Hendrik B. Lai, Dentist
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Hendrik B. Lai

Dentist

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About

Hendrik B. Lai BDS(Adel), MBA, MS, GCOL, AMP, CM, CPMgr, FAIM, FCMI, FInstAM, FIIDM, AFCHSM maintains a position at Westfund Health, an Australian member-owned health fund that offers high-quality coverage to patients throughout the country, as the Executive Manager and Head of Dental. In addition, he is affiliated with the Western New South Wales Local Health District Hospital Network and has over fourteen years of experience. Dr. Lai has a special interest in oral surgery, cosmetic dentistry, healthcare management, and general management. He was educated at the University of Adelaide for his dental studies and California Coast University for his post-graduate education, and is a professional member of the Australian Dental Association. For all of his hard work, he was nominated for the Doctor’s Choice Awards in 2015.

Education and Training

BDS at University of Adelaide

MBA

MS

GCOL at California Coast University

Provider Details

Male English 23 years of experience
Hendrik B. Lai
Hendrik B. Lai's Expert Contributions
  • What is a fixed dental bridge?

    Hi and thanks for your question! A fixed dental bridge is a dental prosthetic device (basically a fancy way of saying a fake tooth/teeth) that is cemented or bonded in place and is not intended to be removed like a denture. The bridge can be made of gold, porcelain, zirconia or acrylic (plastic) - or a combination of these. There are a few different designs of fixed bridges such as the cantilever bridge, Maryland bridge, or conventional fixed bridge. READ MORE

  • Is surgery the only option for treating TMJ?

    Surgery is an option for the treatment of TMJ disorder. It would usually be the option of last resort. Other conservative treatment modalities include an occlusal splint, occlusal adjustment, adjunctive physical therapy or low intensity laser therapy READ MORE

  • What are the disadvantages of a dental bridge?

    The main disadvantages of the dental bridge are that in many cases a number of healthy teeth need to be drilled to act as an abutment to hold the bridge in place. The act of drilling healthy teeth can result in damage to the nerve which may need root canal treatment in the future. Also depending on the design of the bridge, it can be difficult to clean underneath increasing the risk of gum problems READ MORE

  • Should I brush my teeth after a filling?

    Generally speaking there is no contradiction to cleaning teeth after a filling. So yes - you can brush your teeth. READ MORE

  • Can braces tighten loose teeth?

    If your teeth are loose due to gum disease braces will likely cause further deterioration. READ MORE

  • How long does it take for teeth to shift with braces?

    It depends on the type of movements needed. For example intrusive movements take longer than torque movements. Movement can take anywhere from a few months to years. READ MORE

  • Can I have braces for 6 months?

    It is possible and depends on the type of movement needed. READ MORE

  • How do you flush out a dry socket?

    Probably not great to flush out a dry socket. Best to return to your dentist for a dressing to be placed in the socket. READ MORE

  • My dental crown came loose, what next?

    You need to see if your dentist. If it’s just the crown that is loose and it fits well in the tooth then it can be recemented. If some of the core has broken away a buildup may be required and a new crown made. If there is decay under the crown it will likely need to be treated and a new crown made. READ MORE

  • How can I protect my teeth from cavities?

    Brush with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day. Spit out the toothpaste but do not rinse. Avoid eating or drinking or rinsing for at least half an hour after brushing. Floss your teeth daily (or at a minimum once a week). READ MORE

  • Can a black spot on my tongue be dangerous?

    Yes there is a small chance the spot is something sinister. See your dentist to have it checked out READ MORE

  • What are the best ways to get rid of cankersores?

    An over the counter topical preparation like Kenalog in Orabase is what I recommend. READ MORE

  • What happens if you don't wear your retainer?

    If you don't wear your retainer there is a very good chance you will have some orthodontic relapse. This means that your teeth will more than likely move part of the way back to their original positions. READ MORE

  • Can oil pulling prevent tooth infections?

    Oil pulling is not likely to have any more beneficial effects than rinsing your mouth with water. The oil pulling simply as a mechanical aid to removing bacteria and debris. Having said that - it is not likely to harm you either. READ MORE

  • Broken molar with decay. What should I do?

    See your dentist - it is likely you will need either a root canal treatment or extraction READ MORE

  • How long do veneers last?

    It depends on the type of veneer and your bite. In ideal cases with excellent oral hygiene, no grinding/clenching and a strong enamel bond, porcelain veneers can last 10+ years. READ MORE

  • Is it ever too late to get dental implants?

    Age is generally not a contraindication to having implants. However certain age related diseases may impact on success of implants. Also the length of time since the tooth was extracted and the amount of bone in the area will impact the success rate of the implant. You may need to consider bone grafting/augmentation. READ MORE

  • What can be done for chipped tooth?

    For reasonably priced options, you could look at bonding a tooth-colored filling to the tooth or, depending on the size of the chip and its location on the tooth, you could consider an odontoplasty (cosmetic recontouring). READ MORE

  • How long will a teeth whitening treatment last?

    It depends on the technique you choose - at-home whitening usually takes around 1-2 weeks and costs do vary. In-office whitening takes around 90 minutes. Costs again vary between dentists. OTC whitening products are very effective and compare favorably to professional options. Costs range between $15-$70. READ MORE

  • Are raisins good for your teeth?

    A box of raisins contains nearly as much sugar as a can of coke so I’m not entirely convinced that they will help to fight cavities. However they can be a good source of antioxidants. READ MORE

Areas of expertise and specialization

Cosmetic DentistryGeneral ManagementHealthcare ManagementOral Surgery

Faculty Titles & Positions

  • Adjunct Lecturer at Charles Sturt University, and to Visiting Faculty at Griffith University -

Awards

  • Doctor's Choice Nominee- 2015   
  • Golden Key Society   

Professional Society Memberships

  • Australian Dental Association, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

What do you attribute your success to?

  • Success in health care leadership is very much values driven. The core values that I attribute my success to are:

    Courage to turn adversity into opportunity

    Integrity to make the right decisions even when no one is watching

    Fidelity to make the vision a reality

    Wisdom to empower others

Areas of research

  • Oral Cancer, Oral Surgery

Teaching and speaking

  • Previously Adjunct Lecturer Charles Sturt University School of Health Science, and Visiting General Dental Practitioner Griffith University School of Dentistry

Favorite professional publications

  • Harvard Business Review, New England Journal of Medicine, The Journal of the American Dental Association (USA and AUS)

Areas of research

Oral Cancer, Oral Surgery

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