Advancing your skills to advance your career

In a recent study among 200 dentists, the vast majority expressed interest in ongoing training to advance their skills. In fact, 81 percent of experienced dentists and 92 percent of recent dental school graduates said they would like to continue improving their skills.

Furthermore, 41 percent of experienced dentists and 62 percent of recent graduates would like an assigned mentor to help in their development.

Whether it’s maintaining accreditation to meet licensure requirements or learning new techniques to improve the quality of care, even the most seasoned dentists recognize the value of continuing education.

The question remains how to find proper training that is not only useful but convenient given your busy patient schedule and the other responsibilities required to manage and grow your practice. With private practice, dentists often have to squeeze in training at night through online courses or other resources. What’s more, recent graduates often have to learn the ropes of a new practice with little supervision or mentorship.

The vast network of dentists and specialists at Aspen Dental, however, offers the structure and resources to give you plentiful learning and mentorship opportunities. For example, the Doctor Development Program at Aspen is offered to all new dentists. It was designed by a group of Aspen Dental practice owners who identified key components for transitioning newly hired dentists to Aspen Dental and then fostering their development through each step in their career.

Upon joining Aspen, all dentists are assigned an Aspen mentor doctor who creates a personalized training program based on experience level and continues to serve as an advisor on an as-needed basis. Prior to even starting your position with Aspen, you spend a full four weeks with your mentor in his or her office, office, which offers you the most supportive onboarding experience possible.

Your first year might include clinical experience and supervision to refine your capacity for complex procedures, treatment planning and case presentations, plus consultations with your mentor and online education to earn free ADA CERP-accredited C.E. credits.

Throughout your entire career, Aspen Dental provides advanced clinical education to stay abreast of the latest devices, techniques and protocols. You also get access to Aspen’s Practice Ownership Program, which may include workshops or a special ownership retreat for developing your managerial and leadership skills.

Best of all, because Aspen handles the administrative, marketing and business aspects of running a practice, you have the time to focus on your development.