Opinion Leaders of the Future

DPU Opinion Leader of the Future “Pre-Prosthetic Surgery and Prosthodontics”

Assist. Prof. Dr. med. dent. Maurice Hatzky, MSc, graduated with honours from the Danube Private University with a degree in Dentistry and discovered his interest in research and teaching at an early stage. While working on his thesis, he established a close scientific collaboration with PD Dr med. dent. Florian Rathe, MSc, who, together with Prim. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dr. Rüdiger Junker, MSc, FDS RCSEd, serves as his mentor within the Opinion Leaders Circle (OLC).

After completing his studies, Assist. Prof. Dr. med. dent. Maurice Hatzky, MSc, began his clinical and academic career at his alma mater. His responsibilities include the pre-clinical and clinical training of students, the co-supervision of dissertations, and the conduct of clinical studies in the field of prosthetic care research.

His professional focus lies in pre-prosthetic surgery and prosthodontics. In October 2025, he completed his master’s degree in Oral Surgery/Implantology. He has already embarked upon further milestones on the path towards habilitation with his second master’s degree in Periodontology/Implantology and his ongoing doctoral studies (PhD).

Assist. Prof. Dr. med. dent. Maurice Hatzky, MSc, attaches particular importance to imparting knowledge to the next generation in a reflective, responsible and practice-oriented manner. By combining teaching, clinical work and research, he actively contributes to promoting students’ professional and scientific development in a targeted way.

‘I am very grateful to have been supported in this environment. I greatly enjoy working at my alma mater in the Department of Dental Prosthetics and Biomaterials – it brings together teaching, research and clinical practice in an inspiring way.’

DPU Opinion Leader of the Future “Science and Practice”

After completing her dental studies at the Danube Private University (DPU), Assist.-Prof. Dr. med. dent. Patrizia Hatzky, MSc, began her dental career directly at her alma mater. Owing to her high level of commitment to teaching and clinical development, she was promoted to Senior Consultant in 2023. Since then, she has been involved in both pre-clinical and clinical teaching, guiding students on their path towards dental excellence.

In 2024, she completed her master’s degree in Aesthetic and Reconstructive Dentistry. Driven by her passion for professional growth, she then decided to pursue an additional master’s degree in Periodontology/Implantology.
At the same time, she is currently undertaking her PhD and aims to obtain a postdoctoral qualification thereafter – a clear reflection of her scientific ambition.

‘As a member of the DPU Opinion Leaders of the Future, I see my role as creating a link between science and practice, as well as between innovation and ethical responsibility.’

She is particularly proud of her clinical research projects, which she conducts under the guidance of her mentor, Prim. Univ.-Prof. Dr Dr Rüdiger Junker, MSc, FDS RCSEd. This collaboration deepens her scientific expertise and opens up new perspectives for innovative dental concepts.
Looking to the future, Assist.-Prof. Dr. med. dent. Patrizia Hatzky, MSc, aims to make conscious and purposeful use of the opportunities available to her: fostering innovation and critical reflection, translating scientific findings into clinical practice, and shaping sustainable, patient-centred dentistry.

Her goal is not only to excel through professional expertise, but also to inspire a new generation of dentists who unite science, humanity and progress.

 

DPU Opinion Leader of the Future “Orthodontics”

With Assist.-Prof. Dr Katrin Heiermann, MSc, orthodontics is also represented in the DPU Opinion Leader Circle (OLC). She was invited by Rector Univ.-Prof. Dr Dr Dieter Müßig as a particularly talented colleague and lecturer in the postgraduate Master of Science (Continuing Education) in Orthodontics, MSc (CE), to join the exclusive OLC. Through her collaboration with renowned professors, she is being prepared to become an ambassador of the Danube Private University (DPU).

Assoc. Prof. Dr Katrin Heiermann, MSc, has been a member of staff at the Danube Private University (DPU) for a decade. Her career began in 2015/2016 as Senior Consultant at the Centre for Orthodontics under the direction of Rector Univ.-Prof. Dr Dr Dieter Müßig.

After studying dentistry in Cologne, she obtained the Master of Science in Orthodontics, MSc, in 2014, followed by successfully completing the Austrian Board of Orthodontists in 2017.

“Orthodontics is my passion. I am grateful to my colleagues at the Centre for Orthodontics for our daily collaboration – it has brought us to where we stand today. My goal is to promote the training of future orthodontists and to continuously advance our field in both practice and teaching. As a member of the OLC – and a future ambassador of the DPU – I also aim to achieve this in other places and institutions,” says Assoc. Prof. Dr Katrin Heiermann, MSc.

