Lecturers

Uroš Ahčan, M.D., Ph.D., Consultant General Surgeon, Consultant Surgeon in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aeshtetic Surgery

Dr. Uroš Ahčan is the Consultant Surgeon at Ljubljana University Medical Center's Department for Plastic Surgery and Burns. Having graduated from Ljubljana's Faculty for Medicine in 1995, Dr. Ahčan proceeded to complete his Ph.D. in 1999. He specialized in General Surgery, followed by a specialization in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery in 2006. Dr. Ahčan also has an impressive career in academia as an Assistant Professor and Lecturer at the Ljubljana Faculty for Medicine. He is a widely-published author and researcher, and has made numerous high-profile presentations and lectures on an international level. Dr. Ahčan heads a multi-organization research project, working in Laser Therapy for Vascular Anomalies in the Skin. Working with lasers on a daily basis in order to make profound changes to patients' lives, Dr. Ahčan is a strong proponent of evidence-based laser medicine.

Jasna Blaha, M.D., MSc. Occupational Medicine 

Dr. Jasna Blaha graduated from the Medical Faculty of the Ljubljana University in 1984 and started her career as a GP in Ljubljana's Vič community health center. After having completed her Masters Degree in Occupational Medicine Dr. Blaha became Fotona's occupational health practitioner and this consequently became the basis of her interest in medical laser treatments. In the late nineties Dr. Blaha became actively involved in laser treatments and she went on the start up her own general practice and laser clinic, Medilase. Over these many years Dr. Blaha has accumulated an enormous wealth in practical knowledge and expertise in aesthetic laser applications and has trained countless practitioners in aesthetic laser treatments. She regularly participates in professional workshops and attends international conferences in aesthetic medicine. The Fidelis^XP was her first Fotona system and now she uses the latest Fotona XP MAX technology in her daily practice. Her particular fields of interest lie in the use of Nd:YAG laser to treat rosacea, onychomycosis, verrucae and acne. She is also actively involved in developing Nd:YAG skin toning, tightening and texture improvement protocols.

Reinhard Gansel, M.D., D.A.L.M.

Dr. Reinhard Gansel is the founder of the Laser Medizin Zentrum Rhein-Ruhr in Essen, Germany, where he practices aesthetic laser medicine and has experience using a variety of Fotona laser systems, among which the SP Plus, QX and XP-2. Currently he also practices dermatology at the Klinik am Ruhr Park in Bochum, Germany. Dr. Gansel completed his studies in Medicine from the Universitaet-Gesamthochschule-Essen in 1988, after also having completed dentistry studies at the Duesseldorf University. Among others Dr. Gansel went on to receive professional training in Operative Dermatology, Surgery and Liposuction and in 2003 he received Board Certification from the International Board of Cosmetic Surgery. In 2005 he completed is Diploma in Aesthetic Laser Medicine from the University of Greifswald in Germany, where he is now a University Lecturer. Dr. Gansel also lecturers in Cosmetic Surgery at the New University of Bulgaria and the RWTH at the University of Aachen. Dr. Gansel is a widely-published author and member of numerous national and international professional organizations. He is a board member of the Deutsche Dermatologische Lasergesellschaft as well as President of DermExpert. Given his long-term experience with a tremendous variety of laser sources, Dr. Gansel is a true expert in the field of Aesthetic Laser Medicine. He contributes to the field both from a practical, clinical point of view, as well as research and development of applications.

Paraskevas Kakas, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Kakas is a specialist surgeon in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery and is an accredited Designer Laser Vaginoplasty (DLV) and Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation (LVR) surgeon. He founded the Center of Advanced Plastic Surgery (CAPS), which is specialized in rejuvenation, vaginal rejuvenation techniques, laser surgery and body sculpting. He is the C.E.O. of the Center of Advanced Plastic Surgery in Thessaloniki, Greece, were he uses the Fotona XP MAX, DualisXS, and XP-2 Focus laser systems to perform procedures. Dr. Kakas graduated from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Medical School in 1996 and started his career as a General Practitioner at the Aiginio Pieria Health Center. During 2 years of general surgery training at the G. Gennimatas General Hospital, he also specialized Intensive Care. Dr. Kakas proceeded to complete his Ph.D. at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Medical Physics, Radiology and Computer Science Department. Afterwards he completed additional professional trainings in advanced plastic surgery and rejuvenation techniques in France and Spain. He specialized in microsurgery at the University of Bordeaux. Dr. Kakas participated in research at the Saitama University Medical School in Tokyo, Japan for two years and has had numerous articles published in international medical journals.

