Fazeela Khan-Osborne explains the benefits of expanding your treatment list.
After the challenges of the last year, you may be feeling more motivated than ever to become the best dentist that you can be. In practices across the UK, the learning curve was steep as teams had to react fast, adapting to the strangest of circumstances while continuing to provide exceptional patient services.
Your leadership skills would have been put to the test like never before and you might find that your practice is stronger than ever. You could be asking yourself, “If this is what can be achieved with teamwork and positivity, what more can we do to help even more patients?”
A thriving practice is patient-led, one that can meet their ever-changing needs as part of a lifelong commitment to keeping them in good oral health. Is now the time to expand your treatment list? To deliver certain high-demand treatments, you will need to learn vital new skills by embarking on quality training.
Implants – a desirable option for modern patients
Implant dentistry is an exciting field, with solutions now available for patients who want to feel confident about their smile and retain their natural teeth for as long as possible. The increased demand we’ve seen for implant therapy over the last decade or so has been driven by dentists’ ability to offer a viable, long-term alternative to removable dentures. Implants are more desirable to the modern patient for several reasons. They feel, look and function like natural teeth, which is not only a confidence boost for aesthetic reasons, but means that everyday things, like talking and eating, can be performed without concern.
Implants do not need to be taken out for sleeping or cleaning and a patient with an implant will be able to effectively clean the surrounding teeth, too. In fact, implant therapy can motivate individuals into improving their daily routine, as well as adopting other behaviours for better oral and general health.
If you are able to deliver quality implant therapy in your practice, you can guide patients through the whole journey, with no need to refer out. If you are recommending a dental implant, you can offer reassurances the patient will be well cared for by the team they are familiar with, and that the experience will be efficient, comfortable and ethical. Because of these reassurances, you can expect high levels of acceptance. Not only will this benefit your reputation, and provide a valuable new revenue stream, but your practice colleagues will also be challenged and enriched by doing something new – which is great for their professional development.
More than just new skills
As for your own professional and personal development, one key thing that implant training will do is connect you to other likeminded dentists. The benefits of this cannot be overstated and the opportunity to make new contacts and share experiences and ideas is priceless.
Also, look for training providers that will enable you to learn from highly experienced practitioners, instructors and mentors. You want to acquire the skills to become an actual implant dentist, so find a dedicated course. You want to be able to place implants safely and confidently, because you have the knowledge and techniques to support good clinical outcomes, every time. Again, this is why it is important to check that your training will be provided by educators who can offer mentorship that extends long after the course has been completed.
Another reason to choose your training with care is that treatment standards have risen in all areas; patients’ expectations have never been higher, especially when they are investing significant time and money. The highest quality training will also complement the materials, tools and equipment that are constantly being developed by manufacturers for implant procedures. Being able to explore these cutting-edge innovations will be inspiring and help you to elevate your practice even further, expand your horizons and understand just what is possible.
To learn how to place implants correctly, safely and effectively, the comprehensive, evidence-based One To One Dental Education Implant Programme is one excellent option. The course covers everything from treatment planning to surgical execution and restoration, in state-of-the-art premises that have been adapted to be covid-safe. Whatever your prior skill or experience level, you will leave the 18-day programme having effectively developed the skills needed to provide dental implants safely and confidently in practice.
Dental practices may have weathered one storm, but don’t rest on your laurels! Take stock and think about how you could elevate your services even further by offering additional high-quality treatments, which will meet your patients’ needs. Implant therapy can be life changing and learning how to be an implant dentist is a way for both you and your practice to continue to thrive.