PRACTICE PERSPECTIVES


Dental CE: Making It a Wise Investment


by DAVID THEIN, DDS, MSD, MBA interviewing SCOTT STAFFORD, DDS, MBA


C


ontinuing dental education is a mandated requirement for dentists in every state. These requirements differ between


jurisdictions but the underlying premise is the same. To maintain, improve and broaden their knowledge, expertise, and competence, and develop personal and professional qualities required throughout their careers in dentistry, practitioners must undertake a prescribed regimen of continuing education (CE) and provide satisfactory evidence of its completion. In the state of Missouri, this requirement states that “each dentist shall submit satisfactory evidence of completion of fifty (50) hours of continuing education during the two (2)-year period immediately preceding the renewal period.”


However, with the restrictions set forth during our current pandemic, attending live CE is next to impossible, and doctors are forced to seek other alternatives. One of those options is online interactive webinars that allow attendees to ask questions and participate in ways, not unlike face-to-face instruction. Is this the new model for the future? It is certainly one of the many topics that currently has no definitive answer. Only time will tell how dentistry will evolve as a result of COVID-19—and this includes the future of dental CE.


To help us better understand how profes- sional learning might change, I posed the following questions to Dr. Scott Stafford, a general dentist and current Director of Continuing Dental Education & Professional Development at UT Health San Antonio (UTHSCSA). He is also one of the founders


16 focus | JUL/AUG 2020 | ISSUE 4


of Dental Practice Ready, a web-based practice management teaching curriculum used by dental students across the country. At UMKC School of Dentistry where I teach, we utilize this program as a major component of our practice management curriculum. Dr. Staf- ford coordinates more than 200 CE events annually for the dental school at UTHSCSA and has been extremely innovative in the current restricted environment.


Let’s start with the nationwide pandemic mandates which limit most meetings to no more than several people at a time. How has this single event impacted dental CE? This pandemic has had a historic effect on dental CE. For decades dentists have gathered at meetings to learn the latest techniques, hear from experts and meet with colleagues. This pandemic not only has stopped these in- person events, but in some ways fully isolated dentists from their colleagues and even from their staff. Fortunately, with the utilization of virtual meeting software, dentists found ways to reconnect. Dental study clubs, so- cieties, associations and other CE providers organized virtual meetings and events (often at low or no cost) to inform, educate and reunite dental professionals.


Throughout this event, dentists have needed not only to continue their pursuit of constant learning, but also have something positive to focus their attention on. The uncertainty of practice ownership is fraught with constant challenges and then introduc- ing this unprecedented pandemic is enough to make the savviest businessman or woman question their decisions. As dentists have always done, they persevere, support each other and provide for their staff, their fami- lies, and their patients.


With the myriad of dental CE courses avail- able both in-person and online, what is the best way for an individual dentist to find the courses that are right for them? I always en- courage dentists to study and attend courses on topics they like as well as topics they think they don’t like. My advice is to pursue the ar- eas further in which you have the interest to deepen your understanding and work toward mastery. I also encourage dentists to delve into topics they feel they don’t like. Perhaps they haven’t heard it “packaged” in a certain way or explained how it can benefit their patients and their practice. Ultimately, every modality is not for every person, but the bet- ter we understand dental treatment – in its entirety, the better we can serve our patients. Even if we decide not to offer a certain form of treatment, how better will this additional education prepare us to fully diagnose the needs of our patients and coordinate their care?


As with other purchasing decisions, I would research the author or speaker, look for reviews or recommendations, and if possible, ask a colleague who attended the program previously. Then gauge their assessment to see how the information and experience might possibly fit with your professional goals.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32