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Welcome to Healthcare Magazine, your trusted source for the latest updates, expert insights, and trends in the world of healthcare.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a specialized field within dentistry and medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, Management and treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects affecting teeth, mouth, jaws, face, and neck. Many surgeons in this field are drawn to it because it combines aspects of both medicine and dentistry, allowing for a diverse range of procedures, from simple extraction or dental implant placement to major reconstructive surgeries for facial trauma or facial deformities, it plays a central role as a life changer.
A distinguished name in this field is that of Dr. Ayman Zaghal, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, celebrated for his exceptional expertise and unwavering dedication to advancing oral health and patient care. Dr. Zaghal seamlessly merges cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of patient needs, setting new benchmarks in modern dentistry. With over one decade of experience, he has earned a reputation as a trusted and compassionate professional, committed to delivering comprehensive and personalized care. He got certified by the Arab Board “the highest regional certification” and the local Palestinian Board of OMFS after a 5-year hospital-based residency training program exposed him to a wide spectrum of dentoalveolar surgeries, maxillofacial trauma, oncology and facial deformities, with another 5 years of dental practice among very few local surgeons in the field.
A Pioneer in the Digital Dental Industry
As a maxillofacial surgeon and dental implantologist, Dr. Zaghal’s journey has been driven by a passion for innovation, technology, and precision in patient care. With a strong foundation in maxillofacial surgery, he has continually integrated cutting-edge digital workflows, AI-driven diagnostics, and advanced digital aids into implantology and reconstructive surgery. He has spearheaded the use of mobile-based photogrammetry to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of dental implant capture, making high-precision digital impressions more accessible through a startup called Line of Sight. His work bridges the gap between traditional surgical expertise and modern technological advancements, ensuring superior clinical outcomes while optimizing patient experience.
Beyond clinical practice, Dr Zaghal is actively involved in research, development, and startup innovation, pushing the boundaries of digital dentistry, IOS, Facial Scanning, 3D printing, jaw motion devices, CNC Machines and AI-driven treatment planning and navigations. his goal is to transform the future of maxillofacial surgery and implantology through scalable, technology-driven solutions.
The Startup
Line of Sight is an innovative idea by Dr Zaghal. It is basically a mobile-based photogrammetry to capture the dental implant’s position using a smart flag instead of a physical or digital impression that is still inherited with many limitations and shortcomings, it could democratize prosthetic workflows by making high-end precision available and accessible at lower reasonable costs.
“While mobile phone is widely approached globally and friendly to use, mobile Cameras with
AI-powered Software which could be trained to minimize errors and give more predictable outcomes, should be out to the market soon,” shares Dr. Zaghal.
An Ambassador for DDS
The Digital Dentistry Society (DDS) is a global organization dedicated to promoting the use and advancement of digital technologies in the field of dentistry. It focuses on educating dental professionals, researchers, and other stakeholders about the benefits and potential of digital tools and technologies in improving dental care and clinical outcomes. Dr Zaghal feels that being part of the Digital Dentistry Society (DDS) significantly enhances both his knowledge and practice in several ways as it helps him stay ahead of technological trends and update on the latest innovations and technologies. Whether it’s advancements in CAD/CAM systems, 3D printing, digital impressions, or AI in diagnostics, society offers valuable resources and opportunities to learn about these cutting-edge tools, which he can directly apply in his practice.
On the other hand, being an ambassador allows Dr Zaghal to advocate for the integration of digital dentistry in his community, sharing knowledge with peers and patients alike. This leadership role has helped him position himself as a trusted resource for digital dentistry, enhancing his professional reputation and influencing the future of dental care.
From Every day to Industry Challenges
In his daily dental practice, Dr. Zaghal frequently encounters challenging cases involving severe atrophic ridges with significant bone and soft tissue defects. These cases often require rehabilitation and fixed implant-supported restorations, which have become increasingly popular in modern dentistry. Such treatments demand critical decision-making to either restore what has been lost or to optimize the existing conditions through a patient-specific treatment plan.
