WSS Instructors

Meet Our Faculty of Western Surgical & Sedation

WSS Director, DDS

Dr. Heath Hendrickson

Dr. Heath Hendrickson was born in Richfield, Utah and is a current resident of Midway, Utah.
He graduated from Creighton University Dental School in May of 2002.

Dr. Hendrickson has been in private practice since 2002. His first practice, Synergy Dental, focused on full mouth rehabilitative dentistry. He trained extensively in occlusion, full mouth rehabilitation, and biomimetic dentistry.

In 2007, Dr. Hendrickson transitioned to the full-time removal of third molars. He purchased an existing practice, Wisdom Teeth Only, from retiring oral surgeon Dr. Oscar Daniel Bluth.
Since that time, Dr. Hendrickson has removed over 250,000 third molars and attended the sedation of over 60,000 patients.

In 2018, Dr. Hendrickson purchased and renovated Western Surgical and Sedation. It has been Dr. Hendrickson’s goal to move Western Surgical and Sedation forward by focusing intently on safe, predictable third molar removal training as well as IV Moderate Sedation training for general dentists.

He enjoys reading, skiing, traveling and passing the time with his family.

DDS

Dr. Matthew Diercks

Dr. Diercks received his D.D.S. in 1998 from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco. Dr. Diercks completed several WSS courses where he demonstrated outstanding surgical skills. Third molar removal with IV sedation is an integral part of his daily practice. He joined the WSS faculty in 2016.

When not at work, Dr. Diercks enjoys just about anything outdoors. He is a motorcycle enthusiast and tries to spend as much time as possible on the bike when the weather is nice. He is married with a new baby boy and lives in San Jose.

Dr. Daniel Whittaker

Dr. Daniel Whittaker is a native of the Leelanau Peninsula in Northern Michigan. He graduated from the University of Kentucky, College of Dentistry in 2007 and established his first dental office in a small rural town in Ohio. Since then he has added 5 more offices.

Dr. Whittaker attended his first exodontia course with Western Surgical and Sedation in 2012. He now has one day a week in his office reserved for third molar removal with IV sedation. He routinely removes 4 third molars in 20 minutes or less. Dr. Whittaker is a Master in the College of Sedation, American Dental Society of Anesthesia.

The overall theme of his practice and life is integrity. His warm and caring personality and ability to communicate clearly make Dr. Whittaker a popular WSS faculty member.

RN, EMT-P

Timothy Fagin

Tim received his RN degree at DeAnza College in Cupertino, CA. He is currently the Lead Instructor at HeartShare Training in San Jose, CA where he teaches American Heart Association ACLS, BLS, PALS and EKG interpretation.

Prior to his role at HeartShare Training, Tim worked for Riggs Ambulance Service as a paramedic for several years. There is no substitute for real-world experience saving lives. Tim Fagin brings real-world experience to Western Surgical and Sedation. His responsibilities at WSS include hands-on emergency scenarios, airway management, ACLS skills training, and EKG recognition.

Dr. Rajan Sheth

Dr. Sheth is a leader in restorative, surgical, and implant dentistry. Dr Sheth obtained his IV sedation credentials from The Ohio State University General Practice Residency in 2010. His practice focuses on comprehensive restorative dentistry, IV sedation, extractions, dental implants, dentures, bone reconstruction, and immediate teeth in a day dental service. Dr Sheth has routinely removed complete bony wisdom teeth since 2011. He maintains his Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and continually trains with other dental surgeons both nationally and internationally.

DDS

Carlos Huergo

Dr. Carlos J Huergo is a Cuban graduated dentist who trained in Oral Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Havana. After moving to the United States, he continued his education being accepted to the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, obtaining his DMD degree.

Although Dr. Huergo has strong clinical and diagnosis skills in providing patients a fully detailed comprehensive treatment, he focuses mainly in helping patients during emergencies. He specializes in dental surgery procedures, from the treatment of infected teeth to Dentoalveolar Trauma, including Impacted Wisdom Teeth, Bone Graft Regeneration, Sinus Lift, Biopsies, Plasma rich in Growth Factor therapy and Dental Implant placements.

He is a dedicated and passionate professional with a great personality. He completed an Advanced IV Moderate Sedation Training at Western Surgical & Sedation, to safely administer IV Sedations, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), and orally-administered sedatives to create a safe/comfortable environment in treating the apprehensive and anxious patients.

As a member of the AGD and ADA he stays updated with new topics and techniques to help treat and educate his patients.

Born and raised in Cuba, he is in love with Philly's restaurants and spring and summer seasons. He is fluent in English and Spanish. He is also a big fan of baseball and soccer, especially a Real Madrid supporter.

DDS

Dr. Jeff Roberson

Dr Jeff Roberson attended the University of Utah for his undergraduate studies graduating with a degree in Spanish and Chemistry. He then completed his dental education at the VCU School of Dentistry. Upon his graduation, Dr Roberson returned home to Utah where he maintains a private dental practice. Dr Roberson is an alumni of the Western Surgical and Sedation 3rd Molar Impaction course as well as the IV Moderate Conscious Sedation course. Dr Roberson has extensive experience and knowledge in 3rd molar removal as well as IV Moderate Conscious Sedation. He and his wife have 3 children and his happy place is when he’s cheering on his Utah Utes.

PhD, NP

Dr. Linda Centore

Dr. Linda Centore is Clinical Professor Emerita at the University of California School of Dentistry, San Francisco. As faculty and an interprofessional colleague, she teaches behavioral sciences and patient management to predoctoral dental students at both UCSF and California Northstate School of Dental Medicine in Sacramento. As a psychologist and nurse practitioner, Dr. Centore brings years of clinical experience to her teaching. In her psychotherapy practice she treats individuals with new or worsening health issues including orofacial, regional, wide and spread pain, migraines, tinnitus, hyperacusis, and dizziness. Today Dr. Centore will be speaking to us on the topic of pain and anxiety.