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Dr. Barry Raphael, DMD
Dr. Barry Raphael, DMD
Dr. Barry Raphael has been in the private practice of orthodontics since 1983, carrying on a family tradition since 1950. Over that time, his interest in Early Treatment has led to the incorporation of techniques designed to prevent malocclusion and Airway-Centered Dysfunctions like sleep disordered breathing and oral habits that effect facial growth.
Dr. Raphael teaches these techniques on post-graduate level, nationally, internationally with The Airway Collaborative - an educational and consulting consortium whose mission is to teach patients, parents, and professionals about ACDs and treatment alternatives.
He developed the first graduate program in Myofunctional Orthodontics at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, Pediatric Dental Residency from 2011-2019, and now lectures at the Montefiore School of Medicine for the orthodontic and pediatric dental residencies and the CTOR School of Orthodontics in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Dr. Mark Cruz, DDS
Dr. Mark Cruz, DDS
Mark A Cruz graduated from the UCLA School of Dentistry in 1986 and started a dental practice in Monarch Beach, CA upon graduation. He has lectured nationally and internationally and is a member of various dental organizations. He was a part-time lecturer at UCLA and a member of the faculty group practice and was past assistant director of the UCLA Center for Esthetic Dentistry. He has served on the National Institute of Health/NIDCR (National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research) Grant review Committee in Washington D.C. as well as on the editorial board for the Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice (Elsevier) and is currently serving on the DSMB (data safety management board) for the NPBRN (national practice-based research network.
Dr. Cruz has been practicing dentistry in Orange County since 1986. He graduated from the University of California in Los Angeles with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1986. He is a happily married father who lives in Laguna Niguel.
Dr. Joanna Walska, DDS
Dr. Joanna Walska, DDS
A proud alumnus of Fordham University, Dr. Joanna commenced her journey into dentistry with a foundation rooted in excellence. After obtaining her dental degree from Columbia University, she further honed her expertise through a general practice residency at North Shore/LIJ hospital in Long Island. Driven by a passion to cater specifically to the delicate needs of children, Dr. Joanna then pursued and completed a pediatric dental residency at Temple University Hospital.
But for Dr. Joanna, education didn't stop after formal schooling. Recognizing the profound interconnection between dental health and overall wellness, she delved deep into the world of pediatric airway health. Through countless advanced courses, she acquired a wealth of knowledge on how a child's airway intricately links to sleeping patterns, breathing quality, posture, attention span, and overall health. This valuable insight has positioned Dr. Joanna as a vanguard in the world of holistic pediatric dentistry, offering solutions that encompass the complete well-being of a child.
When you entrust your child's dental care to Dr. Joanna, you're not just getting a dentist; you're getting a compassionate caregiver, an advocate for holistic health, and a dedicated professional committed to ensuring that every child enjoys the myriad benefits of optimal dental and systemic health.
Dr. Joesph Gaudio, DDS
Dr. Joesph Gaudio, DDS
Dr. Joe Gaudio is a dentist with a concentration in occlusion, chronic pain, jaw joint problems, and airway stabilization. He's been an associate with the Raphael Center since 2020, but has his own high-level private practice in Chester, New Jersey.
He teaches at the Morristown Hospital Dental Residency and at the Dawson Academy in Florida.
Janyne Vasel, RN, CST, CFT
Janyne Vasel, RN, CST, CFT
Janyne began her career in NYC with a business degree, working in publishing and advertising. Feeling unfulfilled, she returned to school while working full time and earned her Nursing degree in 1999. Since then, she’s found joy in caring for both children and adults.
Her path to holistic healing began in 2003 after the birth of her twin boys. When traditional doctors couldn’t resolve her son’s health issues, she discovered Craniosacral Therapy and Integrative Medicine. This life-changing experience inspired her to dive deeper into holistic healing.
Trained by the Upledger Institute and The Gillespie Approach, Janyne now helps others by tapping into the body’s natural healing abilities. She’s also trained in essential oils, muscle testing, nutrition, supplements, and Reiki. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Holistic Healing at Georgian Court University, she is a Certified Integrative Health Practitioner.
Janyne is a member of the American Craniosacral Therapy Association, Holistic Nurses Association, and the International Alliance of Healthcare Practitioners.
Ronit Aggasi, SLP, OMT
Ronit Aggasi, SLP, OMT
Ronit Agassi was awarded her B.A. in Psychology from Brooklyn College, Summa Cum Laude and is member of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. She received her M.Sc in Speech & Language Pathology from CUNY and, while still completing her degree, was chosen to present a paper at the NYSSLHA conference that detailed her contribution to the research on executive function, working memory, and the ability to process linguistic information in children with specific language impairment.
Ronit has been in the field of Speech-Language Pathology for over a decade, during which she has worked in Early Intervention services to remediate various speech-language and oral-motor/feeding disorders for infants and children with developmental delays, born prematurely, diagnosed with syndromes and/or other medical issues ranging from cleft palate to complex multi-system congenital diseases. Many of these issues do not “disappear” with age and often require fine tuning and remediation in adulthood. Ronit has expanded her practice to meet this need. Throughout, Ronit's goal for all her clients has always been to help them achieve their full potential in successful communication and social functioning in all areas of life.
Mellisa Mugno, OMT
Mellisa Mugno, OMT
Melissa Mugno is a dynamic dental entrepreneur and educator with a passion for airway health and women’s wellness. With 17 years of experience in dentistry—including 10 years dedicated to airway-focused care—she has served over 1,500 patients and built a reputation as a trusted clinician and thought leader.
Myofunctional Therapist working with Sarah Hornsby's Myo-mentor School
Myomunchee training provider
Dental Director & Oral Facial Myologist at Women’s Health Wellness Center
Keynote Speaker, Provider Trainer, Airway Educator, and Dental Consultant
Began her career as a Dental Hygienist
Kelly Baker-DeMiro, RDH, OMT, CLC
Kelly Baker-DeMiro, RDH, OMT, CLC
Kelly is a Clinical Support Specialist for the Myoresearch Company, the makers of Myobrace. She is also a dental hygienist, a myofunctional therapist, and a certified lactation consultant. She collaborated with the Raphael Center for several years, helping us build a showcase myofunctional orthodontic program.
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