Implants?

[drob]

Hi,
are the dentists really orthodontists, and if so why are they offering opinions on implants, crowns, veneers and full mouth restorations?
thanks for your time

[david]

Hi Thanks for the question,

Yes the dentists who look after our international clients are degree qualified in Orthodontics and general dentistry. They are also members of the international congress of oral implantologists.

Regards

David

[drob]

Orthodontics is a dental specialty that involves the movement of teeth through the use of fixed braces and removable appliances. Why is an orthodontist commenting on restorative dentistry, crowns, bridges, veneers and implants. I am concerned that the dentists may not have the appropriate training in comparison to Australian standards. I would not see an orthodontist in Australia if i wanted to know about crowns, bridges, veneers and definitely implants. Are you sure of the dentists qualifications and could you please reply with their exact qualifications and the university where they obtained them, eg, BDSc, MDSc Uni of
What is involved with obtaining membership of the international congress of oral implantologists, do the dentists need to pass any exams to be a member of this congress or do they just send in an application form
thanks for your advice

[david]

Orthodontics is a dental specialty that involves the movement of teeth through the use of fixed braces and removable appliances. Why is an orthodontist commenting on restorative dentistry, crowns, bridges, veneers and implants.

I have already addressed this question in your first post.

I am concerned that the dentists may not have the appropriate training in comparison to Australian standards.

This is a common concern. The Philippine dental degree is highly respected and thorough in the education of dentists to a high graduate standard. Our dentists also undergo further training and attend regular seminars and courses in the Philippines, USA, Germany and Switzerland.

Patients undergoing major restorative work are attended to by degree qualified professionals who have ten year plus of dental experience behind them.

Dentists graduated from the University of the East and have gone on to post graduate studies. I do not have the relevent letters on hand but will post them shortly.
 

What is involved with obtaining membership of the international congress of oral implantologists, do the dentists need to pass any exams to be a member of this congress or do they just send in an application form
thanks for your advice.

 This link will provide further information. http://www.icoi.org/
I understand that membership is by application and dependant on the applicants training and experience. As in how many times they have performed implant procedures. Australian dentists are also members,so it would be up to you how much respect you give the congress.

Thank you for your input.

[drob]

Thanks again for your help. i have done  some research here in Australia and it would seem that a qualification in Orthodontics only gives the dentist special knowledge in Orthodontics, that is, the movement of teeth. It has no relevance to crowns, bridges, veneers or implants. I have rung around a dozen orthodontists from the phone book and none of them even do crowns, bridges, veneers or implants, this confuses me. From this i can determine that it may be good to see your dentists if i needed braces but they have no specialist training in crowns, bridges, veneers or implants. If they do, other than the congress, (which i looked up, thank you for the link, and all you need to do is fill in the application form and send them money, might do it myself) then please let me know as it will help me understand the service.
Also are the dentists able to practice dentistry in Australia, by that i mean are their qualifications recognized in Australia and would they be able to register as dentists in Australia. If they cannot register in Australia, why cant they?
Also is the technical work, for the crowns etc of the same quality as what it is in Australia. i have found out that crowns may be "all ceramic" or "metal fused to ceramic" which may be more suitable for me ( i apparently have a heavy bite?). What metal is used to make the crowns in the Philippines and where are the actual crowns and veneers made.
Sorry to ask so many questions but thank you for being so helpful

[david]

You have spent half your post (and money on phone calls), on a topic that I have already addressed. I will attempt to explain it again.

The dentists are qualified in General Dentistry (which includes cosmetic) and Orthodontics. Similar to how a General practice medical doctor will go on to Orthopedics.

No, the dentists cannot just pack up and start practicing in Australia. Neither can dentists from other countries.

 There are a couple of ways in which overseas dentists can enter the profession in Australia: By enrolling at an Australian dental school where they may or may not being given credit for previous study or by successfully completing the Australian Dental Council examinations. A comprehensive knowledge of English is also required. Written and spoken.

Regarding  the congress. Well yes you could join. Are you a dentist with numerous implant procedures under your belt?

Up until a few years ago there was no regulatory body at all for this specialty so it's a start.

Regarding materials: All materials are imported from the same companies that Australian dentists use. We import no materials from China or North Korea.

Thank you for your questions, I welcome them. Just not the same ones 








 

[drob]

OK, i think i get it now, let me state it to be sure.
They are general dentists who have no specialist training in the areas of crowns, bridges, veneers or implants. They are not able to register as dentists in Australia as their qualifications are not recognized as acceptable by the dental board unless they sit a test. ( i looked into this as well and it seems that dentists from some other countries can be registered in Australia without an examination. Dentists from the UK and South Africa and some parts of Canada can all work in Australia without sitting the exam you mention, the dental board were very helpful in providing this advice) As they are general dentists, and nice ones too from what others say in this forum, then i have some hesitation in regarding there advise on crowns, bridges, veneers and implants. I have been recommended to see a Prosthodontist in Australia and i think that if your dentists have no extra training in these areas then there may be a little confusion and possible mis-representation here.
One final question, where did you do your dental training, in Australia or elsewhere?

[david]

I think I also get it!

 You would be an Australian dental professional who's motivation for posting is nothing more than to subtly undermine the integrity and professionalism of our clinic. Isn't that right Dr David Roberts Bdsc,Prothodontist. ( So you have been reccommended to see yourself have you?) How is your Brisbane practice going? well I'm sure.

You would be part of the same bunch who advise patients not to go overseas because they all bodgy, ill trained, and use substandard materials.

I know  for a fact that the Australian dental industry is self serving and hell bent on protecting it's market in a global economy. Further proof of this is your self sir.

Do you honestly think that the Australian dental degree is the be all of everything of world dental standards ?

We have many patients with horror stories concerning their experiences with Australian dentists that span years. A dental degree does not necessary make a good dentist. Dedication, experience and skill do.

Possible misrepresentation ??  who has misrepresented who here? We are a dental clinic with very qualified and experienced dentists. How can this be misrepresentation?

I am not a dentist. I have never claimed to be a dentist. I have a partnership with the clinic. All advice pasted concerning dental work is handled only by our dentists. I will occasionally paste in their responses if they are too busy to post themselves or the question asked has been repeated.

BTW there are Philippine dentists working in Australia. The agreements with  Australia, Britain,Canada and New zealand allows a cosy western exchange program of working holidays for dental professionals...oh yes it does!
 
How much do you pay wholesale for materials ? that's right, the same as us..oh yes you do !! I have a copy of the wholesale price that dentists in Australia pay for materials. Nice mark up. Pity about the few hundred thousand people in Australia that can't afford basic restorative dental care and are forced to spend their days in pain.


Good day Dr Roberts.