LVI launches Australian franchise

The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI), a dental education facility based in Las Vegas, Nevada, will launch LVI Australia in February 2007.

This will be LVI Global's first independent overseas location following an investment from two venture capitalists in 2005 to take the brand worldwide (ADP July/August 2005).

LVI is the brainchild of US dentist Bill Dickerson who set-up the brand 12 years ago. "It started as a part-time operation in my office," Dr Dickerson said. "I'd teach small groups of dentists on weekends how to prepare and place veneers. It's now grown to the point where we have two dedicated 10-chair teaching clinics, a 60-bench hands-on workshop, six lecture halls, 6 full-time professional faculty and over 90 part-time clinical instructors and visiting faculty. Then there are over 25 full-time employees making sure the attendees have the greatest experience possible."

For the past three years, Dr Dickerson and his professional team have been traveling to Australia to teach courses with LVI's four Australian instructors, Drs Anne-Maree Cole, Fred Calavassy, Sam Guirguis and Brett Taylor.

"I love coming to Australia," Dr Dickerson said. "The time was right, however, for Anne-Maree and the guys to take over. I can't begin to tell you how much respect I have for each of them as people and clinicians. LVI Australia is in very capable hands."

LVI's Core curriculum comprises seven courses. LVI Australia will launch on 22-24 February in Sydney with the Core 1 program, a 3-day series of lectures and hands-on exercises covering aesthetic dentistry, practice management and functional occlusal concepts that are critical to becoming "complete" dentists. The first Core 3 program is scheduled for 29-31 March (Prep) and 19-21 April (Seat) in Brisbane and 31 May - 2 June (Prep) and 21-23 June (Seat) in Sydney. These are 5-day hands-on veneer programs where participants treat their own patients, performing a "smile makeover" under supervision and typically involving the placement of 8-10 bonded ceramic restorations.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed my training in the US at LVI," said Dr Brett Taylor, "but the traveling has been challenging. By holding the programs in Australia, we will be able to save dentists significant travel expenses. Flying a patient half way around the world for treatment is fun, but expensive. We're hoping with the reduced costs, more Australian dentists will be able to take the opportunity of gaining an LVI education."

"I can't begin to describe the positive effects LVI has had on my patients," said Dr Anne-Maree Cole. "All the Australian instructors are passionate about what we've learnt at LVI and very keen to pass the information on to more Australian dentists."

Dr Cole has almost finished construction of a purpose-built facility in Brisbane where some of the Core 3 courses will be held. Other Core 3 programs will be held in Sydney at the Calavassy/Guirguis practice which was also recently built with LVI training in mind. Core 1 programs will initially be held in Sydney.