About Us

PerioCourses was established by Phil Ower and Graham Smart when they left the Royal Air Force in 1996. Graham and Phil had lectured together on many occasions while in the RAF, mainly to GDPs and hygienists (they both, at different times, ran the RAF School of Dental Hygiene) and they wanted to continue teaching alongside their specialist practice activities. Following Graham's death in 2009, Phil continues to teach for half his working week all over the UK. Both Graham and Phil were heavily influenced by the inspirational teaching and guidance of the late Bernie Kieser.

Phil's tributes to Bernie and Graham »

Phil Ower

Phil qualified from King's London in 1978. He joined the RAF after qualifying and was a general dental practitioner until taking an MSc in Periodontology in 1992, after which he was RAF Adviser in Periodontology and ran the RAF School of Dental Hygiene. After leaving the RAF he lectured at the Eastman Dental Institute and worked in several specialist practices. For 10 years he worked alongside Bernie Kieser at the Periodontal Practice in London and now practices at the Briars Dental Centre in Newbury. He is on the GDC's Specialist Register.

He has been an examiner for the Royal College of Surgeons of England (MGDS) and has served two terms on the Council of the British Society of Periodontology. Phil has had papers published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, Dental Update, Dental Practice and Independent Dentistry and is on the editorial boards of Dental Health and Primary Dental Care. He is a Module editor on the eDen project for e-Learning for Healthcare. He lectures throughout the UK, and is responsible for the perio component of the FGDP(UK) Diploma in Restorative Dentistry in both London and Manchester. He has been a contestant on Radio 4’s ‘Counterpoint’ music quiz but didn’t do very well.

Ian Dunn

Ian qualified from Leeds in 1998 and went into general practice in the North West. In 2001 he was awarded Membership of the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners. In 2002 he joined the teaching staff at Liverpool Dental Hospital in the Periodontology Department where he currently holds a part-time position. In 2007 he started a part-time MSc in Periodontology which he completed in 2010. Together with his undergraduate teaching, Ian also lectures throughout the North West at postgraduate level.

The majority of his work is still in practice where he still provides some general dentistry but also takes referrals for all aspects of Periodontology. He is the British Society of Periodontology regional representative for Merseyside and Cheshire.

Sarovi Drone

Sarovi qualified from United Medical and Dental Schools, London in 2002. After her vocational training, she went on to become a Senior House Officer in the Maxillofacial Surgery unit at the Luton and Dunstable hospital. During her time there she completed her MFDS examinations and won the annual Junior Papers Day, awarded by the Royal College of Surgeons.

Since leaving maxillofacial surgery, she has worked in the community dental service, NHS and private general practice. She has spent the last four years practising in Chiswick, west London and splits her time between general practice, teaching and studying for her MSc in restorative dentistry at The Eastman Dental Institute, with periodontics as a special module. In her spare time she travels, reads, indulges in adrenaline-junkie sports and is passionate about dance.

Ghilaine Ower

Having read law at King's College, London, Ghilaine qualified as a solicitor in 1982. After raising a family she returned to work with the Citizens Advice Bureau for a number of years. Since 2003 she has worked as a Conference Manager for the British Society of Periodontology, organising national conferences and masterclasses. For PerioCourses, she manages an intensive lecture circuit and programme of courses around the country. She has also undertaken work for the European Federation of Periodontology, managing a recent General Assembly in London and a European Postgraduate Symposium. She co-organized the Pan Dental Society Conference in 2011, involving 4 specialist dental societies. In her spare time she plays badminton and tennis (badly), rides and walks 2 over-active dogs.