October 8th is an important date in Liverpool andon that day in 2013 it was the launch of the first ICE clinic in Rodney Street and, the introduction of ICE Foundation Course for GDPs in Implant Dentistry.
The Implant Centres of Excellence or ICE, is the brainchild of three of the UK’s most experienced implant educators and clinicians; Prof Cemal Ucer, Simon Wright and David Speechley. ICE consists of three separate groups; regional ICE clinics which provide clinical treatment and support to referring practitioners, the ICE Association (ICEa) that provides the peer interaction and support, and the back bone of the organisation, the Institute (ICEi) providing structured, accredited clinical training and education to team members at all levels; from nurses to referring GDPs, to newly qualified dentists wanting to pursue a career in implant dentistry by following accredited training such as ICEi PG Diplomas/MSc. At the backbone of ICEi is the newly launched mentee school which will provide systematic patient-centred supervised clinical training at ICE central hub and regional clinics.
The philosophy of ICE, is to provide local support and teamwork through a structured continuum of education and training for those seeking to develop clinical skills in this field from treatment planning to restorative and the surgical aspects of dental implant dentistry. This places emphasis on teamapproach and clinical skills development under the supervision of some of the countries most experienced educators in the field- “trainers who train the trainers”
Collaborative professional development and training (CPDT) is a revolutionary approach to CPD training and education in implant dentistry. ICE provides all the support, interaction and education that is needed to get involved in this exciting and developing field. It does this through structured long term clinic support and learning for the whole team providing training at every level of clinical practice.
There was so much excitement about the new clinical collaboration and partnership in learning, that 60 Liverpool practices were represented, with over 70 clinicians attending ICE launch event and ICEa Foundation Course for GDPs- all eager to find out how ICE can help them and their patients.
The event, hosted by Liverpool Hilton, started with a Champagne reception and a trade fair. ICE sponsors Straumann, Geistlich, and Astra explained how using well resourced, evidence-based products, is essential to predictable long-term aesthetic success. A concept that is fundamental to ICE philosophy.
This was the first in a series of four lectures that will cover the essentials of dental implantology. With this knowledge the clinical team may then go on to the ICE Restorative series in which they will be provided with the skill set and support to begin to restore dental implants in their own practices progressing from straightforward to advanced cases with safety and confidence. This has obvious advantages to both patients and the profession.
The support comes from ICEa (the Association), through a mobile apps/interface. This offers treatment guidelines, protocols, discussion forums, instant access to a range of experts, and discount schemes with industrial partners. ICEa provides complimentary restorative kits, instruments, patient literature and consent forms as well as regular regional treatment planning study club meetings.
ICE provides excellent clinical facilities and access to best implant systems including Straumann and Astra/Dentsply and for the educational body (ICEi) provides the platform for collaborative teaching and learning to benefit all concerned: the dentists and their teams as well as the patients. The participants are encouraged to pursue a structured continuum of education and training from restoring few implants to postgraduate programmes such as MSc in implant dentistry.
The next event is the launch of ICE Chester clinic on the November 18th at the Chester Grosvenor Hotel. All members of the dental team and DF trainees are welcome.
“We hope someday you'll join us, And the world will be as one.” John Lennon ‘Imagine’
Tel: Steph Littler 0151 709 1714 or visit www.icedentalimplants.co.uk