LVI strikes a chord as local operation commences

The Australian arm of the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI) (ADP Nov/Dec 2006) has delivered their inaugural program - Core 1 Advanced Functional Restorative Dentistry -in Sydney earlier this year to a capacity group.

"In the days leading up to the launch, everything had fallen into place like clockwork and it was with a calm assurance yet excited anticipation that we welcomed our Core 1 participants," Australian LVI Director Dr Anne-Maree Cole said. "This first program represents several years of hard work and planning to make LVI's unique methods and philosophies more accessible to local dentists and we are proud to have finally brought our dream into reality."

Brisbane-based Dr Cole together with Sydney dentists Brett Taylor, Fred Calavassy and Sam Guirguis (pictured top right with Dr Craig Duval) form the faculty for the local venture which will offer a range of programs to dentists under licence to the US operation.

"I couldn't help wondering where had the previous six and a half years gone when the four of us had unsuspectingly rocked up to LVI in Las Vegas as part of the Australian and New Zealand contingent of dentists about to be thrown head first into the LVI curriculum?

"It only seemed like yesterday that we were either strangers or little known to one another yet now, Brett, Fred, Sam and I are professional colleagues and the greatest of friends sharing a common bond that unites all LVI Alumni. What is it about LVI that draws people together and builds friendships and supportive professional relationships sans frontières?

"Certainly it is passion and purpose, excellence in continuing education and a sense of enveloping support that goes beyond the walls of LVI. Yet more important than that, it is the vision and leadership that has enabled this truly remarkable institute to take hold and change the face of dentistry for the better, forever; that is the tie that bonds us. The profession of dentistry will forever be indebted to the visionary, dentist, teacher and facilitator of learning that Bill Dickerson is. I cannot speak highly enough of the calibre of man and the calibre of teaching and the facility that he has produced at LVI all for the purpose of improving the profession and lives of the dentists who attend and their patients. Dentists come to LVI of their own free will. They choose to learn from the best. The standard of care taught at LVI is second to none. They teach attention to detail. They teach very specific treatment protocols with checks and balances all the way throughout treatment. No short-cuts.

"It was with great honour yet humility that we accepted the challenge to bring LVI to Australia and what a fantastic reception we received from our inaugural class. Everyone was there to learn. There were questions and discussions that went on throughout the day and into the evening. They were introduced to the science and physiology behind neuromuscular dentistry, taught to develop a critical eye for aesthetic dentistry and inspired to reach deep within themselves to find a better way to practice dentistry. There is a lot of misinformation out there about neuromuscular dentistry. Perhaps it stems from a fear of something new, or perhaps that old paradigms are being challenged, but the reality is that when you hear it for yourself, it just makes sense."