- Could you share the journey that led you to pursue a career in dentistry, specifically in periodontics and dental implant surgery?
I traveled to the United States at the age of 17 to pursue my college education as is expected in our family. My father and his five brothers all completed their higher education in Europe and the United States. All of them obtained a PhD except for my eldest uncle who was a fighter pilot.
I graduated in 1998 from the university of Massachusetts with a bachelors degree with honours. Being in the top 2% of college students in the US I decided to pursue a medical or a dental education. And my dream was to move to California. I was accepted at the UCLA dental school and earned a doctorate in dental surgery in 2000. During my training I became good friends with a famous implant surgeon in Los Angeles who became a mentor to me. I saw his lifestyle and I wanted the same. So I moved to Seattle and completed a residency program in periodontics and dental implant surgery at the university of Washington in 2009. It was a long and treacherous journey. But well worth it.
- How did your experience studying at prestigious institutions like UCLA and the University of Washington shape your approach to patient care?
I believe that the North American healthcare system is par to none. With patient care being its main focus. I was fortunate to study at top US universities where I had access to some of the best in the field and to learn from them. Many of them renowned professors who were innovators in their respective specialities.
- As a consultant periodontist and dental implant surgeon at Unidents Dental Clinic in Jeddah, what sets your clinic apart in delivering high-quality care?
I am very fortunate and honored to work with some the best dental specialists in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia at Unidents dental clinic. All partners at Unidents are consultants with specialty degrees from some of the best institutions in North America and Europe. We enjoy working as a team where we provide the highest quality treatment to our patients under one roof. Education is a vital part of our career and most doctors at Unidents are professors at king Abdulaziz university where research and teaching is a priority to educate the future generations of Saudi Arabia and to meet the demands of its growing population.
- How has your experience as the chairman of the periodontics department at Batterjee Dental College influenced your work in mentoring the next generation of dental professionals?
I enjoy teaching just as much as practicing. When I graduated from the university of Washington in 2009 I was asked to join the faculty to teach the residents for three years. Upon my return to the kingdom in 2012 I was looking for an opportunity to continue my passion of teaching. So, I joined Batterjee in 2015 in the capacity of chairman of the periodontics department and in 2017 I became an assistant professor at king Abdulaziz university faculty of dentistry and I continue teaching there until today. Teaching is vital for clinicians to keep up w the latest research and interact w the future generations. I truly believe that you learn something new every day when you teach. It also gives you a tremendous sense of pride to see your students graduate and excel in their career. It is a wonderful opportunity to pass on your experience to the younger generation and to contribute to their success.
- What recent technological innovations in periodontics and dental implant surgery are revolutionizing the field, and how are you incorporating them into your practice?
In the past few years there has been significant advancement in dental and medical technology especially in the field of 3D printing and digital technology and imaging. In the dental implant field, we currently rely heavily on computerized tomography (CT scans) where we can precisely visualize the local anatomy of each patient prior to surgical intervention. We can also use guided surgery which significantly reduces surgical time and complications.
- Dental health is often linked to overall wellness. How do you educate your patients on the importance of oral health in relation to their lifestyle and wellbeing?
I believe in a holistic approach to health. All organs in the body are connected to each other through blood vessels, nerves and lymphatic fluids. The mouth is considered an organ. And oral disease can affect the digestive system, the heart, and the endocrine system among others. Unfortunately, diabetes and smoking are common in Saudi Arabia. Both are risk factors for gum and oral disease as well as tooth loss. Our goal is to prevent disease before it occurs by educating our patients. And we should lead by example. I personally strive to live a healthy life by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly and avoiding smoking.
- What do you envision as the future of dentistry in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the luxury dental care sector?
HRH Prince Muhammad Bin Salman’s initiative Vision 2030 is an inspiration to all healthcare workers in the public and private sectors to modernise and to create systems that adapt to Saudi Arabia’s changing needs. It identifies a path forward to provide a strong and sustainable access to and to improve quality of care. I foresee a bright future for the healthcare system in Saudi Arabia generally and dentistry in particular. The government has invested heavily in educating its citizens through scholarships abroad. And it seems it is reaping the benefits of its investment. Many foreign trained doctors are returning home with vast knowledge and experience. Our national universities and dental programs are becoming very competitive and are producing high calibre graduates. In addition, patients’ health awareness is improving through exposure to social media and other government funded programs.
- Can you share a memorable success story where your work transformed a patient’s confidence or quality of life?
Whenever we transform a patients life and improve his or her quality of life we feel a tremendous sense of pride and satisfaction. Relieving someone’s pain and agony is priceless. My most memorable case is a young lady who lost all her teeth due to a rare disease. Her dream was to smile and eat properly and to get married and raise a family. We completed a full mouth rehabilitation with dental implants. She was once again full of joy and confidence. A year I was invited to her wedding.
- When you’re not in the clinic or classroom, how do you unwind and balance your professional commitments with personal life?
One of the perks of living close to the Red Sea is being able to enjoy the beauty and serenity of marine life. I’m an avid fisherman and diver. Upon my return from the US I purchased a boat and I try to go fishing once or twice a week. It is a way for me to disconnect and unwind from the hectic and often stressful life of a doctor.
- What advice would you give to aspiring dental professionals who want to specialize in periodontics and dental implant surgery?
It is a wonderful specialty and is constantly evolving. To all aspiring dental surgeons, I strongly advise them to persevere and to never give up on their dreams. I urge them to specialise after dental school. The job opportunities are much higher for consultants compared to general dentists.
- How do you see your role evolving in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing healthcare and luxury sectors?
Unidents clinic was founded by a group of aspiring consultants who had a common vision. That vision was built on our understanding that a large chunk of the population is looking for excellence in dental treatment. And that they are willing to pay for that service, no matter the cost. Because they priorities their health over anything else. So instead of travelling to the US and Europe looking for excellent dental treatment, they can find it right here at home. We strive to provide them w the latest technology and the best materials and to treat them in the best facilities. Our ultimate goal is to expand and to provide our services to other regions of the kingdom.