by Doctor Mastery Program intended to enhance clinical and non-clinical knowledge
More than 500 dentists have signed up or are in the process of signing up for Heartland Dental’s recently launched Doctor Mastery Program. The five-year program, comprising face-to-face as well as online courses, is designed to help participants achieve a Fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry.
“Clinical growth is only one aspect of the program,” says Samson Liu, DDS, executive vice president of clinical affairs, Heartland Dental. “Participants will also gain knowledge on non-clinical topics that can help them be a leader in and out of their offices – things they may not have learned in dental school.”
As part of the FAGD requirements, educational opportunities are designed to enhance participants’ growth in key areas, from fundamentals to more advanced areas, such as IV sedation, oral surgery, implants, restoration, occlusion, orthopedics and orthodontics, says Liu.
“Personally, the program will help participants set goals, minimize taxes, create personal finance plans, maintain fiscal responsibility at home and work, plan for reality and eventualities, know the difference between good debt and bad debt and invest in themselves,” he adds. “In terms of management, this program will help participants learn the relationship between revenue, expenses and profits; understand variable expenses vs. fixed expenses; compare their office results with peers; and discover opportunities for their offices to thrive.”
The Doctor Mastery Program is designed to help participants become definitive dental leaders in their communities, adds Liu. “Using a transformative approach, participants will advance their knowledge and skills, making them more effective and proficient. As a result, their offices (and most importantly, their patients) will experience the benefits. In addition, this program addresses a vital component of the dental industry – continuing education.
“As the dental industry continues to evolve, along with evolving patients and technology, advanced education is essential now more than ever. Dentists who do not stay up to date on their education will not be able to meet the needs of modern dental patients, who expect more from their treatment, and will ultimately fall behind other dentists who can meet these expectations.”
The program will have a positive impact on dentists of all experience and career levels, says Liu. “Certainly, it is a valuable program for young dentists just entering the industry who are saddled with large debt. Many new grads come out of school with upwards of $300,000 in debt, making it extremely difficult to open and grow a solo practice. The Doctor Mastery Program offers young dentists entering the industry an extraordinary opportunity to overcome this challenge and start off on the right foot. In just five years, young dentists can achieve true clinical and leadership mastery. On top of that achievement, they will receive a significant ‘mastery bonus’ upon completion of the program, which can be used to completely eliminate their student loan debt or at least minimize it considerably.
“For experienced dentists, the opportunity is valuable as well. They can take the skills they have accumulated in their career to the next level, as well as help mentor others.”