Dr Zaghal has successfully performed a range of advanced procedures, including bone grafting, short implants, nerve lateralization, Zygomatic implants, and custom subperiosteal implant solutions, often completing these treatments in a single visit. Additionally, many straightforward cases are addressed using computer-guided surgical plans, enabling immediate screw-retained provisional restorations on the same day. He has adopted a highly specific digital workflow, tailored to each full-arch treatment plan, to ensure precision and efficiency in achieving optimal outcomes.
He believes that technical integration and adapting the new technology is one of the hottest challenges the industry faces every day. While digital tools and technologies have brought many advancements, integrating them into everyday practice can be challenging. There’s a need for significant investment in new equipment, training, and software, which can be a financial burden for smaller practices. On the other hand, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI) continue to evolve, there’s an increasing need for ongoing training to keep professionals up to date with the latest advancements. Surgeons and dental professionals must continually adapt to new methodologies, which can be time-consuming and costly.
Impact of Technology
Advances in facial reconstructive surgery have been associated with less morbidity and more predictable results. Computer-aided surgical simulation, says Dr Zaghal, has greatly enhanced the efficiency and accuracy of orthognathic surgery for the correction of dentofacial deformities. Virtual surgical planning (VSP) improves the efficiency of presurgical work-up and provides an opportunity to illustrate multidimensional correction at the dental and skeletal levels.
Virtual surgical planning (VSP)provides preoperative insight into the surgical intervention and the fabrication of cutting guides and templates can help decrease intraoperative surgical inaccuracies. VSP is rapidly becoming the standard of care for surgical treatment planning of dentofacial deformities. On the other hand, VSP now allows for the fabrication of custom plates, patient-specific cutting guides, and custom plates which allow for precise spatial positioning of the osteotomized jaw in the orthognathic surgery. AI Simulation enhances Patient Collaboration by actively engaging in the planning process, discussing preferences and visualizing outcomes, ensuring alignment between expectations and reality.
Patient-Specific Solutions
Using patient-specific cutting guides and custom plating in reconstructive surgery offers several significant benefits, primarily centered around improving precision, reducing time and complications, and enhancing the overall outcome of the surgery.
Dr Zaghal gives the breakdown of the key benefits as:
– Enhanced Surgical Precision
– Faster and More Efficient Surgery
– Improved Aesthetic and Functional Outcomes
– Reduced Postoperative Complications
– Personalized Treatment Plan
– Reduced Need for Intraoperative Adjustments
– Minimization of Risk for Reoperation
– Increased Patient Satisfaction
Staying in the Know
To stay updated with the latest advancements in dental technology and surgical techniques, here are some common approaches Dr Zaghal takes:
– Continuing Education: Attending workshops, conferences, webinars, and dental symposiums is one of the best ways to stay informed. Many dental organizations offer specialized programs for hands-on learning and discussions on new technology and techniques.
– Peer-reviewed Journals: Subscribing to journals provides in-depth research on advancements in the field. These articles often include detailed explanations of new equipment, materials, and methods.
– Professional Associations: Being an active member of associations like the American Dental Association (ADA), or the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) can provide access to the latest industry trends and research, as a Palestinian Ambassador of Digital Dentistry Society (DDS) and the 1st of its kind (DAIA ) Dental Artificial Intelligence Association these communities gave me a chance to be in close touch and integration to the lastest research in the field.
– Networking: Engaging with other dental professionals, whether through online forums or in-person meetings, allows for the exchange of knowledge and best practices. Networking with colleagues who work in cutting-edge areas of dentistry can provide insights into emerging tools and techniques.
– Social media & Blogs: Following dental professionals, clinics, and tech companies on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram can keep you updated with the latest news, product releases, and industry developments.
– Technology Companies & Manufacturers: Dental equipment manufacturers often offer webinars, demos, and training sessions on their new products. Staying in touch with these companies can give you direct access to emerging technologies, especially in the biggest dental exhibition worldwide
Aeedc-Dubai, IDEX – Istanbul and IDS-Cologne
– Clinical Practice: Hands-on experience is essential. Trying out new technologies and techniques in your own practice, when possible, helps you learn firsthand and stay on the cutting edge.
