Most Common Myths About GP Orthodontics
Adding orthodontics to your dental practice is arguably one of the best choices you can make for both your career and your business. It can unlock a broader patient base, increase revenue, and lead to rewarding experiences. The problem, however, is that some unfortunate misconceptions keep some dentists from making such a beneficial leap.
With that in mind, below are some of the most common myths regarding the provision of orthodontic services, as well as the truths behind each of them:
Misconception 1: “I need to become an orthodontist.”
Many dentists believe that the only way to provide orthodontic treatment options is to become a fully specialized orthodontist. And though there are certainly some treatment options that require more than continued education (CE) courses for orthodontics, there are still many treatments that you can provide.
Today, many general and pediatric dentists provide orthodontic services without full specialization. You can take accredited courses to develop the necessary skills and hands-on experience to confidently offer orthodontic care.
Misconception 2: “It’s too expensive to add orthodontics.”
Cost is certainly an important consideration when making any decision for your practice or your career. And adding orthodontics to your dental practice is an investment that carries a particularly significant initial cost. Nevertheless, that cost is well worth it as it has the potential to provide exceptional returns.
Even then, you should know that orthodontic CE courses are often less expensive than you might imagine. There are many options available, and you can start slow and build up your expertise over time. You’ll also find affordable training options available for your team, such as orthodontic assistant training courses.
With a little advance planning, you can find room in your budget for the necessary continuing education and tools to provide orthodontic treatment. You’ll soon find yourself expanding your patient base and developing lucrative revenue streams.
Misconception 3: “My patients won’t be interested.”
Dentists often cite concern over whether their patients will be interested in new orthodontic treatment options. But as it turns out, orthodontic treatment options are among the most widely sought-after features that patients look for when choosing a dental home.
Expanding your treatment options allows you to provide comprehensive care under one roof, which is highly preferable for patients. It ensures a convenient and comfortable experience free of any worries about outside specialists when the need for orthodontic care arises.
You can take full advantage of that worry-free experience by educating your existing patient base on the benefits of orthodontic care at your practice. You already have an established relationship and history with your existing patients, and that supports a smooth patient experience that ultimately results in improved treatment outcomes.
Misconception 4: “I don’t have time to learn orthodontics.”
Make no mistake: Running a practice is a time-intensive process that often leaves little availability for additional projects. However, fitting orthodontic CE courses into your schedule isn’t as difficult as you might think.
There are many different course formats available to suit busy schedules. Structured courses often provide sufficient flexibility to accommodate just about any schedule, whether that means weekend courses or spacing out individual sessions to better fit with the reality of running a practice. As such, even if you think you’re too busy for orthodontic CE, it’s well worth taking the time to see what options are available from flexible, accredited orthodontics course providers.
Misconception 5: “GP orthodontics is all about clear aligners.”
Many dentists go straight to clear aligners when considering orthodontic treatment options. An entire industry has emerged to offer fast-track courses for that purpose, often failing to impart dentists with the necessary orthodontic fundamentals and experience to handle even these treatment options.
In reality, quality orthodontic courses can prepare you to provide a variety of treatment options, including straight wire techniques, which prepare you to handle the widest range of cases and enable you to deliver the highest standard of care.
You should also know that solid orthodontic CE courses cover more than just technique. They’ll also help you develop the necessary skills and knowledge to handle diagnosis, treatment planning, follow-up, and administration. The right course can fully prepare you to overcome the practical challenges involved in adding orthodontics to your dental practice.
Discover how far orthodontic CE courses can take your practice.
Adding orthodontics to your dental practice could very well be the best investment you can make in your practice. It’s also something that may be more attainable than you realize. Williams GP Orthodontic Seminars provides a wide range of orthodontic CE courses to develop the necessary skills and experience to offer orthodontic treatment. Browse our orthodontic courses online and discover the next step for your career and your practice.