Unique Benefits of Comprehensive Straight Wire Ortho Courses

Once you complete dental school, it’s not always the easiest thing to get back into continuing education while balancing running a practice and having a personal life. You want to commit to continuing education that has meaning and can bring value to your career and patients. This is why dentists tend to fall in love with the hands-on orthodontic courses offered by the American Orthodontic Society (AOS). 

The AOS offers comprehensive orthodontic courses for dentists of all orthodontic levels. Many opt to take a course because it is the best way to master the technique and get the necessary education to begin treating patients. But AOS courses are unlike other orthodontic CE courses: The Basic Straight Wire Ortho Course allows you to get your feet wet and learn the ins and outs of orthodontics so you can decide if you want to pursue higher-level courses. The Basic Course is for dentists who are looking for professional support and want an environment that is tailored to like-minded dentists. 

Here are the top 5 reasons dentists love the Basic Straight Wire Ortho Course: 

1. Hands-on Experience

Some orthodontic courses may claim you’ll be an experienced orthodontic provider in a single weekend course. But you know deep down that is neither practical nor true. Orthodontics is a dental speciality that requires long-term education, hands-on experience, and some trial and error to become a competent, proficient provider.

This is why the AOS developed courses that span several months with actual hands-on exercises. Learning benchwork in the beginning is OK, but the AOS goes beyond that foundation by offering live, in-person experience in a clinical setting. You will see how hands-on experience bending wires, bonding brackets, and learning the intricate details of orthodontic appliances is not only recommended but is a necessity to become a highly skilled orthodontic dentist.

2. Dedicated Faculty

Instructors with AOS aren’t just here for the weekend. They are long-term dental instructors who have decades of experience in general and pediatric orthodontics. They know the challenges dentists face with orthodontics, so they are more likely to help you with troubleshooting than any other type of instructor. 

AOS instructors are dentists and assistants who specialize in orthodontics. They offer a professional support system that is highly valuable for your orthodontic education. One of the unique aspects of the AOS is that they not only prepare you for patient care but understand that there is an entire practice-management and administrative learning curve that comes with offering orthodontics.

You will learn about the proper and legal way to take diagnostic records and how to practically incorporate orthodontics into your practice using marketing and team working strategies. 

3. Path to More Challenging Courses

Dentists love the Basic Straight Wire Ortho Course because it is an eye-opener to more challenging orthodontic concepts and techniques. You can’t jump into impacted canine cases or implant orthodontics until you learn the basics.

The good news is that the Basic course will teach you how to diagnose and treat Class I and II malocclusions only (70% to 80% of all cases) and when to refer patients out. The Basic Course will help you get your feet wet with all the knowledge you need to treat simple cases, but if you are motivated to tackle more, you’ll have the option to continue with more advanced comprehensive orthodontic courses. 

4. Virtual Coursework Option

Sometimes a dentist just can’t take time off. The AOS recognizes dentists live busy lives but believes that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be able to take exciting orthodontic courses. There is a virtual track that offers all the same education for dentists needing to take an orthodontic course at their own pace.

Who wouldn’t love to be able to add a speciality to their practice by learning in detail at home or in their office? The Basic Straight Wire Course virtual track still gets you the yearly CE credits you need while helping you thrive in your new endeavor without the hassle of taking days off from patient care. 

5. Becoming a Proficient Provider in Six Months

One of the best things about the Basic Straight Wire Ortho Course is becoming prepared to treat nearly three-fourths of all orthodontic cases that walk in. You will get the foundation you need in orthodontics and the hands-on workshops to teach you about banding and wire bending so that when you go back to your practice, you feel ready to treat.

The straight wire orthodontic appliance system is well designed for both general and pediatric dentists to treat Class I and II malocclusions. The Basic Course motivates many dentists to pursue higher-level orthodontic courses because they want to learn about auxiliary appliances and difficult orthodontic cases. 

It’s a win not only for you and your team but also for your patient base.

Learning about orthodontics is beneficial for your career and professional growth, of course, but it really benefits your patients. Whether a patient has a cosmetic concern or a functional need, offering orthodontics should be the routine and not the rarity for general and pediatric dentists. This is because you are their primary care dentist, and whether you choose to treat all orthodontic cases or refer out, you will gain the knowledge to better diagnose and help your patients when needed.