Master Clinician Editorial

Mastery and excellence practiced in periodontics can best be described as excelling in patient treatment. This includes not just therapy, but the relationship between patient and clinician. Each patient should be confident in their treatment plan and anticipate that it will service them significantly. My advice to upcoming generations of periodontists is to never stop learning. Always be aware of the progress in our field by attending programs and reading periodontal journals because it is possible to learn more than you teach. There is no substitute for experience. It is easy to dance with success, but even minimal problems or failures should haunt us. To evaluate success in practice, we need to keep excellent patient records of clinical pictures and radiographs. It is pleasant to achieve an excellent result that continues to follow the patient over a period of years and occasionally look at these results to confirm the correct treatment plan. Periodontal success can be evident in clinical practice, education, and/or research. I have taught a combination of two programs that equals 49 years. As we explain this to our students, we refer to our previous clinical experience and what we have read or heard in a meeting. We continue to find a resolution to the problem. I must include the value of the American Academy of Periodontology, of which I have been a member for 59 years. I attended my first AAP meeting when I was a periodontal student. I then became the treasurer of the Academy and then served as President from 1988 to 1989. That same year, I also served as the chair of the World Workshop on Clinical Periodontics. My first introduction to clinical implants came in 1968 when a lot of information was not yet available. In 1984, Professor P.I. Brånemark introduced them to North America. I represented the Academy in other meetings and served as chair of the 1991 and 1994 Periodontal Implant Conferences. I have also been a member of the Academy of Osseointegration since its inauguration. I found myself having little to no time for the theater or the sports I enjoyed. I am not saying this to explain what I did; it is because my mind is constantly moving forward. Being a member of the Academy opened the door to countless opportunities and individuals who became lifelong friends. Just being present at the meetings and listening to lectures and discussing the results with keen individuals were very important. I would return eager to pursue the evidence-based practice. I later served a term on the American Board of Periodontology and served as chair in my final years. In 1980, my partner Gerald Kramer and I were approached to be the editors for The International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry. It was to be translated in six different languages at that time, and it gave me a chance to reach out to colleagues and extend the opportunity to publish their work. I say this after I have resigned after 43 years as chief editor; you can only imagine the advantage I had seeing what made people successful. Even when your periodontal practice is successful, you should invest time in planning prosthodontics with your referring dentist and be proud of the patient's result. This allows you to finish with the same quality work you have provided from the beginning. It is also important to communicate with a local endodontist and orthodontist when necessary. It is amazing what comes to mind when you examine a dentition and radiographs. I wish all of you a successful career, and in the words of Winston Churchill: “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” It is my great honor to share my personal reflections on Dr. Myron Nevins, a true icon in periodontics and implant dentistry, and the recipient of the 2001 AAP Master Clinician Award. Our mentor–mentee relationship began in 2001, when he graciously became one of my research mentors for my Doctor of Medical Sciences project. That collaboration marked the beginning of a two-decade-long journey that has shaped my career and life. What made Dr. Nevins extraordinary was not just his clinical mastery but the breadth of his leadership and influence. While running a thriving full-time private practice, he also led the renowned Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, which he founded in 1980. He served as Editor-in-Chief of The International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry (IJPRD) from 1981, and from 1983 to 2022, he chaired the International Symposium on Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry (ISPRD)—a landmark event that has consistently drawn the world's leading clinicians and researchers to Boston. I had the unique privilege of witnessing Dr. Nevins in action: treating patients with the precision of a master; educating international dentists at his Institute; overseeing FDA clinical trials on rhPDGF-BB and rhBMP-2; reviewing manuscripts for IJPRD; and organizing world-class symposia. His impact wasn't limited to the United States—his legacy extends globally. The Japan Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, for instance, has trained more than 15,000 dentists, many influenced by the model he established. His modest attic office in Swampscott was a place of quiet brilliance where science, education, and mentorship converged. Looking back, I realize I was not simply spending time with a mentor, but with a legend shaping the global future of periodontics and implant dentistry. I even had the rare opportunity to witness patients who, decades after active periodontal therapy, were still remarkably well-maintained—a testament to the excellence of his care. Dr. Nevins’ contributions to the AAP as past president, foundation director, and ABP chair highlight his unwavering commitment to the profession. He played a central role in organizing foundational events like the World Workshops on Clinical Periodontics and AAP Implant Conferences, setting standards that define evidence-based practices in today's periodontics and implant dentistry. Trained personally by Professor Brånemark, Dr. Nevins was among the pioneers who introduced dental implants to North America and helped establish periodontists as leaders in implant dentistry. Despite an illustrious career filled with accolades and international recognition, Dr. Nevins remains a model of humility and approachability. When I was a resident, we affectionately called him “Papa Nevins,” as both he and his son taught at the school. Today, many of us refer to him as “Grandpa Nevins”—a testament not only to his legacy but to his warmth, wisdom, and enduring presence in our lives. He advocates for the well-being of residents and remains deeply engaged in ensuring the highest quality of education. In every sense, Dr. Nevins is a legend. His lifelong dedication has left a transformative mark across clinical care, education, research, and mentorship. As he approaches a phase when many consider retirement, he continues to teach, inspire, and shape the next generation of dental professionals. For Dr. Nevins, dentistry has never been just a profession; it has always been his calling. I am deeply honored to call him my mentor, colleague, and most importantly, my American father. Dr. Nevins, thank you for being the person you are—for your vision, your generosity, and your legacy. You are the pillar of periodontics. Congratulations, and I look forward to seeing what the next decade holds for you.