Jasmina Kozarev, MD, Specialist in Dermatovenerology

Dr. Kozarev gained her Masters Degree from the University of Novi Sad, Serbia, in 1993 and went on to specialize in dermatovenerology at the same university. Her main interests include allergology, skin disease, dermatological surgery, aesthetic laser procedures, non-surgical aesthetic procedures and chemical peels. She is currently involved in several clinical research projects to serve these interest areas and has published numerous research papers. With more than 15 years of hans-on clinical expertise, Dr. Kozarev founded the Dermamedica dermocosmetics line; she was the first to incorporate natural dermocosmetics into professional skincare. For Dr. Kozarev skincare is an integral part of healthcare. She is also an active and leading member of several local and international professional organizations. Dr. Kozarev was the first dermatologist in Serbia to perform CO2 laser skin resurfacing, radiowave surgery procedure and non-surgery rejuvenation. To date she has performed over 2.500 skin laser surgeries and appoximately 400 ablative CO2 skin resurfacing procedures. Since 1995, Dr. Kozarev has been in private practice in Sremska Mitrovica and is associated with the Dermatology Department of ST Medica General Hospital in Belgrade. Throughout her career Dr. Kozarev has gained tremendous experience using lasers on a daily basis and through her long-standing links with Fotona she has worked with virtually all of Fotona’s laser systems in the aesthetic and surgery range and currently owns the DualisSP.

Zoran Lekic, MD, Specialist in General and Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Subspecialist in Hair Transplantation and Laser Aesthetic Surgery

Dr. Lekic founded and has been practicing at the Mens Sana clinic for aesthetic surgery in Belgrade since 1993. Quickly he became interested in hair transplantation procedures and with a deep passion is continuously searching for a better procedure yield, improving the procedures and gaining better overall results for patients. He is now one of only a handful of hair transplantation specialists who use laser in the region. Dr. Zoran Lekic graduated from the Belgrade University of Medicine in 1985. After several years serving in the national health service, he went into private practice in 1994 and went on to finish his specialization in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery in 1999 from the Clinic for Plastic Surgery and Burns at the Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade.
He is a member of several national professional societies as well as a member of the World Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery and the European Society of Laser Aesthetic Surgery.

Dr. Dusko Maletic, MD, Specialist in Aesthetic Surgery and Urology

Dr. Maletic studied medicine at the University of Zagreb, Croatia. He is the owner of Polyclinic Maletic in Croatia where he is also a specialist in surgery, aesthetic surgery and urology. Dr. Maletic has over 30 years of experience in surgery, and has been working exclusively in aesthetic surgery for the past 20 years. An innovator by heart, he has introduced lasers into his practice for, among other things, performing laser-assisted lipolysis and hyperhidrosis laser treatments. Dr. Maletic is continuously improving his professional knowledge covering new technologies related to cosmetic surgery (vibroliposuction, laser-assisted liposuction and laser lypolysis, AZELAIC and COSMO peeling, APTOS lift, non-ablative rejuvenation, photo-rejuvenation, epilation etc.).  

Woraphong Manuskiatti, MD, Associate Professor

Dr. Manuskiatti studied medicine at Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University. From 1993-1995 he was Fellow in Dermatology at the Department of Dermatology, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University. He continued his postdoctoral training at the University of California where he was Research Fellow in Dermatology. Additionally, at Harvard Medical School Dr. Manuskiatti was Clinical Fellow in Laser Dermatology and at the Dermatology/Cosmetic Laser Associates of San Diago County where he focused on cosmetic laser surgery. He has been working at the Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, in Thailand for over a decade. Dr. Manuskiatti is a professional member of the Medical Council of Thailand, the Dermatological Society of Thailand and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. He is the author of numerous scientific publications.

Karim S. Massoud, M.D., Ph.D., Professor in Plastic Surgery

Professor Massoud works with Fotona's XS Dualis, XP MAX and XP-2 Focus laser systems covering special interest areas such as resurfacing and fractional treatments, vascular laser treatments and laser-assisted lipolysis. He has also developed and lectures on treatment protocols for laser resurfacing and filler combinations. Professor Massoud is currently affiliated with the Ain-Shams University of Cairo, Egypt as Professor in Plastic Surgery, he is also a founder and former director of the Laser Surgery Unit at the same institutions. Throughout his professional career, which started in 1997 when he attained his Doctorate Degree in Plastic Surgery and became a diplomate of the American Board of Laser Surgery, Professor Massoud has always maintained a keen interest in laser treatments and their technological and clinical developments. He has gained tremendous experience in laser procedures and has researched and developed numerous protocols, leading to numerous publications and scientific presentations. Professor Massoud is an excellent speaker on his chosen laser medicine topics and has many practical innovations to share, which benefit standard protocols and treatment outcome.

