SOFT Smiles ©

Since earning her license in Dental Hygiene in 1987, Pam has worked as a full-time clinician in private practice settings in Tennessee and Georgia. In this time, she has provided numerous presentations to groups of all ages, from schools to senior care residences. An assisted living residence was built next to her dental office in the 1990s, which increased the office's older adult clientele by 35%. Based on her observations of the obvious need for dental care this patient population has, Pam began researching Geriatric Oral Health and Dentistry.

While still a full-time clinician, Pam began working at Georgia Perimeter College, Department of Dental Hygiene, as Clinical Faculty. She also enrolled in the University of St. Francis, Masters of Science Program in Training and Development. After her experiences with the fragile elderly, she was determined to make a difference in the care of this often under-served population of Georgia. This led her to develop a training program for caregivers of aging patients; as well as special needs patients. Since then, she has devoted much of her time and energy to developing resources and reaching an ever-growing number of caregivers across Georgia. She also conducts Continuing Education Courses for dental professionals, providing them with the latest information in order to address the needs of this special population. She also has been published in a number of professional and special interest magazines and newsletters.

Since 2005, she has been a full-time Educator in the Dental Hygiene Program at Georgia Perimeter College. She works tirelessly to combine her training techniques and educational methods to benefit students, the professional and family caregivers, as well as functionally independent seniors. She continues to volunteer her time in nursing homes for those who have little or no access to dental care.

Ric Cushenan is a Google Certified Digital Marketing specialist with 25 years of sales, sales management and general management experience. Ric brings a wealth of marketing and management experience to The SOFT Smiles Team. Ric received his BA in Communications from Cleveland State University in 1989 and an MBA from The University of St Francis in 2007.

Ric began his career as a General Manager with Trader Publishing Company. He managed offices in Rochester and Syracuse, New York. As a General Manager Ric had full Profit and Loss responsibility while developing a team that won awards for profit margin and revenue growth.

As National Sales Manager for Newhomesdirect.com, Ric built relationships with major builders in the US, including KB Homes, Morrison Homes, Beazer Homes and John Wieland Homes. These relationships helped Newhomesdirect.com grow revenue in a very competitive market.

While serving as a Major Account Manager for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Ric managed over $15 million in yearly advertising revenue. Ric worked with accounts ranging from Ford Motor Company and Mercedes Benz to Verizon and Sprint. Ric increased Digital Ad Revenue from $50K in 2003 to $1 million in 2007.

Since 2007 Ric has helped build and train markets with Metrix4Media, developed Cush Media into a strong multimedia consulting company and has been named Regional Manager and Regional Director for YP Marketing and The Costar Group.