BDSc (WA) DClinDent (Periodontics) FRACDS (Periodontics)
Dr Tina Choo completed her Bachelor of Dental Surgery at the University of Western Australia in 2002, and worked in general practice before undertaking three years Full-time Specialist post-graduate training (Doctor of Clinical Dentistry) at the University of Adelaide under Professor Mark Bartold in 2008. Following this, she returned to work in the communities of Perth and Kalgoorlie as a specialist periodontist since 2011.
In addition to clinical practice as a periodontist, Dr Choo enjoys lecturing and tutoring Dentistry students and periodontal Post-graduate students in Periodontics at the School of Dentistry at UWA (Oral Health Centre of Western Australia) since 2011. She presents lectures on periodontics and dental implants to students and dentists both locally and interstate. Dr Choo has a keen interest in the field of bone regeneration and her research has been published in a respected international journal. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons in the special stream of Periodontics, as well as a committee member for the Australian Society of Periodontology (ASP WA). Dr Choo is keen on helping treat patients with Moderate to Advanced Periodontal Disease, Dental Implants and managing patients with dental implant problems. She is a member of the ADA (WA branch) and is accredited by the Dental Board of Australia (AHPRA). Dr Choo is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons in the special stream of Periodontics and is also a committee member for the Australian Society of Periodontology (ASP) WA branch. A/Prof Choo is a member of the following organisations:
What is a Periodontist?
Dental hygienist and general dentists can provide routine cleaning and scaling procedures, however, when gum disease becomes more advanced, the level of complexity may need to be managed by a registered periodontist. Patients may seek treatment by a periodontist for:
A periodontist is a dental specialist who focuses on the treatment of periodontal (gum) disease and other oral conditions affecting the soft and hard tissues of the mouth. Periodontal disease affects the support around teeth including the jawbones and gum. After five years of dental school and years in general dental practice, the periodontist completes an additional 3 years of university based training that is accredited by the Australian Dental Council (ADC), leading to the degree of Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Periodontics).
The periodontist provides a comprehensive range of diagnostic, non-surgical and surgical services aimed at improving the periodontal health. Pre-prosthetic surgery can be provided to improve aesthetics and function of restorations such as crowns and bridges. The placement of dental implants is frequently undertaken by periodontists especially when aesthetics are paramount. Periodontists work closely with other members of the dental team, particularly dentists, hygienists and other dental specialists.
* For more information, refer to ANZAP website: http://www.perio.org.au/faq.php ANZAP is the peak professional body representing periodontists in Australia and New Zealand. Members of the Academy abide by a code of ethics and behaviour as well as agreeing to set minimal levels of continuing professional education. Membership is only open to those periodontists with the highest level of professional skill, knowledge and integrity. Most ANZAP periodontists are also members and fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons.
Presentations given:
° Clinical Day 2008, University of Adelaide Chemical plaque control – Mouthrinses The role of bacteria in the aetiology of periodontal disease has been established. When good oral hygiene is practiced, toothbrushing can remove plaque effectively. However, because the motivation to perform good toothbrushing tends to decline over time, the combination of mechanical and chemical aids appear to offer some benefits in reducing gingivitis. Prevention of gingivitis is based on the assumption that gingivitis is the precursor of the periodontitis, and that maintenance of healthy gingiva will prevent periodontitis and tooth loss. This seminar will cover the types of mouthrinses used today, as well as question the use of mouthrinses as an adjunct to plaque control.
° Clinical Day 2009, University of Adelaide Aggressive Periodontitis – should we be worried? Periodontitis can manifest in two forms: chronic and aggressive periodontitis. Chronic periodontitis is the more common form, and is most prevalent in adults. Traditionally, it has been characterised as a slowly progressive disease and is usually associated with significant deposits of supra- and subgingival plaque and calculus. On the other hand, aggressive periodontitis is less common, and principally affects younger patients. This form of periodontitis often presents with more rapid, severe destruction of periodontal tissue over a relatively short period of time. Characteristically there are less obvious deposits of supra- and sub-gingival plaque and calculus deposits. For these reasons, when patients present with an aggressive form of periodontitis, managing such patients requires more focussed and vigorous treatments. The presentation will mainly cover aspects which will enable us to identify, diagnose, and discuss treatment options and prognosis with such patients.
° ASP SA Branch meeting, Nov 2009 Are mouthwash and other antiseptic products useful for managing periodontitis patients?
° Clinical Day (2010), University of Adelaide Management of patients with Generalised Moderate to Advance Chronic Periodontitis Management of patients with generalised moderate to advance chronic periodontitis can be challenging. Treatment generally involves non-surgical debridement, but surgery may also be of value in some cases to improve clinical results. Two patients managed in the postgraduate periodontal clinic will be presented.
° Research Day 2010, University of Adelaide Thesis presented: Effect of PDGF-BB on bone formation around dental implants: an experimental study in sheep ° Growth factors such as PDGF-BB have been shown to promote bone formation. Recently a growth-factor enhanced matrix (GEM 21S) has become available for clinical use. This graft material consists of a concentrated solution of pure recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor (rhPDGF-BB), and an osteoconductive, synthetic scaffold (β-tricalcium phosphate). GEM 21S has received FDA approval and is marketed as a dental bone filling device with a biological component to treat patients who have bone defects due to periodontal disease (Nevins et al. 2005). However, to date, there are no studies investigating the effect of growth factor GEM 21S on the regeneration of bone around dental implants.
° Western Periodontics Oct 2011, Perth Dental implants: how soon is too soon?
° ASP Meeting Mar 2012, Perth How useful are mouthwashes in managing periodontitis?
Research Published:
To read the abstract of Dr Choo’s research publication, please click the link below. Choo T, Marino V, Bartold PM.
Effect of PDGF-BB and beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) on bone formation around dental implants: a pilot study in sheep. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2013 Feb;24(2):158-66. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22107025
