PERIODONTIST. THOUGHT LEADER AND HEALTH SPECIALIST
Professor Alessandro Quaranta (Prof Q) has been in specialist practice for 15 years since completing his specialist training from the “University of Rome,” La Sapienza”, the top university in Italy* and the largest University in Europe.
Born Italian, Prof Q is an Australian AHPRA registered Specialist Periodontist with a PhD in Dental Implantology with extensive clinical expertise in the surgical treatment of periodontitis, peri-implantitis and implant treatment in complex cases and patients. He is the Clinical Professor of the Discipline of Restorative and Reconstructive Dentistry at the School of Dentistry, University of Sydney and Senior Clinical Specialist at the Department of Periodontics Sydney Dental Hospital. He maintains a private practice position as Chief Clinical Consultant and Scientific Education Coordinator of the Smile Specialist Suite, Newcastle and the Smile Specialist Suite, Neutral Bay (Sydney), NSW.
His research and clinical work has succeeded in the publication of more than 180 Research outposts, of which more than 120 are full text scientific articles on peer reviewed scientific journals, making him one of the most productive Australian Researchers in the field of Periodontics and Dental Implantology of all times.
Based on his extraordinary balance of educational, research and clinical skills, Prof Q is regularly invited in lecturing about periodontal and implant topics by several academic institutions and scientific societies around the world.
His research, teaching and clinical activities have contributed to positively inspire numerous health practitioners, university students and scholars through the sharing of his knowledge and innovation.
This has resulted in a tremendous improvement of the quality of care provided to periodontal and dental patients across the world and disruptive innovation in scientific teaching and research.
In 2019, Prof Q has been awarded the National Scientific Qualification (ASN) from the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) which is the highest academic qualification in Italy that qualifies for a Full Professorship. From 2018 to 2020, he has been the Professor of Periodontics at the School of Dentistry and Oral Health of the Griffith University, Queensland where he also served as the Director of the Doctor of Clinical Dentistry, being at that time the youngest full-time Dental Professor in Australia.
Previously, he has been the Lead of the Discipline of Periodontics Implantology at the University of Western Australia (UWA), one of Group of Eight Australia’s leading and research-intensive universities, where he was the Founding Leader of the UWA Research Program in Oral Implantology and Periodontics. From 2016 to 2018 Prof Q also coordinated the Specialist Clinical Service in Periodontics and Implantology of the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia, the only public specialist service in Periodontics of the whole WA State.
He has also worked as Senior Lecturer at the prestigious University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Prof Q’s was appointed as the Clinical Professor of Periodontics at the University of Sydney in 2021. Being such an advocate for education, he has continued to position himself in both educator and learner’s seats. In 2023, he accrued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the ranked No. 1 program in Australia by the University of Queensland with a scholarship.
*CWUR World University Rankings
CURRENT POSITION, ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Chief Clinical Consultant and Scientific Education Coordinator at the Smile Specialist Suite, Newcastle NSW.
- Clinical Professor, School of Dentistry, University of Sydney
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION, SCIENTIFIC MEMBERSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIP
- Dental Board of Australia, General Dentist and Specialist in Periodontics
- New Zealand Dental Council, Specialist in Periodontics
- Member, Australian Dental Association
- Member, Australian and New Zealand Academy of Periodontists
- Member, Asia Pacific Society of Periodontology
- Member, Australian Society of Periodontology
- Fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy
- Fellow of the International College of Dentists
- Fellow, Italian Society of Oral Surgery and Implantology
- Italian Dental Council, General Dentist and Specialist
- Member, Italian Society of Periodontology
- Visiting Professor, School of Dental Medicine. State University of New York at Buffalo, USA
- Hinman Student Research Award. The University of Tennessee, Health Science Centre. College of Dentistry. Memphis, USA
- NSW/ACT Regional Committee Member, Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeon
- Dental CPD Advisory Committee Member, University of Sydney Dental School
EDUCATION
- Fellowship Specialist Dental Practise (Periodontics) Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons: Achieved FRACDS (Obtained by dedicated specialist FRACDS exam) in the Specialist Practice of Periodontics, 2025
- MBA: Completed MBA program with scholarship award and inclusion in the Dean’s Roll of Honour at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, 2023
- Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale (Level E Tier 1 Hab. ASN): Obtained National Scientific Qualifications as an Associate Professor (Level D), 2013, and as a Full Professor (Level E), 2019, from the Ministry of Education, University, and Research (MIUR), Italy (https://abilitazione.mur.gov.it/public/index.php?lang=eng)
- Membership Specialist Dental Practise (Periodontics) Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons: Achieved MRACDS in the Specialist Practice of Periodontics, 2017
- PhD. Degree in Odontostomatologic Diseases: Successfully completed a PhD. Program at the University of Rome “La Sapienza,” Italy, 2008
- Postgraduate Degree (Spec. Dent.): Earned a Postgraduate Degree in Dentistry from the University of Rome “La Sapienza,” Italy, 2004
- DDS (Hons) Degree: Graduated with Honors from the University of Rome “Tor Vergata,” Italy, 2001
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Dental Board of Australia/AHPRA – General Dentist & Specialist in Periodontics
- New Zealand Dental Council – Specialist in Periodontics (retention)
- Italian Dental Council – General Dentist & Specialist (retention)
WORK HISTORY
- Managing and Scientific Director, Smile Specialists Suite and Kiama Dental Specialists
February 2020-Present (FTE 0.3): Leading a team of five reports overseeing the clinical and educational operations of Smile Specialists Suite in Newcastle, NSW, Australia
June 2021-Present (FTE 0.3): Steering and overseeing a team of five reports at Smile Specialists Suite in Neutral Bay (Sydney), NSW, Australia
July 2023-Present (FTE 0.3): overseeing clinical and educational operations with a team of five reports. Kiama Dental Specialists, NSW, Australia
- Clinical Professor, Discipline of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Sydney
August 2021-Present (FTE 0.2): Delivering impactful education and mentorship in a collaborative fashion with other disciplines and departments.
