Rate My Professor David Coburn

David Coburn serves as Senior Professional Practice Fellow in the Department of Oral Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Otago. His qualifications include BDS from the University of Otago (1998), MHEd from the University of Otago, MFGDP(UK), FRACDS, and DPDS(Bristol). He coordinates the BDS Year 3 Endodontic Module, contributing significantly to undergraduate dental education. As a general dental practitioner, he maintains a clinical practice at Nairn Street Dental Practice in Dunedin, New Zealand. Coburn's career trajectory reflects a blend of academic, military, and private sector experience in dentistry.

Following his BDS graduation from the University of Otago in 1998, David Coburn initially pursued a career in oral and maxillofacial surgery, departing New Zealand in 2000. In 2001, he joined the Royal Air Force, attaining the rank of Squadron Leader. His RAF service encompassed providing dental care to British forces in the Falkland Islands—recognized as the most southerly dental team globally—and subsequently as station dental officer at RAF St Athan in South Wales. Upon returning to New Zealand, he assumed his current university role. In research, Coburn co-authored the 2022 publication 'Clinical and Microbiological Evaluation of a Chlorhexidine-Modified Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC-CHX) Restoration Placed Using the Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) Technique' in Materials (15(14):5044), collaborating with researchers from the Sir John Walsh Research Institute. He also contributed a book review of Posterior direct restorations to the New Zealand Dental Journal (118(4):177) in 2022. Furthermore, he has mentored MHEd students on enhancing hospital dentistry education in New Zealand dental undergraduate curricula.