Simple to comprehensive

29 January 2015
Volume 30 · Issue 4

In recent years, a mass of orthodontic systems has appeared on the market. Whilst patients have expectations of aesthetically pleasing and stable results, each case is very different – not only in terms of which teeth need alignment, but an individual’s priorities in choosing a type of treatment.

The key to cutting through the confusion is education. The right education will not only help you to correctly assess and diagnose the problem, but also select the right approach maximising patient choice, and help you achieve predictable success every time

The IAS Academy offers a unique guided pathway of lifetime learning for GDPs, with a point of entry for every level of orthodontic experience. Here, Dr Tif Qureshi and Professor Ross Hobson discuss how the Academy came to fruition, the philosophy behind it and how it offers a solution to the bewildering array of options out there.

“We felt that it was time for something cohesive,” says Dr Qureshi.  “The Inman Aligner course run by myself, James Russell and Tim Bradstock Smith had been running for several years and we were constantly improving it. Ross and our team wanted to create a proper pathway of learning within IAS Academy, using the same protocols of arch evaluation that we teach with the Inman Aligner system – digital planning, digital printing and digital evaluation – but being extended right the way up to the Advanced level Ross will teach directly.”

“It is about doing orthodontics properly and using the appropriate system,” says Professor Hobson. “This is important and is the message we are trying to get across. We will be training dentists how to do orthodontic assessments, diagnosis and treatment planning: a progression from simple anterior alignment to more complex systems. This is not a ‘Here is a brace, we will fix your teeth in weeks’ approach; we want to distance ourselves from quick fixes and short treatment times. Our aim is proper assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and appropriate treatment. The Right person, doing the Right thing, at the Right time.”

“Education and mentoring is key to the Academy’s approach. When dentists join the pathway, they will be encouraged to submit completed cases for review so we can assess their level of knowledge and ability. Advanced course delegates will receive online mentoring in groups of 12 that includes case-based problem solving, which is widely accepted as a very high standard of teaching.”

Dr Qureshi continues, “The mentoring is on-going. Every dentist on the pathway will have their cases reviewed, and not just by technicians. In fact, it is already mandatory for dentists to put their cases through our forum. The trainers, plus Professor Hobson and myself, will be able to access every case from a digital vault. Inman Aligner used to be a one-day course: now you have to submit and complete two cases to get a web listing so it actually takes a few months of education, support and clinical experience. This kind of quality assurance is going to be extended all the way through up to ClearSmile Braces, where it will be even more rigorous.

“The ClearSmile Braces course is for people who are used to using systems like Inman Aligner, only this is fixed anterior alignment orthodontics. Again, every case will be mentored before the appliance is constructed. Users of other fixed systems can step straight in to take the CSB course, or attend a systems conversion course to be able to use our unique digital process and then take Ross' advanced level course. The Clear Smile Braces course will be taught by Nick Simon and Andy Wallace and overseen by Professor Hobson.

“We were some of the first to utilise certain digital technologies for orthodontics, with our Spacewize software still being a unique tool in chairside assessment of crowding. 3D scanning, virtual case planning with Archwize and 3D model printing has opened up a whole new level of control. In fact, I’d argue that with 3D printing we lead the way in interpretation, using the printing to analyse and create space correctly, control anterior occlusion and improve patient understanding of treatment goals and hence much improved consent. The use of 3D printing and planning is part of our ethos all the way through the Academy."

“We also have high-quality retention protocols, using the most advanced methods and encouraging the long-term follow up of patients to ensure retainers are maintained correctly.

 “Our goal in developing the IAS Academy was to move away from the flawed situation where the solution to the problem was so focussed on ‘a system’. That formulistic approach means there is a danger of cases being treated inappropriately. We want to create a standard for GDPs, so that they know how to properly assess and diagnose the problem and have the best people and protocols behind them. Yes, there are lots of options out there but we have been leading the way with this for some time and we now have the best team to put this pathway together. 

Professor Hobson agrees: “We are teaching proper orthodontics – correctly assessing and diagnosing the patient’s problem, and offering the treatment options so they can make an informed decision. We will be auditing the outcomes to ensure the high quality standards patients expect.”

For information on IAS Academy, visit www.iasortho.com or call 0845 366 5477.