• PEOPLE
• May 2023
• Bulletin

Adieu, Luk Sir!

A Fond Farewell to Retiring Dental Technology Tutor

Luk Sir is a household name in the Faculty.

Luk Sir (Dr Henry Luk), Tutor in Dental Technology, is a household name in the Faculty of Dentistry, especially among Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students. Under his supervision at the Dental Technology Unit (DTU), students have gained valuable knowledge and hands-on experience in constructing custom-made restorative and dental appliances, as well as in tooth embedding, wax rims, trial tooth preparation, and more. As one of the most beloved teachers in the Faculty, his retirement at the end of June this year marks the end of his remarkable 43 years of service at both the Faculty and the Prince Philip Dental Hospital (PPDH), the teaching hospital of the Faculty.

Journey embarked on HKU

Dr Luk began his journey with HKU in October 1980 as a Dental Technician-in-Training and was promoted to Dental Technician a year later. In July 1983, all HKU Dental Technicians were transferred to the PPDH and continued to serve the Faculty. In this role, Dr Luk supported the Faculty’s teaching and clinical activities by preparing teaching aids, dental appliances, and prostheses.

His career progressed when he became an Instructor in Dental Technology in September 1990, where he began to teach dental students, supervise PPDH dental technicians, participate in complex clinical cases, and develop new techniques and research. In May 1994, he was promoted to Tutor in Dental Technology. In addition to his teaching, learning, and research duties, he also supervises the operations of the Dental Technology Unit (DTU), which is comprised of 10 instructors, 42 dental technicians, and 10 supporting staff.

Dr Luk supervises the operations of the Dental Technology Unit.

Grow with the Faculty

Since its establishment in 1982, the Faculty has undergone significant growth and development, and Dr Luk has been a witness to these changes. “Over the past 40 years, the Faculty has transformed from a young local faculty into a world-renowned dental education institution, remaining at the top worldwide,” Dr Luk remarked. He firmly believes that the Faculty provides the best dental education.

Dr Luk’s dedication to academic learning has been a constant throughout his career. After obtaining a diploma in dental technology from the Hong Kong Polytechnic (now named The Hong Kong Polytechnic University) in 1981, he continued his studies in Dental Technology to obtain a Dental Technician’s Advanced Certificate from the City and Guilds of London Institute. “I was lucky to obtain all four Dental Technician’s Advanced Certificates within four years - Crown and Bridge Technology in 1983, Prosthodontic Technology in 1984, Orthodontic Technology in 1985, and Maxillo-Facial Prosthetics and Technology in 1986.”

Most people would take a break after years of studies, but Dr Luk did not stop there. Instead, he seized the opportunity to complete his MPhil in 1991 and PhD in 1996. With his professional and academic achievements and his extensive working experience in the field of Dental Technology, he was conferred the Diploma of Fellow (Dental) by the British Institute of Surgical Technologists in 1992 and admitted to the Membership of the Institute of Maxillo-Facial Technology in 1995.

Over the course of 15 years, Dr Luk evolved from a diploma holder into a doctor; and from Dental Technician-in-Training to Dental Technology Tutor. His persistence and unwavering commitment to learning make him a role model to many of us.

A Chinese saying goes, “It is easier to find a Thousand Mile Horse than it is to find Bo Le.” Dr Luk expressed his sincere gratitude to his retired supervisors, Professor Robert Clark and Professor Brian Darvell, who appreciated and trusted his capabilities. “My deepest gratitude goes to both of them, who gave me guidance throughout my MPhil and PhD studies. They were also my referees when I applied for the Dental Tutor position. Without their help, I would not have achieved such success,” Dr Luk said.

Dr Luk with his instructors in Dental Technology Unit (from right) Mr S.F. Leung, Mr Eric Ho and Ms Zhang Liang.

Take problems in stride

Spending over 40 years with the Faculty and PPDH, Dr Luk’s job has not always been a plain sailing. The biggest challenge in his career was when he took up the position of Tutor. He had to manage various aspects of the DTU, such as Faculty teaching, Dental Technician Training courses, and Production Laboratory management. With a large team of different talents in the DTU, maintaining a harmonious dynamic was not easy. Despite the challenges, he approached his job with a positive attitude and treated all team members as his advisors and friends. Through his leadership and encouragement, the team was able to develop a strong bond that eventually strengthened the DTU’s overall performance. Dr Luk has earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues.

Additionally, Dr Luk faced challenges related to planning, budgeting, tendering, and purchasing for teaching and production activities at DTU. This was particularly difficult while he was also finishing his PhD thesis and handling both teaching and management responsibilities. With his determination, Dr Luk believed that every obstacle had a silver lining. “The uncountable sleepless nights, when you look back, were actually memorable. These memorable experiences have helped me grow both personally and professionally,” he smiled.

Dr Luk has shared many memories with his colleagues and students throughout his tenure at the Faculty. The most unforgettable one was a day in November 1996 when he received his PhD from the University at the Hong Kong Coliseum. As he watched the Procession march in, he felt a deep sense of gratitude towards the University and the Faculty for granting him the opportunities to pursue his academic development and research. “If I were to work in another dental laboratory, I would not have had the privilege to accomplish such achievements. My deepest gratitude to the University and the Faculty,” he shared.

Dr Luk with different generations of CEREC that he uses in dental restorative work.

Joyful Retirement

Dr Luk has been dedicated to teaching and learning for over four decades. For over 20 years, Dr Luk also served as a volunteer in the Scout Association of Hong Kong. His contribution was recognized and awarded at the Secretary for Home Affairs’ Commendation Scheme 2016. He wishes to continue volunteering work after retirement and give back to the community. His passion for service and his willingness to continue volunteering after retirement reflect his selfless spirit that have been an inspiration to his colleagues and students alike.

Moreover, after putting down all the dental ceramics and organic materials, he wishes to enjoy nature, where he can see and touch the natural ceramics and organic materials and listen to the rhythm of our mother earth. “Walking in nature not only strengthens my body, but also allows me to meditate to bring calmness.” He also looks forward to traveling, cooking, and playing music. “When I reached 60, I developed a passion for playing the ‘Xiao’, a vertical bamboo flute. I play it whenever I have time. Its sound is wonderful and alleviates my stress,” he said.

His volunteering service was recognized at the Secretary for Home Affairs’ Commendation Scheme 2016.

Be Prepared

There is no never-ending feast. Dr Luk stated that he would miss his students the most. “I will remember the time we learned together in the dental laboratories.” He extends his gratefulness to the HKU Faculty of Dentistry for giving him the opportunity to teach, to learn, and to grow. “I want to say thank you to the Faculty, my seniors, and all clinical staff, who had my back whenever I had doubts.”

As a scouter, he shares the scout motto with us: Be Prepared! “I wish the Faculty every success in being the best in the world! I wish you all every success in your studies and career,” he concluded.

The Faculty of Dentistry is grateful for Dr Luk’s dedication and contribution. We wish him the best of health, happiness, and success in his new journey in life. We say farewell to Dr Luk, knowing that his legacy will continue to inspire and guide us.

Playing Xiao becomes a part of Dr Luk's life.