- Senior Specialist Consultant, Department of Periodontics, Sydney Dental Hospital
May 2020-December 2021 FTE 0.4): Provided specialized expertise to the Periodontics department.
- Professor of Periodontics (Level E) and Discipline Head (Periodontics and Oral Implantology), School of Dentistry and Oral Health, Griffith University
July 2018-February 2020 (FTE 1.0): Led the Periodontics Discipline and achieved remarkable outcomes through team building and collaborative work.
- Associate Professor (Level D), Discipline Lead and Program Convenor, Periodontics and Oral Implantology, Dental School of Western Australia
January 2016-June 2018 (FTE 1.0): Led the Discipline and delivered excellence in education and research by applying authentic and transformational leadership.
- Coordinator, Specialist Clinical Service in Periodontics and Implantology, Oral Health Centre of Western Australia
2016-June 2018: Successfully managed a team and specialist clinical services
- Senior Lecturer (Level C), Discipline of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, University of Otago
2014-2016 (FTE 1.0): Contributed significantly to the discipline of the school and the faculty through informal leadership and teamwork.
- Senior Lecturer (Level C), Discipline of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, University “Politecnica delle Marche,” Ancona, Italy
2011-2014 (FTE 1.0): Contributed significantly to the discipline and the faculty through individual and team contributions.
- Clinical Professor (Level E), Discipline of Periodontics
University of Sydney (FTE 0.2)
August 2021 – Present - Senior Specialist Consultant, Kiama Dental Specialists, Kiama (NSW)
2023 – Present - Senior Specialist Consultant, Smile Specialists Suite, Neutral Bay (NSW)
2021 – Present - Senior Specialist Consultant, Smile Specialists Suite, Newcastle (NSW)
2020 – Present - Senior Specialist Consultant, Department of Periodontics, Sydney Dental Hospital
May 2020 – December 2021 - Program Director, Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Periodontology)
School of Dentistry and Oral Health, Griffith University
July 2018 – February 2020 - Professor (Level E) of Periodontics & Discipline Lead, Periodontics and Implantology
School of Dentistry and Oral Health, Griffith University
July 2018 – February 2020 - Coordinator, Specialist Clinical Service in Periodontics and Implantology Oral Health Centre of Western Australia
2016 – 2018 - Associate Professor (Level D) & Discipline Lead, Periodontics and Implantology Dental School, University of Western Australia
2016 – June 2018 - Senior Lecturer (Level C), Discipline of Periodontology School of Dentistry, University of Otago
2014 – 2016
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Postgraduate Community Practice Program
Since April 2025, I have integrated supervised postgraduate student–run dental clinics into the Smile Specialists Suite network, offering subsidised treatment to patients experiencing financial constraints or concerns. This model not only provides essential care to vulnerable populations but also ensures our next generation of specialists hones their clinical skills alongside a deep sense of social responsibility.
Rural & Regional Engagement
NSW Regional Workshops (2020–Present): Deliver free, hands-on educational evenings for dentists and oral health therapists based in Newcastle, Kiama, and Tamworth, equipping regional practitioners with the latest advances in periodontal and implant care
International Oral Hygiene Campaign (2024–Present): Coordinated and delivered visits with oral hygiene instruction and donations of oral hygiene products in primary schools on Aitutaki Island (Cook Islands) in April 2024 and April 2025, bringing preventive education directly to remote communities and training local health workers to sustain ongoing programmes.
