As part of strengthening international academic relations and fostering scientific collaboration, a delegation from the Department of Oro-Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Implantology “Arsenie Guțan” at the “Nicolae Testemițanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, led by the head of the department, Prof. Dr. habil. Nicolae Chele, along with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dumitru Sîrbu, carried out a study visit to South Africa at one of the most prestigious companies in the field of dental implantology – Southern Implants.
Founded in 1987 by engineer Graham Blackbeard, Southern Implants is globally recognized for innovation and excellence in the research, development, and production of dental implants. With headquarters in South Africa, the company has successfully expanded to markets in the USA, the UK, Europe, and Australia. By combining expertise with innovation, the institution has become a benchmark in advanced solutions for oral rehabilitation.
Dr. Sîrbu, what led to the organization of this visit to Southern Implants’ factory in South Africa?
The visit took place at the invitation of Mr. Arhip Pogurschi and offered an excellent opportunity to strengthen international academic ties and to explore the latest technologies in dental implantology. We aimed for direct interaction with a global leader in dental implant manufacturing – Southern Implants – a company renowned for its technological excellence and collaborations with academic institutions worldwide.
What did you do at the company’s headquarters?
The team at Southern Implants welcomed us warmly and gave us a detailed tour of the production facilities, explaining each step of the process. We engaged in direct discussions with engineers, researchers, and company executives, which gave us a broad understanding of how innovation is translated into effective clinical solutions. The implants are made of pure grade IV titanium (ASTM F67), intended for surgical use, and the surface is treated with SInergy™ technology, which has been tested in clinical and preclinical studies for over two decades.
SInergy™ creates a “moderately rough” surface for dental implants (Sa index between 1 and 2 μm) by sandblasting with alumina particles, followed by cleaning with inert solvents to remove residue. The company focuses on the top specialized segment of implantology, offering a wide range of treatment options and supporting clinicians with tailored solutions for everyday challenges.
Did you have the opportunity to interact with other specialists during the visit?
Yes, the visit provided valuable interaction not only with South African specialists but also with colleagues from Romania – from the Universities of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj-Napoca and Bucharest. Together with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Florin Onișor and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Niki Cumpănă, both oro-maxillofacial surgeons, we had in-depth discussions on oro-maxillofacial and dentoalveolar surgery, treating complex patient cases, and preparing specialists during university studies and residency – not only in Romania and Moldova, but also in other countries. It was an excellent opportunity for sharing academic best practices and initiating collaborations in research and medical education.
What impressed you most during the visit?
Together with colleagues from Romania and South Africa, we had the opportunity to practice modern techniques for inserting zygomatic, pterygoid, and nasal implants – advanced solutions for rehabilitating patients with severe maxillary atrophy.
The practical session was conducted by Graham Blackbeard, founder of Southern Implants, bioengineer Stuart Blackbeard, and Dr. Ebrahim Fakir, an internationally renowned oro-maxillofacial surgeon. We learned a great deal from them, applicable directly to our clinical activity.
What did you take away beyond the professional aspects?
Besides the scientific value, we were deeply touched by the cultural and natural experiences in South Africa. Visiting the Dinokeng Reserve and the Elephant Sanctuary gave us a profound emotional and human perspective on the connection between people and nature. Interacting with elephants, giraffes, and rhinos reminded us of our responsibility, as doctors and educators, to promote balance and harmony in everything we do.
How will this visit influence your work with students and residents at USMF “Nicolae Testemițanu”?
This international experience will significantly enrich the educational content and modernize our teaching methods. We plan to integrate concrete examples from what we saw and practiced in South Africa – from new types of implants and surgical protocols to global trends in oral rehabilitation.
Students and residents will benefit from an education that is more in tune with international clinical realities, with a focus on innovation, interdisciplinarity, and critical thinking. We are already discussing the possibility of observational or training internships in collaboration with our partners in Romania and South Africa, offering our young specialists crucial academic exposure in their professional development.
A message for the academic community:
This visit clearly demonstrated that international partnerships, academic exchanges, and interdisciplinary dialogue are key to progress. We express our sincere gratitude to all partners who made this experience possible – both in Romania and South Africa, especially Mr. Arhip Pogurschi and Mr. Valentin Radian from Gursk Medica România.
Let’s continue building bridges of knowledge and innovation together.
