Dr Patrick J. Meaney
B.D.S. F.I.C.D. F.P.F.A. J.P.

Patrick Meaney is passionate about dentistry. He graduated from Sydney University's Faculty of Dentistry in 1983 with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree, but he decided to make dentistry a career well before this. Patrick grew up in the era when lots of dental intervention was common for children and teenagers and consequently was pretty familar with most aspects of dental treatment from a young age.

"I decided to choose dentistry as a profession as a result of encouragement from the dentist that was looking after me when I was about 16. He loved what he did and he took the trouble to encourage me to see the possibilities of a life helping people to look after their teeth. When young people have a lot of dental treatment they have one of two reactions: either they never want to see a dentist again, or they become exceptionally interested in avoiding future dental trouble. That's what happened to me: but looking back, even I think I took the interest a bit far. I can remember phoning the practice office when I was in high school to ask why they hadn't sent me a six-month reminder letter. It turned out they were a month behind in sending their usual letters. I think they found that a bit surprising. I just wanted to do the best job I could."

After graduation Patrick worked in a variety of practices in suburban Sydney, including Gladesville, Manly, and the Ryde area. He combined a busy general practice with part-time teaching for both the university faculty and TAFE. For many years, Patrick was responsible for delivering courses for dental assistants in both general dentistry and radiography. He still enjoys teaching which is a bit of family tradition as both his mum and dad were involved in education.

After marrying Evelyn, they both decided to choose the quiet southern highlands town of Moss Vale to raise their family. Patrick was invited to join what was then the only practice in Moss Vale in 1989 and became a partner in 1990. Over the next decade they had three boys, Lachlan, Cameron and Duncan.

Patrick has been involved in the wider profession for most of his career. He was elected as a state Councillor for the ADA in 1988 and remains one of two Councillors from 1988 still serving. He was elected as a member of the Dental Board of NSW in 1994, where he served as Chairman of the Complaints Committee for four years. He has held many positions witin ADA NSW branch: as a vice-president and more recently the Honorary Treasurer. Patrick was also instrumental in the creation of the ADA's Centre for Professional Dental Development, as well as being a founding director of this company which creates material for continuing education, lectures for dentists and their staff, sound and and video training products for dentists all over Australia and New Zealand. This interest has helped combine his interest in advancing the general standardswithin the profession and his interest in teaching. He is currently the ADA CPD's Clinical Media Advisor.
He was recently admitted as a Fellow of the International College of Dentistry.

Patrick's great interest since 1999 however, has been 'Cerec'.
CEREC™ is a system for restoring teeth in a single appointment with a specialized dental porcelain using advanced Cad-Cam technology and state-of-the-art ceramic bonding systems.

'Chairside Economical Restoration using Esthetic Ceramic', the acronym chosen by the Sirona company which manufactures Cerec, breaks several spelling and good taste rules, but pretty much sums up the wonderful possibilities afforded by this innovative computerised system. Read more about it here. Patrick liked the system so much he accepted the invitation to become a clinical Trainer for other dentists and in 2000 travelled to San Francisco to complete advanced training. Since that time, he has lectured both here and overseas (in New York in 2005 and more recently as a keynote speaker at the Australian Dental Association Triennial Congress in Sydney) as well as writing about and conducting basic and advanced courses in the clinical use of bonded ceramics.

Patrick also finds time to serve on the committee of the Australian Society of Computerised Dentistry, a group he helped found in 2002; he has served in several capacities including President. He is also the current Secretary/Treasurer of the Australasian chapter of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, a dental honour society established in memory of an extraordinary French dentist, considered the father of modern dentistry.

Away from the office, Patrick has been involved with the Moss Vale Rotary Club, and as President of the Moss Vale Chamber of Commerce; he was also chairman of the sadly unsuccessful attempt to establish a Conservatorium of Music in the Southern Highlands (thanks, WSC!).

Patrick enjoys tennis, watching his sons in their various sporting and dramatic activities and playing with the family dog. OK, not really that last bit.