PARTICIPATION IN INDUSTRY PANELS OR SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Contribution to Profession (Scientific, Professional Societies, and Research Foundations):
Member, Scientific Committee, The Fine Edge of Dentistry, Cairns: March 2023-September 2024
Member, Scientific Committee, IADR ANZ Conference, Sydney: 25-28 September 2023
Member, Joint Committee, UWA/ADA for Continuing Professional Development: January 2016-February 2018
Secretary, IADR ANZ/WA Branch: March 2016-May 2018
Treasurer, IADR ANZ/WA Branch: March 2016-May 2018
Reviewer, Australian Dental Research Foundation Grant: March 2016-Present
Reviewer, New Zealand Dental Research Foundation Grant: March 2016-Present
Governance, University Service:
Member, Sydney University Dental CE Committee: June 2023-Present
Examiner: Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Periodontics), School of Dentistry. University of Sydney. 2020-Present
Member, Learning and Teaching Committee, Griffith University: January 2019-February 2020
Member, Clinical Education Committee, Griffith University: July 2018-February 2020
Member, Education Committee (DCD Sub-Committee), University of Western Australia: January 2016-June 2018
Member, Research Committee, University of Western Australia: January 2016-June 2018
Member, Advancement Committee, University of Western Australia: January 2016-June 2018
Invited Presentations (Last ten years only)
ITI Study Club Gold Coast
Enhancing Periodontal Surgery: The Role of Biological Mediators and Grafts — 18 October 2024
Royal Australian College of Dental Surgeons, Cairns, QLD
Masterclass on Suturing — 12–14 September 2024
Master in Periodontics (University of Ferrara, Italy)
Purpose Shaping for the Dental Team — 6 May 2024 (Online Event)
ITI Study Club Cagliari, Italy
Purpose Shaping for the Dental Team — 17 February 2024 (Online Event)
Master in Periodontics (University of Ferrara, Italy)
Purpose Shaping for the Dental Team — 6 May 2025 (Online Event)
Australasian Osseointegration Society (WA Branch), Perth
Pink Outside the Box: Soft Tissue Management around Dental Implants and Teeth — 25 November 2022
Fiji Dental Association Annual Conference, Denarau Island, Fiji
Clinical Periodontal Regeneration — 24 September 2022
Dental School, University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy
The Road to Health: Integrating Research into Holistic Treatment Plans — 7 July 2022
Dental School, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome
Peri-implantitis: Meet the Bad Dental Cyborg — 22 June 2022
Australian Society of Periodontology Meeting, Sydney
Clinical Periodontal Regeneration: Is It Really Worth It? — 26 November 2021
University of Pisa, Italy (Online Event)
Peri-implantitis: Meet the Bad Dental Robocop — 15 May 2021
University of Messina, School of Dentistry (Online Event)
Management of Complications in Fixed Prosthodontics (Dental Implants) — 13 May 2021
Australian Society of Periodontology Meeting (Online Event)
Clinical Periodontal Regeneration: Is It Just Magic? — 12 May 2021
Indian Society of Periodontology (Online Event)
Regenerative Periodontal Therapy on Single-Root Teeth: Fact and Fiction — 8 September 2020
ADA Victoria (Online Event)
Peri-implantitis: The New Tsunami in Dentistry — 8 May 2020
National Taiwan University, Taipei
Prevention and Management of Peri-implantitis: Clinical and Research Aspects — 4 December 2019
University of Hong Kong, School of Dentistry
Periodontal and Implant Therapy: Bringing Research into Every Clinical Practice — 3 December 2019
Hangzhou Second Affiliated Stomatology Hospital, China
Peri-implantitis: The New Tsunami in Dentistry — 25 November 2019 (1–3 pm)
Hangzhou Stomatology Hospital, China
Peri-implantitis: The New Tsunami in Dentistry — 25 November 2019 (4–5 pm)
ASP QLD Clinical Day, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast
Contemporary Non-surgical Periodontal Instrumentation — 23 August 2019
2019 International Symposium on Dental Hygiene, Brisbane
The Use of Antiseptics in Periodontal and Implant Treatment Plan: Science or Fiction? — 16 August 2019
AOS (WA) Dinner Lecture, Perth
To Save or to Extract (and Implant)? Periodontal Prognosis and the Law of the Dental Implant — 15 March 2019
Griffith University Research Day, Gold Coast
Periodontal and Implant Therapy: Bringing Research into Every Clinical Practice — 6 September 2018
University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome
Prevention and Management of Peri-implantitis — 26 June 2018
Australian Society of Periodontology (ANZAP) Conference, Perth
Alveolar Ridge Preservation — 8–11 March 2017
Australian Society of Periodontology (WA) Meeting, Perth
An Insight into WA Postgraduate Research Program — 15 August 2017
ADIA Meeting, Perth
Prevention, Diagnosis and Management of Peri-implant Mucositis and Peri-implantitis — 10–11 August 2017
Dental School, University of Ferrara, Italy
Non-surgical Periodontal and Peri-implant Therapy: Instruments, Protocols, Antimicrobial Therapy — 22 June 2017
18th ANZAP Conference, Perth
Alveolar Ridge Preservation — 8–11 March 2017
National Singapore University, School of Dentistry
Prevention and Management of Peri-implantitis — 25 August 2016
ADA WA General Meeting, Perth
Prevention and Management of Peri-implantitis — 6 July 2016
55th Annual IADR ANZ Division Meeting, Dunedin
Extraction Socket Healing in Humans after Ridge Preservation Techniques — 23–26 August 2015
Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin
Prevention and Management of Peri-implantitis — 28 May 2015
OUTSIDE OF DENTISTRY
When he is not busy with university commitments and his patients, Alex enjoys travelling with his wife, Lizzy (Dr. Lizzy Hui) and their baby-boy Leonardo, swimming, relaxing on the beach while reading a good book. In coherence with his Italian origins, he enjoys cooking Italian dishes, tasting good wines and experiencing other cuisines.
