HOW IT ALL STARTED
Becoming a Dental Technician was an easy decision. As a child I often observed my father and mother making dentures. My father worked in a private practice making prosthetics for a dentist and my mother worked in the public sector at the Sydney Dental Hospital near Central Station.
I spent a lot of time watching my parents work, which led to developing an interest in Dental Technology from those early years. My father was not only a master technician, but was also an inventor. Back in Russia, he invented the very first micro motor! Although he wouldn’t let me play with the micro motor, he showed me how to apply melted wax and set up teeth on practice models.
In the end it was only natural to follow in my parents’ footsteps and enrol at Randwick TAFE in a Dental Technicians course. With only a handful of places available, you had to be selected for the course. I remember having to make a full arch denture set up and surprising the teacher with the skills I had already learned at home!
Dad would be very proud of what has become of his Bondi dental laboratory, especially with the introduction of the latest digital technology.
BECOMING A PROSTHETIST
As a qualified Dental Technician I began working for private dentists and eventually managed an established ceramic laboratory. It was always frustrating for me to start on a job which was just a number in the queue. I always felt that I needed to actually see the client – to take the impression myself and to observe first-hand the individual’s needs.
In the early eighties, the Australian Dental Prosthetists Association (ADPA) was established. I didn’t waste any time and in 1985, I was qualified as a Dental Prosthetist. This opened up a whole new world for me. Seeing people direct. Taking impressions, paying particular attention to correct bite and balance. Being able to discuss individual design to improve the aesthetic of the denture. Seeing clients direct became a game changer. It meant control of the denture manufacture from this comprehensive assessment. From start to end.
Back in the laboratory every step in denture production was now aiming at delivering the best outcome for each person. Knowing their concerns and expectations. There’s also great satisfaction when you issue your work. Realising that you had a direct involvement with improving someone’s life. It may be about how they look. Bringing back confidence. Many are delighted when dentures are functional and improve their quality of life.
THE FLYING PROSTHETIST
You may have heard of the Flying Doctors, but maybe not the Flying Prosthetist! As a young Dental Technician, I also had a passion for aviation. After work, I trained to become a pilot at Bankstown Flying School.
To somehow combine these passions was my goal. How could I continue to be a Dental Prosthetist but also fly? An idea came to me. I started flying into rural areas to provide Prosthetic Services in person and the success of this idea has led to my 12 clinic locations today.
HOW IT ALL STARTED
Becoming a Dental Technician was an easy decision. As a child I often observed my father and mother making dentures. My father worked in a private practice making prosthetics for a dentist and my mother worked in the public sector at the Sydney Dental Hospital near Central Station.
I spent a lot of time watching my parents work, which led to developing an interest in Dental Technology from those early years. My father was not only a master technician, but was also an inventor. Back in Russia, he invented the very first micro motor! Although he wouldn’t let me play with the micro motor, he showed me how to apply melted wax and set up teeth on practice models.
In the end it was only natural to follow in my parents’ footsteps and enrol at Randwick TAFE in a Dental Technicians course. With only a handful of places available, you had to be selected for the course. I remember having to make a full arch denture set up and surprising the teacher with the skills I had already learned at home!
Dad would be very proud of what has become of his Bondi dental laboratory, especially with the introduction of the latest digital technology.
BECOMING A PROSTHETIST
As a qualified Dental Technician I began working for private dentists and eventually managed an established ceramic laboratory. It was always frustrating for me to start on a job which was just a number in the queue. I always felt that I needed to actually see the client – to take the impression myself and to observe first-hand the individual’s needs.
In the early eighties, the Australian Dental Prosthetists Association (ADPA) was established. I didn’t waste any time and in 1985, I was qualified as a Dental Prosthetist. This opened up a whole new world for me. Seeing people direct. Taking impressions, paying particular attention to correct bite and balance. Being able to discuss individual design to improve the aesthetic of the denture. Seeing clients direct became a game changer. It meant control of the denture manufacture from this comprehensive assessment. From start to end.
Back in the laboratory every step in denture production was now aiming at delivering the best outcome for each person. Knowing their concerns and expectations. There’s also great satisfaction when you issue your work. Realising that you had a direct involvement with improving someone’s life. It may be about how they look. Bringing back confidence. Many are delighted when dentures are functional and improve their quality of life.
THE FLYING PROSTHETIST
You may have heard of the Flying Doctors, but maybe not the Flying Prosthetist! As a young Dental Technician, I also had a passion for aviation. After work, I trained to become a pilot at Bankstown Flying School.
To somehow combine these passions was my goal. How could I continue to be a Dental Prosthetist but also fly? An idea came to me. I started flying into rural areas to provide Prosthetic Services in person and the success of this idea has led to my 12 clinic locations today.