Dr Paul Swanson recently took part in the Advanced Horizonal & Vertical Augmentation Course from ASHA Club. Dr Swanson qualified from the University of Liverpool in 2000 and obtained a Diploma in General Practice from the Royal College of Surgeons in 2003, completing a Diploma in Dental Implantology in 2008. He has been Practice Owner at Rose Lane Dental Practice since 2008, where he accepts referrals for implant dentistry. He discusses his experience on the course, and why he decided to embark on this training:
“Having been involved in implant dentistry for 18 years, I have seen some of the fantastic results from Dr Balaji at various meetings. Although I have been able to produce good outcomes previously, I wanted to learn more and incorporate Dr Balaji’s teachings into the treatment I provide.
“Ultimately, Dr Balaji has got such a vast amount of knowledge and is incredibly talented, yet he presents with such humility. He was very patient and answered all of the attendees’ questions. Additionally, he had the ability to pace the course in a way that catered for a range of experiences, able to adapt the course content for the audience. Because of this, I believe that the course can help at any stage of a dentist’s implant career – even those who are just starting out – as the techniques and lessons that are taught can be adapted because the general principles help everybody.
“The structure of the course works nicely, split into two parts. In the first two days there is a focus on the horizontal augmentation technique, and there is a big enough gap before part two that you have the opportunity to implement what you’ve learnt, come back, reflect, share what you’ve tried and get feedback. This time to reflect means that part two of the course reinforces your learning whilst further expanding your skills.”
Having completed the full two-part course, Dr Swanson discusses the ways in which the knowledge and skills he obtained have impacted his work back in the practice:
“Since completing the course, I have had experience implementing these new skills in my practice. I also feel far more confident in doing this as, when I had attempted similar techniques before the course, I had faced problems. The guidance and knowledge shared during the training have made it possible for me to successfully employ more advanced techniques.
“At Rose Lane Dental Practice, our aim is to provide gold standard treatment for our patients in a predictable way. Completing this course has improved my initial surgical outcomes and has taught me techniques that optimise long term results.”
Further to this, those who complete courses from ASHA Club gain exclusive access to ongoing support. Dr Swanson discusses this aspect:
“After completing ASHA Club courses, there is a structure in place for mentoring from Dr Balaji for those who would like it. In addition to this, there is a WhatsApp group which offers a nice platform for ongoing communication and relationships. This is ideal for anyone who has been on the course to share their cases and receive feedback – Dr Balaji leads these discussions. ASHA Club also holds regular study clubs which are a great way to update your knowledge.”
ASHA Club courses are ideal for those who already provide dental implant treatment and want to improve their outcomes and tackle more complex cases. Dr Swanson comments:
“For anyone who is looking to expand their skills in hard and soft tissue augmentation, I would highly recommend the Advanced Horizontal & Vertical Augmentation Course. Elements of the course are applicable to anyone at any stage of their dental implant journey.”
Find out more at https://www.ashaclub.co.uk/courses
Advanced Horizontal & Vertical Augmentation
9th and 10th May / 11th and 12th July 2025
To book, please call: 07974 304269 or email: info@ashaclub.co.uk
