Leonard Hess, D.D.S. joined The Dawson Academy’s faculty in 2009. He owns Union County Center for Comprehensive Dentistry in Charlotte, North Carolina and practices full time in addition to teaching continuing education courses. Dr. Hess is a member of the editorial board for Inside Dentistry and has had over 17 articles published in peer-reviewed journals. He is also a member of The American Academy of Restorative Dentistry, AACD, ADA, AES, and NCDS.
“We are fortunate to have someone of Dr. Hess’s caliber and experience step up to lead as clinical director of The Dawson Academy,” said Joan Forrest, president of The Dawson Academy. “Dr. Hess is a visionary with a proven track record of execution. He is a strong communicator with deep leadership capabilities.”
Dr. Hess has been teaching continuing education courses since 2005 on topics including functional occlusion, smile design, treatment planning, preparation design, and practice integration of complete dentistry. He taught full-day continuing education courses at the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s National Meeting, The Greater New York Dental Meeting, AACD National Meeting, Pacific Dental Conference, Ontario Dental Association Meeting, and The Yankee Dental Conference. Dr. Hess has taught courses in Japan, Germany, Poland, China, and Canada.
“I am deeply honored and excited to lead as clinical director of The Dawson Academy. I believe The Dawson Academy is the premier postgraduate educational and clinical research facility dedicated to the advancement of dentistry,” Dr. Hess said.
Dr. John Cranham stepped down as clinical director after spending 13 years at The Dawson Academy. Dr. Cranham looks forward to spending more time pursuing personal goals, such as working with his daughter who recently joined his practice after graduating from dental school.
“We are in the fifth week of practicing together and it is everything I hoped for and far beyond. Simply put, it is just awesome,” Dr. Cranham said.
For over 40 years, The Dawson Academy has remained committed to its original mission – to benefit patients and advance dentistry by creating a community of learned professionals who explore possibilities and share knowledge and experiences. Founder Dr. Peter E. Dawson assembled an interdisciplinary faculty comprised of leading practitioners who offer relevant, engaging instruction to dental professionals. The Dawson Academy instructors are practicing dentists, technicians, assistants, and hygienists who have implemented the Dawson teachings into their own practices and bring real-world solutions back to the classroom.
