The Vivos Institute®

Dr. Kathleen S. Carson has distinguished herself as a leading figure in airway-focused dentistry, drawing inspiration from her personal experiences. In 2005, when she discovered her oldest child's airway issue, she recognized the importance of proper facial development. This realization led her to specialize in the field and eventually become the founder of Integrative Dental Arts, with a comprehensive overall health approach to dentistry, combining excellent aesthetics with optimal function.

A proud graduate with honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara, Dr. Carson further honed her skills at the UCLA School of Dentistry. Earning accolades such as the Excellence in Restorative Dentistry Award and the Academy of General Dentistry Award, she graduated cum laude with DDS honors in 2001 and completed her residency at the Veterans Administration in Sepulveda.

Her career spans over 20 years, marked by an emphasis on comprehensive care, excellent aesthetics, and integrative modalities that enhance overall patient health. Dr. Carson's fellowships in Neuromuscular & Physiological Dentistry, and Buteyko Breathing, and her passion for combining conventional and alternative wisdom with modern technology result in her customized approach to treatment.

Outside her professional life, Dr. Carson is a devoted mother of four, enjoying hobbies like reading, biking, hiking, and spending time outdoors. Her commitment to transforming lives through her practice, Integrative Dental Arts, and her dedication to improved health through proper breathing, make her an influential advocate within the Healthy Breathing Initiative and the broader dental community.

Dr. Lourdes DelRosso is a Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where she also serves as the Program Director for the Sleep Medicine Fellowship. She is a board-certified sleep medicine specialist dedicated to research and education in sleep disorders, with a particular focus on sleep-related movement disorders and pediatric sleep medicine.

She holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Ph.D. in Health Sciences from the University of Portsmouth, an M.S. in Clinical Neuropsychology from the International University of Valencia, and an M.S. in Medical Education from the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. DelRosso has held academic positions at prestigious institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Washington. She is currently the Secretary of the World Sleep Society and Director of the World Sleep Academy, promoting global sleep medicine education. She has received multiple international awards for her contributions to sleep medicine research and education, including the Mary A. Carskadon Outstanding Educator Award.

She has published extensively in high-impact journals on sleep disorders in children and adults, and her work has been instrumental in characterizing Restless Sleep Disorder (RSD). Additionally, she serves as a member of the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board of the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation.

Dr. DelRosso is committed to global health equity, leading educational initiatives in underserved regions and advocating for diversity and inclusion in international sleep medicine organizations.

Dr. Rebekah Ehde is known for her calming presence and commitment to patient-centered care. With a passion for building trust and ensuring positive dental experiences, she goes beyond routine treatments to educate and empower her patients in their oral health journey.

A graduate of the prestigious University of Southern California, Dr. Ehde earned both her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Dental Surgery degrees. Since 2005, she has been an active member of professional organizations such as the American Dental Education Association and the Los Angeles Dental Society. She continuously expands her expertise by attending dental lectures, meetings, and advanced training courses to stay at the forefront of modern dentistry.

Dr. Ehde’s integrated approach emphasizes the connection between oral and overall health. She prioritizes preventive care, patient education, and comprehensive screenings—including oral cancer assessments and gum health evaluations—to support lifelong wellness.

After spending a decade in Los Angeles, Dr. Ehde is thrilled to return to her hometown of Camarillo, where she and her husband are raising their youngest child of four. Dedicated to giving back, she volunteers her dental services at free clinics, extending her expertise to underserved communities.

Outside of dentistry, Dr. Ehde enjoys hiking, scuba diving, and camping with her family, embracing the beauty of the outdoors while nurturing her adventurous spirit.

Dr. Anne Marie Morse has nearly a decade of experience treating adults and children for neurological and sleep disorders. In addition to being a clinician, she is also a researcher, educator and administrator. Dr. Morse is fully invested in sleep health advocacy and increasing awareness about the importance of healthy sleep and the impact of sleep-wake disorders. Well-known for her expertise in sleep and her TikTok channel, Dr. Morse serves as a key opinion leader for pediatric narcolepsy and hypersomnia disorders. She frequently speaks at local, regional and national conferences, and enjoys opportunities to provide content for the media, schools and community-based events.

