Dr. “Abe” Culbengan completed his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Centro Escolar University, Manila in 1993. He is one of the founding members of the Philippine Academy of Esthetic Dentistry where he has served as board member, lecturer, facilitator of PAED 101 courses from 1998 to 2006. He was a Key Opinion Leader and Lecturer of 3M Company from 2001 up to the present. In September 5 to 9, 2017, he was chosen to represent the Philippines for the APAC KOL Meeting in the studies and clinical trial of dental materials and equipments at the 3M Oral Care Division Headquarters, St. Paul Minnesota. Simultaneously, he attended a workshop on “Evaluative Techniques in Dental Materials at the Minnesota Dental Research Center for Biomaterials and Biomechanics, under Dr. Gary Anderson (Interim Dean, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry).

While being active in private dental practice, his drive for new knowledge encouraged him to became a registered nurse in 2006. He then finished his Master of Arts in Nursing last 2009 at St. Jude College where his thesis got published in the college journal. He was then encouraged by the Graduate School Dean to continue the PhD program. Despite the stringency in the program design with a high drop out rates, he successfully finished his PhD, Major in Educational Management in 2013. His Dissertation entitled “Survey of Cosmetic Dentistry Instructional Resources and Practices: Basis for a Proposed Clinical Reference Source in Using Aesthetic Techniques“ was aligned for his dedication in the practice of Non-Invasive Cosmetic Dentistry.

On the same year of 2013, he worked in Saudi Arabia as a Dental Consultant at Thanaya-Alyaqoot Medical Specialists Clinic. While busy practicing dentistry, he grabbed the opportunity to take “The Fundamental Concepts for Mastering Esthetic Challenges Workshop” by the famous book author Dr. Terry Donovan, (Certified by The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties at King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Dentistry, Jeddah) last October 2015. He pursued his International Residency Program on Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Dentistry at Thammasat and Shrinakarintawirot University in Bangkok, Thailand last 2016. He was then nominated as Panel of Mentors of the MiCD (Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Dentistry) and became one of the MICD Global Advocators and served as KOL/Lecturer for Shofu Dental from 2016 to 2019. In May to June 2016 he joined the PAED pioneer group for the UCLA Program in Aesthetic Continuum, UCLA College of Dentistry, USA. He frequently attends both local and international dental conventions to keep himself and his practice updated. He has given numerous lectures and workshops locally and abroad on Non-Invasive Esthetic Dentistry.

He also joined several clinical contests, and became the International Winner of “The Clinical Application of Ketac Molar 3M-ESPEE Glass Ionomer Restorative Dental Material” Clinical Photos which was published in 3M journal and flyers, their website, and was printed in USA last 2004. He also won The PDA Convention 2001 of 3M Clinical Case Photography Contest in Esthetic Dentistry. And lastly, the Style Italiano 3M SmileStories Clinical Case: Asia-Pacific Award, given last July 30, 2017 at Aston Denpasar Hotel in Bali, Indonesia . He was also featured on TV regarding cosmetic dental veneers in KMJS (“Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho), Eat Bulaga, GMA Network, Klinika on Air 8Trimedia, DZNL RMN Radio Manila, and Channel 31 Online.

Dr. Culbengan believes that training is an absolute must in developing the proper clinical and aesthetic skill leading to competency in performing any aesthetic treatment successfully. He holds his private dental practice at A Beautiful Expression (ABE) Dental and Facial Aesthetic Center in Cubao, Quezon City.