Safety
Dentist credentials at Picasso - qualifications, training, and case volumes
Who performs your treatment at Picasso Dental Clinic Vietnam — verified credentials, international training pathways, case volume data, and the questions the GDC says you should ask any overseas dentist.
Picasso Dental Clinic's head implantologist has placed 15,000+ implants over 25+ years, was the first Vietnamese dentist to perform All-on-4 immediate loading (2010), and trained at Loma Linda University, USA. All clinicians are government-licensed; named profiles are published so UK patients can verify who plans and performs their treatment before they book.
“Who is actually going to do my teeth?” is the right question — especially after widely reported cases of patients receiving treatment from unqualified operators in overseas clinics, sometimes without ever meeting the person responsible. Picasso publishes verified, attributable facts about its clinical team so UK patients can make this assessment before booking.
Dr. Tran Thanh Phong — Head of Implantology
Dr. Phong is Picasso’s most senior implantologist and the clinical lead for all complex implant and full-arch cases.
| Credential | Verified detail |
|---|---|
| Years in implant practice | Since 2001 — 25+ years |
| Total implants placed | 15,000+ |
| Annual implant volume | ~600 per year |
| All-on-4 history | Performing since 2010 — first Vietnamese dentist to perform All-on-4 immediate loading |
| All-on-4 case volume | 1,000+ cases |
| Zygomatic implants | Performing since 2017; 400+ cases |
| International training | Loma Linda University, USA (2010) |
| Industry recognition | Nobel Biocare clinical representative in Vietnam since 2007 |
These are verified facts from Picasso’s clinical records and may be stated in treatment plans and patient communications.
What these numbers mean in practice
15,000+ implants places Dr. Phong in the top tier of implant volume globally. Published research consistently links higher surgeon volume with lower complication rates for implant placement, particularly for complex cases involving bone grafting, immediate loading, and full-arch rehabilitation.
400+ zygomatic implants is clinically significant: zygomatic implants are reserved for patients with severely atrophied upper jaws who cannot receive standard implants, and are one of the most technically demanding procedures in implant dentistry. A volume of 400+ cases puts Dr. Phong among the most experienced zygomatic implant surgeons in Asia.
Nobel Biocare representative since 2007 means Dr. Phong has been involved in training other implant dentists in Vietnam on Nobel Biocare systems for nearly two decades — this is a peer-recognition credential, not a marketing title.
Dr. Hung Le Ba Gia (Dr. Evans) — Lead Implant Specialist
| Credential | Verified detail |
|---|---|
| Total implants placed | 1,000+ |
| All-on-4 cases | 200+ |
| Role | Works under Dr. Phong’s clinical direction on full-arch and complex cases |
Dr. Evans handles implant cases alongside Dr. Phong and is the primary surgeon for standard single-tooth and multi-tooth implant cases where full-arch complexity is not indicated.
Orthodontic team
| Clinician | Verified credential |
|---|---|
| Dr. Thuan Phung | 10+ years orthodontic experience; 1,500+ orthodontic cases |
| Dr. Thao Tran (Dr. Anna) | University of Hamburg, Germany training; general dentistry and orthodontics |
| Dr. Nhung Duong (Dr. Lynn) | General dentistry and orthodontics |
| Dr. Toan Le (Dr. Mathew) | Orthodontics |
| Dr. Duong Ho | Orthodontics; French-trained |
What credentials mean — a framework for UK patients
| Credential type | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| National dental licence | Legal minimum to practise in Vietnam — all Picasso clinicians hold this |
| Case volume (documented) | Higher volume in a specialty correlates with lower complication rates in the literature |
| International university training | Exposure to different clinical standards and techniques beyond the domestic curriculum |
| Industry representative status (Nobel, Straumann) | Peer-recognition by global manufacturers; involves training other clinicians |
| Named public profile | Accountability — patients can research the individual, not just the clinic brand |
What the GDC says to ask about credentials
The GDC advises UK patients considering overseas treatment to ask:
- Is the dentist qualified and registered? — All Picasso clinicians are Vietnamese government-licensed. Registration numbers are available on request.
- What additional training have they received? — Dr. Phong: Loma Linda University. Dr. Thao Tran: University of Hamburg. Ongoing CPD through Nobel Biocare representative programme.
- How much experience do they have in the specific procedure? — This page provides verified case volume data for implant and orthodontic specialists. Ask your coordinator for the clinical lead on your specific case.
Red flags in any country
- No clinician names on the website
- Treatment planning without diagnostic records (X-ray or CBCT)
- Pressure to sign and pay on the same day as the first consultation
- No written treatment plan before any prep begins
- No documentation provided after treatment
None of these apply at Picasso. The written GBP quote, treatment plan sign-off, implant passport, and materials certificate are mandatory steps in every case — not optional extras.
For complex cases — who leads what
| Case type | Clinical lead |
|---|---|
| All-on-4 / All-on-6 | Dr. Phong (surgical lead) |
| Zygomatic implants | Dr. Phong |
| Single and multi-tooth implants | Dr. Evans (Dr. Phong oversight) |
| Veneer and smile makeover | Aesthetic lead + named ceramist |
| Invisalign and orthodontics | Dr. Thuan Phung or trained orthodontist |
| Root canal | Endodontic-capable dentist on the case |