Every year in June, the ITI opens the application portal for its Scholarships. We took this opportunity to ask one of our former Scholars, Dumitru Chele from Moldova, about his experience, his daily work and what he liked the most about it. He started his Scholarship year in 2024 at the ITI Scholarship Center University of Michigan, USA.
What are the three most memorable things you will take away from your Scholarship year?
I still remember the day I received the email from the ITI confirming that I had been selected as an ITI Scholar. It felt unreal at the time, and now, at the end of the program, I can say it has been an intense and rewarding year.
My first highlight was working directly with Dr. Hom-Lay Wang and being mentored by him, both in the clinic and in research. He has a unique ability to spot what you do well, then push you in the right direction, so the work moves forward and you keep progressing. I have learned a lot from him and will be forever grateful for his guidance.
The second memorable aspect was attending several national and international meetings. The one that stood out most for me was the ITI US Section Annual Meeting in Dallas, where I had the opportunity to present during Live ITI on the management of sinus lifting complications. It was my first time presenting on an ITI stage, and it is an experience I will remember for a long time. I look forward to doing it again.
The third highlight was the clinical work at the University of Michigan, especially the treatment-planning discussions with Dr. Wang and the faculty. Reviewing cases in detail and then carrying out those plans in surgery under close mentorship helped sharpen my decision-making and further develop my surgical skills.
Could you give us an idea of how your working week was structured?
My week in Michigan was very structured, and the schedule rarely left room for improvisation. Mondays usually started with classes in the morning, followed by Dr. Wang’s clinic in the afternoon. Tuesdays were split between Dr. Wang’s clinic in the morning and my own patients in the afternoon. Wednesdays began with classes, then shifted into focused research time. Thursdays combined clinic in the morning with research work later in the day, and Fridays were dedicated to research.
On paper it looks calm. In real life, once projects and deadlines start stacking up, the pace becomes fast. The good part is that the system and the team push you to stay efficient, so you keep moving forward.
Why did you choose this specific Scholarship Center?
I chose the University of Michigan for its perfect balance of academic and clinical excellence. Being mentored by Dr. Hom-Lay Wang was an important factor in my decision and a key part of what I wanted from this year. The Periodontics Department offers a strong academic environment with a clear research focus, which matched my goals and allowed me to be involved in multiple projects and publications. At the same time, I am a clinician at heart, and the possibility of obtaining a limited license meant I could stay clinically active and treat patients under faculty supervision. This setup allowed me to grow in both directions at the same time, which is why this center was the right fit for me.
Which ITI core values do you most strongly identify with and why?
I most strongly identify with the ITI value of combining science with clinical practicality. In daily practice, it is easy to rely on routine or personal preference, especially when the schedule is full. The treatment guides and consensus statements are useful because they translate research into clear, workable steps for planning and execution. For me, that is the core value in action: decision-making that makes patient care consistent and predictable.
Did you feel you were learning a lot?
Yes, every day. Coming from an oral surgery background, it was useful to shift the focus from the procedure itself to everything around it: diagnosis, sequencing, soft-tissue management, and long-term stability. It changed how I think about implant cases, especially the details that matter months and years later.
I also learned a lot from the research side. Working on studies and manuscripts taught me how to think more critically about evidence, not just read it. By the end of the year, I approached both clinical decisions and papers with a different mindset: more structured, more precise, and less impressed by headlines.
What were your plans for the time after your Scholarship when you returned home? And how did this experience influence your current position?
After the Scholarship, my plan was simple: return home and keep building. I continued my work at the Nicolae Testemitani State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, while sharing what I brought back with my students, especially how to think through cases in a more structured way, not just how to do procedures.
The year also changed how I work day to day. I plan more carefully, I document more consistently, and I am more strict with indications and follow-ups.
Why would you recommend our Scholarship program to other young professionals?
I would recommend the Scholarship program because it gives you a year of structure, expectations, and feedback. You work closely with experienced mentors, stay clinically active, and get involved in research. It is not a year of shadowing, but a year of hard work. It pushes you to improve and grow.
It also connects you to a strong professional network. You meet people you can genuinely collaborate with. If someone is ready to work hard and wants a serious step forward in both clinical thinking and professional direction, this program delivers.
Each year we enable young implant dentistry talents to spend a year abroad at a highly regarded university being mentored by an ITI Fellow at one of our (>40) ITI Scholarship Centers around the globe (you can check them out here: ITI Scholarship Centers).
Are you keen on getting insight into every aspect of implant treatment? Would you like to dive into the complex world of case planning, implant surgery and prosthetic restorations in an international context? Our application portal is open from June 1 to June 14 every year. Don’t hesitate any longer and apply now!
More information available on our website.
