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An excellent learning pathway and support – Dr Salman Siddiqi

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  Posted by: Dental Design      2nd September 2019

Dr Salman Siddiqi discusses what he feels are the most significant merits of training and support delivered by IAS Academy.

The IAS Academy ethos focuses on training GDPs like myself to be able to diagnose and treat within their own scope of practice. The idea of the ‘most appropriate treatment being carried out by the most appropriately trained practitioner’ appeals greatly to me and speaks volumes for the message IAS Academy is promoting. It’s all about safe, ethical and timely treatment delivered in the best interests of our patients.

The training I’ve received through the Academy has definitely been a game changer. The concept of constricting the envelope of function is explained very simply by Tif Qureshi on the ABB (Align, Bleach and Bond) course and has translated into everyday practice really well for me. Using simple clinical photography, I can now discuss this scenario with my patients and highlight the potential issues associated with no treatment or not intervening at the appropriate time.

The progressive smile design concept – another approach explained by Tif on his courses – has helped me educate patients about minimally invasive techniques (anterior alignment, bleaching and bonding). It provides a way of progressively and reversibly changing their smiles, reducing the need for more invasive procedures like veneers, crowns and unnecessary tooth preparation, which have both higher financial and biological implications.

The training provided by IAS Academy has enabled me to adopt a more thorough approach to case planning and assessment using the IAS assessment forms. In turn, this has reduced the risk of missing crucial details and acts as a valuable aide-memoire to ensure I am noting all salient points of a patient’s malocclusion.

Beyond the initial training, the online support forum is invaluable, regardless of previous experience. Having the trainers always at hand for case advice has given me the confidence to expand my skill set in a protected learning environment, thereby improving my diagnosis and treatment planning skills. Being able to post each stage of a case as it progresses ensures you are on the right track and avoids any unnecessary delays. For example, the trainers have previously been very helpful in explaining to me where more IPR (interproximal reduction) is needed or where my composite anchor positions could be improved in Inman Aligner cases which were not progressing as planned.

I believe there are several features that set IAS Academy apart from other training and support providers. One of these is the emphasis placed on diagnosis and treatment planning from the very start of the learning pathway. Another is that the teaching is aimed at the right level for delegates, without any assumptions of previous knowledge. Progress along the pathway is encouraged, but only when a suitable number of cases have been treated and the GDP is comfortable – for example, removable appliance cases are actively encouraged for beginners before fixed appliance training. Finally, the feedback from the IAS Laboratory on all cases is excellent. Emails are sent out if impressions need to be repeated (with photos of any issues) and Archwize™ planning needs the GDP’s approval before proceeding to appliance manufacture. These fail safes really help to avoid poorly fitting appliances and unnecessary remake costs. All in all, I think IAS Academy delivers a great learning pathway and comprehensive support for all GDPs, regardless of their experience in anterior alignment orthodontics.

 

For more information on upcoming IAS Academy training courses, please visit www.iasortho.com or call 01932 336470 (Press 1)

 


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