There is no denying that the internet has drastically altered the way in which we are able to live our lives. Whether shopping
online or keeping up to date with the latest news on a smartphone, the online generation has the ability to find whatever they need at the click of a button. However, the internet is not just improving our personal lives, it is also having a significant influence on our professional needs, making some of the more demanding aspects of our careers easier to perform.
The influence of the internet upon dentistry has been significant. While it doesn’t affect the hands-on elements of clinical work it is certainly improving the way that those who work within the industry are able to connect and market themselves. Most practices now have some form of online presence, ranging from a simple website to online booking and video testimonials. One area of dentistry that the internet has had a particularly positive impact upon is CPD, with the number of online learning outlets rising year on year.
One of the online resources is the Dentsply Academy, which provides regular webinars that are hosted by some of the industry’s biggest names in the profession. Linda Greenwall, founder of the British Dental Bleaching Society, recently presented a webinar on tooth whitening. Part of the reason that Linda was so keen to get involved with presenting webinars for the Denstply Academy was that she understood the importance of finding a convenient way to gain verifiable CPD. Attending an online webinar is simple to do and can be done from the comfort of your own home, as all that is needed to join is a computer with internet access. The webinars are fully interactive and allow for its students to ask questions throughout the broadcast. Linda comments, “Live feedback means that if students don’t understand something or want more detail all they have to do is ask and their question can be answered straight away.”
The Dentsply Academy webinars reach a huge audience, for example Linda’s had more than 900 registered and 330 attended. Dental professionals from all across the world are able to log on and view them, which makes the thought and opinion of the industry’s biggest names available to as many people as possible.
As well as being a convenient way of gaining verifiable CPD, Linda also found that her students found it to be a very enjoyable format. “They found it very stimulating because it was up to date with all of the latest news, knowledge and research. People were asking questions all the time, it was very exciting.”