Dr. Morse has served as the director of the pediatric sleep medicine and child neurology programs at Geisinger Medical Center since 2019. In addition to her duties as director of these programs, she also serves on program evaluation committees for Geisinger’s adult neurology residency and pediatric residency programs. She earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, and completed her post-doctoral training in pediatrics and child neurology at the State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center. She then completed a fellowship in sleep medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Montefiore Medical Center.

Licensed to practice medicine in three states – Pennsylvania, New Mexico and New Jersey – Dr. Morse is board-certified with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Neurology with Special Qualifications in Pediatric Neurology and in Sleep Medicine. She is also eligible for certification in Pediatrics.

Dr. Morse is an engaging and dynamic speaker who will keep you wide awake with her energy!

Dr. Nammy Patel was born in Dharotha, India and immigrated to the United States when she was just five years old. A graduate of the University of California’s School of Dentistry, Dr. Patel is a champion for the movement to bring environmental sanity and well-being into the dental world. She specializes in holistic, functional dentistry and prides herself on having the most high-tech dental practice with relaxing, luxurious, spa-like amenities.

Dr. Patel is a highly regarded speaker, published author and leader in holistic dentistry. Her book, Age with Style, explores the importance of oral health in-depth from a holistic and functional medicine perspective. This book shows just how important oral health is to overall health and vice versa.

Dr. Patel believes whole-heartedly in providing her patients with more than just world-class dental care. She also helps patients recognize the vital connection between dental health and whole-body health. Dr. Patel has trained extensively in sleep and airway and is passionate about improving her patients’ lives by helping them to breathe and sleep better!

Not only is Dr. Patel committed to her patients’ total health and well-being, but she is also an avid advocate for the environment. She supports various community, national, and international organizations because she understands that investing in worthy causes can help improve the world for everyone.

For nearly three decades, Michelle Zellner has been a dedicated guide, coach, author, and keynote speaker, helping thousands of people transform their lives through a holistic approach to well-being. With extensive experience in physical, mental, and emotional wellness, she empowers individuals and organizations to take charge of their health and happiness.

As the founder of Better Beings, Michelle offers a range of resources—from self-paced online courses to corporate wellness workshops and dynamic keynote presentations. Whether working with individuals or teams, her mission remains the same: to educate, inspire, and provide actionable strategies for lasting change.

A former competitive gymnast, Michelle’s passion for movement and performance led her to earn a Master of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Colorado. She began her career in personal training, quickly realizing that wellness extends beyond exercise to include mindset, nutrition, and emotional resilience. This understanding shaped the core philosophy of Better Beings: Better Minds. Better Bodies. Better Beings.

In addition to her hands-on coaching and speaking, Michelle is the author of YOU Revolution: The Journey of a Better Being and PFF is Your BFF Handbook: A Simple Guide to Fueling Your Busy Body, offering practical guidance for sustainable lifestyle changes. She also shares expert insights and inspiring conversations through The Be a Better Being Podcast, launched in 2022.

Whether through one-on-one coaching, workplace wellness programs, or large-scale events, Michelle’s goal is to help people navigate their unique journey toward a more satisfying, healthier life—one choice at a time.

Dr. Helen Messier has dedicated most of her career to harnessing data to bridge the translational gap in medicine. She has cultivated a unique expertise in seamlessly integrating multi-omic data and digital health technologies into real-world clinical care, to enable patients to realize the beneficial potential of biomedical technologies.

Dr. Messier holds a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Genetics and a Ph.D. in Molecular Immunology from the University of Alberta. Following her doctoral studies, she completed post-doctoral studies at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology in San Diego, CA, and received her MD from the University of Calgary. She is certified in family medicine.

Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Messier has left an indelible mark as a notable innovator and healthcare entrepreneur. Alongside her roles on various medical and scientific advisory boards, she founded a national network of concierge medical practices in Canada, served as the Medical Director of Genomics at Human Longevity Inc, and played a pivotal role as the inaugural Chief Medical Officer of Viome.

In her current role as the Chief Medical and Science Officer at Fountain Life, Dr. Messier is delighted to bring her extensive experience and profound knowledge to further advance her mission in expanding proactive and preventative medicine. In addition to leading the company’s clinical and scientific programs, Dr Messier is establishing Fountain Life University, to train Fountain Life certified practitioners and lead the effort to gain insights and publish findings from Fountain Life’s vast amount of data.

Dr. Sandhya Krishan, an expert in airway dentistry in Dallas, TX , specializes in transforming patient care by integrating a wide range of innovative approaches. From epigenetics to aligner expansion, she combines techniques to create personalized solutions that help patients breathe better and sleep better. With a deep understanding of how to tailor treatments to each individual's needs on a personal level, Dr. Krishan ensures that each patient child or grown-up receives the optimal care for their unique situation.

A clinical dental hygienist, author and international speaker, Katrina Sanders is a vibrant, passionate and charismatic award-winning educator with a unique approach to delivering continuing dental education. 

As a dental professional with a drive and passion for the advancement of preventive care within the community, Katrina believes it is the responsibility of dental education to produce competent, skilled, and empathetic providers who possess the skills required to meet the growing demands of the dental industry. 

A keynote speaker for Smiles At Sea and a distinguished speaker with many dental hygiene study clubs, Katrina’s lectures incorporate a caring, comedic and supportive style. 

Katrina is the founder and keynote speaker for Sanders Board Preparatory, a comprehensive program designed to supplement student learning and enhance understanding of concepts, terminology and procedures commonly discussed in preparation for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination. Katrina is the Clinical Liaison, Hygiene Excellence and Innovation for AZPerio, the country's largest periodontal practice. She works alongside Diplomates to the American Board of Periodontology to instruct on collaborative professionalism and standard of care protocols while delivering education through hygiene boot camps and study clubs. Katrina is also a member of Dental Speaker Institute and Dental Speakers Bureau.

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. 

Spearheading Total Health Dentistry (or Integrative Dental Medicine) has become her passion.  In 2015, Susan co-authored the book, BlabberMouth!  77 Secrets Only Your Mouth Can Tell You To Live a Healthier, Happier, Sexier Life, where readers learn how the mouth reveals early signs of disease in the body.  

As a recognized expert in mouth-body connections, Susan  has become a sought-after speaker for her ability to inspire just about anyone—medical and dental professionals, business executives, and team members—but Susan’s real passion is to help children.  She believes they are our future and need to be put in the driver’s seat for a preferred future of better wellness. To reach them, Susan knew that she needed to help their parents better understand how to roll up their sleeves and become brave parents.  And thus, the concept of a book for parents was created.  

Joy Lantz, RDH, PHDH, COM, IBCLC has over 30 years of experience in the dental field with a background in dental hygiene. She earned her degree in dental hygiene in 1998. Joy began practicing orofacial myology in 2016 and received her certification in orofacial myology (COM) from the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM) in 2017. She is currently serving as the President of the IAOM. She also earned her title, Certified Breastfeeding Specialist in 2021 and got her International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) credential in 2022. Joy is the owner of Joy Lantz: Transforming Oral Health, specializing in educating patients, parents and colleagues about myofunctional and airway concepts. She is a professional international speaker presenting courses on anticipatory guidance, collaboration for patient care and myofunctional therapy. Joy is also a consultant for dental offices that want to incorporate airway components into their practices, including frenectomy, myofunctional therapy and milestone oral visits. She created the BLOOM milestone program for children aged birth to three for anticipatory guidance for parents and to track oral development in early years. Her passion is to assist dental and medical professionals to work together in screening and treating for oral myofunctional disorders and overall health.