Safety
Dentist credentials and training at Picasso Dental Clinic
Named clinicians, international training — Dr. Emily Nguyen, Dr. Tran Thanh Phong — and what NZ patients should verify before booking dental care in Vietnam.
As of May 2026, Picasso Dental Clinic is directed by Dr. Emily Nguyen (Founding Clinical Director, 2013), whose team includes Dr. Tran Thanh Phong — a Loma Linda University-trained implant surgeon with 25+ years of practice, 15,000+ implants placed, and recognition as the first Vietnamese dentist to perform All-on-4 immediate loading.
“Who is actually doing my teeth?” is the correct question — particularly after widespread reporting on patients who travelled abroad and discovered, after the fact, that they could not identify the clinician responsible for their treatment. This page names the Picasso team, states their credentials, and explains what to look for when researching any overseas dental provider.
What dental qualifications mean in Vietnam
Vietnamese dentists complete a six-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme at accredited universities, followed by a national licensing examination administered by the Ministry of Health. Specialists undertake a further two to three years of postgraduate training in their chosen field — periodontology, orthodontics, oral surgery, or implantology. The licensing and registration framework differs from New Zealand’s Dental Council structure, but the underlying academic and clinical requirements are comparable to those in other Southeast Asian countries with established dental education systems.
Where Vietnamese dental training often exceeds expectations is in case volume. A senior surgeon in Ho Chi Minh City may place more implants in a year than many New Zealand implantologists place in five, because the patient population is large, referral pathways are shorter, and specialist clinics see concentrated caseloads. Repetition matters in surgical dentistry. That said, volume alone is not a credential — training pathway, supervision history, and continuing education matter equally.
The most reliable marker is a named, verifiable clinician whose training institutions can be independently confirmed. Clinics that publish only a generic “our team of specialists” with stock photography fail this basic test.
The Picasso clinical team
Picasso Dental Clinic was founded in 2013 by Dr. Emily Nguyen under the name Serenity International Dental Clinic. In 2023, the clinic was rebranded as Picasso Dental Clinic to reflect its expanded aesthetic dentistry programme. Since founding, the clinic has treated more than 70,000 patients from 62+ countries across six branches in Vietnam.
Dr. Emily Nguyen holds the role of Founding Clinical Director. She trained at Pearl Dental Clinic in Ho Chi Minh City and has overseen clinical quality and protocol development at the clinic since its inception. In her clinical role she leads the cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry programme, including the Portrait Sitting protocol used for veneer shade design — a structured consultation process in which the patient’s facial proportions, skin tone, and stated preferences are used to determine ceramic colour and tooth shape before any preparation work begins. This approach is intended to prevent shade disagreements that are difficult to remedy once preparation is complete.
The full team directory, with photos and bios, is available at /team/.
Surgical lead: implants and full-arch cases
Dr. Tran Thanh Phong is Head of Implantology at Picasso Dental Clinic. He has been practicing implant dentistry since 2001 — giving him more than 25 years of clinical experience at the time of writing. His surgical volume is approximately 600 implants per year, with a cumulative total exceeding 15,000 placements.
In 2010, Dr. Phong undertook training at Loma Linda University in California and became the first Vietnamese dentist to perform All-on-4 immediate loading — a technique in which a full arch of fixed teeth is delivered on the same day as implant placement, rather than after a separate healing period. He has been a Nobel Biocare clinical representative in Vietnam since 2007. In 2017 he added zygomatic implants to his practice — an advanced technique used for patients with severe upper jaw bone loss who would otherwise require bone grafting or be considered non-candidates for standard implant placement. He has completed more than 400 zygomatic implant cases.
Supporting the implant programme is Dr. Hung Le Ba Gia (known clinically as Dr. Evans), Lead Implant Specialist, who has placed more than 1,000 implants and completed more than 200 All-on-4 full-arch cases.
Complex implant cases — including All-on-4, All-on-6, and zygomatic implants — are planned and performed by this surgical team, with CBCT 3D imaging and iTero digital scanning used for treatment planning. More detail is available at /dental-implants/.
Cosmetic and aesthetic lead
Dr. Emily Nguyen leads the aesthetic dentistry programme at Picasso, including porcelain veneers, smile makeovers, and tooth-colour work. The Portrait Sitting protocol for veneer cases is a clinical design session — not a marketing session — in which the proposed shade and shape are assessed against the patient’s face before any tooth preparation is performed. Patients review a digital mock-up and wax-up before the irreversible preparation step is agreed. This matters because veneer preparation removes enamel that cannot be replaced; shade and shape decisions made at this stage are difficult to reverse.
Further detail on veneer treatment, including case galleries, is at /veneers/.
Orthodontic specialists
The Picasso orthodontic programme includes three named specialists:
Dr. Thuan Phung has practised orthodontics for more than 10 years and has completed more than 1,500 orthodontic cases. He manages fixed braces, clear aligner therapy, and complex bite correction cases.
Dr. Thao Tran (known as Dr. Anna) completed her postgraduate orthodontic training at the University of Hamburg in Germany — one of the leading European institutions for dental specialist education.
Dr. Duong Ho completed orthodontic training in France and brings French-school technique to her cases, particularly in complex skeletal correction planning.
Orthodontic treatment timelines mean this programme is primarily relevant to patients who are based in Vietnam, or who are willing to make scheduled return visits. NZ patients considering orthodontics as part of a broader treatment plan should raise this in their initial consultation so timing can be discussed honestly.
