Dr. Andrea Shepperson is a passionate advocate for dentists and of dentistry. Practicing in Auckland, New Zealand, she sold her practice in 2008 to NZ’s largest corporate dental group, currently Chairman of the Clinical Advisory Group for Lumino The Dentists. She is a regular visitor to the USA since her early years after graduation, and has attended a number of leading educational institutions. She is a Kois Center Mentor, and Key Opinion Leader for Ivoclar Vivadent. She lectures in NZ, Australia, UK and has a special clinical interest in tooth wear with an emphasis on erosion. Dr. Shepperson is Married to Sean and is a mother of 2 teenagers – Oscar & Caitlin.
Andrea’s favorite quote and why:
“We don’t see people as they are. We see people as we are.” – Anaïs Nin (click to tweet!)
She thinks we are inclined to jump into conclusions and make assumptions about people. Dentists have to really get to know the patient, and build a relationship with them – leaving assumptions behind.
What Andrea does for the dental profession:
Andrea’s focus at the moment is around the “risk management” concept. She also have a particular interest in tooth wear and erosion. She is teaching dentists to look at the patient as a whole, in terms of their disease risk.
She’s a founding member of AAOSH (American Academy for Oral and Systemic Health).
Her difficult time story:
Andrea recalls her experience during her early years, when she treated a young man who had a lot of cavities (requiring about 15 fillings in his mouth), and she had no choice but to agree to take all his teeth out and make him a set of dentures. It was against her value system and was a very difficult thing for her to do. She says her only regret at the time was that she did not have the courage to quit the job before she did it.
The upside for her was that it forged a pathway for her for the rest of her career. It made her resolute and determined that it was not the kind of dentistry that she wanted to participate in.
What she sees as the up and coming thing in dentistry:
She finds it very exciting that quality education is more accessible to people these days. The fact of no longer having to travel to another country to be with some of the great minds, because they are available in the internet via webinars.
She also finds the move towards the digital age exciting – the ability to move away from impressions to scanning, etc…
The best advice Andrea has ever received:
Not being afraid to ask. If you really want something to happen, and change in your life, then you need to step up and ask.
Clinical or Management pearl (tip):
Learn about occlusion.
Technology or procedure that is exciting Andrea right now:
Andrea is currently running an education program for young dentists called ‘Lumino GO’. The ‘go’ part is about accelerating professional life towards best practice .
Internet / App resource that Andrea feels is awesome:
Dr. Stephen Phelan’s Occlusion webinar series
Her book recommendations:
“mBraining – Using your multiple brains to do cool stuff” by Marvin Oka and Grant Soosalu
“Mastering the Business of Practice” by Marc Cooper
“Rushing Woman’s Syndrome” by Dr. Libby Weaver
Dr. Andrea Shepperson can be reached at:
Email: ashepperson@gmail.com
Website: http://www.sheppersoneducation.com
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