Dr Bikram Sethi – Specialist Dentist (Periodontist)

Life for me is all about caring, nurturing and developing relationships. It is also about using natural talents to contribute to people’s well-being.

I was fortunate to find my calling as a dental practitioner early in life. Having grown up in Canberra, my professional journey began in 1997, when I commenced a Bachelor of Dental Surgery at the University of Adelaide.

For several years I worked as a general dentist. While I enjoyed the work and the satisfaction of helping patients, I felt a sense of unease within me. I knew I had a lot more to offer. To expand my knowledge, I enrolled at the University of Melbourne where I completed a Doctorate of Clinical Dentistry.

While serving patients, I was surprised to see so many Australians with Periodontitis, a common condition resulting in destruction of periodontal tissues and eventually tooth loss. So I decided to make this field my speciality.

To those of you who may not be aware, a Periodontist is a board registered dental specialist who has undertaken specialist-training focusing on the placement of dental implants and the treatment of periodontal (‘gum’) disease.

The training was intense and took a lot of time and effort. I had to undergo 3 years of intensive university and hospital based training where I learnt about dental implants and periodontal treatments at an advanced level. I also had to undergo written and clinical examinations to receive my specialist qualification. I couldn’t agree more with the stringent requirements, as it an assurance that your treatment by us will be of the highest quality.

What I find most remarkable is how contributing to the well-being of patients raises their self-esteem. Many patients have been delighted with the transformation in their lives as a result of the treatment. They experience a new sense of confidence. During their follow-up appointments I feel as if I am meeting someone new, because they look different and are so much happier. Some of them look so amazing that I have to rub my eyes in disbelief to make sure they are the same people who were so disheartened when they first approached me.

This is the story of why I enjoy being a periodontist. I attribute my success in life to helping patients using my talents and in cultivating life-altering relationships. Life for me is about skill, harmony, self-expression and enjoyable relationships.

This is what I believe in and live to follow. I strive to contribute in many ways, apart from serving clients. I have served on various professional committees for the Australian Dental Association and given lectures to other dental professionals at both the local and national level in addition to acting as a mentor to dentists in the field of dental implants.