Her main focus at the DPU lies in teaching within the Master’s programme in Orthodontics as well as the international postgraduate Master of Science in Orthodontics, where she supervises participants from around the globe. In addition, she regularly delivers lectures in orthodontics to students from different semesters.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Katrin Heiermann, MSc, is internationally recognised for her innovative approach and has successfully treated a wide range of orthodontic cases. She is a member of several professional associations and is actively involved in research. Her current research interests range from laboratory-based studies and efficient orthodontic treatment techniques to pain management and the use of modern technologies.

In her private practice in Wetter (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany), she offers tailor-made treatment concepts for children, adolescents, and adults, with efficiency and innovation at the centre of her work.

DPU Opinion Leader of the Future “Digital Dentistry”

When I first joined DPU in 2012, it was still a very young university with a special spirit and an incomparable dynamic. I was deeply impressed by the familial atmosphere, which not only gave me an excellent education but also friends for life. When I completed my studies in 2018, I decided to stay on at DPU as an assistant dentist, passing on my knowledge to the next generation of “family members.” From the beginning, mutual respect and an atmosphere of working on equal terms were essential to me and remain one of the main reasons I chose to continue my professional path at the university. After this very rewarding experience, I took the opportunity to join my parents’ practice and further develop my professional career there.

Soon after, however, I was invited back to DPU to supervise practical courses. Under the leadership and excellent guidance of Prim. Univ.-Prof. Dr Dr Rüdiger Junker, MSc FDS RCSEd, I was quickly reintegrated into teaching alongside my work in practice. After a short while, I was appointed Head of the course “Digital Technologies in Dentistry and CAD/CAM.” In this role, I was able to combine everything I enjoy: sharing knowledge and using modern technologies to improve patient treatment. For me, it has always been essential to teach in a clear, approachable way – inspiring young dentists to discover their own enthusiasm for digital dentistry. In my view, digital dentistry is the key to excellent dental care. As educators, it is our responsibility to integrate digital solutions and chairside technologies early in the curriculum, giving students both the perspective and the joy of working with these systems. To achieve this, we work closely with global partners to establish new standards in dental education.

In the following years, I was able to further develop this course and several other classes with innovative approaches and a strong focus on practical application.

This exciting responsibility also marked the beginning of my habilitation programme at DPU, during which I have already published several papers. I am currently pursuing my PhD, focusing on teaching research in the field of digital dentistry. This work is opening up further opportunities to improve education continuously and to integrate innovative methods into teaching.

What makes DPU so special is its ability to maintain this unique dynamic and innovative spirit since its foundation – making it a truly exceptional place for both learners and educators. Just like dentistry itself, university teaching is not a static discipline but one that is constantly evolving.

I am grateful and excited to continue shaping this field as a member of the OLC and to remain part of the DPU family – from the very first semester to far beyond graduation.

DPU Opinion Leader of the Future “Implant Prosthodontics”

After graduating in Dentistry at the DPU with distinction, OA Assist.-Prof. Dr. med. dent. Florian Pfaffeneder-Mantai, MA MSc, began his professional career in the Research and Development Unit under the direction of Univ.-Prof. DI Dr. Christoph Kleber. In addition, he was appointed Senior Registrar at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the DPU. Under the leadership of Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dritan Turhani, he has been actively involved in both teaching and clinical practice at the DPU since the department’s inception.

The expertise he acquired during his first postgraduate studies in Health Management inspires him daily in his role as Deputy Medical Director of the DPU Dental Clinic in Krems, a position he has held with great commitment since early 2023 alongside Prim. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dr. Rüdiger Junker, MSc FDS RCSEd.

Currently, OA Assist.-Prof. Dr. med. dent. Florian Pfaffeneder-Mantai, MA MSc, is pursuing the scientific doctoral programme in Dentistry (PhD), and the Bachelor’s degree in Medical Journalism and Public Relations (BA) at the DPU. All these milestones are leading him towards his next major goal: the Habilitation.

“With my admission to the OLC, I have been given the opportunity to represent the DPU as its ambassador beyond the borders of Krems – a place where I work and continue to grow each day with great joy and commitment,” explains OA Assist.-Prof. Dr. med. dent. Florian Pfaffeneder-Mantai, MA MSc.