In August 2025, the University of Florida College of Dentistry Center for Implant Dentistry, or CID, marked a quarter-century of excellence. Since its 1999 inception, this collaborative hub has propelled implant dentistry forward, enhancing patient care through pioneering diagnosis and treatment methods.
“With more than two decades of success behind it, UF’s Center for Implant Dentistry shows just how powerful mentor-led education, collaborative research and individualized patient care can be when they work in unison,” said Isabel Garcia, D.D.S., M.P.H., dean of the UF College of Dentistry.
The CID’s 2024–25 International Team for Implantology Scholar, or ITI Scholar, Ghida Lawand, B.D.S., M.Sc., reflected on the profound impact of CID mentors in a video honoring its 25-year anniversary:
“Our mentors didn’t just teach us implants; they taught us character, resilience and humility,” Lawand said in the video. “Their voices are in our heads, even now, [and will be] years later, reminding us to double-check, to think deeper, to do better.”
The center’s recent event highlighted this lasting mentor impact, with over 20 former scholars and fellows returning to Gainesville, some traveling from thousands of miles away. More than a mere milestone celebration, the gathering honored the globe-spanning connections forged over 25 years in the center’s clinics and labs.
A Foundation of Excellence
The CID’s 1999 establishment stemmed from a strategic alliance between Straumann, a Swiss implant innovator, the ITI and crucial matching funds from the State of Florida.
“Welcoming ITI Scholars from around the world, the UF Center for Implant Dentistry has educated clinicians and effected implant dentistry on a global scale,” the ITI wrote. “As proud partners, we celebrate your commitment to advancing ITI’s evidence-based dental education, research and patient care. Cheers to a remarkable legacy—and the next 25 years of continued impact!”
Prosthodontist Dean Morton, B.D.S., M.S., and oral and maxillofacial surgeon Jim Ruskin, D.M.D. (UFCD ’81), M.D., founded the center, bringing together expertise in tooth restoration and surgical care.
To drive the project forward, Morton and Ruskin brought on William Martin, D.M.D., M.S., a 1996 UFCD graduate, to help launch the center.
“I was recruited to be a fellow in 1999; I came here to build the Implant Center with Jim and Dean,” Martin said. “We then became an ITI Scholarship Center in 2000 taking our first ITI Scholar, Michael Heffernan (D.D.S.).”
Topmost row, (left to right): Dean Morton, Will Martin, Jim Ruskin & Micheal Heffernan (’00-’01 ITI Scholar)
Staggered bottom row, (left to right): Jamie Amir (’03-’04 CID Fellow), Yuksel Erpardo (’04-’05 ITI Scholar), Corina Cristache (’01-’02 ITI Scholar), Chatchai Kunavisarut (’01-’02 ITI Scholar), Kunavisarut’s spouse, Zahra Rashid (’04-’05 ITI Scholar), unidentified, Robert Santosa (’02-’03 ITI Scholar)
It was the first US-based center of its kind, and today Martin leads UF’s ITI Scholarship Program at the very center he helped build.
The designation of Scholarship Center remains a prestigious one, held by only a handful of U.S. dental schools, including those at top-ranked universities like Columbia, Tufts, the University of Connecticut and Harvard.
“Dr. Dean Morton is the ITI Scholarship director at Indiana University’s School of Dentistry,” Martin said, commenting on the UF network’s ongoing ties to other US-based Scholarship Centers.
“We have previous scholars who are co-directors at other Scholarship Centers in the U.S. [including] Dr. Ahmet Örgev the University of Buffalo, Dr. Banu Karayazgan at the University of Pittsburg,” he noted.
Inside the Center: Spaces that Shape Clinicians
The center’s anniversary was also a chance to look inside the spaces where these international dentists come to hone their skills. Throughout the program, they mature into well-equipped practitioners who go on to become specialists and, for some, ITI Fellows.
“This is the Center for Implant Dentistry at the University of Florida: a place that for 25 years has meant far more than clinical training,” Lawand says in the anniversary video, noting that each year, one ITI Scholar like her is chosen “to carry the weight and the gift of this experience.”
Her narration guides viewers through the clinics, where ITI Scholars learn to “make decisions, trust what [they’ve] practiced, and stay calm when things don’t go as planned.” Then there is the digital lab, which she calls “the heart of [their] late nights and long weekends,” a place of shared exhaustion and “pride in the smallest victories.”
Their journey culminates in the surgical suite: “the place where everything we stressed over and prepared for became real,” Lawand said. “This is where we stood shoulder to shoulder with our mentors, watching, learning, trembling, and then finally, doing.”
Through this practical, mentor-guided approach, scholars directly experience the CID’s mission in action. Faculty mentors work with scholars and residents to develop and test advanced digital workflows, translating research from the lab into new standards of care in implant dentistry.
