The fourth season of Ments Inquietes is kicking off; a UIC Barcelona project, by all, for all. Today we’re releasing the latest episode, the first of this 2020-2021 academic year, which unfortunately got off to an unsettled start, no thanks to COVID-19. Even so, coronavirus has not stopped us talking to Dr Lluís Giner, lecturer and current dean of the university’s Faculty of Dentistry.

We had the pleasure of interviewing this leading figure from the world of dentistry and we are proud to say that Dr Giner has been part of our UIC Barcelona community since we first opened our doors.  But, what we didn’t expect was what a young Dr Giner, one of the first dentists in Barcelona to insert implants, told his father, also a dentist: “Dad, I don’t want to be a dentist when I grow up”. Life is full of twists and turns, and here is his wonderful personal and professional story:

“A passion for health sciences, helping others and curing patients” is what Giner has always wanted and which, later on in life, having finished his medical studies and worked as an obstetrician, he would finally apply to the world of dentistry; right up until today. Last year, Dr Giner completed an official master’s degree in bioethics.  His curiosity does not peter, focused unwaveringly on teaching and research.

As he explains, despite “putting obstacles” in the way of his current vocation as a dentist, Lluís Giner has managed to make his dream of “curing others” a reality, one he’s had since he was a boy and has achieved time and time again, improving the quality of life for so many of his patients (still to this day). One shining example, and the sweetest of all, tells of the first patient to whom he gave implants. The full anecdote is revealed in the video. We're sure it will surprise and make you smile.

The truth is that for Dr Giner, working at the University Dental Clinic (CUO) each day is just another experience to add to the books. But, how did it all start? Who invited Lluís Giner to become part of UIC Barcelona? Both these questions can be answered with one name: Dr Miquel Cortada.

Dr Cortada was a professor of dental prosthesis and started teaching at the university’s Faculty of Dentistry back in 1997. As part of his position as Faculty dean, he launched several programmes in dentistry and opened the University Dental Clinic.

As the episode’s protagonist explains, Dr Miquel Cortada, the "master of all masters", suggested he should take part in a project that was just getting started: the formation of the university's Faculty of Dentistry. Giner did not hesitate and embarked on the most important dental project of his life.

Want to know more about him? Watch the video.