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4 Questions With Dr. Emil M. Verban Jr. by Sam Mittelsteadt

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4 Questions With Dr. Emil M. Verban Jr.

When Dr. Emil M. Verban Jr. began practicing dentistry in the 1970s, implant continuum courses were reserved for periodontists and oral surgeons. “I tried to enroll but general practitioners were simply not allowed in the courses,” he recalls. Luckily, by the late 1980s, implant courses began to be democratized, and today the Illinois dentist believes the most common barriers to general dentists learning implant dentistry are just tuition costs and time away from the office. (Read Dr. Verban’s article about how to create an implant-supported denture even without a full digital suite of technology, here.)
You’ve seen the implant industry change a lot since you began practicing in 1976. What change most immediately affected how general dentists are able to place implants?

In the early 1980s, there were no continuum courses available for general dentists. When Dr. Per-Ingvar Brånemark discovered osseointegration and the information was shared at dental schools, I tried to enroll, but the courses were open only to periodontists and oral surgeons; general practitioners were simply not allowed in the courses. In 1989, Carl Misch started the Misch International Implant Institute, which offered courses for general dentists, and organizations such as the ICOI and AAID began offering continuum courses. I believe this had the most impact in allowing general dentists to learn implant dentistry.


Do you miss anything about practicing back then, or are you glad dentistry is as it is now?

When I graduated from Loyola School of Dentistry in 1976, I worked in two or three offices as an associate before buying my first office in 1978. I purchased two more practices over the years, believing that the fastest way to grow was to accumulate patients who went to see their dentist on a regular basis. It was much easier then to buy and own a practice than it is today; the cost of education was much less and we were not saddled with student loans like graduating dentists face today. There were no PPOs, HMOs or electronic records. Dental insurance was just beginning, and simple fee-for-service was the model. OSHA was not around and we didn’t wear gloves or masks.

There were advantages in those early years, but I think today is an exciting time to be a dentist. Technology has made dentistry easier to perform, but at the same time significantly increased the cost to render services.


What keeps you interested and active after almost 50 years in dentistry?

In dental school, I remember a professor saying, “As a dentist, you have no right but to be a continuing student.” I know that sounds corny, but it has resonated with me over the years and I love to continue to learn and expand my knowledge base. It is challenging to critically evaluate all of the new information put out there on a daily basis. The newest and greatest is not always the best, and it can be difficult to separate the marketing hype from time-tested treatment.


How do you like to spend your time outside the operatory?

Dentistry has been a large part of my life, and to stay current requires time. I enjoy mentoring young dentists, and it feels good to give back to the profession that has been so good to me. I have two wonderful children and four grandchildren, and enjoy traveling with Marisa, my wife of 49 years. I go to the gym three times a week and love to play tennis.
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