In 2021, Straumann launched the SmileAward contest to highlight precisely this fact. Dr. Barbara Sobczak from Poland participated in the first edition and was one of the ten winners. In this interview, she tells us what motivated her and what an experience the SmileAward has been for her and her patients.

What attracted you to participate in the SmileAward 2021?

I was invited to take part in the competition by Dr. Fabio Cozzolino, the cofounder of Zerodonto. Initially I was thinking about this contest for two reasons. First reason was that I wanted to connect a larger network of doctors with my treatment protocol – the Sobczak Concept in combination with Straumann Pro Arch. The second reason: I wanted to participate in a worldwide competition for doctors. An international perspective creates greater union for dental professionals to showcase their progressive techniques, creating a united professional world amongst colleagues, and encourages the success of future treatments. I had a profound feeling during the competition that on one hand, you want to win, but on the other hand you also feel hopeful for a few personal favorites and you keep your fingers crossed for them.

What did you like most about the contest?

I liked how unified doctors became all over the globe. It brought a sense of community into an ordinarily professional space of collaboration. Eventually we started writing to one another to exchange our appreciation of someone else’s work and videos. Many times we mentioned how much we were moved by particular patient's story. That competition reminded us that besides the craftsmanship of our job, we do it for particular people, our patients.

Most of the dental content found on social media is about showcasing the outcome of the procedures from a technical perspective. We realized there’s so much more behind that. It’s about the presence of art and emotions in the craft of dentistry. Since each medical case deals with a different person with their own distinctive history and diverse experience, it’s a moment rarely talked about in the field; when a doctor feels even more proud about the lifechanging difference they’ve made for a patient, rather than the technical success itself. In many cases, these advanced dental procedures are the stepping-stone for a patient’s well-being and confidence to go into the world. That makes this contest so special and collective in spirit.

Where do you see the link between the purposes of both the contest and your profession?

Working as an implantologist is all about giving our patients the best treatment. So besides everyday planning and performing surgeries, I love to take part in courses and symposiums. That is very much needed inspiration to my work. This contest fuels inspiration and motivation from our colleagues. In any profession, it’s important to diversify your learning and network to gain the greatest access to resources, tools, and people available.

By engaging in these types of programs, you mix in passion with a network of doctors that spark new ideas, leading to innovation through collaboration. This is what sets top performing doctors apart, and what gives our patients the maximum opportunity for the best treatment.

My patient was very proud to be a part of this contest. Now, she is very happy – the surgery helped improve her quality of life drastically. She says that she divides her life in two; before Sobczak Concept with Straumann Pro Arch, and after. She cannot imagine going back to times when she couldn’t freely eat and smile.

About Barbara Sobczak
Graduated from Warsaw Medical University in 2007 and Goethe Universitat in Frankfurt am Main in 2017. ITI Fellow, Founder of ITI Study Club Mazovia and ITI Study Club Polinika, Medical Consultant for Straumann in Poland. Center of Excellence for Education in Oral Implantology. Owner of clinics in Poland: Dr Sobczak Klinika Radosc, Dr Sobczak Klinika Babice and Dr Sobczak Dental Clinic Dubai Mall in the United Arab Emirates.

About the SmileAward
Show us how YOU are changing the lives of your fully edentulous patients and how dentistry can give back confidence and improve the overall well-being of individuals. Please create and submit your best patient story, together with the clinical procedure and the patient's testimonial by April 20th, 2022. All cases fulfilling the criteria will be submitted for public voting. A jury composed of world-renowned thought leaders in the field of dentistry will select the final winners who will be awarded their prizes during the EuroPerio 10 (June 15th - 18th 2022). Participate now and don't miss the opportunity to showcase the way you are impacting your patients' lives every day..

About the Straumann Group
Since our foundation many decades ago, we’ve been inspired to make people’s lives better. Our entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to scientific excellence, has made us a global market leader in esthetic dentistry. We’ve transformed millions of lives. And we’ll transform millions more. Patients and professionals all over the world confirm that improved oral health increases self-confidence. It restores people’s self-esteem and unlocks their life potential. We are proud to be able to make a fundamental difference. Because what we do, goes way beyond simply restoring a smile.

About Zerodonto
With more than 300 thousand members and followers, the international Zerodonto platform aims at sharing ideas and knowledge in dentistry with health professionals. The purpose is to grow together clinically and scientifically.