EDUCATORS
More than teachers- mentors.
Fast-track the advancement of your clinical skills with world-class mentorship and training.
DR. JIM DOWNS
Lead Educator
A graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Medford, MA, Dr. Downs has a comprehensive approach to dentistry. Early in his career, he learned how to execute full mouth rehabilitations, and he has done thousands of treatments ever since. He has also placed implants for more than 20 years. But beyond his clinical expertise, Dr. Downs’ business acumen and management skills for the “everyday” dental practice is what sets him apart from other educators and makes him a sought-after mentor.
He teaches Full Arch Reconstruction, Everyday Occlusion, Implant EZ, and the Know Your Numbers courses. Most of his time is spent in the trenches—running LêDowns Dentistry—a 21st Century dental practice.
HERNAN VARAS, MBA
Educator
Hernan Varas is the educator for the Total Team Training course. He has been in the dental industry for more than 30 years. After completing a degree in marketing and communications, Hernan continued his studies at Westminster College and received a Master’s in Business Administration, with an emphasis in international management.
Since becoming an educator for the Dr. Dick Barnes Group, Hernan has visited and worked with hundreds of dental practices alongside Dr. Dick Barnes. Hernan specializes in strategies and techniques for increasing efficiencies and productivity in dental practices.
DR. BILL BLACK
Educator
Dr. Black received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) in Memphis, TN. Afterwards, he completed a general practice residency, followed by completion of an oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at UT-Knoxville. After 26 years of oral surgery private practice in Scottsbluff, NE, he accepted a position at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. Currently, Dr. Black is an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgical Dentistry. While in Knoxville, Dr. Black participated is some of the original research involving osseointegrating root form implants. He teaches the Cone Beam Directed Surgery course.
DR. NICKIE LÊ
Educator
Nickie K. Lê, DDS Received her degree from the University of the Pacific – Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. She is a member of the American Dental Association, Colorado Dental Association, Rocky Mountain Dental Association, American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE). She also assists in teaching some of the courses for the Dr. Dick Barnes Group.
DR. J. FLINT TOMLINSON
Educator
Dr. Flint Tomlinson has been providing dentistry at Tomlinson Family Dental in the Roosevelt, UT, area for more than 15 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in Provo, UT. He then attended the University of Louisville School of Dentistry in KY, graduating with a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree in 2007. He has received advanced training in Invisalign®, occlusal therapy, full arch reconstruction. Dr. Tomlinson is a member of the American Dental Association®, the Academy of General Dentistry, and is a Diplomat of the Whitecap Academy of Dental Implants.
DR. GEORGE TSOUGRANIS
Educator
Dr. George Tsougranis is a graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, MA. He now practices general dentistry at Amesbury Dental Associates in Amesbury, MA, where he focuses on rehabilitative and cosmetic restorative dentistry. Dr. Tsougranis has a passion for continuing his dental education as well as mentoring other dentists. He is also a current, sustaining member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, a member of the American Dental Association, and the Massachusetts Dental Society. Dr. Tsougranis is a certified Gold Invisalign® provider.
DR. VALERIE HOLLEMAN
Educator
Dr. Valerie Holleman was born and raised in Oklahoma City, OK. In 2005, Dr. Holleman obtained her Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry in Oklahoma City. Since graduation, Dr. Holleman has continued to refine her clinical skills and complete additional training in cosmetic dentistry, sedation, implants, and dental surgery.
Dr. Holleman maintains memberships with the American Dental Association, the Oklahoma Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. She has also volunteered at the dental clinic at Catholic Charities as well as at the Oklahoma Mission of Mercy (OKMOM). Building trusting relationships with patients, honing her skills in dentistry, helping patients get relief from dental pain, and creating beautiful, healthy smiles are the reasons why she loves dentistry.
DR. MATHEW HOOKOM
Educator
Dr. Mathew Hookom has been practicing advanced preventive and restorative dentistry in rural Southeast Oklahoma since 2009. Dr. Hookom received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center in 2009. Following graduation, he opened his private practice dental clinic in Atoka, Oklahoma. He is a member and participates in many professional organizations such as The American Dental Association, The Oklahoma Dental Association, Oklahoma Dental Foundation, The Academy of General Dentistry, Pierre Fauchard Academy, and The American College of Dentists. Through these professional groups, Dr. Hookom surrounds himself with the brightest minds in the dental field.