During these days Doctor Octavian Fagaras visited Armenia, who is a certified expert of DGOI (Association of Oral Implantologists of Germany), Diplomat of ICOI (International Congress of Implantologists) and authorized representative/trainer of German Bredent Medical company, who also has his own clinic in Romania. The visit of Dr. Fagaras to our country has the purpose to examine the sector of dentistry in Armenia and try to cooperate with the experts of dentistry in the country. After examining the sector of dentistry in Armenia Dr. Octavian Fagaras thinks that Armenian specialists have to develop the sector because still there is a lot to do in dentistry in Armenia. Armenia, as the other post-Soviet countries, is apart from the international developments technologies and permanent achievements in implantology.
– When did you start cooperation with Armenian implantologists and what kind of programs are you going to implement with Armenia in the future?
– I visited Armenia for the first time in 2010 by the invitation of German Bredent Medical company. I made a four-day marathon in Armenia and Georgia, which was full of intensive travelling, trainings and surgeries. Despite the fact that during those four days we were short of time, I slept only for several hours and did not have time to have a rest, I have very positive impressions about this country, people, hospitality and generally possibilities. Concerning the profession I would like to note that there are many shortcomings and gaps in dentistry in all post-Soviet countries. But I think that we can implement very good projects through cooperation. This sector has really a lot of space to develop, thus we can and need to develop it because it is connected first of all with the health of people. I came to Armenia and brought ideas with me, which means that I have a vision for the local market, which I believe will be success here. Now we are meeting, consulting and exchanging ideas with Armenian doctors. Here during theoretical and practical sessions I showed an innovation in tooth implantology, which is called Fast & Fixed. Patients who have no teeth or their teeth have to be removed have the opportunity to go out of the clinic with fixed teeth after one session which lasts 4-5 hours only. Another innovation is Piezosurgery, produced by the ACTEON Group, with its new techniques, which is surgical intervention without rotating instruments and the bonemanagement instruments from KOMET. It is done through high frequency vibrations, which excludes the risk of damaging the soft tissue.
– You have decided to cooperate with post-Soviet countries, specifically Armenia and Georgia. What is the reason? Does this mean the sector of dentistry is vulnerable in these countries?
– The reason is the fact that being one of the leading companies in the world, Bredent Medical has several priorities. The company offers high quality products, dental education, as well as by investing in countries that need to develop helps to develop to the level of the developed western standards. Of course Bredent Medical is not the largest company in the world, but it is considered to be one of the most innovative and high quality companies. The company offers a very high quality to implantologists. With a simple example I can compare a company from Switzerland which is small but produces exclusive watches with limited editions, and all products have very high quality.
– It is the second time you are visiting Armenia. Are you still collecting information about the sector of dentistry in Armenia or you have done practical work as well? Are there any recommendations that may support to bring the German experience in Armenia?
– I have tried to evaluate the local market in Armenia but not as an economist because I am not a marketing specialist. I have tried to evaluate the sector as an expert and doctor. I have come to the conclusion that this sector in Armenia has a strong demand for development. I am well informed about the market in Romania. Basing on the experience of Romania I can evaluate the sector in Armenia by drawing parallels. The sector of dentistry needs team work, but in Armenia most of doctors work alone; the same doctor tries to do many jobs. It is not only incorrect, but impermissible either. They need to build team work. For example, they must have very well educated dental assistants, educated surgeon and dental technician. In other words, team work consists of a complex of solutions, which have many components. Certainly when patients go to a doctor, first of all they meet the dentist and they don’t know that many people are involved behind that work. Even if one of them is professional, again the work will not have high quality because the participants should cooperate with each other; only team work may provide high quality. German clinics usually have several types of specialists such as dental hygienist, orthodontist, surgeon, and the first two doctors should work with the patient before doing any surgery. These two specialists must check all options to save the patient’s tooth. Surgical intervention should be done only after doing all these checks. This means that professional work division should be done, which will have good results and high quality. I want to mention also that dentists have started to use microscopes and loops for precise work. You can cure well only what you see well. Before using microscope I used to think that I was a good doctor, but once I started to use it I saw that sometimes wrong things had been done because usually we work on small tissues and parts. To be honest I don’t know whether loops and microscopes are used in Armenia, but it should become a standard. For good dentistry and results doctors must have and use these things.
– What do you think about the facilities and tools in our country?
– To be honest Armenia is not equipped with good facilities and tools and has a lot of place to grow. Technical instruments require continues investment. Maybe there are doctors who want to make money with small investments, but it is another issue. In fact if a doctor wants to grow and develop his work besides making money, he should make investments as much as possible, be consistent with the time and modern developments because this is a continuous process. For example, all my life I have invested a lot of money in my work and tools, and what is more important, in my education. Recently I paid 53,000 Euros to buy a microscope. This was another investment not to stay behind the time. I have brought with me my loops with glasses, which I bought for 1800 Euros. Meanwhile it is worth mentioning that there is no sense to buy these expensive tools if you don’t have good education and professional skills so you can use them.
– In Armenia the professions of dentists and dental technicians have a high demand. There are many applicants for these professions both in state and private universities; there is strong competition. They say these are “profitable” professions. As a result of this there are more non-professional doctors and the health of people suffers. Is it the same in your country too?
– In order to be a good dentist one should love that profession and tend to develop it every day. Otherwise it becomes a business on the account of the patient. This happens in Germany as well, but there are only few cases because discipline is everywhere in Germany. For example, the situation in Romania is the way you described. In universities corruption is widespread and there are people of old generation who hold their chairs and close the way of the younger generations. They feel very strong on their chairs, but indeed I have not seen any of them at international congresses, what is more important, none of them is allowed to talk during these international congresses. This means that they feel strong in their local system and are not compatible internationally. Having my own clinic in Romania and working in specific directions I have offered cooperation to universities, but being people with other methods (you can call it mafia or connections), they do not want anyone to go forward in their sector. For that reason I work independently but continue making cooperation offers.