Getting the Most From Orthodontics Courses

Continuing education (CE) courses give career-focused dental professionals new opportunities to get ahead in their careers. Yes, they are a requirement to maintain your professional license, but these classes also give you a chance to add new services to your office.

However, some CE courses, including orthodontics courses, have their challenges. Show your dedication and commitment to learning new skills by adequately preparing for the day of your course.

The American Orthodontic Society offers these tips to anyone preparing to tackle one of the orthodontics courses for general dentist practitioners (GDPs). However, this is part two of the series, so check out part 1 to ensure you’re set for a day of learning.     

Essential Pre-Course Preparation

Getting ready for a general dentist orthodontics CE course requires some pre-course preparation. For example, you likely learned some orthodontic techniques on your path to becoming a dentist, but maybe it’s been a while since you thought about brackets and wires. 

Your instructor will review the fundamentals of the practice. However, reviewing relevant basic information before the start of the course will help prepare you for what’s to come. Remember to also familiarize yourself with the course materials. Your instructors spend time preparing the slides and demonstrations, which are usually included in the course outline. Checking out this information will help you know what to expect throughout the class. 

Some courses even allow you to connect with the instructor before class begins. Use this opportunity to ask questions you may have before attending your orthodontics courses. Having some questions answered before class will reduce discussion time, giving you more time for hands-on activity. 

Practical Arrangements

Whether this is your first orthodontic CE course or one of many you’ve attended in person, coordinating travel can be frustrating. Flight delays and cancellations can add more stress. Although you can’t control the weather or airline, there are other aspects of your trip you can plan to make your experience less of a hassle. 

In-Person Courses

These are a few arrangements you may need to consider while traveling to attend orthodontics courses:

• Which airport is the closest to the learning center?
• What airline has the best deal?
• Will you get a rental car or use a rideshare service?
• Is there a preferred hotel?
• Are meals included in the course cost?  

Depending on where you travel for the CE, you may also need a passport.

Online Courses

If you are participating in an online course, you’ll still need to dedicate some time to planning your schedule. You’ll have multiple opportunities for distraction, ranging from what show you’re currently streaming to a cat that won’t stay off your lap. It’s vital to treat this learning opportunity as a real course. Remember, you are paying to learn something new, so you must be present to get real value from it.

Set up a suitable study area. Choose a space in your home that is free from distractions. Ideally, choose a separate room with a door so you can prevent interruptions.

Scheduling Study Time

Whether attending in-person or online orthodontics courses for GDPs, you must find time to study. After all, you cannot apply skills that you do not remember. Most in-person sessions have a clinical portion; you’ll need to schedule your study time around this part of the course to easily apply what you’ve learned.

Engaging With Peers and Instructors

You attend a CE course to enhance your skills, but there’s another key piece: networking. Chatting with your peers and engaging with the instructors improves learning. You can talk about ideas with peers and get immediate answers from instructors. 

Networking also helps with professional opportunities. By engaging with your peers, you may meet someone who can offer insight into other courses you’re interested in or new technology you’ve considered buying.  

Online learning can be similar, although it may be slightly trickier to make connections. However, just because you are learning from the comfort of your home doesn’t mean you can’t communicate with your peers and instructors. 

Many online courses offer chat boxes where you can ask questions or add insight. Take advantage of these opportunities to dive deeper into your studies.

Mastering the Subject

Understanding how to prepare for a continuing education course is key to mastering the skills. If you study the material prior to the course beginning, you’ll know what to expect and can ensure you have what you need for the day.

Your instructors and peers are powerful resources, so connect with them. They can help you understand any subjects that you may find more difficult. 

If you have questions about an orthodontics course offered by the American Orthodontic Society, contact us. We’re happy to answer your questions or help you get registered for an upcoming class! Remember to check out our next article to learn how to implement new skills into your practice.