The call to action got louder – when you can do more, you can help more patients

  Posted by: Dental Design      16th August 2021

When you think about the path that bought you to this point in your career, and all the directions your future could take, whether you are newly qualified or have years of experience, you will know that being a dentist is more than “just” a job.

What does dentistry mean to you? Well, being paid for something that fulfils you professionally and personally is certainly a bonus! Dentistry is at the forefront of preventive healthcare, helping the population reduce their risk of disease and teaching them the behaviours that will increase their chances of retaining their teeth for years to come. When a patient has a problem that requires managing, good dentistry means delivering the correct treatment efficiently, successfully and conservatively. It is about working as part of team and having the ability to lead one.

Being a dentist means having the willingness to be constantly challenged and to keep learning. Long before Covid, there had been a worrying lack of progress in reducing levels of decay, also rising numbers of extractions and a crisis facing access. The need to do more as a responsive and patient-focussed practice is something we have known for some time, but the call to action has become far more urgent since 2020.

Dentistry has always been affected by interior forces too, such as advances in technique and new materials that have elevated workflows and the quality of outcomes. Over the next few years, teams will be shaped by influences both exterior and interior, to tackle the challenge of keeping people in good oral health, so they require less treatment. It is also likely we will see more preventive-maintenance services delivered by other DCPs. This will free up dentists to learn new skills and develop knowledge in key areas. Don’t let the inevitable forces of change sweep you along as their passenger, act now. Anticipate where demand will be and be ready for it. 

Implant therapy is a growing field, as the favoured solution for a missing tooth or teeth. Training how to place dental implants will allow you to offer this revenue stream at your practice rather than referring out and add another string to your own bow. Once you have started your implant journey, you may find it becomes the launchpad that takes you to places in your career that you never thought possible.

Training will encompass assessment and treatment planning, which will enrich your patient conversations. Because every case is unique, you will need to talk through their individual concerns and circumstances, as well as your clinical goals. Are they suitable for implants now, or are there problems that need to be addressed first? Is aesthetics of equal priority as restored function? What are their expectations with regards to timeframe and cost? Implants are expensive, but they are low risk with correct maintenance. For their treatment to remain stable, patients must be willing to commit to the oral hygiene programme created in collaboration with the dental team, along with attending regular reviews at the practice.

Training to place implants will therefore help you become a better communicator. As well benefitting relationships with your patients, you’ll empower and motivate colleagues working alongside you, who will also learn about the process from assessment and planning through to placement, healing and maintenance. The ability to place implants will help your practice become a thriving business and one that has a reputation for delivering efficient and cost-effective treatment to its loyal patients. Ultimately, being able to offer dental implants means you can help more people achieve a better quality of life, with a solution that should last for many years and improve their oral health.

Choose training offered by experienced practitioners who still work in the field. When you engage with instructors who have put no limits on their own learning, there will be no end to yours. Your teachers will become mentors, who will continue to guide you on your implant journey and you will connect to fellow-minded dentists, expanding your professional network. The One to One Dental Education Implant Programmes cover everything from treatment planning to surgical execution in state-of-the-art premises on Harley Street; there is a taster day on 5 September and if you book one of the strictly-limited place you will get a glimpse of what you could achieve if you embark on a course there.

So, what does mean dentistry to you? As a dentist, you will know you have chosen a career that doesn’t stop asking a lot from you and won’t let you stand still. At a time that has bought out the resilience in all of us and cemented a commitment to helping as many people as possible, quality training is the gateway to a successful, fulfilled and, for your patients, healthier future.

To reserve your place or to find out more, please visit https://www.implantcourse.co.uk/our-courses/project-one-7kpfx
or call 020 7486 0000