, comprehensive care and oral/systemic links. Lauren received her degree from the State University of New York at Farmingdale in 1991 and post graduate training in Myofunctional Therapy through the AOMT in 2013. Lauren is Guest Faculty at New York University, an industry key opinion leader, published author, and has appeared on WNBC, WABC and the Colgate Oral Health Network. Lauren created/produced, along with Dr. Ben Miraglia, two of the most sought after courses for Align Technology: Invisalign Clinical Learn for the RDH, and Amplify Your Invisalign Practice.

You can find Lauren as an influencer of airway health on Airway Health Solutions’ Facebook, Instagram, and “Airway Chats” and Video Blogs on You Tube.

Ben Miraglia, DDS

Chief Clinical Officer/Cofounder

Dr. Ben Miraglia graduated from the SUNY at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. He has 31 years of general practice experience in Mt. Kisco, NY, including 21 years of interceptive orthopedic/orthodontic experience where his focus has been on early childhood growth and development. Dr. Miraglia lectures nationally on sleep disordered breathing, clear aligner therapy and craniofacial development. Dr. Miraglia is the Chief Clinical Officer at Airway Health Solutions. He is the Chief Clinical Officer at Toothpillow. He is the VP of GP Clinical Education at CandidPro. He is on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry. Dr. Miraglia has been recognized multiple times as a “Leader in Continuing Education” by Dentistry Today Magazine.

Kevin Boyd, MSc, DDS

Early Childhood Curriculum

Kevin Boyd, DDS, MSc, is a board-certified pediatric dentist practicing in Chicago, IL. He is also an attending instructor in the Pediatric Dentistry Residency-Training Program at Lurie Children’s Hospital where he additionally serves as a dental consultant to the Sleep Medicine service. He also serves as dental consultant to Lutheran General Hospital. He is a Visiting Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania’s Museum of Anthropology conducting research in anthropology and orthodontics.

Prior to completing his DDS degree from Loyola University’s Chicago College of Dental Surgery in 1986, he obtained an advanced degree (MSc) in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from Michigan State University. He completed his post-graduate residency training in Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Iowa due to its reputation for providing intensive clinical and didactic learning opportunities in the areas of early childhood orthodontics/dentofacial orthopedics, and also early childhood behavior guidance management and child psychological/emotional development.

Michael Gelb, DDS, MS

TMD Curriculum

Dr. Michael Gelb, DDS, MS is a world-renowned TMJ and Sleep Specialist with practices in both New York City and White Plains. He received his D.D.S. degree from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and his M.S. from SUNY at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Gelb is the co-author of GASP: Airway Health- The Hidden Path to Wellness, and the co-founder of both The Foundation for Airway Health and The American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry.

Bret Christensen, DDS, MS

Data-Driven Orthodontic Curriculum

Dr. Bret Christensen attended Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska, with a Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1993. Christensen completed his orthodontic residency at the University of Louisville, Kentucky where he not only received his Specialty Certificate in Orthodontics, but also received a Master’s Degree in Oral Biology. In 2019, he received Diplomate status with the ASBA (American Sleep and Breathing Academy).

Christensen has been treating Sleep Disorder Breathing since becoming an orthodontist in 1999. For children, being trained in bio-progressive orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, he has been able to treat breathing disorders through growth and development. It is a matter of knowing what is causing the airway obstruction. Treatment could consist of expansion of the upper and/or lower jaws.

David McCarty, MD, FAASM

Sleep Apnea Expert

Dr. Dave McCarty is a board-certified specialist in Sleep Medicine and a pioneer in the practice of patient-centered care for those who suffer from sleep disorders. An award-winning educator, he is passionate about empowering individuals with knowledge that restores confidence and personal agency, as each patient navigates the landscape of disease and wellness, within an increasingly fragmented healthcare system.

He is the co-creator of Empowered Sleep Apnea (more info at www.EmpoweredSleepApnea.com), an innovative cross-platform educational project combining storytelling, cartooning, scientific rigor, and quite a bit of fun, all in the name of helping individuals (and providers) navigate the fascinating but complex disorder known as “Sleep Apnea.”

In 2023, the project comprises a website, a book (Empowered Sleep Apnea: A Handbook for Patients and the People Who Care About Them, co-authored with Ellen Stothard, PhD), a blog (Dave’s Notes) and a podcast (Empowered Sleep Apnea: THE PODCAST).

Susan Maples, DDS, MBA

Total/Airway Health Dentistry Expert

Dr. Susan Maples climbed from being an effective, busy clinician doing tooth-based dentistry, to an accomplished and fulfilled total health and advanced restorative dentist, performing at the forefront of her profession.

Susan recognized first-hand the declining health trajectory in America, and wanted to help. She saw that patient’s mouths provided plenty of telltale signs of systemic disease, putting her preventive team in a perfect position to help patients turn things around and reclaim their health, happiness and positivity.

Brittny Sciarra Mirphy,

RDH, BS, MAS™, COM®

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Curriculum

Brittny Sciarra, RDH, BS, COM™, QOM, is a Certified Orofacial Myologist, and Buteyko Breathing Educator who offers Telehealth Services. Brittny received her degree from the Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene at MCPHS in 2011 and post graduate training in Myofunctional Therapy through the AOMT and IAOM in 2016-2017.

Brittny takes a passionate and optimistic approach in preventing and treating the causes of orofacial myofunctional disorders, getting to the root of the problem, instead of merely treating the symptoms. She owns her own myofunctional therapy practice called CT Orofacial Myology.

Brittny is the face behind the “I Spy with My Myo Eye” podcast.

Karese Laguerre,

RDH, OMT, MAS™

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Curriculum

Karese is a dental hygiene 2013 graduate of the University of Medicine and Dentistry NJ and received completed her orofacial myofunctional training in 2017 from the IAOM.

Karese owns her own private practice, The Myo Spot in New Jersey and is an industry leader in the quest for myofunctional therapy awareness and public education.

Her latest published book, Accomplished, delves into how to sleep better, eliminate burnout, and execute goals.

Rachel Smith, RDH, BS

Financial & Digital Integration Consultant

Rachel Smith has been in the dental field for over 25 years. Working as a chairside assistant, clinical hygienist, and new patient coordinator gives her a unique outlook on the whole practice. Rachel is also highly respected educator/ speaker for Align Technologies. She has presented at: Yankee Dental Congress, AACD national meeting, Align Summit, and RDH Under One Roof. Her expertise is digital integration, insurance/billing, innovations in dental hygiene, and case acceptance

Gerald Luistro

Director of Operations

Gerald is a graduate of De La Salle University, Manila with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. He provides the necessary quality support for both Airway Health Solutions and its clients. He is responsible for the administrative and creative tasks in the team such as communications, management of social media accounts, and maintenance of the website.

Kevin Ohlendorf

President, Ohlendorf Lab Appliances Dedicated Lab Technician

Kevin Ohlendorf is the 3rd generation owner of the Ohlendorf Appliance Laboratory. The lab is located in St. Louis, MO and services doctors in all 50 states. Kevin has worked full time at the lab for 25 years. He has attended thousands of hours of CE courses on a variety of topics including, Cephalometrics, Orthodontics, Growth and Development, Minor Tooth Movement, Airway and Sleep Disorders. He has also lectured to hundreds of doctors on those topics as well. He is an expert in all areas of Appliance Therapy and Orthodontics.