Shooting the breeze regarding art, science, and inspiration within one of the most dynamic fields of medicine – dentistry. Paola Chellew talks to Professor Howard Gluckman.
Professor Howard Gluckman (BDS, MChD, PhD) is a renowned periodontist, founder and director of the Implant and Aesthetic Academy, implantologist, educator, and academic. He is a leading authority on partial extraction therapy, as well as advanced bone and soft tissue grafting, and has developed innovative techniques in dentistry.
And, perhaps more importantly, he is a human being who believes in kindness, adores his wife, and is a dad to five children. I asked him a few questions:
Why teeth?
Prof. Gluckman: The combination of art and science drew me to it, along with the desire to help people. I enjoy the interaction. I love working with my hands, and fine detail has always been my thing, so dentistry seemed appropriate. There was also a little luck involved. I could not get into veterinary science, as I did not speak Afrikaans at the time – which was a requirement for varsity entry. So, when my friend mentioned dentistry, I thought, “Hmm, why not?” And in I went, never really realising where it would take me.
You’ve been practising dentistry for nearly 30 years. What is the most exciting area of change in the field so far?
Prof. Gluckman: The digital era is exploding, and the use of artificial intelligence to augment our protocols, as well as augmented reality, which is fast becoming a possibility, is exciting! This is because we can make more precise plans for our patients, and communicate them to our patients – in addition to our team of other specialists and dentists who may be involved. We end up with a cut-and-paste result, and the patient is in on the discussion. The enhanced communication with the patient has had a massive impact on their experience and has reduced the fear normally associated with the dentist. Knowledge is power.
You earned your PhD from the University of Szeged in Hungary. What’s the Hungarian tie?
Prof. Gluckman: Szeged University has a long tradition of great implant surgeons, so it was the natural choice for me, as well as the ease of communication with my supervisor, Prof. Katalin Nagy, who is one of the most respected surgeons in the field and a fantastic educator. She was vital in helping me achieve my goal. In the end, I received my PhD summa cum laude, in a field that, I believe, has changed the way we do implants.
The Implant and Aesthetic Academy (IAA), which you cofounded, is the only private postgraduate training facility of its kind in the country. Do you think there’s a need for more postgraduate academies, for instance, in the burgeoning aesthetic industry, which continues to grow exponentially?
Prof. Gluckman: There are several issues to address under this topic. First, I am proud to have the longest-running private teaching academy in dentistry in South Africa, which will be 20 years old in 2024. Second, the need for private institutions of education is essential, as they can fill a hole public tertiary institutions cannot. Our connections with some of the best educators in the world to help educate our students are unrivalled. We also have access to all the most modern equipment and trends, so we are teaching the most current techniques and upgrading as new procedures and technology present themselves. Without the bureaucracy of the massive institutions, we can change directions quickly to ensure the students get the best.
Is there room for more? The answer is always yes. Competition is good. It challenges one to always improve and to develop better strategies. It reduces costs, and it brings more people to the market as the reach spreads exponentially. Cross-pollination and student overlap between institutions also mean that the students are exposed to different ideas and their knowledge is elevated even further in their education. The people who are the biggest winners in these situations are our patients. The more students that get trained, the more the general level of treatment and care across the board is lifted.
Which do you prefer: teaching/training or surgery?
Prof. Gluckman: I love both and do not want to do just one or the other. I love surgery, and I love teaching. But I believe I’m a better teacher because I love surgery, as my passion allows me to push boundaries and develop new techniques. Teaching internationally allows me to rub shoulders with some of the best in the world, and sharing ideas and techniques means I’m always at the cutting edge – often before the techniques and new tools are even published. This is priceless.
What’s your favourite procedure?
Prof. Gluckman: I love everything I do. However, the bigger the challenge, the more exciting it is. Most cases involve various procedures to achieve the best result. I am a perfectionist, so I always try to achieve the best result. This often involves bone and soft tissue grafting and, occasionally, multiple procedures. But it always depends on the patient’s needs, which are front and centre.
Who inspired you when you started studying?
Prof. Gluckman: My late friend and mentor was Mark Otto. He was a maverick dentist who excelled at every discipline. He taught me so much. Second was Dr Pat Josephson, a periodontist I worked for when I started my private practice career. He was always pushing the envelope, never accepting dogma or norms, and constantly searching for something better for his patients. This was instilled in me from an early age.
What would you say to young parents who are embarking on a dental hygiene trip with children? What’s the golden rule for having a positive association with going to the dentist?
