Dentistry Continuing Education

Many new dentists believe that they do not need dentistry continuing education (CE) after graduation from the dental school. They falsely think that they are ready to practice without taking into account the fact that they have no practical experience. However, dentistry CE is more than an opportunity that every graduator has, to relate all the theoretical information learned in the faculty with new practical training and thus to be better prepared to all the situation their line of field will offer.

Considering what we have just said, the importance of continuing education cannot be minimized. More and more new technologies are developed, one being obligated to offer his or her patients the best there is in the industry. The dentistry Continuing Education helps the new dentist acquaint with this new technology, updating him or her with everything that is new in the field of dentistry.

In addition, by taking these post-graduate courses, you can gain experience as a salesman too – a sale occurring every time a patient pays for the services provided. This entrepreneur-like characteristic of the dental profession is not taught in schools, it being uncovered only by practicing. This way, a dentist will not shy away when talking about fees or when presenting new treatment opportunities.

There are a couple of dentistry Continuing Education forms:

• The direct treatment on live patients: this is the best way of gaining experience as a dentist. The participant at the CE treats a carefully selected patient under the direct supervision of an experienced instructor. The main disadvantages of this form of CE are that every participant at the course must bring their own supplies and equipment and that the costs are high (the instructors and the patients must be paid).
• The direct activity in simulated clinical situations: this is the second best way of improving as a dentist. The disadvantages of the upper form of CE are left aside, the course taking place almost anywhere and the “suitable patients” being easy to find (the participant at the course works on specialized mannequins).
• The viewing of DVDs and VHS tapes: in this way, the participant at the dentistry Continuing Education can watch a full presentation, rewinding afterwards until various, more problematic chapters. We must note that DVDs are preferred to VHS tapes, because in the later the search of the chapters can be done only manually. However, this form of CE is very uncertain due to the multitude of video material of unreliable provenience.
• Seminars: in this form of CE, the presenter and the audience interact. The most convenient part of a seminar is the opportunity to resolve most of the problems and differences of opinion through discussion. However, while most theoretical questions are answered through debate, the practical side of the dental profession is forgotten.