Joerg Bergner
Part time Associate Dentist (GDC no 79950)
I grew up in the small, very old and beautiful university town of Tübingen in southern Germany, which is where I also attended university to do my degree in dentistry.
After graduation in 1995, I completed my doctorate and worked in Cologne for a few years. As I have always been a keen traveller, I thought it would be nice to use my qualification and see if I could live and work somewhere else. (Ideally somewhere with palm trees and nice beaches). Eventually, I sourced a position at a new private hospital in Apia, Samoa. I left for Samoa in January 2000 with no plans to return but even though my social life was amazing – beach BBQs on the weekends, fishing and cooking – and I made friends that I am still in touch with today, the position didn’t quite work out.
I returned to Germany that same year and, by autumn, my sights were set on Newcastle. One of my mates had suggested the UK as it’s an island too! (Although with fewer palm trees and, yes, I am aware the UK is made up of more than 200 populated islands). Twenty years later, I have attained experience in practices with varying NHS contracts and enjoy delivering essential primary dental care to families. I have added British citizenship to my German nationality and feel settled and blessed with the wonderful countryside and stunning beaches right here on our doorstep.
In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, hiking and cycling. I am very much into music, and I also play guitar and a little piano. I would also say I am pretty well travelled.
Education
- Bachelor of dental surgery, Tübingen, Germany 1995
- Doctorate in dentistry, Tübingen, Germany 1997
BEHIND THE SMILE
We asked Joerg some questions to find out more about the man behind the smile. Away from his professional life, what are the things he holds dear?
If you were able to invite three people (fictional or non fictional), (present or past) to your dinner table who would they be and why?
1. Bobby Kennedy
In my opinion, by today’s standards, an exceptional politician who has shown compassion and integrity towards many others.
2. David Gilmore
I am still not “over” that my mum didn’t let me go to see Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” in 1980 because I had an exam the following day. I failed it terribly anyway! He seems a pleasant chap and I still love DSOTM.
3. Socrates
A very wise man. I’d love to have him around for tea and a chat. Have a look at “ Apology”, an interesting little piece by Plato that will make you think….
If you weren’t a dentist, what would you want to do as a career?
A musician/ songwriter
If you were to share one piece of dental advice, what would it be?
Look after your teeth because nothing will ever be as good as to what “nature” gave you.
What is your favourite charity?
Médecins Sans Frontières