– Online Learning Platforms: Websites, specialized dental education platforms, often offer courses on new procedures and tools, enabling practitioners to learn at their own pace.
Digital Tools and Modern Dentistry
Digital tools are revolutionizing dentistry by enhancing precision, efficiency, and patient experience. The major impacts, per Dr Zaghal, include:
1. Unmatched Accuracy & Precision
2. Faster & More Efficient Workflows
3. Improved Patient Experience & Communication
4. Cost Reduction & Accessibility
5. Personalized & Predictable Treatments
6. Integration of Robotics & Automation
7. Evolution of Dental Education & Training
“Digital dentistry is reshaping the profession, making treatments more precise, predictable, and patient-friendly. The biggest challenge is the adoption curve—many dentists still rely on traditional workflows due to cost and learning barriers,” says Dr Zaghal.
Technicality and Compassionate Care
Dr Zaghal believes that balancing the technical aspects of surgery with compassionate patient care is essential in dentistry, or any medical field for that matter. It is a combination of clinical skills and emotional intelligence. He shares the following strategies that dental professionals like him often use to achieve that balance:
– Effective Communication: The key to both technical success and compassionate care is clear and empathetic communication. Explaining the procedure in simple, reassuring terms can help ease a patient’s anxiety. Taking the time to listen to their concerns and ensuring they feel heard creates a stronger patient-practitioner relationship.
– Patient Education: Before performing any procedure, educating the patient about what will happen during and after surgery is critical. This helps them feel more in control and prepared, reducing stress. Providing follow-up resources, like pamphlets or links to videos, also shows care beyond just the technical work.
– Maintaining a Calm Demeanor: Patients often pick up on the mood of the medical team. Maintaining a calm, confident, and professional demeanor during surgery reassures the patient that they are in capable hands. A steady approach helps with both technical performance and demonstrating compassion.
– Pain Management: Beyond the technical aspects of surgery, managing pain and discomfort effectively during and after the procedure is an important aspect of compassionate care. Offering pain relief options, checking in with the patient regularly for comfort, and adjusting techniques to minimize pain show attentiveness to their well-being.
– Personal Connection: Taking the time to connect with patients on a personal level, even briefly, can have a significant impact. Asking about their day or interests before getting into the procedure helps patients feel valued as individuals, not just as cases. This personal touch fosters trust and comfort.
– Post-Operative Care: Compassionate care doesn’t end with surgery. Providing thorough post-operative instructions and offering follow-up support demonstrates a continued commitment to the patient’s recovery and overall well-being. Checking in on them after the procedure, whether through a call or a follow-up visit, also strengthens the patient’s trust.
– Team Collaboration: Compassionate care extends beyond the surgeon to the entire dental team. Ensuring that the staff is also trained to offer kindness, empathy, and support throughout the process, from reception to recovery, creates an environment where technical care is complemented by a sense of emotional security for the patient.
– Self-Reflection: Finally, reflecting on your approach to patient care regularly helps you find areas where you can improve. Sometimes the most skilled technicians need to take a step back and assess if they’ve been showing enough empathy. Regular feedback from patients and colleagues can help identify this.
Transforming Dentistry with AI
The Dental Artificial Intelligence Association (DAIA), a 1st of its kind, is an organization focused on advancing the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies within the dental field. The association aims to promote the development, research, and implementation of AI-driven tools and systems that can enhance dental practice, improve patient outcomes, and streamline various processes in dentistry. Dr Zaghal represents Palestine in the Middle East Region.
DAIA also plays a critical role in bridging the gap between technology and clinical practice, helping to ensure that AI tools are used effectively and ethically to improve the quality of care for patients while enhancing the capabilities of dental professionals.