Serafettin Saracoglu, M.D., Dermatologist

Dr. Saracoglu graduated from Medicine Faculty of Istanbul University in 1988. He started his carier in an intensive care unit at the International Hospital, İstanbul. He specialized in dermatovenerology at the Vakif Gureba Hospital in İstanbul. His main interests include dermatologic surgery, dermatologic laser procedures and skin surface microscopy.  He has focused on cosmetic and surgical laser prosedures since 1999. He has worked with different laser systems ( Nd-YAG, Er-YAG, Pulsed dye, Ruby, Alexandrite, IPL,...). He is also the founder of Estethica Medical Center in İstanbul. He works with lasers in his daily practice. He owns Dualis XP Plus II, QX, Dualis XS from Fotona's laser range. He regularly participates in professional workshops and works as a consultant doctor of Sanomed Medical Technologies Ltd  (Turkish distiributer of Fotona mediacal lasers) since 2005.

Paul Steventon, MBBS MRCGP DCH DRCOG DPD Cert.Av.Med. FP(Cert.) FRSM.

Paul Steventon gained his BSc. Degree in Medicine and Surgery, in 1977, qualifying from the Middlesex Hospital in London, and followed by Postgraduate Diplomas in Gynaecology and Paediatrics, and Certificates in Family Planning and Aviation Medicine. He gained membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners in 1984.

After moving to the Epsom area he developed his skills in skin surgery at the Epsom Day Surgery Unit. In 2004 he was awarded the Diploma in Practical Dermatology from the University of Cardiff Medical School and became a recognized GPwSI (Dermatology) and works closely with local Consultant Dermatologists.

Dr. Steventon is the Medical Director of the Epsom Skin Clinic where he applies his specialist medical skills and training to aesthetic and dermatology laser treatments. To perform laser lipolysis and laser-assisted liposuction he uses Fotona’s XP-2 laser system, and performs a wide variety of procedures with Fotona’s Er:YAG-based DualisXS. With significant experience and knowledge amassed in laser procedures, on both Fotona and other brand laser systems, Dr. Steventon is in a unique position to provide professional training, through the Epsom Skin Clinic, in laser procedures for both physicians and supporting staff.

Robin Sult, R.N.

Robin Sult graduated from Nursing Training in 1980. Her initial work was in Neonatal ICU.  In 1988 she worked with a physician developing an Aesthetic practice.  By 2001 Robin was running a Laser Aesthetic practice with a full compliment of Fotona laser systems. She now teaches internationally on Fotona Lasers, being responsible for introducing over 800 physicians to Fotona's laser systems. Her current practice includes the Fotona XP MAX, Dualis^XS, and the Fotona QX laser systems. She is actively involved with clinical research and protocol development in laser aesthetics and a frequent presenter in both domestic and international laser conferences.

Thomas Sult, M.D.

Dr. Sult graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine in 1986. He attended the Merced Community Hospital Family Medicine residency program. In private practice, Dr. Sult provides a wide variety of surgical and laser-based procedures. Currently in private practice in Minnesota, USA, Dr. Sult is actively involved in laser clinical research and protocol development. In addition, he is a frequent presenter at laser and aesthetic conferences. Dr. Sult is a faculty member of the Institute for Functional Medicine and Aesthetic Lasers, Inc.  Dr Sult is a member of the American Society for Lasers Medicine and Surgery.

Andrej Šikovec, M.D., M.Sc., Consultant Surgeon

Dr. Šikovec held the positions of Chief Vascular Surgeon at the Novo Mesto Hospital and Chief Surgeon in Celje Hospital, before starting up his own private practice. Currently the position of Assistant Professor on the Cathedra for Surgery at the Ljubljana University Medical Faculty, and is considered a leading vascular surgeon in Slovenia. Dr. Šikovec performs vascular laser surgery procedures on a daily basis and has experience performing these procedures using various laser sources as well as radio-frequency technology. Having performed over 300 procedures in a two year period, he is one of only a few surgeons worldwide who are able to objectively compare surgical treatment modalities. In June 2006 Dr. Šikovec opened Avelana, his own clinic for vascular surgery. Dr. Šikovec often holds presentations on university lectures, seminars and congresses; both domestic and international, and has had more than 30 scientific articles published in Slovenian and international medical journals. He is a member of various domestic and international professional organizations and has completed additional professional trainings in the UK and the Czech Republic.

