Toshi’s Blog

When I attended the CEO meeting in Reims, France, Dr. Alain Decker, Professor of University Paris V, asked me if I could come to Toulouse next year or not.
It is a meeting for Orthodontic specialists, 4 years special curriculum.
He said that he wanted to invite me as an instructor and a lecturer.
April is one of the busiest time in my practice so that it is difficult to absent from my office for 10 days,,, but I couldn’t decline his offer because he is my dearest friend.
 


Toulouse, beautiful city.
 
I replied yes, but the preparation for lectures was such a hard time.
Ordering the Metal teeth and Wax forms of Typodont, bonding Hirobrackets with Hiro system, and “treat them”(dunking), taking pictures for each steps,,, I did everything by myself because I didn’t have any associate doctors.
Typodont works were done on every Sunday and Monday, my off day, from 7:30am to midnight, and the preparation of lectures were done on every weekday, waking up at 5:00 am.
It was so hard but I was happy to work with Alain.
 
 
14th, April, arrived at Toulouse
 
Dr. Pascal Baron, the Professor of University of Paul Sabatier(UPS), he is well
known as Lingual Jet, appeared at the airport to pick me up.
He invited the dinner for a nice French restaurant, just in front of City office.
Everything was so nice!
 

Capitole à Toulouse
 

Since 15th was spare day, he took me for city tour and the Museum.
Meet, vegetables, breads, beers,,we can find everything at Marche.
 

 

Most buildings are made with red bricks in Toulouse, so Toulouse is called “Pink City”.
Surprisingly, Toulouse does not have TGV because it is the city of Airbus.
 
 
On 16th, we took metro for UPS.
 

Beautiful, huge campus.
 


There is a huge Hospital in middle hills, too.
 
I think French people are so smart because they do not waste time/money but use a lot if they are necessary.
 
When I arrived at UPS, there were so many participants,,, surprise, surprise,,.
Some of them were from outside of France, such as Morocco.
 
There are 16 Universities in France, 15 of them have School of Dentistry.
All of them are National Universities.
To be a general dentist in France, she/he must pass the National exam after 6 years dental education, this is same as in Japan.
However, if she/he applies for a specialist such as Oral Surgeons or Orthodontists, 6 years education will be shortened for 5 years but additional 3 years education becomes mandatory, so it takes 8 years in total.
All participants in this meeting are Licensed Orthodontists.
 
In Japan, all dentists are allowed to do all kind of dental treatment even if they do not have any abilities, experiences nor knowledges.
Actually, so many dentists do Implants and/or Orthodontic treatment just for getting money, and “producting” lots of “Victims”.
In my clinic, I constantly have patients who started their Orthodontic treatment in General Dentists and turned to trouble.
They are treated without any X-ray Exams, Analysis nor Diagnosis.
Some of them are incredibly expanded in both arches, not considering the Indications-Contraindications.
 


At UPS, all participants are quite serious, no one sleeps during the lecture.
Participants are divided for Level 1-4, these guys are Level 4.
 


 

Level 4 were around 80 doctors, did Lingual Orthodontic Typodont course using Hiro System.
 


Dr.Pascal Baron
 
 

 
19th, Thursday, I held a 2 hours Lecture at Main Hall for Level 3 & 4 doctors.
I explained about the peculiarities of Lingual Orthodontics, key points, the procedure of Laboratory works, clinical video, etc..
 


The President of UPS and his wife.
 

After the lecture, Alain and I headed to the Airport to go to Paris.
Alain said that my lecture was super, great successful.
I was so happy to hear that.
 
At Paris, Alain reserved quite a gorgeous Hotel close to Paris V.
For dinner, he took me one of the best restaurant in Paris, ordered so many fresh oysters and delicious wine for me.
 

Thank you, Alain.
 

On 20th, Friday, I visited Paris V.
I held a lecture for Faculties and Professors of Paris V until noon.
 

 

 

 

 
In the afternoon, I demonstrated how to use the Hiro System, bonding
brackets, using real patient at the University Hospital.
 

 

I am explaining the key points of bonding, setting wires, etc..
 


This is Alain’s room.  I’m tired.
 


With Germain
 


With Marie-Pierre
 


With Alain
 


The night, Alain took me an another restaurant to have another fresh oysters.
Thank you so much, Alain.
 

On 21th, the day for back to Japan.
I wanted to buy oil paintings at Montmartre, Alain took me there.
Fortunately I could find my favorite painter, “Tonny”.
His paints are so nice, I got two, then Alain got a small one, too.
 

 
 
To hold lectures is quite hard time but it is my presure to work with Alain.
Alain, I will invite you and have a lot of Oyster next time!
See you soon!
 
Toshi