Description
Foreword
While a gentleman and a scholar is a timeworn phrase, never was it more appropriate than when applied to Dr. Nabil F. Bissada. The epitome of high standards, and academic integrity he encouraged, and demanded, that his students reach for high achievement in periodontics. This book by Dr. Sorin Boeriu (Class of 2016) is a compilation of his literature review questions. Often the bain of his students daily existence they were also that irritating grain of sand that ultimately produced the lustrous pearl, the accomplished, knowledgeable periodontal resident ready for a lifetime of service to their patients, the profession, and as contributors to the periodontal knowledgebase.
As the ultimate teacher Dr. Bissada took a three-pronged approach to teaching demanding fact based, objectively assessed performance that was stimulated by intermittent Socratic questioning, those questions where the answer was less clear, something the student had to look up, duly consider and develop the best possible answer based on the current evidence. Dr. Bissada did evidence-based teaching long before it became a popular buzzword and an accreditation requirement. This was augmented by his third teaching prong, which was in-depth understanding of periodontal research methodology, especially clinical research. The student was challenged to articulate the best research question. That required a scholarly perspective of current knowledge to assess not only what is known but also to recognize what needs to be further elucidated. In this way Dr. Bissada trained periodontal residents who possessed clinical skill, academic knowledge, and research insight, the view through the researcher’s lens.
Always diverse in student selection, Dr. Bissada chose the best and brightest for his program irrespective of their background. His goal was to recruit top clinical and academic performers. He strove to be fair with everyone and was always respectful of his students but uncompromising in his academic standards, a true mentor. With his own virtuoso academic talents he was a role model who set a shining example for his students to follow. He did not ask students to achieve the impossible, instead he demonstrated what was possible with hard work and a scholarly approach.
This book is a tribute to Dr. Bissada after almost 50 years of teaching and around 200 residents. Dr. Bissada has selflessly devoted his life to training students in a great profession so that they can better their patients, themselves, and their families. As a former resident (Class of 1982) I think I speak for all of us when I say “Thank You Dr. Bissada” for giving us such a great opportunity!
Henry Greenwell, DMD, MSD
Professor and Director, Graduate
Periodontics
School of Dentistry
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