Lidija Volovec, M.D., Specialist Surgeon

Dr. Lidija Volovec graduated from the Zagreb Faculty of Medicine in 1987 and went on to become a resident in General Surgery at Brežice Hospital in Slovenia. In 1997 she became a Specialist in General Surgery following her rotation at the Ljubljana University Medical Center. Having gained experience in procedures with Fotona's Dualis^SP, Dr. Volovec started up a private surgery in 2005 in Brežice and focused more intensely on laser surgery. Consequently she started post-graduate studies in Anti-Aging Medicine with IMCAS. Dr. Volovec is a regular participant in both domestic and international laser, aesthetic medicine and anti-aging medicine conferences and seminars, and is an active member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, the European Society of Laser Aesthetic Surgery, World Society of Anti-Aging Medicine, International Society of Lipolysis therapy and is the international delegate for Slovenia in the World Society of Anti-Aging Medicine.

Mark Whiteley M.S. F.R.C.S.(Gen), Consultant Vascular and General Surgeon

Mark Whiteley graduated from St Bartholomew's Hospital in London in 1986 and was an academic surgeon, appointed as lecturer in surgery at Oxford University 1995 - 1997. He was a consultant vascular surgeon in Guildford from 1998 to 2007. Mark has always been an innovator and he introduced ultrasound guided catheter thermoablation surgery for varicose veins into the UK in March 1999. Initially using VNUS Closure and amassing over 3000 cases, Mark visited Robert Min in New York, the inventor of EVLT, and started using EVLA (endovenous laser ablation) under local anesthetic May 2005. He and his team have now performed over a thousand EVLA. In 1999, Mark invented the TRLOP procedure to close perforators under local anesthetic. He performed the first laser sweat ablation procedure in the UK in March 2009 using a Fotona XP-2. He performs laser lipolysis with the same machine. Mark set up The Whiteley Clinic which is internationally famous for its varicose veins treatments and research and Absolute Aesthetics, the aesthetics arm of the clinic. He runs courses in the treatment of varicose veins including EVLA and TRLOP, and laser lipolysis. He is introducing courses for laser sweat ablation, and aesthetic procedures.

Želimir Božič, MSc. Stomatology

Dr. Božič has been practicing dentistry for over 30 years and has led his private practice for 10 years. He also holds a Masters Degree in Social Psychiatry. Dr. Božič recognizes the need for continuous professional development in order to stay ahead of technological developments within his field of expertise. He is a member of many domestic and international professional organizations and frequently attends international workshops, symposia and conferences in the dentistry field. Dr. Božič has been using lasers in his dental practice since 1996, one of the first practices in this region to adopt this technology. In his dental practice he continuously strives to improve patient service and offer the latest in dental technologies. With a patient base of now over 3000, Dr. Božič feels his practice has achieved something unique and feels lasers have played an important role in this.

Mark Colonna, DDS.

Dr. Mark P. Colonna graduated from Loyola University School of Dentistry in 1983 where he then held positions as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Radiology and Assistant Clinical Professor of Operative Dentistry. He established the Montana Center for Laser Dentistry in Whitefish, Montana, USA in 2002 where he actively trains new laser users in his Training Seminars courses. Dr. Colonna is also an Adjunct Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Laser Dentistry at the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health in Mesa, Arizona, USA. His pioneering work in laser dentistry earned him the 2003-04 Clinician of the Year award from the World Congress of Minimally Invasive Dentistry, and the highest laser certification available, a Mastership Status Certification from the World Clinical Laser Institute, a year later. Dr. Colonna is currently working on several novel procedures, especially in the field of laser endodontics. He has published numerous articles promoting minimally invasive laser dentistry.

David Dovšak, M.D., Specialist Surgeon

Dr. David Dovšak is a graduate of the Faculty of Medicine at Ljubljana, Slovenia. He subsequently became resident at the Ljubljana University Medical Center’s Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. In 2001 he concluded his residency to become Specialist Maxillofacial Surgeon; he also became head of the Oncology Division at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. As member of several domestic and international professional organizations, Dr. Dovšak is a noted lecturer and author on topics related to the latest advances in laser and maxillofacial surgery. His main scope of interest lies in oral and oropharingeal tumors, and reconstructive surgery of the head and neck. Recently Dr. Dovšak started up his own surgery and dentistry clinic, AMOK d.o.o., together with wife Dr. Petja Dovšak, DDS, offering a comprehensive range of services using advanced treatment modalities for higher levels of patient care.

