Rob Aitken received his dental degree from Otago University, in 1969, and after two years as a Dental Registrar at Lower Hutt Hospital, Wellington, went into general practice in Hamilton in the T & G Buildings from October 1971 to June 1985. He then established a Private/Group Dental Practice “Collingwood Dental Care” from June 1985 to May 2001 and then a solo/restricted implant Dental Practice “The Pembroke Practice” from June 2001 to July 2013. He has spent the last two years of clinical implant practice at Mackie Dental Specialists in Hamilton.

He trained in osseointegration ad modem Brånemark at Sydney University in 1987 and has over 29years experience in osseointegrated dentistry. He extended his implant education with post-graduate study in Australia and the United States and has had extensive experience as a lecturer and presenter in implant restoration in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Asia.

In 2008 he joined the Waikato District Health Board as Clinical Director, Community Oral Health. He regards Dental Therapists as “front line troops”, not only in the treatment of dental disease, but also in guiding young New Zealanders down the pathway to a sound dental future. He sees his key role providing support and assistance to Therapists and facilitating communication, education and coordination within the health services.