Continued education in dentistry – the key to success

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Posted by: Dental Design 11th October 2022

Five UK universities rank in the top 25 dental schools worldwide.[i] This exemplifies the impressive standards of education of those who study and practice here. Once they join the workforce, dental professionals are offered a unique mix of continuing professional development (CPD) for their ongoing growth and improvement, to ensure that only the best patient care is delivered.

Continued education is one of the most effective ways of staying active within the profession, exploring new areas and keeping ahead of emerging trends. At a time where dentistry is at its most competitive, prioritising continued learning can also aid in building your business and setting you up for success.

Building your skills

As you well know, dental professionals are required to complete a certain amount of CPD every five years. Dentists in particular are required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of CPD within this time period. This cycle of learning and refreshing knowledge is how many dental professionals are able to keep delivering exceptional and safe dental care; it also helps them to manage the inevitable rise in patient expectation.

The increase in patient expectation has been incredible, no doubt the result of the internet and the ability to access information at an astounding rate. Patients are exposed to content that has arguably driven the trends in certain treatments, such as dental implants. Continued education allows dental professionals to stay ahead of these developments, learn the relevant skills and deliver exceptional and ethical results. At the moment, the field is intensely competitive and this grants patients not only continually-assessed and improved care, but also much more choice and variety when it comes to treatment options. Therefore, taking on extra skills can be intensely rewarding for yourself and your business. If you can cater to a variety of popular demands, it will be unlikely that your patients will choose services from elsewhere.

In addition to the benefits this grants patients, dental professionals can boost their practice’s profitability, as well as open their career up to more possibilities.

Utilise education to establish your image

Continued education spans further than clinical skills and techniques; dental professionals can also attend CPD training for the business sector of dentistry. There are various considerations that must be balanced in order to run a successful dental practice; there is the continuous effort to gain and retain patients, keep the team motivated and juggle administration. Additionally, in the current market, you need to be able to promote your business effectively and maintain an online presence. On top of all of this, you should be able to balance your professional and personal commitments to avoid stress and potential burnout. With the many challenges that the profession has faced in the past two years, prioritising business growth and success may not be of importance to you at the moment. But undergoing CPD education in this area can help you build a fruitful dental business plan and delegate time more effectively, in order to refine your brand and image.

While all forms of CPD, whether it be a conference or a course, do require dedicated time out of a busy working schedule, the payoff is certainly worth it. At the moment, there are plenty of high-quality, in-depth CPD courses and/or training available that can help you to improve your business, nurture your skills and boost your confidence. Now more than ever, dental professionals should take advantage of the competitive edge in the field and push themselves to new areas of excellence.

Prioritise your success

There is so much that goes into running a successful dental practice, so it is vital to ensure you choose a CPD programme that provides everything you need, all in one place. Straumann and The Campbell Academy have designed The Business Course, a comprehensive programme that establishes and teaches the skills needed to run a successful, independent dental practice. This course includes six two-day modules and grants 72 hours of CPD upon completion. Delegates are provided with exceptional content including a list of experienced speakers, practical exercises and access to an online discussion forum. There will also be four online exercises that can be completed in between the course modules.

Dentistry provides a wealth of resources for dental professionals, at every stage of their career, to enhance and develop their skills. The profession continues to morph and change as the years progress, so it is vital to stay ahead and take full advantage of the educational opportunities that are out there.