Our experts

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1551-2916.2010.03835.x/abstract
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955221912000593

Having finished high school, it was time to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up. It is important to mention that I had two great role models, my aunt and uncle, both dentists by profession. I had always been interested in their work. I had also long felt the need to help people, but at the same time I was bursting with creative spirit. I enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine in Ljubljana, the Stomatology study programme. After completing my internship and alternative civilian service, I immediately joined the private sector. I simply never believed that working in a public institution or a dental clinic with a concession would enable me to grow and develop the way I wanted to. Working at the Babit dental centre for 12 years, I was able to acquire plenty of experience and take advantage of opportunities for training in areas not included in my undergraduate studies. Patient management, psychology, marketing, communication and clinic management were the main topics that motivated and drove me. I regularly attended seminars on these subjects in London and the US. Over the last 10 years, I have invested over 10,000 hours in acquiring additional, non-clinical knowledge.

Having frequently exchanged ideas with Dr. Sebastjan Perko, we reached the conclusion that together we can achieve something that we would never be able to achieve alone: we can establish a dental clinic with a comprehensive approach to patients and with a special focus on periodontal tissue health. Thus the Medical Dentistry clinic was born. Even before founding the clinic, I realised something very important – the missing link between what patients need and what they want. Communication and a good relationship with patients are of the essence. At the Medical Dentistry clinic, we have created a space where modern dentistry, a new philosophy of medical care and genuine relationships between the staff and patients meet. A space where we start by listening to what patients want before advising them on what they need.

Even as I child, I showed signs of becoming a dentist, drilling quite a few holes into the walls of my grandparents’ house in Straža near Novo mesto – to my grandfather’s delight, I’m sure. That was my first drilling experience. But of course I didn’t fill the holes, as I didn’t learn that until much later. Since my father works in construction and I’ve always been interested in buildings of all kinds, I thought about becoming an architect when I was in primary school. But in high school, Džuro – an unusual biker with a licence to drill – drove into my life. It was thanks to him that I started to think about becoming a dentist.

And so I enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine in Ljubljana, the Stomatology study programme. As a young dentist seven years later, I was employed at the Novo mesto Health Care Centre, but despite my knowledge and dedication I didn’t enjoy the work, because I had to tell my patients “no” too often. I soon opened my own private clinic.

At a seminar a few years later, I bumped into Sebastjan Perko, a fellow student from the faculty. The accidental meeting gave rise to the idea to expand the Medical Dentistry concept to the Dolenjska region. There was no doubt about where my career would go next, as Medical Dentistry is a team of fantastic people, experts who love their work – better yet, their mission in life. This is the true dentistry that I’d been trying to find for eight years. I recommend Medical Dentistry to people who care about their health and want a professional, friendly and technologically advanced approach. Medical Dentistry pushes the boundaries of dentistry. Since 1 October 2015, you can find us in Novo mesto as well. Now I’m really enjoying my profession to the fullest!

Even in primary school, my favourite subject was maths, together with physics and biology in high school. I continued my education at the Faculty of Medicine in Ljubljana, where I completed my journey in 2001. During my internship, I encountered real orthodontics – planning teleroentgenograms, the biomechanics of aligning teeth and the ideal bite and teeth alignment. It was a new dimension. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, I got the opportunity to specialise in orthodontics. I grabbed it and continued my education. Three years passed quickly, and my love for orthodontics grew into a wonderful profession. I gained new knowledge, and the digitisation of diagnostics aids and computer-supported planning have improved and facilitated the possibility of achieving ideal functional and aesthetic results.

However, it is still not possible to achieve the ideal, optimal biological balance of teeth, the smile and the periodontal tissues without cooperating with other branches of dental medicine, particularly when treating adult patients. Dentists Dr. Matej Pirtovšek and Dr. Sebastjan Perko invited me to join not just our forces but our knowledge, success and energy in order to give Medical Dentistry patients access to perfect oral health and a perfect functional and aesthetic smile that will improve the quality of their social life and give them long-lasting satisfaction.

