DentaltownUK September 2017 - 86

Day In The Life Of

What time do you usually get up on a
weekday and how far away from work do
you live?
It varies as I work in different dental
practices everyday. However, I usually get
up around 7:30. My commuting is anything
from 20min to 1.5h away by public transport.
What do you eat for breakfast?
Not that much.... milk with cereal usually
How do you travel to work?
Public transport

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE:
Name: Gerard Balague Viladrich DDS
MSc implantology MA Education PGCert
forensic FHEA
Age: 35
Job title: Dentist and clinical teacher
Where did you qualify? Barcelona. Spain
How would you sum yourself
up in just 3 words?
Laid-back, friendly, easy - going

What are your favourite areas of dentistry
and what do you find most challenging?
Apart from anything related to dental
implants or periodontology, I like the rapport
that one builds up with patients over the
time. However, at the same time, patient
management and meeting their expectations
can be difficult.
What appealed to you about a career in
dentistry?
I've always liked medicine and to help
patients to get better.
Who were some of our influences that you
looked up to during your childhood?
My neighbour. He was a doctor and
played the piano. I don't know why but I've
always wanted to follow his path.
Is there any one patient who has most
stood out for you during your career so
far?
Many. Many patients have had an impact
on me. This is one of the best things about
seeing so many patients every so often. That
you end up being part of their family.
Do you express an interest in business?
Do you think there is enough in the dental
curriculum about the business side of
running a dental business?
I've always had an interest but it never
happened yet. There should be more
information available on running your own

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business so that people like myself would be
keener on opening our own dental practice.
Tell us more about your longer-term
ambitions?
Keep improving in what I am doing day
by day. From dentistry to teaching. The small
details make the difference.
Tell us more about the extra curricular
activities you've taken part in during your
undergraduate educations? Have you
been able to maintain these during your
practicing career?
I've always done swimming, music and
learning a foreign language. I think it is easy
to combine few things while you are still a
dental student. The difficult bit starts once
you graduate and start working. Having said
that, I think it is important to keep time
for things you are interested in. Too much
dentistry can be stressful.
What did you find most challenging
during your undergraduate studies and
what pieces of advice would you give
to younger students now entering the
profession?
The most challenging bit was to try
to keep up with exams and not to leave
everything for the last minute. That is a
mistake and you forget everything once the
exam is passed. Try to be consistent. Although
I know this is easier said than done.
What do you believe will be the biggest
changes we face in field of dentistry over
the next 20 years?
How to handle the increase of patients'
formal complains day by day and if this may
have an impact on our daily practice.
The increase of dental corporates may
a lso have a n impact on t he qua lit y
of dentistry.
Once home in the evenings what do you
do to relax?
Gym, swimming, walking or just watch
a good series on TV
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