As dentists, we are committed to lifelong learning so we can provide the best care for our patients, but that doesn’t mean learning something new is simple. With so many procedures, protocols and technologies being developed every year, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest and greatest.
Recently, I set out to learn everything I could about dental implants and oral surgery. Because I was able to take advantage of a combination of online modules, hands-on learning and dedicated mentorship, I effectively gained the implant and oral surgery skills I needed to confidently treat my patients. Having colleagues and mentors with me every step of the way made learning something new as easy as possible — and here’s how.
Jumpstart learning with hands-on practice
I began my implant training with Aspen Dental by completing a few online modules, which helped me build a solid foundation of knowledge. After the remote learning, I attended an in-person training at The Aspen Group’s Oral Care Center for Excellence in Chicago. While the online modules set the stage for the implant curriculum, it was the hands-on training that was the most impactful for me.
The way this curriculum was designed with a combination of online and hands-on learning helped me comprehend why we do things a certain way. By the time I was working with live patients, I had the foundational knowledge I needed to do right by the patient and provide a great result. The meaningful application of the skills I learned to a real patient is such a valuable learning experience, and it is something you can’t replicate with online-only training.
Avoid pitfalls with side-by-side mentorship
One of the biggest benefits of the hands-on implant training was the mentorship. Trainee doctors were paired with each other and assigned a mentor. As my partner and I saw patients, discussed treatment plans and performed procedures, our mentor was there with us every step of the way. Our mentor was able to demonstrate techniques, explain protocols, answer questions and shadow us as we worked with our patients.
The live, side-by-side feedback from an experienced mentor drove home everything we were learning about implants and oral surgery. Our mentor acted as a teacher, safety net and cheerleader all at once, providing valuable opinions, but also letting us do things our own way.
Having a hands-on mentor especially helps when you’re working with new technology. During our in-person training in Chicago, we were able to experience various types of implant materials to see which ones worked best for us. Having access to state-of-the-art technology paired with knowledgeable mentors who could show us everything in action was beyond valuable.
Boost confidence with a community of colleagues
When I returned to my office after the Chicago course, I felt confident placing implants. The practical training and mentorship allowed me to give patients more permanent fixed options for their smiles, which can significantly change patients’ lives. In turn, being able to expand my treatment planning options has helped me grow in my own career, as well.
Luckily, the mentorship didn’t end after I left Chicago. Within the Aspen Dental network, I have access to a community of colleagues, both in and outside of my home office, that is dedicated to learning and improving. We can all discuss new treatments, cases and technologies, and share our differing opinions, which helps everyone get better — especially when we’re tackling specialty techniques like implants and oral surgery. Additionally, I can act as a mentor to another associate in my office, and we can all benefit from each other’s knowledge. There are times when I need a second opinion, and having both mentors and mentees available to make treatment planning a team effort helps build my confidence as a doctor.
Embrace mentorship to keep learning
Without the hands-on learning, side-by-side mentorship and supportive community of colleagues at my fingertips, I know my journey to mastering implants and oral surgery techniques would have been far bumpier. Mentorship is key when learning something new, and it also has the added benefit of strengthening the overall dental community. We’re all learning and growing together, which ultimately is so much better for the patients we treat.
As a provider, being educated about what can make a patient’s quality of life improve is always valuable. To that end, I plan to continue learning more about implants and oral surgery, expanding the variety of implant restorations I can offer, including fixed prostheses with multiple implants. Seeing my patients smile and tell me how much happier they are with their implants drives me to keep learning every day.
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Brian Ahn, DMD, graduated from dental school in 2022 and joined Aspen Dental. As an associate, he floated between several different Aspen Dental offices before joining the Johnston, R.I., practice as managing clinical director. He is dedicated to developing new skill sets and learning new technologies to provide the best possible care for his patients now and in the future.