I spent my childhood in a pleasant environment of Vavta vas by the Krka river. I was interested in technology, plane model building and music already as a child. I demonstrated my manual skills by playing classical guitar and later baritone. After graduating from high school in Novo mesto I decided to enrol in the Faculty of Medicine, Dental Medicine section. I successfully completed my studies in 2007. After completing the internship and passing the professional exam, I became employed at the Ljubljana – Bežigrad health centre, where I was the head of the adult dentistry department for a while. I was also a regular member of professional commissions. I continuously strove for progress and development. I regularly attended seminars, congresses and expert workshops in Slovenia and abroad. In the framework of public dentistry, however, I could not offer my patients everything available in contemporary stomatology.

I was happy to accept the invitation of Dr Perko and Dr Bele and began my cooperation with the Medical Dentistry team in May 2016. In this pleasant environment, surrounded with like-minded people, I can finally achieve my professional ambitions and offer my patients a comprehensive care at the highest level.

My interest in the functioning of a human body goes way back to my early childhood when I tirelessly read all popular science magazines and encyclopaedias I could lay my hands on. The first serious chapter in this exploration began when I enrolled in science-oriented Second High School in Maribor, and continued at the Medical Faculty in Ljubljana.

During my studies, I actively participated in different projects of the local dental medicine student society and represented Slovenia at meetings of European and global dental medicine student society abroad. In the context of my student research work at the Centre of Oral Diseases and Periodontology, I completed a research on the mechanism of occurrence of periodontal disease and received the Prešeren Award of the Faculty of Medicine. The findings of the research work were presented at Periodontology Days, in Zobozdravstveni vestnik and the most important international magazine on periodontology.

I completed my studies with the highest average grade and received the Oražem Prize for the best graduate at the Dental Medicine section. My first employment was at the Ljubljana Health Centre, where I was the head of the adult dentistry department and a member of the expert council for three years. After five years in public healthcare I took a step forward.

I joined the Medical Dentistry team because I strive to find challenge and joy in what I do, and I like working in a perspective and quality team. My long-term interest in traditional and complementary medicine, especially Ayurveda and yogic science, inspired me to advance my knowledge in this field, too.

I could say that I spent my childhood on football fields and until the end of high school I actively trained football at the Interblock Ljubljana football club, where I also attended a football class at the Secondary School of Post, Economics and Telecommunications, where I successfully finished school in 2013 as an economic technician. As a football team we also won the title of national cadet champions. During all sports activities, I was constantly accompanied by a passion for drawing, designing, any kind of creation with my hands, where I can completely relax. Since I did not see any personal progress and future in professional football, I applied for the entrance exam for manual skills, for enrollment in the Faculty of Medicine, majoring in dental prosthetics. I am currently finishing my studies by writing my dissertation.

The Oral Medicine Dental Clinic welcomed me warmly and offers me all the support at the professional level of my development path in the professional field of dental prosthetics. Working in a dental laboratory with modern digital equipment is extremely interesting and instructive – digital technology represents the future of dentistry. As a result, I am faced with new challenges on a daily basis, as I never know what kind of work will come through the door.

With the team, we work on the whole working day, improve and adopt new technologies, but I also like to research professional literature and get acquainted with the field in which I work. Knowledge, development and research contribute to the entire profession and company of Oral Medicine, so I can say that I am happy to create new smiles.

I discovered my interest in working with people very early, about ten years ago, when I got my first student job. After finishing education in economy and later cosmetics I finally followed my true path. I felt a strong desire to work in dentistry.

I will never forget the day when I first entered the premises of Medical Dentistry. I was impressed and charmed by the ambient, energy and welcome expressed by the collective. Deep inside me I hoped that I will begin to write a new chapter in the story of my life at the Medical Dentistry clinic. I have, namely, always wanted to work in an orderly and pleasant environment ruled by positive energy and patient satisfaction. I like the combination of manual skills, administration and teamwork. I am aware that an assistant is the first contact in communication with patients, which makes inclination to work with people very important in such position. Such inclination is demonstrated by a kind word, smile and warm welcome.

I finally do a job I enjoy, learn more every day and meet with new challenges. I meet new people on a daily basis and the concern for their well-being and mutually demonstrated trust is what makes me happy.

