Making a contribution...

This edition we welcome specialist endodontist, Dr Michelle Heffernan, as a regular columnist to the magazine. When not busy in her private practice in Sydney's Macquarie Street, Michelle enjoys teaching, both as the Head of Discipline of Endodontics at the University of Sydney and delivering various continuing education programs here and overseas.

If Dr Heffernan's first column, The "elusive" MB2 canal leaves you wanting more, two upcoming full-day hands-on programs - "From Root to Restoration" in Sydney in May, July and August and "Good Vibrations" in Sydney in August - are a must. See www.sybronendo.com/events

Auckland periodontist, Dr Michael Danesh-Meyer is another new columnist for 2012 and after a well received first instalment on gingival recession, this time writes all about surgical crown lengthening. Michael is a well-respected clinician and educator and his latest project is a foray into the world of online education with new website - www.dentalmentor.org. This site broadens the traditionally face-to-face mentoring experience and makes it available globally. Drs Glenn Liddelow, Brent Allan and David Dunn are also on the faculty and offer access to a wealth of experience over the web.

Be quick if you're a fan of the work of Dennis Tarnow. Dennis is part of the stellar line-up presenting at IDEM Singapore 2012 in April and the program is close to being a sell-out. See www.idem-singapore.com for info.

We caught up with Dr Bill Dorfman, the world's most famous dentist, when he zoomed into Perth to support his LEAP Foundation in February. It was eight years ago that we first met Dr Bill for the launch of Zoom! New owners of the system, Philips Oral Healthcare, are in the process of rolling out the 5th generation of the system, now called Philips Zoom Whitespeed.

Our annual implant dentistry special feature opens this edition with an article by Senior Contributing Editor Dr Christopher Ho entitled Implant rehabilitation in the edentulous jaw: the "All-on-4" immediate function concept. Nobel Biocare's All-on-4 concept has suddenly become flavour of the decade amongst experienced clinicians and here Chris explains exactly why. Chris also organised the recent Kings College London Dental Institute residential program for MClinDent students in Sydney held in January.

On a final note, we're privileged to have the work of legendary dental ceramist Brian Walters grace the pages of this edition and forthe first time, he's co-authored an article with long-time client and friend, Dr David Dunn. An Oral Design member, Brian is truly gifted in his craft and we encourage him to continue to contribute to this magazine and its sister publication for fellow ceramists, eLABORATE.