ABDT STORY

AFTERBURNER DENTAL TECHNOLOGIES: Our Story

2017 – Chapter 1: Founder’s Align

Meeting through a mutual circle of friends, two lads working in the Canadian Arctic during the early 1990’s become friends. Having lost touch for over twenty-five years, reconnect in November, 2017. It was obvious within seconds, the only thing that changed was their experience levels and geographic locations. One has an obsessive passion for Dentistry licensed in Canada, United States and United Kingdom practising in London. The other, has been mentored by two multi-millionaires and a President of two airlines with a Degree in Computer Animation, growing his own companies living in Mumbai, India.

The idea: to define and become the trusted support system for Dentists globally by shortening clinical treatment periods. A few weeks later, Afterburner Dental Technologies was born.

Partners: Founders & Co-CEO's

After graduating with a BDS from the University of Edinburgh Dental School he spent the early years of his practice working for the UK State Health System (NHS) where it was routine to see more than 25 patients a day, providing a full range of dental treatments ranging from routine examinations to surgical dental extractions. In the mid 1990’s he immigrated to Canada where he first met Rick in the land of the midnight sun and ice road trucking – Yellowknife. Yellowknife showed me a better way for providing dental care to patients where quality of care was paramount over quantity of patients treated. This was also my first interaction with a clinical system built around specialist care and referral and his decision to pursue specialist training in Prosthodontics. After obtaining my NDEB qualification in 1997 I started that journey and have not looked back.
To make that a reality he first moved to Loma Linda University in Southern California (1998) where spent a year in the Prosthodontics and Implant Surgery programs before moving to the world renowned University of Michigan Dental School (1999-2002) where he obtained my Masters degree in Prosthodontics. Loma Linda was also my first really broad exposure to the clinical world of dental implantology and this was further enhanced by my prosthodontic training in Michigan (then a Nobel Biocare Centre for Excellence). Once completed he took up a Teaching Fellow position in prosthodontics at the University of Alberta dental School teaching undergraduates and competing the Advanced Placement Program and awarded a DDS. This allowed me to have WHO, British / EU qualifications allowing access to all dental jurisdictions globally. On returning to the United Kingdom in 2005 he was awarded as a Specialist in Prosthodontics qualification and added to the UK / EU specialist list.
The University of Michigan showed him that the future of dentistry was digital, especially with my early work and Masters research with Procera. The early realization around the costs of such treatment, especially the poor access to this level of treatment by the majority of the population has over the past decade, led him to source treatment solutions and publish on aspects of digital dentistry that allow clinicians to bring advanced technologies and production methods back into regular, day-to-day dental clinics at a cost affordable price point. Today we are on the cusp of the next evolution of digital dentistry by harnessing all the potential clinical solutions in a very simple, time efficient and affordable work flow that fits into the standard day-to-day provision of dental care and brings added value to forward thinking clinicians.

As a native Canadian, he ran a multi-million dollar company at the age of twenty-one (21) in road transportation embracing the managerial role overseeing Charter, Territorial Interlining Passenger & Freight Services, City Bus Services, School Bus Services and Local Pick-Up & Delivery Services for three years. Learning of a new opportunity he was encouraged to run a second multi-million venture at the age of 24 in music. Working in a youth filled environment, he began soul searching for higher education and found it in the United States; he graduated with a BSc. Degree in Computer Animation with Presidential Honors from the Art Institute of Phoenix in 1998. Following graduation, he started loading baggage and cargo on the cold icy ramps of Canada, gaining over a decade of extensive aviation experience and regulatory engagement at state and international levels. In 2006, he was recognized as an Dangerous Goods expert, solely responsible for the management of the third largest airline in Canada’s Dangerous Goods Program (Development, Training, Records and Audit for Pilots, Flight Attendants, Store’s Shippers, Cargo Acceptance, Ground Handling and Check-In Staff) published by the International Air Transportation Association (IATA), a known Emergency Response Investigator, a member of the Air Transportation Association of Canada (ATAC) Dangerous Goods Committee, appointed speaker on behalf of Transport Canada representing industry when interviewed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), appointed liaison with Transport Canada – Dangerous Goods (CG-TDG) Chief, Regional Superintendents and Inspectors, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and World Health Organisation (WHO) and decided, it was time to use his “creative” Degree. Awarded the Marketing role for the same airline in a lateral move, the position was directed to rebrand the airline, including designing seven unique aircraft liveries and interiors, marketing strategy and pursue avenues that lead to a stronger competitive advantage as part of the transition. Seeing the anticipated global financial shift, he moved to India in 2008, and is now a businessman with a core focus on building various platforms and industries (www.cran.in), working with young entrepreneurs and speaking as a guest speaker at reputable business schools and institutions to future MBA’s and business leaders (ie. Jaipuria Institute of Management, Amity University, Aditya Institute of Management Studies and Research, and more). When dialogue opened, within minutes the two clearly defined the strategy and why this was so necessary, globally. With such clarity between them, some might say – some people are designed for an opportunity. And so the journey began … Afterburner Dental Technologies was born!

2018 – Digital Dentistry, a Pathway to Proficiency

Through ongoing developments, it was quickly discovered that there was two core groups of dentists; those utilizing traditional pathways and those evolving into a digital pathway. With the industry having been provided numerous products and elements showcasing hope, there were numerous gaps in what the expectation was from professionals vs. the reality of what these products (and lack of services and service support) were providing. Our goal and final conclusions was to support those moving in a direction that gave professionals more options, transparently and to further aid support for them in the development of their practices. The company proved successful in creating, aligning and showcasing numerous options for one’s desired practice whether simplifying the pathway or expanding one with more engagement; an early win and differentiation from others in the market.

2021 – Chapter 2: Covid-19 Trials & Tribulations, Carpe Diem.

Weathering the storm as the world began to lock-down, there was immediate uncertainty throughout the company and the industry. Forecasting was limited to an ongoing three month window consisting of speculation, while anxiously awaiting government updates with signs of operational capabilities returning to normal. As Afterburner Dental Technologies complied with all the immediate compliance of lock-down, including sending staff home, the decision was made to retain staff during these uncertain times, while daily in the news companies were releasing their staff. Our first priority and proudly, Afterburner Dental Technologies did not miss a single pay period throughout the Covid-19 crisis.

Fast forward to May 2021, Dr. Tambra requested to step down, unwind his interests and participation in the future of the company. Accepting the same, Mr. Rick Cran immediately resumed in full control of Afterburner Dental Technologies, unwavering in commitment, focused on the companies future growth and the team, realigning previous proficiency levels and totally committed to the future, aligning with the industry globally. Mr. Cran has enlisted and is working directly with a panel of dental professionals to ensure the ongoing developments continue to exceed deliverable expectations.

We consider this a pivotal moment in the companies history that clearly demonstrates our tenacious leadership, commitment and the driven aspiration to pioneer a majority practicing a digital pathway providing better accessibility to more patients while providing added value and paramount support to the dental care industry, globally.

202# - Chapter 3: Imagine The Possibilities (Coming Soon!)

cdk – Sunday by Analog by Nature (c) Copyright 2016
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