Speakers

Karlien Asscherickx graduated as a dentist from the Catholic University of Leuven in 1998. She then followed a 2-year full-time training at the Catholic University of Leuven in the department of conservative dentistry with emphasis on aesthetic composite restorations. This was followed by a four-year training as a dental specialist in orthodontics at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, culminating in the defense of a doctoral thesis.

Karlien Asscherickx works in two private practices in Antwerp. This is combined with an academic position at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. She lectures regularly and publishes and reviews in international journals. The focus of her clinical and academic work is on combined orthodontic-surgical treatments.

Bob Elst is afgestudeerd in 1991 als tandtechnicus en sinds 1999 als zelfstandig tandtechnicus aan de slag. Hij bekwaamde en verdiepte zich mits bijscholing verder en volgde daarvoor meer dan 60 mastercursussen over gans de wereld. Hij is sinds 2017 een vaak gevraagd spreker over tandtechnische aspecten op verschillende symposia. Hij is ook trainer voor GC®, sinds 2023 KOL voor Bego® Sinds 23 kol en sinds 2024 ook voor Ivoclar® en PROSCAN®.

Dr. Sien Van Roy is sinds Augustus 2019 staflid MKA en Hoofdhals chirurgie in ZAS middelheim Antwerpen. Zij heeft haar opleiding Geneeskunde en Tandheelkunde afgerond aan de KUL in juni 2013 om vervolgens met haar specialisatie te starten in UZ Jette, OLVZ Aalst, Swansea Wales, Glasgow Schotland en Zmack Antwerpen. Hierna deed ze nog 1 jaar Hoofd-Hals fellowship in Queen Elisabeth University Hospital Glasgow gevolgd door nog 8 maanden staflid op dezelfde dienst om zo vervolgens te starten in Antwerpen. Sinds eind mei 2024 is ze samen met haar collega’s, Dr Olivier Lenssen en Dr Marieke Brands, het nieuwe diensthoofd MKA te UZ Jette en is het de bedoeling om de dienst samen met oude en nieuwe collega’s nieuw leven in te blazen.

Wendy Meulebroeck (16-06-1975) is a professor and post-doctoral researcher at the Faculty of Engineering of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). She is one of the responsible members of the research unit ‘optical spectroscopy’ at B-PHOT Brussels Photonics chaired by Prof. Hugo Thienpont. She coordinates and works on multiple photonics-related projects in three main research fields: (1) biophotonics for improved health care and the replacement of animal models, (2) food safety and (3) archaeometry. She graduated as an Electrotechnical Engineer with majors in Photonics in 1998 and received her PhD in Applied Sciences from VUB in January 2004.

Graduated as a dentist at VUB in 1980

Since 1991 dedicated to laser use both Biomodulation and surgical lasers.

Master in Laser Dentistry, University of Vienna 2002-2004 (Austria),

Master in Laser Dentistry-Academy for Laser Dentistry (ALD) 2003-2008 (US),

M.Sc. Laser dentistry, Univ Genoa 2012-2014 (Italy),

Linked to periodontology service as researcher and laser application specialist, periodontology service, KULeuven 2013-2018,

PhDs KULeuven 2014- 2020 in biomedical sciences and periodontology service.

Although officially retired, since 2021, still active in private practice (1981-present),

Joined UTC -VUB since academic year 2024-2025.

1980 – 1986: Dentist Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium), Faculty of Medecine, Department of Dentistry. Great Distinction.

1987 – 1996: Research Associate Free University of Brussels, Faculty of Medecine, Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Infectious Diseases. Certificate in Oral Pathology

1993: Certificate in Orthomolecular Sciences . Flemish Institute for Orthomolecular Sciences

1998: Certificate in Forensic Odontology. Karolinska Institute, Stockholm (Sweden).

2003: Certificate in Multifunctional Forensic Investigation, Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium).

2003 – 2004: Part – time Research Fellow University of Freiburg ( Germany), Department of Human Genetics and Physical Anthropology.

Since 1989: Private Dental Practice in Haaltert (Belgium).

Since 1999: Private Center for Forensic Odontology, Haaltert (Belgium).

2004 - 2010: university of Düsseldorf, institute for Laser Medecine; Research Center CAESAR Bonn. Research on 3D imaging

2011: PhD thesis: ‘Holographic topometry with high resolution for forensic facial reconstruction.’ PhD title obtained ‘magna cum laude’.

2017 - 2020: Organizing 3D dental workflow and Metrics In Balance, Lightfalls Clinic, Melle Belgium

Since 2018: Visiting Professor at University of Applied Sciences, Koblenz-Remagen; teaching ‘ Optical Methods in Forensics and Life Science ‘ ( 30 Semester Hours ) .

1987
Swiss diploma from the Dental School of the University of Zurich. Education in LLLT from his father Zlatko in his Pain clinic in Piazza Grande, Locarno, Switzerland, and his mother Zlata in her dental office, focusing LLLT in periodontology, oral surgery, wound healing, mucosal lesions and pain control.