Training and Leadership
The ITI Scholarship has evolved into a renowned leadership incubator, cultivating alumni who now occupy key ITI positions, share expertise on global stages and spearhead clinical research initiatives.
Pictured (left to right): Adam Hamilton, Juan Pablo Villarreal, Robert Santosa, Said Sanchez, Will Martin, Dean Morton, Luiz Gonzaga, Ahmed Al Hilou, Kajorn Kungsadalpipob, Michael Patras, Husain Harianawala
Former ITI Scholar Luiz Gonzaga, D.D.S., M.S., illustrates this impact.
Gonzaga, who completed both the ITI Scholarship at UF’s CID and UFCD’s Graduate Prosthodontics program, now serves as a clinical associate professor, ITI Fellow and member of the organization’s Global Leadership Development Committee.
His dual experience as scholar and graduate showcases the Center’s role in cultivating comprehensive expertise in implant dentistry.
This leadership extends beyond titles and into action. At the onset of the 2020 pandemic, Martin and Gonzaga adapted with remarkable speed, building an in-house teaching studio and moving implant lectures online within days.
What began as a series for UFCD residents quickly drew colleagues from across North and South America, underscoring the resilient, educator-focused mindset that former scholars of the center look back on with gratitude.
Voices of a Global Network
“On the 25th anniversary of the Center for Implant Dentistry, we look back not just at the place, but at the people—the ones who walked its halls, the ones who carried it forward,” Lawand said. “These are their stories. The scholars who made the center what it is and were forever changed by what it gave them.”
Here is just a highlights reel of the wonderful things our former ITI Scholars and Fellows had to say about their experiences, memories and gratitude for the people who shaped their experiences at the CID:
Michael Heffernan | United Kingdom // 2000 – 2001 ITI Scholar
B.D.S. (Guy’s Hospital / King’s College), M.S. Prosthodontics (University of Iowa).
“What an amazing experience I had when I was there with Will, Dean and Jim Ruskin. Thank you for all the memories…while I was in Florida.”
Heffernan bridges clinical practice and product innovation. He co-founded Dr. Heff’s Remarkable Mints, transforming preventative care concepts into tangible products, while serving as a clinical lecturer at the UCL Eastman Dental Institute.
Banu Karayazgan | Turkey // 2003 – 2005 ITI Scholar
D.D.S., Prosthodontics Residency (Istanbul University); Fellow and Education Delegate for the ITI
“What I learned during my time as a scholar not only shaped my professional life, but also my attitude toward teaching and mentoring. Thank you for the lessons, the mentorship and the sense of belonging I gained during my time there.”
Karayazgan serves as co-director for the University of Pittsburgh’s ITI Scholarship Center and professor in its College of Dentistry’s Prosthodontics Department. As Chair of Prosthodontics at Okan University and leader of Turkey’s Women in Implantology Network (WIN), she champions mentorship and empowers women in dentistry while maintaining a private practice in Istanbul.
Neel Patel | United Kingdom // 2011 – 2013 ITI Scholar
B.D.S. (Bristol), M.Clin.Dent., M.F.D.S., M.Pros. (UCL Eastman, Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh); ITI Fellow and Speaker
“Honestly, Dr. Martin, you taught me the biggest lesson: humility and professional respect. Louise, you taught me many lessons inside the center—soft tissue grafting around dental implants, the importance of soft tissue around dental implants—but admittedly, you taught me more outside the center: Dragonfly, sharab and how to paint the town red.”
Patel operates a leading private practice focused on complex restorative dentistry while educating the next generation as an Honorary Lecturer at the University of Bristol. He is a sought-after speaker on digital implant surgery and managing complications.
Adam Hamilton | Australia // 2014 – 2015 ITI Scholar
B.D.Sc. (University of Western Australia), D.Clin.Dent. Prosthodontics (University of Melbourne); Former faculty member at Harvard School of Dental Medicine; Global ITI Leadership Development Committee member.
“It was a truly enriching and amazing experience from a learning perspective about implant dentistry, but also from a career progression and as a human being. The lessons that I learned there were immensely valuable.”
Hamilton’s career blends high-level academic leadership—including a former faculty role at Harvard—with clinical practice. Now the Discipline Lead in Prosthodontics at the University of Western Australia, he also serves on the global ITI Leadership Development Committee.
Daniel Bäumer | Germany // 2016 – 2017 ITI Scholar
D.M.D. (Universities of Heidelberg and Munich).
“The biggest lesson Dr. Martin taught me was, ‘If you want to be respected, you can still be nice,’.”
In his private practice in Lindau, Germany, Baumer combines his advanced training from UF with techniques from prominent German specialists in implant and periodontal care, creating a unique clinical approach.
Ahmed Al Hilou | U.K. & United Arab Emirates // 2019 – 2020 ITI Scholar
B.D.S., M.S. Restorative Dentistry (University of Leeds), Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh; Former director, UF’s pre-doctoral implant program.
