Michael W. Herndon, DDS, Amsterdam Fellow

Dr. Michael W. Herndon graduated from Loma Linda University in 1983. He was awarded the Gold Foil Award for "Outstanding Achievement in Operative Dentistry". During dental school, in 1982 and 1983, Dr. Herndon worked with Implant pioneer Dr. Robert James, assisting him in the Implant program at Loma Linda University. He extended his implant training completing a mini residency in Implants with UOP in 1985-1986. In 1993 Dr Herndon completed the Amsterdam Fellowship Program at the University of Pennsylvania earning a certificate in Implant Assisted Reconstructive Dentistry emphasizing Periodontal Prosthesis, studying under some of the greatest educators in interdisciplinary dentistry including Drs. Morton Amsterdam, Peter Hunt, Arnold Weisgold, Manny Marks, Max Listgarten, Jay Siebert, and many others.

He has served as a guest lecturer for Graduate Periodontics at Loma Linda University in the subject of Periodontal Prosthesis and is a Founding Member of the San Francisco Academy of Advanced Dental Education. Dr. Herndon maintained a practice limited to Dental Implants and Periodontal Prosthesis from 1994-2005 in Chico, Ca. Currently he practices General Dentistry emphasizing Perio/Prosth, Dental Implants, and Periodontics in Quincy, Ca. in the High Sierras.

Before coming to dentistry, Michael was a musician with legendary singer/songwriter Paul Anka and landed a recording contract as a singer/songwriter/guitarist with United Artists Records. During that time he had the opportunity to play and record with some of the finest recording musicians of the time and he continues to record and play with his friends from the "old days". Michael has recorded two CD's with many of these old friends who now are among the most sought after session players in the music of today. His first CD, "Even In The Rain", features songs that harken to the music of the 60's teaming up with such legends in music as bassist Leland Sklar and others. His second CD, "The Spirit of the Sun", cranked it up a notch by adding legendary country music star, Merle Haggard, by having Merle join him on the song "Just Do It". Humorously, one of the songs, a blisteringly fast finger-style guitar instrumental in which Michael plays the guitar and the banjo and featuring the whole band cranking along is titled "Periodontal Breakdown"! Asked many times how he went from a career in music to a career in dentistry, Michael says that these two professions have much in common; art, creativity, and discovery! Both careers are so much fun!