1990
assistant at the Department of Restorative dentistry of the University of Zurich , with the promotion to the title of Doctor in Dentistry in 1991 on a first study about the effects of the CO2-Laser on dental hard tissues and restorative materials, and the presentation of his work at the 2nd World convention on Laser Dentistry in Paris;

1991-1993
Assistant in the outpatient department for Oral surgery of the University of Zurich, responsible for LLLT/PBM in orofacial pain treatment, wound healing, and the care of patients undergoing radiotherapy of head and neck;

1997
Opening of the first Laser Dental Clinic in Zurich, focused on education and practice of the entire laser assisted dentistry, also as official Swiss Training Center of LA&HA (Laser and Health Academy);

2010
Mastership in Laser Dentistry at the University of Vienna, conducted by Prof. Andreas Moritz;

2015 - 2018
General Dentist and Director of the Dentistry department and workshops at the Dr. Taher Medical Clinic & Life Care H.C., in cooperation with Sharjah University and Gulf Medical University Ajman UAE;

2023
Co-founder and CEO of TicinoLaser SA Center and Clinics, focused on Education and Therapy of Laser in Medicine and Dentistry, Photobiomodulation PBM, (Photo) Acupuncture and HITS Treatments, with the main office in Piazza Grande, Locarno, the Italian part of Switzerland;

Former President of SGOLA (Schweizerische Fachgesellschaft für Orale Laser Applikationen);

Member of SSO (Swiss Dental Society), of ALD (Academy of Laser Dentistry) and SOLA (International Society of Laser Application);

International expert lecturer of the Laser and Health Academy LAHA, Ljubljana, at the University of Rome (Master Instructor at Università Cattolica) and the University of Vienna (Master Instructor);

Member of the Editorial Board of the Laser & Health Academy LA&HA and LA&HA Master Instructor. Conductor of national & international hands on and/or in office workshops or advanced trainings about laser assisted dentistry, lecturer @ national and international conventions and author in international publications in laser-books & dental journals

James Carroll is an internationally recognized expert in Pho-tobiomodulation (PBM), specializing in beam measurement, PBM dosing, dose-rate effects, and mechanisms of action. He has collaborated with over 50 research institutions worldwide, including Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH), the Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Stanford Medicine, Penn Dental Medicine, NYU Langone Health, City of Hope, Cedars-Sinai, the Uni-formed Services University, and the UK National Health Service (NHS).

He has co-authored 36 peer-reviewed papers, including eight in collaboration with Harvard-affiliated hospitals and schools, and contributed to five academic books on PBM. His work has helped advance PBM into clinical practice, including its incorporation into the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, where it is recommended for the prevention and treatment of oral mu-cositis within the National Health Service (NHS).

Mr. Carroll has provided expert guidance to policymakers, delivering presentations at the United Nations Global Health Impact Forum, the U.S. Congress on PBM’s role in address-ing the opioid crisis, and advising policy teams at the White House.

He is the Founder, CEO and Chief Science Officer of THOR Photomedicine and a co-founder of Lumithera.

B. Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honors

2021
T.H. Maiman Award for excellence in medical laser research

2020
World Association for Photobiomodulation Therapy, Presidential Commendation for service and leadership in the field of Photobiomodulation

2013 - To-date
Co-Founder Lumither Inc

1992 - To-date
Founder CEO THOR Photomedicine Ltd

1988 - 1992
Omega Universal Technologies, Photobiomod-ulation equipment sales.

1987 - 1988
Finance for Business, technology grant consul-tancy

1986 - 1987
Pitney Bowes Franking and automated mailing system sales

1984 - 1986
Advanced Power Supplies Works manager

1978 - 1984
Audix Ltd UK various starting in manufacture then test, then production control

OTHER POSITIONS HELD

Biomedical Optics Society - conference chair (2009 - to-date);
Fellow of The Royal Society of Medicine (2009 - to-date);
Editorial Board of Photomedicine and Laser Surgery (2008 to-2013);
World Association for Photobiomodulation Therapy (WALT) board member (2000 - 2004 and 2018 to-date);
North Amer-ican Association for Photobiomodulation board member (2002 - 2006).

Expert reviewer on LLLT/ PBM dose and parameters:
Photobiomodulation Photomedicine & Laser Surgery;
Lasers in Surgery and Medicine;
Lasers in Medical Science;
Photomedicine and Photochemistry;
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology;
Annals of Biomedical Engineering;
Public Library of Science (PLoS ONE)

Johan Aps graduated as a Licentiate in Dentistry from UGent in 1993, then obtained a certificate in Pediatric Dentistry, Special Dentistry and Narcodontics (UGent) in 1997, the Doctorate in Dentistry (UGent) in 2002 and a Master in Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology (University of London) in 2008. He served successively at Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital (10/1993-6/2012), University of Washington (7/2012-1/2018), University of Western Australia (2/2018-12/2020), and Arteveldehogeschool Ghent (12/2020 - 4/2022). Since April 15, 2022, he has been working in the Department of Strategy and Policy Planning at VUB. He is also an unpaid scientific collaborator at the UZ Brussel and the University Medical Center Groningen. He is the author of several peer-reviewed articles, abstracts, book chapters and books, and sits on various editorial boards of several scientific journals and is an often requested speaker at scientific symposia at home and abroad.