Aleš Fidler, DDS., Ph.D.

Aleš Fidler was born in Celje, Slovenia, on the May 1^st, 1973. In 2000 he graduated from the Medical Faculty at the University of Ljubljana. After his graduation he became teaching assistant in the Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics. In 2002 he achieved his Masters of Science degree, in 2006 he accomplished a specialization in Endodontics and in 2007 completed his Doctorate. Dr. Fidler regularly attends professional and scientific meetings both in Slovenia and internationally and has published over 30 scientific publications. In his work with lasers, Dr. Fidler is especially interested and specialized in applying lasers in endodontics and investigating improvements in bonding. Dr. Fidler has a keen interest in high-technology solutions and bringing high-technology into the dental practice.

Carlo Fornaini, M.D., D.D.S., M.Sc., Professor in Lasers in Medicine

Dr. Fornaini is an eminent researcher and lecturer in the field of lasers in oral applications and dentistry. He currently holds a research position at the University of Nice Sophie Antipolis where he also coordinates the EMDOLA, European Master degree in Oral Laser Applications program. He is a faculty member at the Dental School of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Parma, and is a Visiting Professor at Liege University (Belgium) both of which run EMDOLA program. Dr. Fornaini attained his Degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Milan in 1980 and completed his medical apprenticeship in Dentistry at the Dental Division of the Hospital of Parma the following year. Among other post graduate degrees, he completed his Post Graduate Diploma in “Use of Laser in Dentistry” at the University of Florence in 2002. In 2005 he attained a DU in “Oral Laser Applications” from the University of Nice and went on to achieve his European Master Degree in Oral Laser Applications from the University of Liege in 2007. Dr. Fornaini is a scientific committee member of several international and national laser dentistry organizations and has lectured and published numerous times on various topics within laser dentistry. He currently practices laser dentistry in his own private practice in Fiorenzuola d’Arda (Italy) with a particular focus on pediatric dentistry.

Boris Gašpirc, DDS., Ph.D.

Dr. Gašpirc is a graduate from the University of Ljubljana Faculty of Medicine. In 1997 he was awarded his Masters Degree in Dentistry and subsequently went on to achieve a Masters Degree in Periodontology, and a Doctorate. Having been involved in fundamental research in the application of lasers in dentistry for over 15 years, Dr. Gašpirc can be considered a leading expert in laser dentistry. Dr. Gašpirc is a regular lecturer and presenter at domestic and international conferences, mainly covering the use of lasers in periodontology. He currently practices dentistry at the Ljubljana University Medical Center's Dental Clinic, where he uses lasers on a daily basis. He is a professional member of numerous domestic and international organizations and is the Slovenian representative delegate for the WFLD.

Ron Kaminer, DDS.

Dr. Ron Kaminer is a 1990 graduate of the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine in Buffalo New York. He has worked with lasers for 21 years and was one of the first 200 dentists in the United States to use a hard tissue laser. He has written numerous publications on Laser Dentistry, and lectures extensively on Minimally Invasive Dentistry and Lasers. He is the Co Founder of the Masters of Laser training course( Hewlett, NY), where he and his colleagues instruct both American and European new laser owners on how to use the Fidelis laser. Dr Kaminer is a clinical advisor to multiple Dental companies, including Fotona's US partner Lares Research. He maintains 2 offices, one in Hewlett, New York and the other in Oceanside, New York.

Seto Siu Keung, BDS (HK), DGDP (UK), MSc (Lond), MSc Lasers in Dentistry RWTH Aachen University Germany

Dr. Seto obtained his Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree (HK) in 1992 from the University of Hong Kong. After several years in general dental practice he obtained his Diploma of General Dental Practice (UK) from the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 1996. He has also enriched himself in Dental Radiology and gained a Post-Graduate Diploma in Dental Surgery (HK) in 1999 and an MSc (Lond) in 2001. Dr Seto then switched to the cutting edge of technology, where he obtained his MSc (Lasers In Dentistry) with distinction from the RWTH Aachen University, Germany, in 2007. He is currently a part-time Clinical Lecturer and Honorary Assistant Professor at the University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Dentistry. Dr. Seto is a member of the World Federation of Laser Dentistry, Vice President of the LOC for the WFLD Congress 2008 Hong Kong and academic co-worker of AALZ - Aachen Dental Laser Center of RWTH Aachen University, Germany.

