Although different countries use different medical terms and numbering systems, a broken jaw is still a broken jaw, a point made by today’s guest, South African dentist Dr. Kavir Rajkumar. We start the episode with how Kavir ended up working in a state hospital in one of the coastal provinces, and the type of cases he works on. To understand the wide range of trauma cases Kavir sees, he gives us a quick rundown of how the healthcare system works in South Africa, and how dental and oromaxillofacial qualifications differ from the USA. From there we launch into the socioeconomic factors that add a layer of complexity to the cases he sees: from gunshot wounds to animal mauling and super rare malignancies. Kavir explains why it’s so important for oral healthcare providers to step up and hold a place in trauma cases, and how your attitude towards doing what needs to be done is key to succeeding in a challenging setting. There is a reason South African healthcare practitioners are some of the most experienced in the world… So, to find out more, tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• A reminder to sign up to learn zygomatic and pterygoid implants with Dr. Arshiya Sharafi.
• Welcome to Dr. Kavir Rajkumar, what he does, and how he ended up working in a state hospital in South Africa. 
• The broad range of cases that Kavir sees, and how the South African healthcare system works.
• The two pathways to qualify as an oromaxillofacial surgeon in South Africa, how they differ from the American system.
• How socioeconomic factors impact the type of cases that Kavir sees. 
• The malunion case Kavir saw the other day, and why oral healthcare providers need to hold their place in trauma scenarios. 
• The importance of speaking the same language globally in healthcare.
• Some of the challenges that South African surgeons face, from staff shortages to equipment availability.
• Making a plan with what you have: using gun oil to maintain handpieces. 
• Grant’s experience of mission trips and adjusting your mindset to do the job at hand.
• Why Kavir feels doctors should know what their therapies feel like. 
• The role of a South African oromaxillofacial surgeon in malignant pathologies. 
• Handling social communication issues in a country with 11 official languages, and appreciating the beliefs intrinsic to different cultures.
• How to remove a knife from a face: operating like James Bond. 
• The state of oromaxillofacial surgery in South Africa.
• Rapid-fire questions: the book that made Kavir realize his idol’s mortality, how multitasking as a parent helps dentistry, and why Kavir loves a Couplands Elevator. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Kavir Rajkumar Email — [email protected]

Dr. Kavir Rajkumar Phone — +27-817-074-970

Zygomatic Implants From A To Z with Dr. Arshiya Sharafi — https://4minstitute.com/product/zygomatic-implants-from-a-to-z-cadaver-lab/

Every Day Oral Surgery with Dr. Arshiya Sharafi — https://www.audible.com/pd/Dr-Arshiya-Sharafi

Dr. Kavir Rajkumar on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/dr_kavir_rajkumar/

When Breath Becomes Air — https://www.amazon.com/When-Breath-Becomes-Paul-Kalanithi

Dr. Grant Stucki Email — [email protected]

Dr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059