I am proud to be a part of an expert team in dentistry, from whom I get priceless knowledge that is an excellent asset in my life.

I come from Mengeš, where I was raised in a family with three children. I spent the better part of my early childhood at home with my grandmother, who filled my life daily with joy, music, and the desire to grow as a person. My ambition had always been to become a professional violinist, but growing up I came to realise that playing the violin would only continue to be one of my hobbies.

My path eventually led me to dentistry. Enrolling in the study of oral hygiene has been one of the best life choices I have made, because I have found a profession that I am truly passionate about. It was during my studies already that I started working at Medical Dentistry, which gave me the opportunity to learn about the different branches of dentistry.

I then started work at Dentoteka, where I gained a wealth of experience in oral hygiene equipment, which is now a huge help to me in my work. Being able to share my knowledge with people in my daily practice is the greatest treasure that helps me grow from day to day. A very important aspect of dentistry is good oral hygiene and my mission is to teach each individual how to do it properly.
Medical Dentistry encourages me to learn new skills, and so I am looking forward to all the challenges that lie ahead.

Medical Dentistry has grown to be part of my career life. When I first stepped into these premises, I was overwhelmed by the modern elegance of the ambience and the friendliness and professional attitude of the staff. It was with great enthusiasm that I decided and accepted the invitation to join the Medical Dentistry team as Organiser.

Communication has always been a central thread of my career path. Words, be they written or spoken, shape our lives and our relationships, that is why I like to pay so much attention to them. Every day many opportunities arise, both in my personal and business environment, for me to be able to take my communication skills to the next level and make a positive impact on the people around me.

During my studies in Communication at the Faculty of Social Sciences, I accumulated work experience mainly in the field of promotions and surveying, and I landed my first full-time job at Telekom Slovenije as a content editor for the web portal. I can’t imagine having a job with no human contact because I am empathetic, approachable and friendly by nature, and I can only “play to my strengths” in my relationships with other people. I also like to keep things organised, I love checklists and ticking things off, so the job of an organiser is really right up my alley.

I come to realise every day that I am part of a team with a clear vision, a high level of professionalism and, above all, a professional attitude towards the people visiting our surgeries. All of this is why I am delighted and thankful to be part of this story and to have the opportunity to contribute my own little stone to the Medical Dentistry mosaic.

The year was 1987, when I was born. I grew up as an only child in Ljubljana, where I attended both elementary and secondary school. I chose to study at the Faculty of Organisational Sciences. In my student years, I did various student jobs, which provided me with a great deal of experience, especially in working with people.

I joined Medical Dentistry in 2016 and, believing that everything happens for a reason, I do believe that it was for a good reason that I found myself in the Medical Dentistry story. I know now that my choice of study also had a reason, as in the work I do I can combine organisation and working with people. The field of dentistry was quite an unknown one to me, but I was driven by the desire to learn new skills and take on new challenges. Quite soon, I started to feel like part of the team when I arrived at the clinic. The interconnectedness and teamwork make me look forward to coming to work every day, and moreover, it is a motivation for a job well done.

I consider myself to be ambitious, organised and reliable. From a young age I showed a great interest in creativity and design. And so I often used my free time to design jewellery and to mould things out of dough or clay. I knew that in my future I wanted a career where I could nurture my creativity and imagination, so I enrolled at the Secondary school for pharmacy, cosmetics and health care, where I studied to become a dental technician. I graduated from secondary school with honours. Then followed an internship at the Ljubljana-Vič Health Centre. I truly enjoyed my work, still I wanted to further my knowledge. I enrolled at the Faculty of Medicine in Ljubljana, specializing in laboratory prosthodontics, and graduated in November 2018.

My career path started with me working as a dental assistant. This introduced a different perspective to my profession, yet I still yearned to work in a dental laboratory. When the opportunity to work at Medical Dentistry came up, I was delighted to accept. It had always been my desire to work in an orderly environment, surrounded by a motivated and committed team of colleagues. Working at Medical Dentistry gives me the opportunity for personal and professional growth.

For many years I ran my own business, but during the crisis the industry I was in could not survive. I set out on new paths, sticking to jobs where working with people is a daily routine. Life always throws new challenges at you, so you can find yourself a job that makes you happy and that you enjoy.

