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Who We Are Dr Julian O'Brien
During his military service as a dentist Dr O'Brien tried new and innovative dental techniques increasing his skills and generating a willingness to embrace the leading edge in emerging dental technologies. He initiated the first Ceramic program for Army technicians whereby they could work with a civilian ceramist - an area of activity previously not included in their training. Attending a Conference on Dental Student education as the Army delegate, he initiated successful motions for the inclusion of Aesthetics and also Ergonomics to be included in the curriculum. For the subsequent 3 years he lectured dental students in those 2 subjects whilst also serving as a Clinical Tutor in Prosthetics. Whilst serving in the Army in Melbourne, he worked part-time in Hawthorne on Sundays at an emergency practice seeing over fifty patients from 10am to 10pm. This was a most challenging environment, he recalled stating that it provided a complete cross-section of demand from fixing a fractured denture to treating grossly incapacitated patients with frank and dramatics infections or unbridled pain. In 1976 he commenced a private practice in Bentley, Perth, in the practice of Dr Mick Lekias, a multicultural experience, whilst at the same time commencing a Masters Degree in Crown and Bridge and Endodontics. In 1982, the new current purpose designed building was completed, with four operatories, an audio-visual room, staff room and equipment or plant room. Dr Katrina Alexander, a medical practitioner, also operated in the Aardent Centre for some five years. In the 80’s he served on the Australian Dental Association Council and for two years was Chairman of the Dental Health Education Committee whose accolades were the brief and controversial national campaign using Budda of the Temple of the Holy Tooth and his own contribution at a local level was the innovation of a display at the Royal Show during which seventy two dentists were rostered to "meet the people and press the flesh". During 1984, he was Chairman of the ADA Dental Legislation Committee, organizing political representation on behalf of the profession. Writing the book "Western Australian Dentistry – Pre 1984", he reviewed the history and implications of previous dental legislation and expanded arguments for the exclusion of untrained persons providing dentistry in the presence of teeth. A turning point in the debate was his circulation to politicians of a dental model showing teeth asking whether the teeth were healthy. The accompanying radiograph showed that under the teeth, concealed within the base of the model, brass clock wheels and fish hooks had been placed. During that time he established ADCAPS – Australian Dental Consumers Advisory Protection Society, which ran dental political advertisements in the local papers and distributed material to parliamentarians. The summation of those efforts were the words of one local politician stating that "the campaign that the dentists organized was the best and most effective he had witnessed, more professional than even the tobacco lobby!" Dr O’Brien also represented the ADA on "Nutrition Week" for 3 years, which was a group of food manufacturers wishing to counter the claims made by health food stores or the organic industry by scientific argument compiled by food technologist and dietitians. Through those contacts he arranged for CSR to donate a phase contrast microscope and monitor for use by members of the ADA in their practices and between times by the Dental School. The creation of The Oral Health Foundation with Dr Pat Shanahan in the late 1980’s was a collection of hospital, administrative, carers and representatives of the elderly. Dr O’Brien as founding Hon Secretary was moved by the unaddressed plight of the disabled and elderly in aged care, a forgotten tribe whose dental needs were ignored. Dr Shanahan under the umbrella of the organisation lobbied extensively at a State and Federal level for increased awareness for the periodic dental monitoring of these forgotten folk with unique and challenging needs. Dr O’Brien currently serves on the ADA Dental Insurance Liaison Committee, a concept that he initiated. As the founding Secretary of the Australasian Osseointegration Society (Western Australia) Inc. in 1996, he contributed to the creation and viability of one of the largest implant groups amongst the Australian State Branches of AOS. In 1999 he left that position to become Secretary of the Federal AOS with the hope of furthering the community knowledge of dental implants and with the organizational hope of establishing an Email network for implant dentist and other auxiliary members throughout Australia and New Zealand. Additionally he would like to expand the organization into Asia. Having experienced ten years in Rostrum Club 17 and enjoyed its learning and friendship, the dubious honour of Club Speaker of the Year, he continues his association as an Honorary Life Member. His passion is correct meeting procedures whilst his pet hate is the dental lecturer who commences his lecture with "Hello, could we have the projector on please!" Interests of underwater photography, digital graphic
manipulation using PhotoShop, jewellery, woodworking and the French polishing of Jarrah
and Sheoak, the Art Nouveau and the Arts and Craft style, plus Gothic and Frank L. Wright
architecture. Dr Richard F.Williams B.Ch.D. (Leeds)
Whilst at University he served on the staff/student committee and was also the student representative on the Yorkshire branch of the Paedodontic Society. He worked voluntarily in the accident and emergency department of the Leeds General Infirmary; it was from this that he gained early experience in trauma management. He was a keen participator in sports such as squash and particularly rugby union and was also joint editor of the final yearbook. After a year or so practicing dentistry Dr Williams decided to broaden his horizons by means of travel. He had always aspired to work overseas and soon found himself at Perth international airport. His parents had been on the verge of immigrating to Australia early in their married life and they had always wondered what life might have been like. Dr Williams fortunately found Australia to be everything he had hoped. This was amplified by his discovery that the Australian dental system was flexible and conducive to quality dentistry. Dr Williams began to practice at the Aardent Dental Centre in 1992, he recalls never having seen a dental surgery quite like it. "Everything pointed to attention to detail and quality" and indeed this was especially true of the dentistry provided. He is a member of the Australian Dental Association and the Australasian Osseointegration Society (Implant Society). He has worked full time in private practice and has supplemented his dental degree with a multitude of postgraduate courses and seminars. These have included Endodontics, Prosthodontics and particularly Implant Dentistry. He enjoys providing general dental services as a family dentist but has found an increase in public awareness and enthusiasm about dental implants. He has studied several different implant systems but is currently using the Branemark system exclusively. He says that he arrived at this decision based on the conservative, extensively researched approach of the Branemark company. Dr Williams revels in the precise, predictable nature of the system and is motivated by the results he has been able to achieve. He describes it as "fantastically rewarding" to see his increasing number of implant patients return time and time again for check ups, typically problem free, enjoy eating again and visibly happy about their decision to undergo the treatment. Dr Williams was determined on arriving in Australia to give his new life every chance, however, he comments that rather than finding obstacles he found the Australian way of life instantly appealing. In 1994 at his first opportunity he became an Australian citizen. Three years later he married a local girl and recently celebrated the birth of his first child, a little girl called Olivia. He enjoys the social and sporting side of Australian life and has participated in many relay marathon and running events. He has also twice completed the Avon Descent, a 135km white water race in the double surf-ski category and is also a keen golfer. The Aardent Dental Centre: A number of dentists have worked treating the patients of the Aardent Dental Centre including Jane Archer (16 years), Santo Cardaci (2 years), Ashley Goldstone, Peter Maloney, Robert Donaldson, Neil Burman (4 years) and Emma Dolby, plus dental therapists – Dawn Beatty, Johanna and Maree who have often taken maternity leave to later return part-time.
The building consists of 4 operatories, an OPG room, a children’s play area, waiting room, toothbrushing nook, a dentist office, staffroom, plant room and 2 sterilizing T shaped corridors. The design was by Graeme Hanseen. Ten computers are linked through a network with 4 printers, 2 modems, fax and a 6 line Commander system. Three autoclaves ensure complete processing of all handpieces and instruments, which are individually packaged. |
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