clinique dental
Dr Craig Campbell
Albany, Auckland,
New Zealand
myInjury
In September 2025 I was seriously injured in an e-scooter accident, sustaining a cervical spinal cord injury that has affected the fine motor control essential to clinical dentistry. I have been unable to work clinically since, and I have spinal surgery scheduled for July 2026, with a recovery period and an outlook that remain uncertain.
I've stepped back from practice for now. I didn't want my patients' care to wait on my recovery, so I've set out clearly how to continue it — and if you'd like to follow my recovery, please use the contact form.
myOutlook
The injury, affected my fine motor control which is understandibly critical to dental surgery. Time has helped a bit, however surgery is a part of this rehabilitation and will happen soon.
As the future is uncertain, I will be on indefinite medical leave for the foreseeble future, and thus it is important to me to help the enormous group of patients I have helped since 2001 with their dental health.
Naturally this has been an immense surprise to myself, family friends and patients, but I am grateful that the injury was not worse. For this reason I have held a positive outlook on the future :-)
Continuing your care...
Your dental records — including any scans, implant details, and treatment history — remain held securely with the clinic I provided care from, and your care can continue there or with whichever dentist you choose.
As there is naturally a variation in the care you have needed from me over this time, for some patients this is simply a matter of knowing that I’m not at the clinic.
For the many who have needed more care over the years, I do understand how unsettling this will be — which is why I have waited until I had undertaken every practical effort towards a complete recovery before making this difficult communication.
Enclosed with this letter is a short guide that sets out exactly what to do, and who to contact, for whatever you might need — from a routine check-up to a specific concern
Specialist or General Practice?
Each patient's dental needs and the care I have provided has varied over the years, and for this reason, your ongoing care requirements will vary significantly. While some of you may only require regular checkups and maintenance which a general dental practice can offer, others will possibly need to seek care in a specialist environment.
The best way to approach this is to seek a regular checkup with a General Dentist, and ask them if they are comfortable with your individual clinical picture and outlook.
Implant, Oral Rehabilitation & Surgical Patients
Where the care you have needed with me has included more advanced procedures, you may find that a Prosthodontist might be more familiar with both the care you have needed, or future maintenance.
As patients who have needed more advanced procedures have either suffered dental trauma or higher propensity for dental disease, the need for routine checkups and preventative maintenance is critical.
The best practice for these patients is a General Dentist to provide routine oral health checks in combination with a supervised Hygiene care programme, using the prosthodontist for more advanced care where appropriate.
The Implant systems I have employed over my career are globally recognised, and should create comfort with you and your future clinicians knowing I only sought authentic and respected componentry & materials as a standard of my care.
Emergency Dental Care
Dental Injuries, toothache & infections are extremely unwelcome stressful events needing urgent attention and help. Please dont delay seeking help from any of the clinicians mentioned above, or by contacting the clinic for advise.
clinicians
Dr Karime Elias
General Dentist
Being at Lumino Dental on the Shore, Karime has already been helping many of my patients. She is extremely competent in her approach, and if anything requires specialist attention you will be guided appropriately.
Dr Jonghyun Ahn
General Dentist
Also at Lumino Dental on the Shore, Jonghyun is able to help you with any dental emergencies as well as the routine checkups. He is familiar with many of the latest techniques for general restorative dentistry, and is also able to help with referrals.
Tel: 09 414 7733
Dr Bob Yang
General Dentist
Bob is my Dental School (in Otago) classmate, and is located closeby in Browns Bay. I trust Bob explicitly in his expertise and experience. Bob has also provided advanced care on the shore for many years, and is fluent in Mandarin.
Tel: 09 479 7710
Dr Tony Sun
Prosthodontist
Located on the Shore, as a Specialist Prosthodontist, Tony is able to help you with advanced issues relating to full mouth rehabilitation, and advanced implant or prosthetic care including full-arch implant prosthetics.
Tel: 0800 676 670