CDM Professor Provides Pro Bono Endodontic Training for Cambodian Dentists
Gunnar Hasselgren, DDS, PhD, professor of endodontics at the Columbia University School of Dental Medicine, and former director of CDM’s division of endodontics, recently partnered with the University of Puthisastra to offer a continuing education series aimed at general dentists practicing in Cambodia.
The six-part series, “Understanding the Core of Endodontics," is meant to introduce techniques and best practices to Cambodian practitioners. The first program in the series “What is Endodontics - An Introduction,” took place on January 25, 2023. Subsequent programs have included “Endodontics Toolbox - Hand or Machine-driven instruments,” "Pulp Regeneration: A Reality or Hoax," “Pain Management in Endo Procedures - Examination, Diagnosis and Emergency Treatment,” and “Treatment of Vital and Non-Vital Teeth and Retreatment Evaluation.” The series concluded with a discussion of the future of endodontics. More than 200 participants attended each of the six two-hour weekly lectures.
Hasselgren, an accomplished researcher in hard tissue biology and clinical endodontics, has collaborated with the Biomaterials and Interface Engineering Laboratory, a part of Columbia University’s Engineering School, to find ways for teeth to regenerate as an alternative to root canal.
Hasselgren learned about the needs of the University of Puthisastra from a CDM alumnus practicing in Australia, who connected him to the dean of UP. Hasselgren describes the course as “general practice endodontics A-Z” and says that it was important to offer the webinar pro-bono in order to “to give a more objective view without any commercial strings attached.”
Over his career, Hasselgren has lectured around the world and, despite his announcement that he will be retiring from CDM in June, plans to continue to reach out to practicing international dentists in the future. To that end, he offered one of the UP webinars, “Pulp Regeneration: Reality or Hoax” through the Universiti Teknologi MARA Sungai in Malaysia in April.
Hasselgren believes that it’s important for endodontics specialists to be aware of trends in advanced technology and hopes that students who participate in the webinars get as much from the programs as he says he has. “I learned a lot from my teachers,” Hasselgren says. “But most of what I’ve learned is from my students.”
He also hopes his webinar attendees understand that there are fundamental issues being worked on in the field. “Endodontics is not about gadgets; it’s not about making money; it’s about biology,” he said. “I think what we are doing in the clinic is applied biology. We work with nature to obtain healing. When you start working against nature, then it’s a losing battle.”