The Future of Orthodontics for General Dentists

Continuing education courses for dentists can be costly and timely, so when you find an orthodontics training course that offers hands-on professional orthodontics, you should jump on the opportunity. The American Orthodontic Society (AOS) is a well-established association that has the best orthodontic training courses for dentists because they design the courses specifically with general and pediatric dentists in mind. General dentists may have a different mindset from other dental specialists since they often also offer periodontal therapy and prosthodontics.

The future of orthodontics is not just about straightening teeth but also looking at the patient as a whole. This is why general and pediatric dentists can benefit from a well-designed course that looks at how orthodontics can affect sleep conditions, occlusion, and a person’s overall well-being. 

The AOS offers several options for dentists, which is why it is considered one of the best general-dentist orthodontics training setups. Here are some of the benefits of taking a continuing education course in orthodontics with AOS.

1. Our Orthodontics Training Gives Hands-On Experience

Orthodontics is not a skill you can master in the classroom alone. It takes a lot of hands-on experience to gain confidence in diagnosing and treatment planning to provide the highest level of care. The AOS offers the Basic Straight Wire Course to give dentists the competence and confidence to add orthodontics to their practices. 

Dr. Brad Williams and his skilled instructors are there to teach and guide dentists in their orthodontic training through five sessions over the course of numerous months. It is one of the only courses that spans months rather than a weekend. The AOS also provides support during hands-on wire bending and through live patient instruction.

2. CE Credits

As you expand your knowledge and professional orthodontics skills, you are also gaining necessary continuing education credits. AOS courses provide up to 100 hours, which exceeds the necessary amount of state licensure requirements. Not only does this fulfill requirements for your career, but it affirms your commitment to continuous learning and upskilling, ensuring that you have the skills—and the confidence—to treat all your patients, no matter their oral health needs. 

3. Our Orthodontics Training Gives Networking Opportunities

You set your mind to adding orthodontics to your practice, but who do you reach out to when you have a question or concern? 

The AOS offers a network of general and pediatric dentists who also offer orthodontics services. It is the best support system to work with dentists who are like-minded and have patient and practice goals similar to yours. This might be one of the most valuable add-ons to a course with AOS, and you access a professional network specific to your interests. 

4. Virtual Experience

Some dentists cannot get away to attend live CE courses because of work or family responsibilities. The AOS recognizes this and offers dentists the opportunity to take a virtual CE course at their own pace. 

The virtual track is beneficial because it has both didactic and hands-on clinical components to get dentists the training they need to learn professional orthodontics. Many dentists opt for a virtual track when they want to interact with instructors while taking a course from home. 

5. Long-Term Education

Most CE courses are over the course of a weekend, but is that really enough training to be proficient at orthodontics? The AOS courses span weeks to months to give dentists the training they need to provide excellent care. They include both didactics and clinical components to help you understand the foundation of orthodontics and how to apply this knowledge to patient care. 

Dentists respect AOS training because they get a chance to practice their skills at home and then take the next session to discuss what they have learned with their instructors and colleagues. 

6. Experienced Instructors

The AOS has highly trained, enthusiastic instructors dedicated to helping dentists learn orthodontics. The instructors are skilled dentists and hygienists who have practiced general and pediatric orthodontics for many years and understand the challenges and needs of a dentist wanting to implement orthodontics. Instructors like Dr. Brad Williams, who has over 30 years’ experience in orthodontics, are well equipped to help you grasp core concepts and avoid common pitfalls. 

7. Membership Opportunities

Taking a CE course has many benefits, but when you take one with the AOS, it includes numerous additional benefits. There is endless online journal access that can help you with case studies and legal advice as well as documents you’ll need to add orthodontics to your practice. 

Membership opportunities with the AOS are some of the best benefits of joining and make it feel like a community that cares about you beyond the classroom. You have a network of instructors and colleagues ready to help with treatment and practice-management questions, which is simply invaluable.

8. Specific Training for Dentists

The Basic and Intermediate Straight Wire Courses are designed specifically for general and pediatric dentists wanting to incorporate orthodontics into their practice model. You know you are in the best hands when a course is designed to help you in your specific field. The AOS has offered education and mentorship courses for over 30 years, so they know what works and what doesn’t. 

9. Case Presentations

Taking a class and seeing patient photos and X-rays is necessary, but when you are able to see case studies that follow patients from the beginning of treatment until the retention phase, it helps you fully understand the orthodontic process. The AOS offers incredible training because the experienced instructors present treatment that can be discussed in all phases, from diagnosis through debonding. 

When you learn about the different types of malocclusions and how straight wire orthodontics can correct it, you will gain the experience you need to treat your own patients. As your knowledge grows, intermediate and advanced courses introduce more challenging techniques and treatments, including TADs and surgery. 

10. Ongoing Course Opportunities 

Your orthodontics training education doesn’t end when you complete the Basic Straight Wire Course. You have the option to continue your orthodontic learning journey by taking more advanced courses and learning how to handle complex techniques and surgical cases. You can even help your team upskill with orthodontics training for assistants and dental hygienists, which will ensure that your whole team is able to support the extension into orthodontics. 

The AOS has a course to suit every stage of your orthodontic journey. 

One of the main benefits of taking a course with the AOS is having the opportunity to keep learning with dedicated instructors and passionate dentists. It is truly a comprehensive course that continues to grow and focus on advances in orthodontic technology, materials, and techniques and all their educational offerings. If you’re ready to start practicing orthodontics, sign up for one of our courses today.