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.