PASSION FOR DENTISTRY: MAKING A HOBBY OUT OF A CAREER

Many dentists primarily view their training as a means of passing the state examination and obtaining the federal diploma – and that’s it. We see things a little differently…

It may come as a surprise to some, but when you work intensively in dentistry, it can become a passion.

If, as a newly graduated dentist, you want to learn more about the finer details of our profession, it is advisable to spend a few years specialising and obtaining a doctorate.

This can then often spur you on to achieve even more as a dentist, and you also realise how much fun it is to pass your knowledge onto others.

And before you know it, you’ve intensively studied all specialist areas, and simultaneously set up your own dental clinic.

If you’re really inspired, it’s actually a joy and challenge to keep up to date at a professional level. Looking after patients, explaining everything and being at the clinic then ceases to be work; it’s a hobby.

Of course there’s more to life than just dentistry, such as surfing, photography, and, most importantly, family. But sometimes, you do find yourself hanging out for the next advanced training course in order to take in all the latest innovations. Because you never stop learning in dentistry…

DIPLOMAS AND CERTIFICATES

QUALITY HAS A PRICE

Can you get high-quality dental treatment at low cost? Can you score any bargains, in places like Hungary or Thailand?

The answer to these questions is very simple. And you’ve probably already guessed it yourself. As with many things in life, there’s one easy rule: You get what you pay for. Price is proportionate to performance.

Real quality is the result of thousands of hours of ongoing education, the highest treatment standards, and the best technology and materials – as well as extreme dexterity and total dedication. There are no substitutes for any of this.

When you buy something, you can test it out, and if you have any problems or you no longer like it, you can simply replace it.

But in dentistry, like in all medical fields, you should only be satisfied with the best. I believe I deserve quality and a feeling of confidence as a patient – and so do you.

We strive to achieve this uncompromising quality every day. Which is why we never hesitate to offer our patients guarantees for our work.

SWISS DENTISTRY: THE HIGHEST STANDARDS AND AN INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION

Watches, cheese and chocolate – certainly all things for which Switzerland is famous. But Switzerland also has a worldwide reputation in another field – dentistry!

Although the Swiss health system in general enjoys a good reputation at an international level, it doesn’t come close to our successful history in dentistry. Much of this can be attributed to one exceptionally gifted man: the legendary Professor Peter Schärer (1933–2004).

MY TEACHER: PROFESSOR PETER SCHÄRER

During his long and illustrious career, Peter Schärer studied and researched in America and Japan. He later became a professor and head of the present-day Clinic for Crown and Bridge Prosthodontics, Partial Prosthodontics, and Dental Materials Science at Zurich University’s Dentistry Centre. Eventually he turned out to be the first dentistry professor to become Dean at Zurich University.

For more than 30 years, he dominated and inspired Swiss dentistry with his spirit and ideas. No one set the bar higher than him in our industry. Together with McLean and Goldstein in the United States, Professor Schärer is considered the founder of modern cosmetic dentistry.

Despite receiving numerous international awards and nominations, he never lost his desire to promote innovation research and set the highest quality standards. Every self-respecting reconstructive specialist attended his school in some capacity, whether as a postgraduate student and/or as trainer.

HIGH STANDARDS

Dr Schärer expressly expected his students to follow the high standards he set for himself and his work. He was very keen to make sure his scientific and academic legacy was passed onto an inspired, dedicated generation of specialists, who are now continuing his work, in Switzerland and right around the world.

And he was also my mentor and teacher.