Taking control of your destiny

In your hands

The opportunity to advance is always within your grasp, but it is for you to be proactive in finding the right courses, communities and opportunities for you. Self-directed learning is becoming increasingly popular amongst individuals across all industries. Research[i] from 2019 suggested that 43% of Gen Z preferred access to self-guided learning, compared to 33% of boomers. The same study found that time was the single greatest constraint individuals faced when looking to develop their skills, emphasising the need for meticulous time management and forward planning.

There is a diverse body of research that evidences the effectiveness of self-directed learning in various different fields. It is just one way in which someone can learn, but it offers a high level of autonomy and allows individuals to tailor their experience exactly to their needs and ambitions. They must take the initiative in identifying the areas they lack knowledge, understanding or skill, and then find a solution to achieve their learning goals.

Self-motivated learning is associated with self-confidence, reflection and an openness when it comes to skill advancement.[ii] Sources also suggest that this approach to development can boost life satisfaction, employability, independence and happiness.[iii]

Plus, this learning is not confined to the classroom or surgery. Though a lot of the research is focused on childhood learning, there is extensive evidence supporting the advantages of self-directed learning through social relationships and collaboration.[iv]

It’s also worth noting that those who master the art of self-directed learning at any age are most likely to establish lifelong learning tendencies.[v] In a profession such as dentistry, where continuous development is crucial for high standards of patient care and career progression, this is particularly beneficial to clinicians.

Optimised self-directed learning

Most postgraduate education and training in dentistry is self-directed for clinicians, who are responsible for their own professional development. To make the very most of this approach to career progression, it is necessary to:

Assess your current situation, your strengths and your weaknesses (including clinical and non-clinical areas)
Set learning goals so you know exactly what you want to achieve
Create a timeframe so you have a deadline by which to have achieved your goals
Research the market so you know exactly what courses, events, study clubs, hands-on workshops and other learning opportunities are available to you
Allocate time each month or every other month to learning to remain consistent
Plan ahead so you can more efficiently manage your time and your finances
Reflect on any courses, workshops or events you attend to assess what you have learnt, how you can apply it to your dentistry and where any gaps remain in your knowledge or confidence
Adjust your training programme as needed throughout the year to either focus or broaden your interests accordingly
Seek feedback from instructors and mentors in order to more objectively evaluate your skills and shape your future learning

Autonomy does not mean isolation

It’s important to remember that self-directed does not mean operating entirely alone. Your journey will still be influenced by other types of learning and you should certainly still enlist the support of more experienced peers, instructors and carefully designed training courses to facilitate your development. By attending courses and events, you will also be able to connect with peers who have similar experiences and can offer their own insights to further inform your career progression journey.

If you’re based in Scotland – or looking to enjoy a weekend amongst the stunning Scottish landscape either side of your training – Clyde Munro Dental Group offers an array of educational opportunities for all members of the dental team. Held at the organisation’s purpose-built Advanced Dentistry & Clinical Skills Centre in Perth, the courses are presented by experts in the field within cutting-edge facilities. Initial courses for 2025 have already been announced, with more to come – keep an eye on the website for the all the latest information at education.clydemunrodental.com/events.

No matter how long you have been practising dentistry, or where your clinical interests lie, self-directed learning is a necessity for career progression. This approach gives you the power to drive your development and to realise all your career ambitions – your destiny is in your hands.

To find out more about the courses and career development opportunities available at Clyde Munro, contact joinus@clydemunrodental.com.

[i] LinkedIn Learning with Lynda.com content. 2019 workplace learning report. Censuswide. 2019. https://learning.linkedin.com/content/dam/me/business/en-us/amp/learning-solutions/images/workplace-learning-report-2019/pdf/workplace-learning-report-2019.pdf

[ii] Towle A, Cottrell D. Self directed learning. Arch Dis Child. 1996 Apr;74(4):357-9. doi: 10.1136/adc.74.4.357. PMID: 8669942; PMCID: PMC1511490.

[iii] ABC LifeLiteracyCanada. How self-directed earning can benefit adult learners. 2020. https://abclifeliteracy.ca/news/how-self-directed-learning-can-benefit-adult-learners/ [Accessed November 2024]

[iv] Self-directed education – evidence base in brief. Suitable Education. https://suitable-education.uk/evidence-base-for-self-directed-education/ [Accessed November 2024]

[v] Tekkol İA, Demirel M. An Investigation of Self-Directed Learning Skills of Undergraduate Students. Front Psychol. 2018 Nov 23;9:2324. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02324. PMID: 30532727; PMCID: PMC6265596.