About Western Surgical & Sedation

What We Believe

At Western Surgical & Sedation, we believe general dentists deserve more than theory. You deserve hands-on surgical training that gives you real confidence, not just CE credit. We don’t think you should have to refer out cases you’re fully capable of doing with the right reps, guidance, and systems in place. This is where that shift happens.

Our programs are designed specifically for general dentists who want to expand their clinical scope, keep more procedures in-house, and offer the kind of care patients trust and pay for.

Meet Dr. Heath Hendrickson

Dr. Heath Hendrickson is the founder and lead instructor at Western Surgical & Sedation.

He’s a practicing GP with a deep background in surgical procedures and IV sedation. He’s trained thousands of dentists across the country.

More importantly, he remembers what it felt like to want to grow clinically, but feel stuck. That’s why his approach is simple, supportive, and grounded in repetition.

His focus?

Clarity over complexity. Reps over slides. Empowering GPs to confidently do more, without becoming someone they’re not.

“I don’t just want you to get certified. I want you to leave saying, ‘I can actually do this now.’” — Dr. Heath

Want to hear what other GPs have said about training with Dr. Heath?

Our Faculty & Support Team

Our instructors are experienced GPs and specialists who actively practice what they teach.

We keep ratios low, and the guidance personal. Whether you're working through a sedation protocol or taking out a third molar, someone is right there with you.

This isn’t a hotel seminar with 50 people in a room. This is high-touch, in-clinic training with real patients, real coaching, and real outcomes.

Dr. Stuart Shellenberger

CRNA

Stuart Shellenberger, CRNA attended Eastern Arizona College where he became a Registered Nurse in 2001. He then graduated Grand Canyon University, receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing in 2008. He did cardio-thoracic ICU for 10 years prior to his residency program at Hamot School of Anesthesia and has been in practice since 2012. He was the Chief of Anesthesia at Whiteriver Indian Hospital from 2017-2023. He and his wife Brittany and their children live in Layton. He is an avid outdoorsman and loves anything mechanical.

Timothy Fagin

RN, EMT-P

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. Linda Centore

PhD, NP

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.

Dr. Matthew Diercks

DDS

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. Rajan Sheth

PhD, NP

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.

Dr. Jeff Roberson

DDS

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.

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.

Carlos Huergo

DDS

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.

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.

Dr. Dane Nelson

Dr. Dane Nelson was born in Spokane, Washington and moved to Utah as a child. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Utah (Go Utes!), then earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Roseman University of Health Sciences.

Since graduating from dental school, Dr. Dane has been a proud part of our practice, serving patients throughout Murray and the surrounding Utah communities. His clinical scope is broad, offering basic and cosmetic restorative services, endodontics, prosthodontics (including dentures), and SureSmile orthodontic aligners. He especially excels in oral surgery, including wisdom teeth removal, implant dentistry, and advanced surgical care, as well as facial esthetics with Botox and fillers.

Dr. Dane completed a comprehensive 9-month Maxi-Implant course focused on full-scope implant services and has placed thousands of implants over the past several years. He successfully passed the Associate Fellow exam for the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), demonstrating his commitment to clinical excellence and continued growth.

For the past two years, Dr. Dane has served as an instructor with Western Surgical & Sedation, where he shares his expertise and surgical experience with general dentists from across the country.

Patients often say that Dr. Dane makes them forget they’re even at the dentist, thanks to his upbeat personality and great sense of humor. When he’s not in the clinic, you’ll find him golfing, playing sports, or traveling with his wife and their four amazing kids.

If You're Ready

We know you don’t take these decisions lightly. That’s why we don’t either. We’ll meet you where you are, whether you’re exploring sedation for the first time or looking to finally feel confident with surgical extractions.

This isn’t a course that teaches you what to do someday. It’s one that gets you doing it next week.

Still Exploring?

Explore complimentary resources, tools, and clinical insights.

Want To See If It Fits?

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Ready To Enroll?

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Our Commitment to Safety

Patient safety is at the core of everything we teach. We follow rigorous training protocols in line with national guidelines, and all sedation courses are taught with comprehensive emergency preparedness, monitoring standards, and case selection strategies.

Western Surgical & Sedation is a nationally approved PACE Program Provider for FAGD/MAGD credit. Approval does not imply acceptance by any regulatory authority or AGD endorsement. Provider ID#342389.

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