Reflections on my trip to the Dominican Republic

On my way home Monday night, I found myself looking back over the past three days with excitement. I had learned several new techniques for placing implants, and for grafting to create enough bone in situations were implants might otherwise not be possible. I was taught by world-class clinicians as we worked together on the patients, and in turn I taught some of the less-experienced doctors as they assisted me. From the perspective of professional development, the trip was extremely rewarding.

The most rewarding part, though, was seeing how grateful these people were. I will never forget the sight of patients pressing against the glass doors to the clinic, anxious to get their share of a dream of getting their lost teeth back.

The Implant Seminars group is considering future trips with plans for prosthetic constructions as well as continuing implant procedures. I expect to return next year. There is more work to do and I think they are counting on us to follow through. It would be great if dental ceramic companies can get involved to more effectively permit completion of the cases begun on the recent trip. It is not enough to just go place implants on people if you can’t finish what you started.

All in all, our trip to the Dominican Republic was a hard-working, great learning experience. The many new techniques I learned will now benefit my patients here in Northern Virginia.

To learn more about the dentistry we offer at Rye Smiles for Life, call our office at (703) 565-2503.