Dr. M. Lugakingira

Dr. Lugakingira, aka “The Implant Doctor,” aka “Dr. Luga,” is originally from Tanzania, East Africa. His undergraduate majors were physics, chemistry, biology and advanced mathematics. He earned his DDS degree from the University of Dar-es-salaam in 1999, and his DMD degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2004, both with honors. His academic career was distinguished by numerous awards and honors. He earned his MS degree and Certificate in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2011. His OMFS training included rotations in anesthesia, medicine, trauma, plastic surgery and a general surgery internship. Dr. Luga prides himself on giving focused attention to all his patients, and as he would say, “I will never recommend a surgical procedure to any patient that I wouldn’t perform on myself or a close family member.”

Dr. Lugakingira is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS).

Dr. Lugakingira is also a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI).

Dr. Lugakingira has been named by USA topDentists Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery since 2013, an honor voted for by his peers. He is an active member of state, national, and international professional organizations. He has authored and co-authored several publications. He has participated and presented at several conferences including the International Association for Dental Research (IADR), the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), the Chicago Dental Society (CDS) Midwinter Meeting, and the Isaac Knap District Dental Society (IKDDS) in Fort Wayne.

Dr. Lugakingira is a full scope oral and maxillofacial surgeon with special interests in “Full Arch Same Day Teeth,” extractions with immediate CT-guided dental implants, and immediate or early loading on dental implants.

He also performs CT-guided Orthognathic (jaw) surgery, sinus lifts and other advanced bone grafting procedures. Other routine oral surgery procedures include removal of impacted wisdom teeth, exposure and bonding, and biopsies, most under deep anesthesia IV sedation. He also works with Children’s Craniofacial Center. He maintains full admitting hospital privileges and covers facial trauma and infection calls with all the major hospitals in Fort Wayne: Parkview Regional Medical Center (PRMC), Randalia, Lutheran, Dupont and St. Joseph hospitals.

Dr. Luga and his wife, Kos, have a home in Fort Wayne and are proud parents of two sons and a daughter. He enjoys working out, soccer, movies and world news. Fulfilling their long-awaited dream and goal, in 2015 he and Kos finally began a not-for-profit organization, “Kagera Advancement Inc.”  It is a 501(c)(3) public charity with a mission to help advance education and healthcare in Katale Village in Tanzania.

Dr. Franklin Awah

Dr. Franklin Awah joins our practice from Hanover Park, Illinois. He did his undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) where he majored in Information Technology. His passion for healthcare and service made him return to dental school at UIC.

During dental school, he developed a love for oral surgery. His hard work and dedication were rewarded with the AAOMS Student of the Year award. He was accepted into the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), one of the top oral surgery programs in the country.

During his training, he earned his Medical Degree (MD) at UAB School of Medicine and completed a year of general surgery and anesthesia. His interests include managing medically complex patients, extensive bone grafting and ridge augmentation, sinus lifts, dental implants and trauma.

He returned to the Midwest after his training to be closer to family and friends. He is an avid biker and soccer player. He has found a soccer home at the Plex and is looking forward to exploring the 80+ miles of bike trails in Summit City!