Regardless of the number of years of experience a dentist or hygienist may have, continuing education is important. Just like with other medical industries, dentistry has frequent improvements and developments. To remain on top of these changes in the field, dental professionals can undergo training and attend informational seminars and lectures. Instead of assuming something is done a certain way just because that has always been the way to do it, dental professionals can learn new methods that may be more effective and increase the comfort of their patients.
In addition to learning new things, dentists are required to keep their dental license current. States typically have different requirements to maintain their license to practice, but all require license renewal. Proof of continuing education is required for this renewal. Any classes a dentist takes for license renewal may need prior approval to count for continuing education. The American Dental Association frequently provides these trainings, both online and in real time. Some of these courses are free of charge and are guaranteed to include the most current information in the field.
A variety of educational topics may be covered in continuing education. While there are frequently new developments in the field the classes can cover, a dentist or hygienist will not need to sit through demonstrations of the same old lessons. For instance, a hygienist may choose to take a seminar offering an overview of dental surgery. He may not currently participate in surgeries, but maybe one day he will have an opportunity to work with a dental surgeon. The seminar will expose him to the process and help him determine his future path in the field.
Not Just Dental Work
Dental professionals can train for unexpected emergencies. A course may offered on emergencies preparedness which will help them cope with natural and other disasters. For instance, on September 11th, a number of dental offices in the Washington, D.C. and New York areas were affected by the terrorist attacks, with those on staff in charge of ensuring that the patients under their care were safe and informed. Such courses are offered to help dental professionals deal with unexpected emergencies.
It is also important for dental professionals to be ready to deal with medical emergencies. Should a patient experience a heart attack while undergoing dental treatment, those caring for the patient should be able to handle the situation until help arrives. Dr. Farshad Bakhtyari of the Premier Dental Care in Northern Virginia acknowledges that it is important for staff to have emergency medical skills as well as being up to date on the latest news and information in their field. “Yes, I believe it is important to have the whole office up to date with what the new research shows and how the different services that we offer benefit our patients. We are all CPR certified.”
Understanding Their Environment
Another option for continuing education is for dental professionals to examine the oral health of the community in which they work. Understanding the problems that may be specific to their region can help them offer the appropriate preventative care and plan their future learning goals. For instance, if a dental office is located in an area of the country that exhibits an extraordinarily high rate of periodontal disease, they can focus patient education on the prevention of gum disease. If dental professionals understand what problems they will be dealing with most, they can prepare properly.
Dr. Bakhtyari, like other dental professionals, makes every attempt to ensure that continuing education opportunities are both fun and informative for staff. Popular among his staff are “lunch and learns,” intended to expand the knowledge of their staff over lunch. If everyone is learning together, it builds a feeling of respect among the staff. And the fact that it’s held over lunch is a draw for many.
Continuing education is as important in the dental field as it is in all other medical fields. If you are interested in learning more about the continuing education goals of your dental professionals, speak with someone at the office concerning their requirements and goals.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
