Tom Saxon – BChD (Hons) U.Leeds, PG Cert Imp Dent – recently completed formal postgraduate dental implant training with Ucer Education. Here, he explains why this was important to him and shares his experience…
“I’ve been restoring implants for 20 years and placing them for 15. Although this probably qualifies as a ‘grandfather’ clause, I felt that gaining a formal qualification in implant dentistry would benefit me in the future. The GDC and defence organisations may look more favourably at practitioners with formal postgraduate training.
“I considered several courses, looking for one that would satisfy the FGDP ‘Training Standards in Implant Dentistry’.
“I was drawn to Professor Ucer’s Certificate course because it ticked all the boxes and because of Professor Ucer’s reputation as a clinician and as a teacher.
“He is, in fact, a co-author of the FGDP’s document.
“The dedicated implant hospital at Salford offers state-of-the-art teaching facilities and the opportunity to observe a wide variety of surgical procedures in theatre.
“The PG Cert course qualification is at Eduqual level 7, preparing delegates to then take the PG Dip at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. This can therefore be a very good first step up to the next level for those who wish to advance. Even as an experienced practitioner, I must say that I learned a great deal from my year spent with Ucer Education.
“All aspects of modern implant dentistry were covered during training. This included assessment of CBCTs, digital aids and guided surgery, and comprehensive teaching about hard and soft tissue management.
“The guest speakers were all first-rate. One particularly good restorative day gave in-depth advice on alternatives to implant treatment, in situations where implants may not be the best solution. How’s that for balance?
“Meeting and interacting with the same group of professionals each month has its own benefits. It enables the sharing of ideas and experiences, which some online courses with a limited amount of personal contact cannot offer.
“The PG Cert in Dental Implants with Ucer Education offers great value for money, with monthly payments to make funding it easy. It is definitely all worthwhile when you can put PG Cert Imp Dent after your name.”
For more information on the various dental implant training opportunities available through Ucer Education, click here.