Constant learning is good for you—in the practice and outside work
We live in a rapidly changing world where continuous education is more important than ever. Not only to keep you abreast and ensure that your patients get the best possible care, but also because it helps you grow as a human being.
Reach the dream through education
If you perform no surgeries, you make no mistakes. If you perform a few, you make a few mistakes. If you perform many, you make fewer mistakes. That is the essence of the learning curve described by Malene Hallund, a Oral & Maxillofacial surgeon based in Denmark, to a room full of dental professionals from China at a customized program at the Dentsply Sirona Implants Education Center in Mölndal, Sweden.
She asked them to envision going back to dental school and revisiting their dreams of becoming what they are now—and her claim of how it was all about education and growing experience hit home. Occasionally, the lecture turned into lively discussions on how best to handle the case she presented on screen. There was plenty of expertise in the room, but more importantly curiosity and the will to learn. It was not all theory, though. Plenty of time was reserved for hands-on training to ensure that the dentists gained practical knowledge too.
Invest in time and knowledge
Investing time in participating and devotion to gaining new knowledge is a choice that is crucial to all professionals who want to maintain their competitive edge. Some of the many reasons include:
- You will provide better patient care: Offering patients the latest preventive, diagnostic and treatment methods improves both the perceived and actual service quality, which increases patient satisfaction.
- You grow as a professional: By learning new things, you can offer more qualified treatments, handle complex cases and deliver better outcomes. This enhances your reputation, improves your business and opens the door to new career pathways.
- You are always updated: New technological breakthroughs, new developments, new methods, changed demands from patients—all of these are happening at breath-taking speed. It is imperative to understand and adapt to this new reality in order to stay successful.
- You must prove your skills: Keeping your credentials or license might involve undertaking certain courses. These vary in different markets and are regulated by authorities and industrial bodies but are musts if you want to keep doing what you are doing.
- You grow as a person: New knowledge widens your horizons and increases confidence. And, even if it is unrelated to your job, it might benefit you in the practice too. All forms of learning challenge us and sharpen our minds. So, learning to sing, paint, make pottery and so on might just make you a better (and happier) dentist too.
These and other reasons for continuous education have been identified in several articles. In addition, when attending a lectue, seminar or other form of education event, you also get to share experiences with collegaues and learn from each other.
Learn from literature, studies and experience
The above was echoed by Malene Hallund’s remark on how we learn from literature, studies and our own experience. She also highlighted how new technologies offer more possibilities and guide us in ever more precise ways. Having said that, this can never erase the need to think independently. We must master new solutions, adapt to patients that need and demand to get their implants now, with impeccable results.
It is challenging, but knowledge is our ally. Since everything changes all the time, so must we—without forgetting all the good things we already know. We must add knowledge just like the groups visiting Mölndal did. So, what was their verdict? We asked Victoria Rios Sanchez, Global Course Coordinator at Dentsply Sirona Implants:
“Just like we want people to pursue education, we also evaluate continuously to make sure that we provide the best education offer. We saw high overall satisfaction, from the inspiring setting to the professionalism of the lecturers, including their ability to answer questions. All in all, the participants went home with newfound knowledge and insights that they will use in their clinical work, which is what this is all about.”
It certainly is. For us all. And it is a never-ending process.
The Dentsply Sirona Implans Education Center in Mölndal, Sweden, is a part of Dentsply Sirona Academy and offers customized courses for all levels of implant dentistry.
Read more about the Dentsply Sirona Implants Education Center, a part of Dentsply Sirona Academy.
