Worldwide Demand for Specialist Knowledge from Local Dental Practice
8th November 2007
The Wessex Dental Specialist Centre, in Fareham, has recently brought the local dental industry to an international stage by sharing their expertise across the world through a series of lectures and masterclasses.
Following a specific request, the past 18 months have seen Alan Woodman, Specialist in Periodontics at the Centre, lecture to members of the Dentsply Forum for Russian Dentists in Moscow and Antalya. Joined by academics and other Specialists from across the world, Alan’s insights were well received by those in attendance. Many were keen to ask questions on the positive effects the smoking ban has had on dental hygiene in the UK as 50% of Russian dentists smoke themselves in spite of evidence that smokers are 6 times more likely to lose teeth through gum diseases! During his lectures, supported by a translator, Alan was able to draw on his 20 years experience in Periodontics and his time as a member of the Council of the British Society of Periodontology.
The demand for Alan to lecture abroad is a testament to the high standards maintained by the Centre. He is also not the only Specialist to be asked to share his skills with others. His colleagues Michael Thomas, Stephen Taylor and Martin Lovell have all recently been selected to help raise standards of specialist dental care throughout the South by training dentists in implant dentistry.
Commenting on his travels abroad, Alan said: “It’s great to be able to share my knowledge, but that isn’t to say that I haven’t learnt a lot myself. It was nice to hear others speak about their experiences and to meet people who have practiced dentistry in other cultures. Hopefully what I have learnt from them can be put to good use back at the Centre in Fareham.”