“Two things that I’ve learned, among many others, were to always help others and don’t expect anything in return and always treat your patients as if they’re your own family. By doing so, you’ll never do harm.”
Al Hilou’s career reflects global expertise, from his UK education and time as a UF program director to his current role as a Consultant Prosthodontist in Dubai. He also serves as an examiner for the Royal College of Surgeons of England, shaping standards in the field.
Karina Amorim | Brazil // 2020 – 2021 ITI Scholar
D.D.S. (State University of Campinas), M.Sc. (University of São Paulo); Ph.D. Candidate (University of São Paulo).
“I learned so much from Dr. Martin, and it never felt like a lesson. He always knows what to say and how to say it. And from Gonzaga: ‘Trust but verify.’ The Center for Implant Dentistry will always be with me in my heart.”
A rising leader in Brazil’s dental community, Amorim shapes the future of the field. She champions digital technology in esthetic dentistry through her involvement with Young ITI, balancing private practice with her Ph.D. research at the University of São Paulo.
A Milestone Celebration
The CID 25th-anniversary program on Aug. 2, 2025, held at the Reitz Union and Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, featured expert-led continuing education sessions on advancements in implant dentistry, followed by a panel discussion among the presenters.
“Surgical key-factors for successful implants with long-term stability: What did we learn in the past 25 years?”
Presented by Daniel Buser | D.M.D., Dr. med. Dent., Habilitation (University of Bern).
Home country: Switzerland
A world-renowned authority in oral surgery and former ITI President, Buser is celebrated for his pioneering work in Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR). As Professor Emeritus at the University of Bern, his career is defined by groundbreaking translational research and a deep commitment to education.
“Achieving predictable excellence: 10 Keys for immediate placement of the failed maxillary central incisor”
Presented by Robert Levine | D.M.D. (Temple University), Post-graduate Certificate in Periodontics (University of Pennsylvania).
Home country: United States
A key leader in the US ITI Section, Levine is acclaimed for his “10 Keys” protocol for immediate implant placement. Through his Philadelphia private practice, clinical professorships, and active research group, he advances the integration of periodontics and implantology with a focus on esthetics.
“Keeping pace with progress: How to excel in implant dentistry as technology evolves”
Presented by Ghida Lawand | B.D.S. (Beirut Arab University), M.Sc. Prosthodontics and Esthetic Dentistry (Saint Joseph University of Beirut).
Home country: Lebanon
As the current (2024-2025) ITI Scholar at UF’s Center for Implant Dentistry, Lawand represents the next generation of global talent. A keynote speaker for the anniversary event, her expertise in digital dentistry is complemented by numerous awards and a role on the ITI Scientific Advisory Team.
“Implant-Restorative Considerations”
Presented by German Gallucci | D.M.D. (University of Geneva), Ph.D. (Free University of Amsterdam).
Home country: Switzerland (Born in Argentina)
As Chair of Restorative Dentistry at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, an ITI Fellow and Chair of the ITI Leadership Committee, Gallucci stands at the intersection of global dental education and innovation. His leadership bridges Swiss, Argentine, and US dental systems while his research spearheads advances in digital and implant dentistry.
“Evidence-based Modern Implant Dentistry: Advanced Restorative and Surgical Decisions for your Practice Patients”
Presented by Luiz Gonzaga | D.D.S. (Catholic University of Brasilia), Implant/Periodontics Specialty (IPESP Brasilia), M.S. Prosthodontics (University of Florida); ITI Global Leadership Committee member
Home country: Brazil / United States
A cornerstone of the UF Center for Implant Dentistry, Gonzaga is a clinical associate professor who drives the program’s success through his full-time clinical practice. He balances this demanding role with significant research contributions and key leadership positions within global dental organizations.
Ruskin attended the reunion, where he and fellow CID co-founder Morton (recognized in absentia) were honored for their foundational vision—a vision that has since grown into a global legacy.
“Here’s to the future we now hold in our hands, to be carried forward with care, with courage, and above all, with gratitude, as we continue to build, together,” Lawand wrote in a LinkedIn post following the anniversary event.
Dean Garcia also spoke to attendees, reflecting on their impressive turnout from across the globe.
“You all are proof that this landmark center trains leaders of character who carry high standards of care to patients around the world,” she said. “We’re so lucky that the CID calls our college home.”
to those who made it happen
A Special Thanks
Angela DeBono of UFCD's Continuing Education helped orchestrate this successful event incorporating CE sessions for attendees. ITI and Straumann led as top-tier sponsors, with Geistlich Biomaterials and several other industry partners providing crucial support. Proceeds went to the UF Center for Implant Dentistry Fund, fueling facilities and expanding educational horizons for faculty, residents, scholars and fellows.
