An event titled “A Contemporary Perspective on Dental Technology” was organized by Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services Dental Prosthetics Technology Program. Dental Technician Coşkun Kasapoğlu attended the event as a guest. Coşkun Kasapoğlu shared his professional experiences and the past and present of the profession with the students. Kasapoğlu stated that one of the biggest contributions of the training he provided was learning better; “During the instructor training process, I was both receiving training and continuing to learn.” he said.
The event held at Üsküdar University Çarşı Campus was moderated by Dr. Damla Yılmazoğlu, Head of the Dental Prosthetics Technology Program at Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services.
“You get to know a lot of people, and it helps you in the future.”
Dental Technician Coşkun Kasapoğlu emphasized the importance of networking professionally; “Some of the laboratories I entered were really very dirty. Of course, there were also good and clean ones among them. In fact, one day we were in a laboratory in Kayseri, and the incoming work was so filthy that it looked a bit unpleasant, I must say. Later, of course, I saw the benefit of working in various laboratories because you get to know a lot of people, and it helps you in the future. After a while, while receiving training in that laboratory, I also started working as an instructor. During this instructor training process, I was actually both receiving training and continuing to learn. Although these trainings of ours were only 1-2 day courses, we realized we had trained five thousand five hundred people, which is a very significant number. One of the contributions of these trainings was that I learned technical information very well. While I was explaining products, more experienced technicians were also explaining technical information to me,” he said.
“There's also a concept called aesthetic dentistry.”
Kasapoğlu, speaking about the aesthetic significance of teeth for people, said; “Within the profession, there is a segment called 'prosthetics out of necessity'. When we look, people can experience tooth loss. Sometimes due to trauma, sometimes due to reasons like decayed teeth. We make a prosthetic; the primary goal of the prosthetic we place in the mouth is to restore the patient's missing part. While doing this, how closely we replicate reality is also very important. When a tooth is extracted, tissue loss occurs, and visibility decreases. In operations, when teeth are involved, a much younger appearance can be achieved. There's even a concept called aesthetic dentistry. This is a trend primarily started by Hollywood. Temporary teeth are made for actors just for that film, and later, it's observed that permanent ones can be made. Subsequently, the significant contribution of teeth to aesthetics is observed,” he said.
“I met very good technician friends, but they don't know the language.”
Kasapoğlu underlined the importance of self-development as much as experience and knowledge in the profession; “The importance of language in the profession is immense. I met very good technician friends, but they don't know the language. Because they don't know a language, certain doors haven't opened for them. They have earned very good money and even have their own laboratories. My differentiation from them might be that I know a language. The importance of photography in the profession is truly great. I am a professional dental photographer and an amateur nature photographer,” he stated.
Even the needs between past and present have changed…
Kasapoğlu stated that, just like in everything else, changes are occurring in the profession as well; “The more accurately we examine teeth, the more varied our approach can be. In fact, what is our goal? To be able to create teeth that are distinct in nature. To know the materials we use well. The porcelain systems we use have a layering system. Some are like glass, some are greyer, and all of them have a natural counterpart. There's a recent trend. Everyone wants whiter teeth. When I started the profession, the most frequent question was about what materials and techniques you use when making natural teeth. More recently, the most asked question is how I can make the fastest tooth in the shortest amount of time. It's necessary to be fast in these processes, because sometimes very serious failures can occur,” he concluded.
The event concluded with a group photo session.