The possibilities for AI in dentistry are vast. As technology advances, we can expect even more sophisticated AI applications, like real-time diagnostics aids, labelling, segmentation, planning and prediction outcomes, or AI-driven virtual reality training for dental students and professionals. AI will continue to revolutionize how dental professionals work, making dentistry more precise, efficient, and accessible to patients worldwide. “And of course, considering integrating AI into your practice leads to a more efficient, patient-centered experience; while helping you stay ahead of the curve in terms of technological advancements,” says Dr Zaghal.
Making Quality Dental Care Accessible
Improving access to quality dental care globally is a critical challenge that involves addressing barriers such as cost, availability, education, and healthcare infrastructure. Dr Zaghal suggests several key steps that can be taken to improve global dental care access:
– Expand Preventive Care and Education by increasing awareness and early intervention
– Increase Access to Affordable Care
– Expand the Dental Workforce by training more professionals and promote collaboration
– Increase Access to Tele-Dentistry, Virtual Consultation, and mobile dentistry services
– Integrate Oral Health into General Healthcare
– Use of Technology to Improve Accessibility
– Improve Health Insurance Coverage
– Support Dental Innovations
– Volunteer Programs and Outreach
– Improving Dental Education in Low-Income Regions
Mentoring Students
As Al-Quds University Supervisor, Dr Zaghal has been entrusted with shaping the learning experience and background knowledge of students. As a university supervisor, here are some key points he likes to emphasize:
Increasing Awareness Among Patients
Dr Zaghal concurs that educating patients about the importance of oral health is crucial for preventing dental issues and promoting overall well-being. Here are several effective ways he suggests that dental professionals can improve patient education:
– Make It Personal: Tailor education to the individual patient’s needs. If a patient has specific concerns, like gum disease or tooth sensitivity, address these issues directly with relevant information. When the education is personalized, patients are more likely to feel invested in maintaining their oral health.
– Use Visual Aids and Technology: People often understand concepts better when they can see them. Digital X-rays, 3D models, or intraoral cameras are great tools to visually explain dental conditions and procedures. Showing patients, their own X-rays or photos of their teeth can make the information feel more real and tangible.
– Simplify Complex Information: Avoid dental jargon when explaining treatments or procedures. Use simple, easy-to-understand language to ensure patients fully grasp what is being discussed. It’s helpful to break things down into smaller steps or provide handouts they can refer to later.
– Encourage Preventive Care: Focus on preventive measures like brushing, flossing, and regular checkups. Explain how daily habits, such as the correct brushing technique, using fluoride toothpaste, and maintaining a balanced diet, contribute to long-term oral health. Show how these habits are an investment in their future health, preventing more invasive procedures down the line.
– Create a Comfortable Environment: Patients are more likely to listen and retain information when they feel relaxed and comfortable. Taking time to explain things in a non-rushed manner and creating an open, welcoming atmosphere helps patients feel more at ease and willing to ask questions.
– Leverage Digital Platforms: In addition to in-person education, use digital platforms like social media, blogs, or email newsletters to share useful information about oral health. Many patients find it easier to absorb information in their own time, and regular reminders about things like oral hygiene or the importance of checkups can help keep their oral health top of mind.
– Involve the Whole Family: Encourage parents to take part in their children’s dental education. Offering advice on how to make dental care fun for kids or teaching them how to establish good habits early on can have a lasting impact. When the whole family is educated, everyone benefits.
– Provide Written Materials: Some patients may not fully absorb information during the visit. Offering brochures or links to trusted websites allows them to revisit the information later. These resources can reinforce the importance of regular visits, good hygiene, and healthy habits.
– Highlight the Link Between Oral Health and Overall, Health: Explain how oral health is connected to general well-being. For example, poor oral health has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other systemic conditions. Helping patients understand this connection may motivate them to take better care of their teeth and gums.
“Lastly, leading by example is powerful. When patients see dental professionals practicing excellent oral hygiene, it reinforces the message. Patients are more likely to adopt habits that they see their providers using,” concludes Dr Zaghal.
Quote: “Albert Einstein said- Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”
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