Interview

A chat with Jung-Chul Park

Verena Vermeulen · Switzerland
 · June 04, 2018

He is dedicated to dental education, social media and suture techniques. We met Dr. JC Park in Basel for an interview.

 

Dr. Park, when did you start using Ridge Preservation techniques?

Dr. Park: About five years ago. In the beginning I was skeptical: why should I preserve the ridge, if I could also wait and do implant placement with simultaneous GBR later on? But Ridge Preservation is a much less aggressive treatment compared to GBR and much more comfortable for patients. Also, recently I’ve come to believe that it is as much about soft tissue as hard tissue. 


Under the label “Back to the Suture” you have an App and publish videos on YouTube. What’s your motivation?

Dr. Park: In my opinion, 50 % of the success of a surgical treatment depends on the incision or flap design, the other 50% on the suturing. What you do in-between is much easier to learn. Many clinicians use the same suturing technique for everything, although there are better and more effective suturing techniques. 


You use social media extensively for educational purposes…

Dr. Park: Yes. I am very dedicated to dental education, and I am trying to find the best way to deliver knowledge to my students. Nowadays it’s mobile devices and social media. I can create tiny bits of knowledge they can digest easily. Once I get their attention, it is easier to motivate them to learn more.


You work at the Dankook University in Cheonan. How many patients do you see in an average day?

Dr. Park: Between 25 and 30. You can see immediately why I am happy that my Open Healing Ridge Preservation shortens my chair time (laughs). 


So, your work load does not leave very much room for research. On which topic would you like to do more research if you had more time?

Dr. Park: Dental stem cell research was one of my major interests. Now I do more clinical trials than bench-test research. Klaus Lang gave me very good advice during the Osteology Research Academy. He said, “Don’t waste your precious time with many studies; instead, do one, very good randomized clinical trial.” That’s what I am focusing on now. 


Is there any time for hobbies?

Dr. Park (laughs): Like all Koreans I am an avid karaoke singer. And I like magic. I do lots of card and coin tricks for my kids. And somehow this also helps me with my lectures, because it’s all about surprise and misdirection and playing with the psychology of the audience. Everything is connected after all.
 

Photo Header: Antonio Mollo

About the author

Verena Vermeulen | Switzerland

Manager Medical Communications
Geistlich Pharma