Prof. Gluckman: Always talk about the dentist and hygienist positively. Discuss the effects of plaque and decay, and how these can easily be managed. Parents often use the dentist and hygienist as a punishment, saying, “If you don’t behave, I’ll take you to the dentist.” This is not a great way to instil confidence in anyone. Lastly, if you are fearful, try not to share that with your children; they pick up that fear easily and become scared before they have even had an experience. Choose a child-friendly dentist who uses technology and communicates well using the technology.
Your hobbies (woodworking/street photography) are in the domain of art. Do you enjoy them as pastimes, or is there a link to the aesthetic side of dentistry?
Prof. Gluckman: Both have strong links to what I do professionally. First, many of our cases require video and photography to communicate and diagnose. We also take photos for teaching, so it’s critical to understand the camera and how it interacts with light and shadow. Woodworking is like bone grafting, and I recently published a new technique for bending bone using a woodworking technique called kerfing. So yes, there is a strong link.
DentalXP has awarded you the 10th Annual Morton Amsterdam Lifetime Award for the Teaching of Multidisciplinary Dentistry. What does this mean to you?
Prof. Gluckman: This is probably the biggest award I have ever received. I think being honoured by your peers is one of the most rewarding experiences. For them to see my value and the validation it gives me is priceless.
What would you say to a university student approaching the end of their dental science degree?
Prof. Gluckman: Find a practice to work in that inspires you and that is not chasing the buck but is rather geared towards patient experience and excellence in dentistry – a place that will allow you to learn and grow. I often find that where you begin your career can really impact the way you practise for the rest of your life. Be inspired, keep learning, and grow. When you qualify as a dentist, you know very little; it’s what you do thereafter and how you learn that will influence the rest of your career. And when you think you know it all, think again – as we are advancing at a rate of knots. Keep learning!
What’s your favourite quote?
Prof. Gluckman: “We never rise to the level of our expectations. We fall to the level of our training.” – Archilochus, Greek poet, 680–645 BC
Paola Chellew is a freelance journalist and regularly writes for a number of publications. A former professional contemporary dancer, she has always loved the arts in all their forms. She has been a freelance writer for many years and has been published in various magazines including Live Out Loud, Private Life and Do It now magazines. Her passion for beauty and skincare started in her teens, when she would read every beauty editor’s picks and reviews. Serious about skincare, she has researched medical-grade products for over ten years, as well as aesthetic treatments to restore and repair skin to look its best. Having turned 60 last year, she has dedicated her blog to the “over 50s and beyond Club”, shining a spotlight on a generation that is seemingly side-lined by the beauty industry. “There is no age limit for when you stop being beautiful – a gorgeous lipstick, a sexy fragrance, radiant skin- these are not synonymous with youth- they are just things that add an extra sparkle to my day”.
📸 Profile photo credited to Lerissa Kemp Photography
- Paola Chellewhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/paola-chellew
- Paola Chellewhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/paola-chellew
- Paola Chellewhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/paola-chellew
- Paola Chellewhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/paola-chellew
BDS MChD (OMP) (Stell) PhD
Prof Howard Gluckman is an internationally renowned implantologist, author, and lecturer. He runs a full-time private practice in Cape Town www.enamel.clinic, and is the co-founder and director of the Implant and Aesthetic Academy (IAA), in Cape Town and London. Prof Gluckman is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Periodontics at the University of Pennsylvania and has been honoured with Adjunct Assistant Professor of the University of the Western Cape, and is also a Visiting Professor at the University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Dentistry with the Dental Clinical Centre.
After completing his dental training at the University of Witwatersrand in 1990, Howard spent a few years in general practice. He then took on a four-year degree in Oral Medicine and Periodontics at the University of Stellenbosch, which he completed with Distinction (Cum Laude). Howard became instrumental in developing the University of Stellenbosch and the University of the Western Cape’s postgraduate Implantology Diploma. Howard completed his Ph.D. Summa Cum Laude at the University of Szeged in Hungary, supervised by Professor Katalin Nagy.
In addition, Howard is an expert in and thought leader on Partial Extraction Therapy. His expertise includes Socket Shield, Pontic Shield (a procedure he developed and published in 2016), and Submerged Root Technique. Howard’s specialities are Immediate Implant Placement with socket shield as well as advanced bone rebuilding and soft tissue management.
In 2024, Prof. Howard Gluckman was awarded the 10th Annual Morton Amsterdam Lifetime Award for the Teaching of Multidisciplinary Dentistry by DentalXP.
- Prof. Howard Gluckmanhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/prof-howard-gluckman
- Prof. Howard Gluckmanhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/prof-howard-gluckman
- Prof. Howard Gluckmanhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/prof-howard-gluckman
