Listening to Carl lecture was not only educational but entertaining. He was humorous, answered questions quickly and accurately, and always exhibited total confidence. Every time I heard Carl lecture, it was always a different experience, even when the topic was the same. He was a gifted orator who made learning fun.
So many of our lives have been positively affected by Dr. Carl Misch’s presence on this planet. His passing early in January was a great loss to our profession and many will miss him dearly. I will remember Carl for the incredible positive impact he made on my career and in my life. I know I am not alone in feeling this way, because he had such an influence on so many of my colleagues and their patients. Carl exemplified focus, commitment, and passion for not only implant dentistry but also for dedication to excellence in life.
As I look back on his accomplishments during his 69 years, the breadth of his work is nothing short of amazing, with a CV that could be a book itself. Carl was a prosthodontic specialist with an implant certificate and master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. The Misch International Implant Institute has educated more than 4,500 dentists and has been the primary educational venue for 6 dental school specialty residences with an ongoing physical presence in 9 countries. As a Fellow of the Misch International Implant Institute, I can personally say that this is one of the best educational venues for surgical and prosthetic dental implant training available anywhere. The reason, I feel, that the Misch Institute is so successful is the consistent principles that are taught, all based on Carl’s benchmark textbook Contemporary Implant Dentistry, now in its third edition, and on his book Dental Implant Prosthetics, now in its second edition. Contemporary Implant Dentistry has been published in 9 languages and is the go-to reference book for students taking their fellowship and diplomate exams with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Carl was also politically involved, honored, and a leader in all the major implant organizations.
Carl was not only an educator at his institute but was also a clinical professor and director of oral implantology in the department of periodontology at the Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry at Temple University. Beyond that, Carl had lectured in every state in the United States as well as 47 countries. Listening to Carl lecture was not only educational but entertaining. He was humorous, answered questions quickly and accurately, and always exhibited total confidence. Every time I heard Carl lecture, it was always a different experience, even when the topic was the same. He was a gifted orator who made learning fun. In 2004, I had the honor to co-author with Carl one of his 250 articles, which was published in Dentistry Today.
I first met Carl in 1999, and when he signed his textbook and wrote “let the force/area be with you,” I knew I had met a special person. Eighteen years later, I can say my life has been enhanced by his presence on this earth and I will miss my mentor and am grateful for his gifts to all of us.
Dr. Damon Adams, our editor-in-chief, and our editorial team, who have all worked with Carl on numerous articles published in Dentistry Today, will sincerely miss this true icon in dentistry.
Article By Dr. Misch
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