It’s that time of year again. Virginia Implant Excellence Week (VIEW) is back November 11-15.

The week of continuing education events seeks to educate, engage and share knowledge of dental implants to oral health professionals. A series of lunch and learn lectures during the week culminates in a symposium at the Westin Richmond Hotel on November 15. Attendees will have the opportunity to earn up to seven continuing education credits.

“Implant dentistry continues to be a growing aspect of clinical dentistry, and what better way to further implement it into our practice and education than by joining together for VIEW?” said Lyndon Cooper, D.D.S., Ph.D., dean of VCU School of Dentistry. “I am pleased that VCU has established this event to promote excellence in implant dentistry for Virginia and beyond.”

Dental professionals will be attending and presenting at this event from all over the country, including a guest speaker traveling from London. Martin Wanendeya, B.D.S., R.C.S., is an internationally recognized expert in digital implant and aesthetic dentistry who currently practices with Ten Dental in London.

“It will be a real pleasure to visit Virginia for the first time and meet some fellow dental professionals from a different country,” Wanendeya said. “Whenever I travel, I always appreciate the chance to connect on both a personal and a professional level with people. It is always interesting to see the differences and similarities between how we work to achieve the same aim- to always do our best for our patients.”

Wanendeya, along with the other speakers, will be offering unique perspectives on implant dentistry. It is an opportunity to learn as well as to network and create long lasting connections with like minded professionals, Wanendeya said.

“An event like this is a great way to network, to learn formally from any lectures and to pick up tips and hints in the many conversations that are had during breaks and after the meeting,” Wanendeya said. “It is a great way for us as dentists, who often work in small offices alone, to get together and get a sense of community.”

Cooper will be moderating the event alongside Bryan Limmer, D.D.S., director of Division of Prosthodontics at VCU School of Dentistry.

“To me, the Virginia Implant Excellence Week serves for two important purposes,” Limmer said.  “One, it provides attendees the opportunity to learn from world class clinicians and scientists. The program will offer new insights into best practices within implant dentistry, and ultimately help drive improvement in our practices. Two, it is also a great platform for VCU faculty to showcase their talents and build relationships within the community.”

VCU School of Dentistry’s own Rafael Siqueira, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., will also be a featured speaker at the event. As a member of the Dental Implant Committee at VCU School of Dentistry, Siqueira was involved with planning for VIEW in 2023. 

“I am truly honored to be selected as a speaker,” Siqueira said. “It's a wonderful opportunity to not only contribute to an important discussion in our field but also to showcase the outstanding work we do at VCU. This event will allow me to share our experiences alongside our incredible team of students, residents, faculty, and staff, who are all dedicated to advancing implant dentistry.”

The following dental professionals will present at the symposium:

Martin Wanendeya, B.D.S., R.C.S.

• Dr. Wanendeya is a partner at Ten Dental in Clapham, South London. He is an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania and a lecturer in the Master in Aesthetics program at the University of Frankfurt. Wanendeya is internationally recognized for his expertise in digital implant dentistry and smile design, and he has delivered international lectures on all aspects of implant dentistry.

Brian Goodacre, D.D.S., M.S.D.

• Dr. Goodacre is a board-certified prosthodontist and the director of clinical technologies for Nobel Biocare North America, as well as an adjunct professor at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. Goodacre lectures both nationally and internationally on topics related to digital dentistry, prosthodontics and implant dentistry.

Rafael Siqueira, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D.

• VCU School of Dentistry’s own assistant professor and director of Graduate Periodontics Dr. Siqueira will be presenting. Siqueira is a board-certified periodontist, clinical assistant professor and director of graduate periodontics at VCU School of Dentistry. He received his D.D.S. from the University of Pernambuco in Brazil.

Lawrence E. Brecht, D.D.S.

• Dr. Brecht is currently the director of maxillofacial prosthetics at Lenox Hill Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Center and North Shore University Hospital of the Northwell Health System, the largest hospital system in New York State. He also serves as the director of maxillofacial prosthetics in the postgraduate prosthodontic program of NYU College of Dentistry where he is an adjunct associate clinical professor of prosthodontics.

Gayathri Shenoy, B.D.S., D.M.D.

• Dr. Shenoy maintains a private practice in Providence, Rhode Island and is an adjunct assistant professor of periodontology at the School of Dentistry, University of Alabama in Birmingham. She is scientific chair at the Rhode Island Dental Association and member of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), Academy of Osseointegration (AO), International Team for Implantology (ITI) and American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD).

Ernest Cholakis, D.M.D. M.B.A.

• Dr. Cholakis is the founder and managing partner of Manitoba’s largest interdisciplinary dental and oral systemic group that cares for over 30,000 patients in multiple clinics in Winnipeg. His devotion to his patients and their well being has been his life long mission. He maintains a practice in restorative and implant dentistry.

More information about the event, speakers and registration details can be found online at the link.