Interview with DrPodilsky

Questions for professionals Part 2 of 10

New-Delhi, India April 6th , 2017

We will be providing a series of interviews, with professional service providers ranging in occupations
from Medicine, Animal Health, Dentistry, Finance and Law. We will be sharing their experiences,
passions and outlook in their profession. Todays interview will be with a respected dentist in
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Dr. Nathaniel Podilsky

Tell us about yourself, where did you grow-up?

I grew up in Battleford Saskatchewan. Then moved to Saskatoon to take my University degree in

Dentistry.

Are you married?

Yes, Im happily married to the love of my life, Lorraine we have been married for 29 years and
looking forward to the next 75

How did you two meet?

I meet Loarraine in Calgary where I worked as a dentist from 1982 until 1987. I met her at a
Halloween dance organized by a young adults group. She was dressed as a cat with long sleek legs
and cat like whiskers. I was dressed as a perfect colonial gentleman. I wore a large colonial hat. I
started to chase her round the dance floor barking like a dog. Dogs do like cats right? Our first
date was to a Kenny Rogers concert in Calgary. The rest is history.

What inspired you to become a dentist?

I wanted to become a dentist since grade 9. I liked my dentist in Battleford Saskatchewan. I liked
the fact that I could change peoples smiles and as such change peoples lives. I also liked the fact
that I could be my own boss; own my own clinic.

Where did you attend university and how many years did it take to complete your
degree(s)?

I attended the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon where I pursued Physiology. After two years
of Physiology I was accepted into the college of Dentistry. After being accepted into the dental
college, the dental program in Saskatchewan, consists of five full years.

Do you have any interests or field of specializations in any (informally) in dentistry?

My Passions are cosmetic dentistry (Porcelain Veneers/Porcelain Crowns) to improve the Smile and
therefore improve the patients self-confidence and attitude. I also have a passion for replacing
missing teeth with dental implants. Dental implants preserve the bones of the jaws much like teeth
preserve the bones. Without teeth or dental implants, the bone disintegrates or disappears leaving
the patient with a sunken, older look with poor function and as a result poor nutrition and overall
poor health. Dental Implants prevents this from happening. Invisalign or orthodontics is another area
that is required by most people to improve their function and their bad bites or occlusion. It is often
a prerequisites for implant placement or smile design. On my time off, my main passion is teaching
other dentists, at the Manhattan Teaching centre for dental technologies and dental procedures, the
techniques of smile design and implant placement following the proper systems and protocols.

Do you have any specializations within dentistry?

I have taken numerous courses in Cosmetic Dentistry and Implant dentistry since 2000. Currently, I
am embarking on Digital Dentistry which will completely change how dentistry will be performed.
Digital Dentistry involves everything from Digital X-Rays (which reduces radiation to patients) or 3D
Tomography (so we can plan implant placement and treat TMJ) to Cerec or One Appointment
porcelain restorations.

Currently there is a Paradigm shift in my practice. With the current stronger bonding materials and
bonded restorations, there is less need for dental crowns (which involves drilling down the tooth to
pegs). The procedures mean more conservative tooth preparation and preserving as much tooth
structure that is possible. People in general are living longer, often until they are 90 to 100 years old.
As dentists, we must preserve teeth as long as possible by being more conservative. Digital Dentistry
with the newer more advanced procedures and products has allowed us to do this. This has also
allowed us to reduce the costs to patients and often eliminate the taking of impressions. Now a lot of
impressions can be taken digitally.

Why does this interest you?

I explained the reasons above. This has allowed to reduce the number of patient appointments,
reduce the radiation to the patients, reduced the taking of impressions, preserved tooth structure by
being conservative and reduced the costs to the patients.

You mentioned that you are married, and have four children, its fair to say that you are a
family man- How is your work-life balance, -what hours do you work.

My children, are now almost fully grown. Most vacations are spent with the entire family. I normally
work Mondays to Thursdays from 8 until 4 or 5. I do work the odd Fridays and Saturdays to
accommodate my patients that come from out of town. Working no evenings has allowed me to
spend a lot of time with my family..

Explain how you handle work -life balance?

I strongly believe that Dentistry is a very focused profession where we work within millimetres (even
micro millimetres) and every procedure is performed with Loops and Lights. To perform great
quality of dentistry requires this extreme attention and focus. One cannot work nights and six to
seven days a week and maintain this intensity and focus. Life balance of exercise, good food,
recreation, work and religion is very important for my happiness and success.
What do you do for stress?