Krešimir Simunović, DMD, Ph.D.

Dr. Simunović is a graduate from the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Zurich, Switzerland. After practicing general dentistry for 2 years in private practice he joined Zurich University’s Faculty of Dentistry, as an assistant to Dr. Krejci, focusing his studies on the effect of CO2 laser in hard dental tissues and common restorative materials. He received his Doctorate Degree from the same faculty in 1991 for his work, presenting his paper at the 2nd World Convention of Lasers in Dentistry. The following year he became an assistant at the Department of Oral Dental Surgery, under the guidance of Dr. Gion Pajarola, being mainly responsible for radiotherapy and laser therapy patients. In 1997 he established his own dental office focusing mainly on laser-assisted general and aesthetic dentistry, periodontology and oral dental surgery. Dr. Simunović is a Board Member for Dentistry of EMLA, an international associate member of the Chicago Dental Society, and member of various Swiss dental societies, among which the Swiss Society of Oral Laser Application. He is the author of numerous published papers and teaches laser-assisted dentistry in both theory and practice. Dr. Simunović has been a speaker in several national and international workshops and events.

Ljubica Šormaz, DDS.

Dr. Šormaz graduated from the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine in 1994 after which she practiced dentistry in the local Students’ Health Center. Since 2005 Dr. Šormaz has been running her own private practice. Wanting to provide her patients better dental care and more comfort, Dr. Šormaz discovered laser dentistry. She consequently attended several courses and acquired her laser system in 2007. Since then Dr. Šormaz has been using lasers on a daily basis. Her conviction is that laser dentistry can benefit each of her patients and she tries to apply laser throughout her entire treatment range. Given the extent of her practical knowledge and experience gained from practicing laser dentistry daily, Dr. Šormaz is especially qualified to share practical knowledge and is an excellent provider of laser dentistry demonstrations in a practice setting.

Naresh Thukral, DDS.

Dr. Naresh Thukral is a pioneer in laser dentistry in India. His vocation to continuously improve patient care using the latest available technologies, led him to start his dental laser practice in 2000. He was the first in India to start using hard tissue lasers. Currently he uses Er:YAG, Nd:YAG, diode lasers, CO2 and LLLT technologies. Dr. Thukral founded the Indian Society for Oral Laser Applications and hosted the 1st International and National Conference in Mumbai, in 2006. Having graduated from Nair Hospital Dental College (Mumbai) in 1975, Dr. Thukral served 5 years in the Indian Army Dental Corps before going into private practice. His attachment to the M.A. Rangoonwala Dental College in Pune as a Faculty member demonstrates his understanding of the importance of continued education and research in dental care. Dr. Thukral's quest for laser knowledge has led him to work with many laser dentistry peers all over the world, and has culminated in a Masters degree in Lasers from SOLA, University of Vienna, Austria. Dr. Thukral is a frequently invited speaker at both national and international dental conferences and has published and contributed to many scientific papers in the field of laser dentistry. He is currently involved in research in the treatment of leukoplakia; a very common disorder in India.

Aleš Vesnaver, M.D., Ph.D., Specialist Maxillofacial Surgeon

Dr. Vesnaver completed his medical studies at the Faculty of Medicine in Ljubljana and has been employed at the Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, since 1996. He completed his Masters' Studies during his residency in 1998 and in 2000 became Specialist Maxillofacial Surgeon. He is also an assistant professor for Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery at the Ljubljana Faculty of Medicine. Dr. Vesnaver completed fellowships at the Craniofacial Center of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan and at the Maxillofacial Department of Sint Jan's Hospital, Brugge, Belgium. He has helped introduce several methods of treatment, among which, laser photocoagulation of intra- and extra-oral vascular lesions and laser ablation of intra-oral leukoplakia. Dr. Vesnaver is a member of the European AO Cranio-Maxillofacial Faculty, the European Association for Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, and a reviewer for the Slovenian Medical Journal. Within maxillofacial surgery, his main fields of interest are maxillofacial trauma, temporomandibular joint disorders, laser surgery and post-traumatic reconstructions.

Kristina Vihar, DDS.

Dr. Vihar is the youngest Laser and Health Academy lecturer, having set up her own private practice only 3 years after graduating from the University of Ljubljana Faculty of Medicine. She is now completing postgraduate studies in Biomedicine at Ljubljana University. Since starting her own practice Dr. Vihar has used lasers daily in her work, which is especially focused on pediatric dentistry. Dr. Vihar's expertise within the Laser and Health Academy lies in providing demonstrations of laser dentistry.