Continuing Education

The field of dentistry is continuously evolving and advancing. The dentistry I practice today is very different from what I practiced when I graduated from UCSF School of Dentistry. In order to stay current and get the best treatment outcomes for my patients, I am participating in two very different study clubs.

Invisalign is the name for a treatment used to move teeth orthodontically. It is a system of clear, removable trays which serves as an alternative to traditional braces. I became certified in Invisalign in 2003. Recently, because of my experience with Invisalign, I was hand picked to participate in the first and only Invisalign study club for general dentists in the nation. We meet quarterly to review new cases; how to achieve the best result  and finished cases.

The other study club I am participating in is dedicated to learning about treatment planning complex cases involving  dental implants. This study club is lead by Dr. Schlissel who holds appointments as Professor Emeritus of General Dentistry, Stony Brook University and Clinical Professor of Surgery at Emory University, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He currently practices in Marietta, GA.

I meet with a group of general dentists and a periodontist, we review cases of patients who lack confidence in smiling or are having trouble chewing and eating because they are missing teeth. Just as every person is unique, every case is different, with its own challenges and circumstances, together, we review every aspect of each case and come up with a plan and strategy for achieving the best outcome.

There are so many different ways of learning. For myself, I am a visual learner, as well as a hands-on learner. The study club mode of learning, with its small group dynamics,  and its participants having  the common interest in a specific subject, is a great way to learn synergistically from each other.