I love to watch movies especially action packed movies or movies that are real or teach a lesson.
Most importantly I love to take long walks and runs with my dog Slavko. Slavko is a polish lowland
sheepdog that is non-shedding and great with the family. He gives a lot of unconditional love. We
can learn a lot about giving and unconditional love from our pets or dogs. Being in nature or
listening to quiet music (classical, easy listening, country) is another way that I can reduce stress. To
be perfectly honest, Dentistry does not create stress for me. I love dentistry and when something is
your Passion it does not create stress. It is the politics that can go with the profession that can create
the stress you mention.

How many staff work within your clinic(s)?

I have two full time hygienists; one that has been with me for 20 years, another that has been with
me for 9 years. I also have two receptionists, two assistants and an office manager who has been
with the practice for 9 years.

I also have an associate dentist Dr. Stempfle that has worked side by side with me for 10 years. Her
passions are Orthodontics and Invisalign. She is an awesome dentist and a very caring individual.
Our staff are very passionate and caring for our patients. Our patients are like family. We have about
2,000 patients, mostly between the ages of 30 and 60 years of age. A large percentage of these
patients have been with me for fifteen to twenty years.

What are the top three traits that you (or your hiring manager, under your advisement)
look for ?

Positive Attitude, Caring and compassion, thinking about others first, dental knowledge.

What other interests or hobbies do you pursue in your spare time (if you have any?) and
why, or how does it benefit you (if it does.)

My biggest hobby is teaching other dentists how to run a successful dental practice, teach other
dentists esthetics and implants and running a Spears study club. This benefits me by getting to meet
and know more dental collogues. I am always amazed at the eager young dentists that want to
continue to learn.

If you could make recommendations to the Ministers of Health for the Province of Alberta,
what would they be?

The dental profession should remain an independent Association. I strongly believe that the ADA & C
should be split into two identities; one an Association to represent the dentists and a College to
represent the Public best interests. One organization cannot independently and without bias represent
both the public and the dentists without a conflict of interest. There should be more transparency of
all the finances, expenses and member activities, committee members etc. to the dentists that are
members of the Alberta Dental Association and College. It is important to have controls or
guidelines for the dental practices but not have too much red tape that will increase the costs to
operate a dental practice in Alberta. If the costs of running a dental practice keeps going up, then the
price to the patients or consumers will keep going up and ultimately this could be a detriment to the
dental and general health of all Albertans. Dentists should be able to market their services that they
are trained in or provide. Not every general dentist is like any other general dentist. Some
dentists prefer surgery, other prefer implants or orthodontics. They should be able to educate the
public on the importance of these procedures and the courses or education that they have taken.

If you could make recommendations to the Ministers of Health for the Government of
Canada what would they/it be?

(Same as above.)

According to your oversight committee, the Alberta Association of Dentistry and College,
forbid dentists in Alberta to offer free services, or any discounts; whats your opinion on
this? And if you were able to, who and how would you provide services ?

Dentists should be able to provide free consultations so that the public or potential patient could learn
more about their general dental health and what the options, including costs, are for their particular
dental situations. Dentists should also be able to provide free services or any discounts in pricing to
the underprivileged. I do belong to an organization called Give back a Smile which was developed
by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). This organization provides free dental
services to the battered and abused (often homeless) individuals, who are mostly women. A dentist
should be able to market or advertise that they belong to a non -profit organization like this that
enhances the lives of those afflicted or involved. (you can go to the AACD website to get more info on
this program).

How do you see dentistry evolve in the future? Dentistry will become the leader in oral health as it
applies to the entire health of the individual. There will be more Digital dentistry that will improve
the dental services to patients. Robotics will become a part of dentistry in the future.

Any advice to readers that are considering dentistry. A great and noble profession which is constantly
evolving to improve the dental health of the public. Dentistry is no longer as invasive or painful or
primitive as it used to be. These days a lot can be done to restore teeth and save teeth. Ultimately
this improves the life of the patient with better function, better diets and nutrition and overall better
general health. Our goal as Dentists is to improve the smiles of patients one patient at a time.
Prevention is the key by visiting a dentist regularly.

To learn more about Nathaniel Podilsky visit:www.DrPodilsky.com

Interviewed by:

Parminder Singh,

Panchkula, India

Member of the

Canadian Association of Journalists