My first encounter with Medical Dentistry was pure chance. My daughter saw an orthodontist to get her *braces*. The condition of her teeth and jaw required additional braces, which would have put a strain on my teenager’s life. Medical Dentistry provided a solution in the form of the invisible Invisalign braces. And so youth continues to be carefree.

Amidst the sea of job applications I wrote, I also submitted one for Medical Dentistry administration. I was invited for an interview, and now here I am. In a wonderful combination of working with patients, organisation, staff networking and learning exciting new things.

The owners offered me the opportunity and I accepted. The most important thing to me when I go to work at Medical Dentistry is that I enjoy being in the company of the people with whom I spend most of my day, every day. I set out every day to be among pleasant colleagues and patients, with a big smile on my face.

The team of therapists, assistants and generally everyone we work with is a team of positive and friendly people.

Working with people has always been something I’ve enjoyed, so after graduation I took a job at the Brnik Airport. I worked there as a Passenger Services Agent for 26 years. As much as I loved my job, after the birth of my youngest child I wished for a job with working hours that would allow me to spend more time with my family. In my search for new opportunities, I found it at Medical Dentistry. I was delighted when I found that I had been offered the chance for a fresh start. I mustered up the courage to say farewell to the airport and headed off to face new challenges.

At Medical Dentistry, I look forward to each new working day in the company of my friendly and professional colleagues. It fills me with joy that I continue to work with people and that there is constantly something new going on at work. I am happy to apply all the skills I acquired over the years at the airport to my work now.

I am immensely happy that I finally have regular working hours, free weekends and holidays and I no longer need to get up in the middle of the night. I now have more time for myself and for my son, as I can be more actively involved in his growing up.

I come from the small town of Banja Luka in the north-west of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I have lived in Ljubljana for a few years now, and I can easily say that it was love at first sight. I admire the city’s beauty, the green river, the chestnut trees, and the morning fog, which often reminds me of my hometown.

The world of dentistry got me hooked as early as when I was 15 years old, when I enrolled at the secondary school of nursing to become a dental technician. I later furthered my knowledge at the Faculty of Medicine in Banja Luka and graduated as a Doctor of Dentistry.

At Medical Dentistry, every day brings new challenges, and I am constantly gaining new knowledge and experience, which in turn keeps me even more motivated. I never go to work heavyhearted, because it’s just like going to a second home of sorts. And my colleagues and our clients at Medical Dentistry have almost become my second family.

My desire to help people, which has guided me since a very young age, motivated me to study oral hygiene. During my studies, I came to realise that the work was the right fit for me, which further motivated me to acquire expertise in working with people in a dentistry environment. I thoroughly enjoy the work I do because of its dynamic nature and my desire to improve my skills.

I am energetic by nature, always full of high spirits, which I find essential when working with our clients. It is a great pleasure for me to have joined a team as successful as the Medical Dentistry team. I am impressed again and again by the way the work is done here, by the high level of service and by the fact that no one here is a mere number. Here, each person counts.

From a very young age, I have always had a great sense of my fellow human beings. I always like to help people and cheer them up with my energy. I have dedicated most of my life to dance and to relationships with music. I am a “freestyle” dancer and educator, meaning that I am involved in movement improvisation. I have toured extensively abroad, participating in various events and workshops. Over the years I have gained so much knowledge that for the last three years I have regularly taught people both in Slovenia and abroad.

From children to parents, from beginners to those who take dance very seriously. It is a pleasure to work with people and see their smiling, happy faces. In 2018 I successfully graduated as a medical technician. During my schooling, I encountered people with various illnesses. Their stories and conditions greatly opened my eyes to life. I realized the importance of maintaining a healthy body, both physically and mentally.

My goal is to improve and advance from day to day I strive to be a better version of myself each day, and Medical Dentistry allows me to do just that! At Medical Dentistry, I come up against tough challenges every day, and I am excited to solve them, as the result is a happy, smiling person.

It is a great honour for me to be able to work alongside amazing therapists and friendly colleagues who motivate me and push me to do better every day.