January 4, 2024, marked a significant day in the history not only of Poltava State Medical University but also as the next stage in the development of new directions in dentistry in the Poltava region. The university, in particular, can rightfully take pride in its graduate of the Faculty of Dentistry (formerly Poltava Medical Stomatological Institute), Oleksandr Pavlenko. Today, he is a renowned maxillofacial surgeon with an active and successful general dental practice in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, focusing on the treatment of temporomandibular disorders/dysfunction (TMD) and post-traumatic cranio-mandibular disorders. So, the colleague from overseas has been warmly welcomed at his Alma Mater, by the Rector of PSMU, Professor Viacheslav Zhdan (a former groupmate of Alexander Pavlenko, although from a different Medical Faculty), the First Vice-Rector, Professor Valentyn Dvornyk, and the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Professor Davyd Avetikov, who is also a maxillofacial surgeon.
The purpose of Dr. Oleksandr Pavlenko's visit to his historical homeland was philanthropy and his extensive project "Defender's Dream." Constantly concerned about the tumultuous events in his native Ukraine and studying acute aspects of treatment and rehabilitation for the population and military personnel with significant injuries resulting from combat, his high-tech equipment and extensive modern research on craniomandibular dysfunction and sleep apnea will be beneficial for Ukrainian doctors.
After a friendly meeting at the university and a brief friendly and simultaneously interesting excursion down memory lane by the two esteemed groupmates to their student youth, participants took part in a scientific-practical seminar for specialists from different regions of Ukraine and PSMU students. The seminar was opened by the Rector of PSMU, Professor Viacheslav Zhdan. He introduced the experienced overseas colleague and expressed hope for fruitful international scientific and practical cooperation, which may include the opening of a joint laboratory to provide highly qualified medical assistance based on modern international treatment algorithms in this field. Professor Davyd Avetikov, the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, emphasized that the seminar is dedicated to the memory of the Teacher, the founder of the maxillofacial surgery direction at PSMU, Professor Oleg Rybalov. Associate Professor of the Human Anatomy Department, Olesia Tykhonova, creatively reminded the audience of the postulates of anatomy in a lecture on "Bones of the Facial Section of the Skull," which even intrigued non-medical attendees. Pavlo Yatsenko, PhD, Assistant Professor of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, gave a lecture on "From Anatomy to Practice." The culmination of the scientific gathering of numerous experts was, of course, the presentation by maxillofacial surgeon, member of the Canadian Dental Association, Alberta Dental Association, International Association of Physiological Dentistry, International College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics, American Association of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry, VIVOS Breathing Wellness Center, and owner of the company "Physiological Health Connections," Oleksandr Pavlenko – "Multidisciplinary Approach in the Treatment of Craniofacial Disorders and Their Consequences in Children and Adolescents." After its completion, he continued constructive communication with seminar participants, physicians from various specialties, providing comprehensive answers to their questions.
Details of the future business partnership from the partners themselves will be featured in our next video report from the meeting. Stay tuned!
Noteworthy, Oleksandr Pavlenko studied at Poltava Medical Stomatological Institute from 1979 to 1984. From 1984 to 1986, he served in the army. He completed an internship course in maxillofacial surgery at the Khabarovsk Military Hospital in Siberia, Russia. From 1988 to 1998, he owned and practiced in a private dental clinic in Ukraine. In 2001, he obtained a Canadian dental license. He founded and currently practices at "Sana Dental" in Edmonton, Alberta. He has acquired state-of-the-art equipment, including cone-beam digital tomography, K-7 jaw tracking kinesiology system, surface electromyography of the face, SNHS sonography system; Posture-pro analysis system used for the diagnosis and treatment of craniomandibular dysfunctions. Currently, Dr. Oleksandr Pavlenko also treats sleep-related problems and chronic pain through neuromuscular and biomimetic dental therapy, full mouth reconstruction, and acute pain treatment. He aims to improve his practice and achieve optimal results for his patients by applying an interdisciplinary approach, constantly collaborating with ENT specialists, NUCCA manual therapists, and sleep specialists to obtain a complete picture of his patients' conditions and options for comprehensive treatment.