Karlien Asscherickx graduated as a dentist from the Catholic University of Leuven in 1998. She then followed a 2-year full-time training at the Catholic University of Leuven in the department of conservative dentistry with emphasis on aesthetic composite restorations. This was followed by a four-year training as a dental specialist in orthodontics at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, culminating in the defense of a doctoral thesis.

Karlien Asscherickx works in two private practices in Antwerp. This is combined with an academic position at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. She lectures regularly and publishes and reviews in international journals. The focus of her clinical and academic work is on combined orthodontic-surgical treatments.

Tandarts BDS (2007) Egypte

MSc Restoratieve tandheelkunde (2014)

PhD materiaalkunde KU Leuven (2020)

Meer dan 25 peer review artikels en meer dan 20 conferentie presentaties.

Tandarts Privé praktijk: 2020-nu

Hij studeerde af als tandarts aan de KU Leuven in 1993 en bouwde in 2008 zijn praktijk uit tot een moderne multidisciplinaire groepspraktijk. Digitalisatie is een groot interessepunt en hij verdiept zich verder in de digitale tandheelkunde door zelfstudie en bijwonen van vooral buitenlandse congressen en cursussen.

Hij geeft regelmatig lezingen over digitale tandheelkunde en 3D printing zowel in binnen- als buitenland.

Sinds 2016 bestuurslid bij de Vlaamse Beroepsvereniging Tandartsen
Sinds 2017 KOL voor 3Shape
Sinds 2018: active member van Digital Dentistry Society

Expertise in Sleep, Dental Sleep Medicine, Snoring, Orofacial Dysfunctions and Pain sleep and wake related, Dystonia, Sportmedicine; Andragoloy and Healthcare  

VUB, Gastprof Faculteit Pyschology and Education Sciences, Department Education Science, Androgology (Agogiek) 

VUB, Gastprof Faculteit Geneeskunde & Farmacie, Department Oral Health

AZ Jan Palfijn Gent: Director Unit Orofacial Dysfynctions & Pain  related to Wake and Sleep (https://www.janpalfijn.be/vind-een-arts/dr-dent-de-meyer-miche) 

Medical Center Assenede ( https://www.mca.vlaanderen/specialisten/prof-dr-dent-miche-de-meyer) 

Director Scientific Committee, EADSM (European Dental Sleep Medicine)(https://eadsm.eu/) 

Johan Aps graduated as a Licentiate in Dentistry from UGent in 1993, then obtained a certificate in Pediatric Dentistry, Special Dentistry and Narcodontics (UGent) in 1997, the Doctorate in Dentistry (UGent) in 2002 and a Master in Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology (University of London) in 2008. He served successively at Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital (10/1993-6/2012), University of Washington (7/2012-1/2018), University of Western Australia (2/2018-12/2020), and Arteveldehogeschool Ghent (12/2020 - 4/2022). Since April 15, 2022, he has been working in the Department of Strategy and Policy Planning at VUB. He is also an unpaid scientific collaborator at the UZ Brussel and the University Medical Center Groningen. He is the author of several peer-reviewed articles, abstracts, book chapters and books, and sits on various editorial boards of several scientific journals and is an often requested speaker at scientific symposia at home and abroad.

Opleiding

Algemeen Tandarts (VUB 2005)

Esthetische Tandheelkunde aan de VUB bij LTH en Docent D. Staes. (2005-2009)

Endodontie opleiding aan de VUB bij LTH G. Slaus. (2008-2009 )

Interuniversitaire werkgroep Endodontie UCL-ULB-ULg-VUB. (2009 -2015)

Professioneel

Stages tandheelkunde in Tandheelkundig Instituut VUB (2004 -2005).

Algemeen Tandarts in het tandartsenpraktijk Vandendael te Everberg.

Dienst Esthetische tandheelkunde van het TI-VUB van december 2005 tot augustus 2009.

Resident van de Dienst Endodontie van het TI-VUB van juni 2009 tot heden.

Tijdelijk assistent groep endodontie St Pierre ULB (2011-2012)

Coördinator werkgroep  endodontie VUB (sinds oktober 2011) 

Research posters  on European Society Endodontology Congres (2009- 2022).

Lid van the Belgian Association of Endodontology and Traumatology

Lid van Flemish Society for Endodontology.

Erevoorzitter van BDBT

Robby Verschueren received his master's degree in dentistry from the VUB in 2007. The following year, he obtained the postgraduate degree "General dentist" at Ugent. After several years working in a group practice, he decided to start his own practice in 2011.

Robby's area of interest is dentistry in the broad sense of the word. He therefore committed himself to numerous projects of the VVT (Association of Flemish Dentists). Today, he is active for VVT as secretary of the Dendermonde Dental Circle.

Between 2019 and 2021, Robby attended several trainings to become a yoga teacher and mindfulness trainer (MBSR / MBCT). Given the high demand from the profession for stress reduction, Robby has been teaching courses on mindful working in the dental practice since 2021; both short introductions of 1h00 and full 8-week trainings.

More info at www.uwglimlach.be