A force multiplier
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 3rd August 2023
Force multiplication is a principle that underlies much of our day-to-day work while seldom being thought about. Most of the instruments we employ and most mechanical tools in general, use force multiplication to exert directed force in a precise way. An obvious example of this would be a pair of pliers for tooth extraction, or even the humble toothbrush. In the case of the latter, many patients underestimate the applied force they are achieving during toothbrushing and are inadvertently causing abrasive wear to their teeth as a result.[1]
The principle of force multiplication is also helpful when considering the development of your practice and career. There are innumerable ways to go about enhancing our prospects and making improvements, but our time and resources are inevitably limited. We have to make sure that where we do invest ourselves provides maximum return. We can pay dearly for a suboptimal investment, not just directly, but indirectly in cost and opportunity – what we lost out on by not doing something else. It is here that thinking about force multiplication can help us prosper. Does this my next anticipated career move provide a singular benefit? Is this simply another string to my bow, or will it help me overall? Will it synergise with other strengths and capabilities I possess?
One area that adds a lot of value is working on so-called “soft skills” such as your interpersonal communication. From consulting patients to liaising with colleagues, better communication skills can make a substantial difference in the effectiveness of your practice and patient satisfaction. Developing your soft skills is often something that you can practice during your regular day-to-day work, making it time efficient too.
You may also benefit from taking your technical skills further. Studying implant dentistry can improve your career prospects by providing you with specialised knowledge and skills. With implant dentistry becoming increasingly popular and in-demand, having expertise in this area can make you a valuable asset to dental principals and/or can help you attract more patients. It is always worth considering what you can do to help yourself stand out from the crowd, and whether there is a niche that is currently underserved. By studying this area of dentistry, you can differentiate yourself from other dental professionals and increase your expertise. You may also find that advanced training in implant dentistry may open up opportunities for leadership positions, academic roles, and research in the field. By demonstrating your commitment to staying current with the latest techniques and technologies, you can enhance your reputation and credibility as a dental professional as well.
Being able to offer more services to patients is of course a win-win for everyone, which can naturally help increase patient satisfaction and loyalty, and reduce the need for referrals. With the knowledge and skills gained through studying implant dentistry, quite simply you can provide a wider range of treatments to patients, not just implant placement but potentially also restorations. Given the ever-increasing number of patients receiving implants, and the general aging of the population, the need for these treatments and those with the skills to provide them will only grow.
The field of implant dentistry is constantly evolving, with new techniques, materials, 
and technologies constantly being developed. By staying current through ongoing education and training, you can maintain a competitive edge in your field. But beyond being pragmatic, it is also worth considering the psychological benefits of continuing to expand your horizons and learn new things. Burnout is sadly quite prevalent in dentistry and no-one is completely immune to developing it, so it’s beneficial to think about how you can keep your career personally engaging and rewarding. Learning and practice builds confidence, while being part of a cutting-edge area of expertise can help keep things interesting and prevent you from stagnating in your progression.
If you are looking to add implant dentistry to your skill set, Ucer Education is an easy recommendation to make. Ucer Education has been at the forefront of postgraduate education in implantology in the UK for over a quarter century. Led by Specialist Oral Surgeon, Professor Cemal Ucer, Ucer Education’s Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Implant Dentistry (EduQual Level 7) – gives aspiring clinicians a fantastic grounding in all aspects of the field. The course is thoroughly modern, covering the latest and greatest techniques and technologies including different implant systems and their provision, full digital workflow including CBCT scans, 3D treatment planning and printing, and much more.
Whatever you choose to do, you can become more of a force to be reckoned with by developing your skills synergistically. Expanding your knowledge in a given area, such as implant dentistry, can make the overall package that you present that much stronger, and can bring indirect benefits beyond what you initially anticipated.
Please contact Professor Ucer at ucer@icedental.institute or
Mel Hay at mel@mdic.co
01612 371842 www.ucer-clinic.dental
[1] Acherkouk A., Götze M., Kiesow A., Ramakrishnan A., Sarembe S., Lang T., Gaengler P. Robot and mechanical testing of a specialist manual toothbrush for cleaning efficacy and improved force control. BMC Oral Health. 2022; 22: 225. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-022-02211-4 January 27, 2023.
