Great Commission Dental Conference

September 11-12, 2026

DALLAS-FORT WORTH, TEXAS

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Acts 1:8

In this special episode of Dental Sound Bytes, Dr. Bill Griffin interviews four dental professionals at GCDC to share their views on faith, dentistry, and community. Listen in for a snapshot of what makes GCDC a meaningful and unique gathering.

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What Conference Attendees are Saying:

“I loved the way God was talked about throughout the entire conference”

“Worshipping with brothers and sisters who share the same calling was the best part of GCDC. I loved the messages, and the conference was amazing with great topics throughout.”

“The people make this conference. Fellowshipping and learning from so many Godly people in the same profession is something money can’t buy. This conference is different because it offers real, practical ways to go and act, not just talk about it.”

“The community is my favorite part of GCDC. It’s great catching up with and meeting new friends who are similarly Christ-minded.”

Plenary Speakers 2026

Ryan Bowles, DDS, MA

(Church Planting)

"A Biblical Basis for Dental Missions"

Ryan's Biography

Ryan Bowles, DDS, MA (Church Planting) is the personnel director of Annoor Sanatorium for Chest Diseases based in Jordan. He is a member of CMDA and the ADA and AAO. He earned his dental and orthodontic degrees from the University of Tennessee in Memphis and his Masters in Theology from Covenant Seminary in St. Louis. He has a passion for talking about how God can use dental missions to further his kingdom purposes.

John Burleson, DDS, TEFL & Nathalia Burleson, RDH, BSW

"Glorifying God as His Handiwork-Serving Him Domestically and Abroad!"

John & Nathalia's Biography

John Burleson, DDS, TEFL, Assistant Professor of Dentistry at KCU Dental School. We have served in a variety of dental settings from mobile and stationary clinics in Iraq, Jordan, Uganda, Honduras, and El Salvador. We have worked with students teaching English in China and have helped with community clinics in both Arkansas and Missouri. We have experience owning and running a private dental practice in Arkansas, working in tribal dental health in Oklahoma, and working in the dental school setting in Missouri. We have helped lead church middle school ministry, regularly participate in CMDA dental school events, and currently lead a young adult life group at our local church.

Nathalia Burleson, RDH, BSW,RDH from University of Tennessee Health Science Center, BSW from Arkansas State University, Currently a volunteer for the Joplin Community Clinic and a home school mom. Volunteer for CMDA, teacher for a homeschool co-op, and volunteer for young adult ministries in our church.

Bill Claytor, DDS, MAGD-LLSR, FACD

"Embracing Imperfection and Stress as a Foundation for Spiritual Growth, Excellence, and Wellness in Dentistry" (CE Eligible)

Bill's Biography

William “Bill” Claytor, Jr., DDS, MAGD-LLSR, FACD is a nationally recognized dental leader whose expertise in clinical practice, substance use disorders, mental health, and burnout prevention has made him a prominent voice for well-being in dentistry. Since 2022, he has served as Executive Director of North Carolina Caring Dental Professionals while also contributing as a Key Opinion Leader for Dentsply Sirona and as visiting faculty at Spear Education. He is the 2025 recipient of the ADA Distinguished Service Award and holds Fellowship and Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry, its Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition, and Fellowship in the American College of Dentists. A respected educator, author, and consultant, Dr. Claytor has contributed to ADA scientific panels and well-being initiatives, helped develop evidence-based pain-management guidelines, and lectures nationally on opioids, cannabis, burnout, and perfectionism.

Rev. Stan Key

Bible Teaching

Stan's Biography

Raised in Georgia as the son of a Methodist preacher, Stan Key came into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ while he was a student at Asbury College. It was there he met Katy, to whom he has been married since 1977. They have three children and 11 grandchildren. Stan’s education includes a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary and a Master of Theology in Mission and Evangelism from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

He has completed additional graduate work the Faculté Libre de Théologie Evangélique in Vaux-sur-Seine, France. After serving churches in Virginia, Kentucky and Illinois, Stan and his family served for ten years as church-planting missionaries in the suburb of Paris, France.

From 1994–2012, Stan was the senior pastor of Loudonville Community Church in Albany, NY. In 2013, he joined the staff of the Francis Asbury Society in Wilmore, KY and was named president a year later. In 2022, he transitioned to OneWay Ministries to continue sharing God’s Word in spoken, written and other media formats.

Stan has authored The Last Word (Warner Press, 2015) ; Marriage Matters (Francis Asbury Press, 2017); Jeremiah: Fire in His Bones (Warner Press, 2017); Journey to Spiritual Wholeness (Francis Asbury Press, 2019); Face to Face (Francis Asbury Press, 2019); and East of Eden (Francis Asbury Press, 2022) and Cross Purposes (Francis Asbury Press, 2023). Stan has also served as the spiritual dean for the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS) and is a member of the boards of One Mission Society and Sammy Tippit Ministries.

Schedule:

Friday (September 11th)

7:00 a.m. –8:30 a.m. Check in/Registration

8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Plenary Session #1

10:45 a.m. –11:45 a.m. Breakout Session #1

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Breakout Session #2

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Boxed Lunch

2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Breakout Session #3

3:15 p.m. – 3:40 p.m. Coffee/Snack Break

3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Breakout Session #4

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Breakout Session #5

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Catered Dinner

7:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Student Spotlight

8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Sweet Social

Saturday (September 12th)

8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Check in/Registration

8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Plenary Session #2

10:30 a.m. – 10:55 a.m. Coffee/Snack Break

11:00 a.m. – 12:00p.m. Breakout Session #6

12:15 p.m. - 01:15 p.m. Breakout Session #7

1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Boxed Lunch

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Breakout Session #8

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Closing Plenary #3

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