Things to consider prior to signing up for an orthodontics course.
Choosing to enroll in continuing education orthodontics courses can be an excellent next step toward a successful practice and meaningful career growth. However, just how much you get out of continuing education depends largely on what you put into it. Here are some steps you can take to make the most of orthodontics courses.
Set Clear Goals for Your Learning
The first thing to consider before diving into orthodontics courses is what your individual goals are. Why are you thinking about moving forward with orthodontic continuing education? Are you looking to improve patient care, expand your practice, or unlock new revenue streams?
For many dentists, the answer is a combination of factors. Understanding the specific goals that motivate you to choose this continuing education path will put you on the path to success. You’ll be better able to select the right course and implement what you’ve learned afterward.
Choose the Right Course for Your Practice
Once you’ve decided on orthodontics as the area to pursue through continuing education, you need to choose the right course. There are many options available that vary in terms of duration, difficulty, and required level of commitment.
Your skill level is a crucial consideration here. If you’re a general or pediatric dentist who hasn’t had further education or experience in orthodontics, you’ll want a course tailored to beginners. Those who already have experience can move on to intermediate or advanced courses to hone their skills and learn new techniques.
Dentists looking to add orthodontic treatment options to their practices require a solid knowledge base to build on. A comprehensive course that covers diagnosis, treatment planning, techniques, appliances, and follow-up can establish that necessary foundation.
Your practice needs, and patient demographics, are also important factors. If you treat pediatric patients, you may want to find a course that prioritizes early intervention. A practice that leans more heavily toward cosmetic dentistry may have other needs, focusing strictly on adult orthodontic treatment.
Stay Engaged During Hands-On Training
If you’re just looking to check the boxes for your licensing requirement, purely online orthodontic courses may be an option. However, those who actually intend to provide orthodontic care should focus on orthodontic courses that offer hands-on training.
There’s no substitute for hands-on sessions when it comes to gaining practical experience. To provide quality care for your patients, you need the confidence to approach the practical challenges of orthodontic treatment. Hands-on training prepares you for the reality of treatment, rather than only imparting the theory.
Implement What You Learn Immediately
As with many other types of learning, it’s best to put the skills and expertise you develop from orthodontic continuing education to work as soon as possible. Applying those techniques helps reinforce what you’ve learned, preventing the wealth of information you’ve acquired from slowly fading away.
Ideally, that means moving directly into providing orthodontic care at your practice. When you commit to a comprehensive orthodontics course, it’s best to have a plan already in place for transitioning to offering orthodontic treatment.
Take the time to think ahead about how you’re going to market new treatments to existing and new patients, how orthodontic treatment will change your scheduling, and how to budget for new supplies and equipment. Doing so will help you get started much more quickly, unlocking the practical benefits of the education you’ve gained.
Continue Your Education
Once you’ve started out with an initial course, view that as the starting point, not the finish. A comprehensive orthodontics course gives you the foundation you need to provide orthodontic treatment, but there’s still so much further you can go.
For instance, there are more techniques you can study. Once you’ve developed the basics of straight wire treatment, you can learn to apply other appliances to broaden the range of cases you can take on. There are also many technologies and techniques involved in treatment planning, follow-up, and additional aspects of treatment.
The field of orthodontics continues to progress rapidly, so taking more orthodontic courses will help you keep up. Refresher courses and seminars ensure that your practice stays up-to-date on modern orthodontic treatments. This unlocks opportunities for your practice and assists you in providing the best care available for your patients.
Finding the Right General Dentist Orthodontic Course
Committing to continuing education and implementing these strategies will help you maximize the impact of any orthodontics courses you’re planning on taking. Of course, it also matters which courses you choose.
Williams GP Orthodontic Seminars provides a variety of high-quality, hands-on courses for dentists with any level of orthodontic experience. Browse our upcoming courses to find the right match for you.