What is it about?

• An interview with Drs Gustavo Giordani, Victor Clavijo and Juan Arias Romero about the powerful role of mentorship and discipline in building a successful dental career
• Learn how slow dentistry and digital tools are redefining clinical excellence
• Explore how top clinicians prepare for the future of dentistry with technology and vision

Building a foundation: Mentorship, discipline, and persistence

In this episode of Straumann® ProTalk’s inspirational conversations, three world-renowned clinicians—Gustavo Giordani, Victor Clavijo and Juan Arias Romero—share their journeys in dentistry, highlighting the values and experiences that shaped their careers. Each of them brings a unique specialty—maxillofacial surgery, periodontics, and restorative dentistry—but all agree on the importance of strong mentorship, notably by Eric Van Dooren, who instilled not just technical excellence but also humility and openness to learning. Their social media success, amassing over 300,000 followers collectively, is rooted in authenticity and a desire to educate and inspire—not self-promotion.

Success, they argue, is not a quick win but a long game. It demands clarity, persistence, and relentless discipline. The trio stresses that dentistry is a lifelong journey, not a shortcut to fame or money. They emphasize that social media should be a platform for genuine sharing, not performance, and they all manage their own channels to maintain credibility. Their advice to younger dentists is to surround themselves with inspiring mentors, commit to continuous learning, and develop a clear personal philosophy that aligns with their goals, whether clinical excellence or business volume.

A new philosophy: Planning, clarity, and the rise of slow dentistry

Gustavo, Juan, and Victor passionately champion "slow dentistry," a philosophy focused on deep planning and quality over volume. They distinguish between speed in the chair and thoroughness behind the scenes—arguing that real efficiency stems from meticulous digital planning. The adoption of tools like Smilecloud, intraoral scanners, CBCT, and 3D printers has enabled more precise, less invasive, and faster treatment delivery. But they caution: without a structured team sharing the same values, even the best tools won’t lead to excellence.

Their offices are models of interdisciplinary, tech-forward setups, with each team member aligned on delivering patient-centered care. For aspiring dentists, they advise starting with a clear vision, investing in the right tools over time, and being patient in building expertise and infrastructure. They stress that success isn't immediate—it takes years of consistent, values-based work. Choosing mentors wisely and learning from accessible, open professionals is key. They strive to be those kinds of mentors now, openly sharing their process, tools, and insights.

The future of dentistry: AI, collaboration, and a new era of digital integration

Looking ahead, the clinicians agree that digital dentistry is only in its infancy. They envision a future where diagnosis, treatment planning, and execution are seamlessly integrated through AI, cloud platforms, and real-time data analysis. Technologies like AI-driven smile design, guided surgery, and personalized digital workflows will become mainstream, allowing dentists to provide more reproducible and predictable outcomes. They are optimistic—not fearful—of automation, seeing it as a way to elevate rather than replace human expertise.

The conversation concludes with reflections from the chair, Straumann’s Andreas Utz, who echo the clinicians’ vision. Straumann is investing heavily in infrastructure and technology to simplify workflows, improve efficiency, and maintain clinical excellence. Their open platform approach enables clinicians to collaborate across tools and teams while maintaining precision and control. With shared values, long-term partnerships, and a culture of passion and continuous improvement, Straumann aims to shape the next decade of dental innovation in lockstep with forward-thinking clinicians like the three doctors.

Key takeaways:

• Long-term success in dentistry depends on mentorship, discipline, and clear personal values
• Slow dentistry prioritizes planning and quality, powered by digital tools and interdisciplinary teamwork
• The future of dentistry will be shaped by AI, smart planning tools, and platforms that enhance—not replace—human care

The Straumann ProTalk hosts