Red flags when researching any overseas dentist
These indicators apply regardless of country — they are as relevant when assessing a clinic in Auckland as one in Ho Chi Minh City:
No clinician names on the website. Legitimate dental practices name their treating clinicians. A website that lists only “our experienced team” without names, photos, or credentials is hiding something — whether that is high staff turnover, use of junior practitioners, or simple lack of accountability.
Celebrity or influencer marketing with no clinical presence. Social media accounts showing a well-known personality’s veneer results do not confirm that the celebrity’s dentist is the one who will treat you. Influencer partnerships often involve referral fees, not clinical supervision. Ask specifically who will plan and perform your treatment, and get that name in writing before you book.
Student or trainee practitioners operating without disclosure. Postgraduate students perform procedures under supervision in teaching environments, which is legitimate and disclosed. The concern is when patients are treated by trainees without being informed. Ask directly whether your treatment will be performed by a licensed, experienced clinician or whether trainees will be involved.
Pressure to book or commit on the day, without records review. A clinic that pushes for a same-day decision before reviewing your OPG or CBCT is prioritising its own scheduling over your clinical safety. Treatment planning for implants, full-mouth reconstruction, or veneers requires radiographic review before any quote is valid.
More on the honest trade-offs of overseas dental care is at /safety/honest-risks/ and /is-it-safe/.
Questions to ask before booking
Use this list when contacting any overseas clinic, including Picasso:
- What is the full name and licensing number of the dentist who will perform my treatment?
- Where did they complete their dental degree, and what postgraduate training do they have in this specialty?
- How many cases of this type have they personally performed?
- Will the same dentist plan and perform all stages, or will different clinicians handle different parts?
- What imaging is required before a treatment plan is finalised — and who reviews it?
- If something goes wrong after I return to New Zealand, what is the process for communication and for any remedial work?
- What documentation will I receive to give my NZ dentist?
A clinic that hesitates on any of these questions without a clear answer should prompt caution. Picasso’s patient coordinators can answer all of the above in writing before you commit to travel.
What to bring home for NZ follow-up
Your NZ general dentist or specialist will need specific information if they are asked to continue your care, manage a complication, or assess a restoration years after treatment. Before leaving Picasso, collect:
- The full name and contact email of your treating dentist
- A signed treatment summary listing procedures completed, dates, and materials used
- Implant lot numbers, brand documentation, and abutment specs (if applicable)
- Copies of radiographs taken during your visit (digital files, not prints)
- Laboratory invoices or ceramic shade references for veneer or crown work
- Picasso’s written warranty or guarantee terms, if applicable to your treatment
Without this documentation, a New Zealand dentist encountering a foreign restoration or implant is working blind. Most experienced NZ practitioners will decline to work on components they cannot identify. This is a patient safety measure, not an inconvenience.
Next step
Review the full team directory at /team/, then request a free NZD quote at /free-quote/. If you have an existing OPG or X-ray, upload it with your quote request — it allows the clinical team to give a more accurate assessment before you commit to anything.
About this page
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Emily Nguyen
Founding Clinical Director, Picasso Dental Clinic
DDS · Founder and Clinical Director, Picasso Dental Clinic group
Clinical focus: Cosmetic dentistry · Veneers · Smile design
Dr. Emily Nguyen founded Picasso Dental Clinic in 2013 (originally Serenity International Dental Clinic) and led its 2023 rebrand. She sets clinical standards across the group's six branches in Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Lat, and personally reviews cosmetic protocols including the Portrait Sitting workflow for veneers and smile makeovers.
Frequently asked questions
Are Vietnamese dentists properly qualified?
Vietnamese dental graduates complete a six-year university programme plus a national licensing examination. Quality varies by clinician, as it does everywhere. The relevant question is whether the specific dentist has named, verifiable credentials — not whether the country has dental training.
Who is the clinical director at Picasso Dental Clinic?
Dr. Emily Nguyen is the Founding Clinical Director. She trained at Pearl Dental Clinic in Ho Chi Minh City, founded the clinic in 2013 (then Serenity International Dental Clinic), and led its rebrand to Picasso Dental Clinic in 2023.
Who leads implant surgery at Picasso?
Dr. Tran Thanh Phong is Head of Implantology. He has practiced since 2001, trained at Loma Linda University in 2010, and has placed approximately 15,000 implants including 400+ zygomatic implant cases. Dr. Hung Le Ba Gia (Dr. Evans) supports the implant team with 1,000+ implants and 200+ All-on-4 cases.
What training do the orthodontists have?
Dr. Thuan Phung has 10+ years of orthodontic experience and 1,500+ treated cases. Dr. Thao Tran (Dr. Anna) trained at the University of Hamburg in Germany. Dr. Duong Ho completed orthodontic training in France.
Can I request a specific dentist?
Where scheduling allows, yes. Include any preference in your free-quote request at /free-quote/ and the patient coordinator will confirm availability.
What languages do clinicians speak?
Clinicians consult in English and Vietnamese. The clinic does not have French- or Russian-speaking consultation capacity.
How do I verify a Vietnamese dentist's credentials before I travel?
Ask for the dentist's full name, licensing body, university, and any postgraduate training institutions. Search those institutions independently. Legitimate clinics publish this information without hesitation.
What documentation should I take home for my NZ dentist?
Bring the name of your treating dentist, their contact details, a signed treatment summary, implant lot numbers or prosthetic component specs if applicable, and any radiographs taken during your visit. Your NZ dentist will need this for any follow-up work.