The Pankey Institute

Our small student-to-faculty ratio assures you receive the same close, individualized attention you give your patients.

A team of doctors, working together with our Visiting Faculty and guest presenters, oversees the ongoing and continuous improvement of our Essentials curriculum. Together, they ensure you will develop skills to help your patients achieve optimal oral health, function, comfort, and aesthetics, while exploring all aspects of practice - technical, behavioral philosophical, and financial.

Dr. Dale Sorenson, Director of Essentials Education and Essentials 3 Coordinator

Dr. Dale Sorenson attended Wabash College for his undergraduate education where he earned All-American honors in swimming. He received his D.D.S. degree from the Indiana University School of Dentistry. He is a member of the Northeast Regional Board of Dental Examiners and served nine years on the Indiana State Board of Dentistry. He is an active member of the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics, American Equilibration Society, Fellow in the American College of Dentists, Fellow in the Pierre Fauchard Academy, ADA, IDA, and First District Dental Society. He is a recognized speaker and educator and has lectured throughout the United States and Canada.

In addition to this role, Dr. Sorenson has a strong history with The Pankey Institute. He was named Chairman of the Institute's Provost Committee in 2005. He also served as the L.D. Pankey Alumni Association President from 2005-07. In 2008, he was elected to serve on the Board of Directors and served as Secretary during his term. He has served as Visiting Faculty since 1992. Embracing education, he is one of a select group of only 38 dentists to achieve the designation of Pankey Scholar. He also is a current member of the Class One Triple Plus Club, which is a group of individuals who make financial pledges which ensure the growth of The Pankey Institute for future generations of dental professionals.

Dr. Sorenson can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 305.428.5549.

Dr. Jeff Baggett, Essentials 1 Coordinator

The son of an Air Force Fighter Pilot and a kindergarten teacher, Jeff Baggett was born in Enid, Oklahoma. He has lived in many places around the country and the world. After completing his undergraduate degree at Oklahoma State University, he graduated from the Oklahoma University College of Dentistry in 1981 in the top ten percent of his class. Dr. Baggett is a member of many professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, Oklahoma Dental Association, American College of Dentists, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. He is a past Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Fixed Prosthodontics at Oklahoma University College of Dentistry. In 1987, Dr. Baggett won the prestigious Thomas K. Jefferson Award for Public Relations from the Oklahoma Dental Association. He is the past president of the L.D. Pankey Alumni Association and has completed accreditation to earn the distinction of Pankey Scholar. A member of the Southwest Academy of Restorative Dentistry, Dr. Baggett is on the staff of Visiting Faculty for St. Anthony's Hospital General Practice Residency and is a preceptor for senior dental students from the O.U. College of Dentistry. He is also a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and a restorative advisor to the Red Earth Seattle Study Club. Married with a grown son, Dr. Baggett is a past assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 79, and past Little League coach for basketball and baseball. Currently, he serves on the Edmond Bike Committee and the Board of Directors for the Free To Live Animal Sanctuary. He is a speaker for the Oklahoma Victim's Impact Panel against drinking and driving. Having completed an Ironman distance triathalon in 1992, Dr. Baggett enjoys biking and running.

Dr. Baggett can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 405.341.8884.

Dr. Glenn Kidder, Essentials 2 Coordinator

Dr. Glenn M. Kidder has served on the visiting faculty at the Pankey Institute in Key Biscayne, Florida for the past 21 years. He facilitates several courses which deal with occlusion, TMJ disorders, splint therapy, and equilibration in restorative dentistry.

He is an assistant clinical instructor in the Department of Prosthodontics at LSU School of Dentistry. A 1980 graduate of LSUSD, he is in private practice in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His practice is limited to the treatment of temporomandibular joint and occlusal disorders. He is a diplomate with The American Board of Orofacial Pain, a fellow in The Academy of General Dentistry, a Fellow in The Pierre Fauchard Academy, a Fellow in The American Academy of Orofacial Pain, and is a 30 year member of the American Equilibration Society.

He is past president of the Greater Baton Rouge Dental Association. He was instrumental in the start up of The Greater Baton Rouge Community Clinic which has provided approximately five million dollars of free medical and dental care to the working uninsured in the Baton Rouge area. He is past president of Cortana Kiwanis where he has 31 years of perfect attendance.

He has been married for 34 years to Stacey Kidder, a psychotherapist. They have three sons who are LSU graduates—two are dentists.

Dr. Kidder can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 225.292.4158.

Dr. Steve Hart, Essentials 4 Coordinator

Dr. Hart has practiced dentistry in Chapel Hill since 1982. He received his D.M.D. from Tufts University in 1979. He is a member of the American Academy of Fixed prosthodontics and the American Equilibration Society. He is a Visiting Faculty member at the L.D. Pankey Institute and has also served as an adjunct faculty member in Fixed Prosthodontics at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry. Dr. Hart’s practice is primarily focused on sophisticated adult restorative dentistry. However, he also provides a full range of general dental services. Dr. Hart is committed through his skill and ongoing training to help patients keep their teeth for the rest of their lives if possible in optimal comfort, function, health, and aesthetic appearance.

Dr. Hart can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 919.942.3859.