Dr. Ivan Gergel was a passionate dentist in Cambridge with a special interest in orthodontics. He noticed that many dentists struggled with orthodontic skills and wanted to help them improve. Dr. Ivan began teaching a group of five dentists per year in his clinic until midnight three days a week for a year, offering lectures and discussions on orthodontics.

Word of Dr. Ivan’s unique teaching methods spread, and more dentists began approaching him. Dr. Ivan decided to turn his in-clinic study into a school or institute, expanding access to high-quality orthodontic training for dentists.

As the demand for orthodontic skills grew in the 1990s, Dr. Ivan faced many challenges. Despite the challenges, Dr. Ivan remained committed to his craft and to providing high-quality orthodontic training to his students.

Today, Dr. Ivan’s legacy lives on at the Cambridge Dental Institute (CDI), which offers a 1-year postgraduate diploma in orthodontics. Dentists from all over the UK and the world come to CDI to learn from Dr. Ivan’s methods. CDI has even partnered with local orthodontic training centers in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand, expanding access to Dr. Ivan’s teachings even further.

Despite Dr. Ivan’s passing, his impact on dentistry continues to inspire dentists to approach their work with a dedication to improving their skills. Dr. Ivan’s passion for orthodontics and his commitment to improving the lives of others remain an important part of the legacy of CDI.