Has this scenario ever played out in your dental practice? Your schedule is full including half an hour for an extraction in the afternoon – an upper first molar. As you get into the procedure… first, it won’t go numb. When it finally does, the tooth shatters with forcep pressure, roots are now broken off at the bone level, and things keep going downhill from there…. you’re struggling and the patient knows it. So much for a half hour! Eventually you make the call to refer the patient to a surgeon who can work the patient in that afternoon. But now you’re stressed out, your team is frustrated, and you’re running way behind which carries over to the rest of the afternoon. To top it off, your patient doesn’t have the same confidence in you as before and you feel defeated. The truth is, most general dentists have been there. There has to be a way to become as smooth and proficient at surgery as you are with other procedures.
The goal and mission of Dr. Karl Koerner, and the Koerner Center for Surgical Instruction is to equip more general dentists with the wisdom, skills and experience to tackle these tougher cases head on, and prevail over surgical extractions with more efficiency, predictability and ease. Our hands-on surgical symposium is the start of the comprehensive KCSI certification program that progresses through four continua with hands-on model and pig jaw labs, extensive online self-paced CE, live patient courses and ultimately certification through board review. For more information about KCSI, click here.
Watch this excerpt from our Continuum 1: Surgical Symposium
Dr. Karl Koerner with a course participant at a recent hands-on dental surgery course.
It is pretty safe to say that dentistry started because people needed diseased and painful teeth extracted. Looking back to ancient times, tooth extraction was one of only a few dental treatments performed.
Modern dentistry, of course, is now a highly advanced combination of art, science and technology that has given rise to numerous areas of specialization. Most general dentists work with and rely on collaboration with fellow dentists and specialists to meet the needs and desires of their patients. Complexities and advancements in dental treatment have segmented the practice of dentistry into compartments that are increasing in exclusivity.
General dentists remain trained, qualified and capable of providing their patients a wide range of dental treatments, however, many may not be offering the full scope of dental care in their dental practices. Why is this the case?
The History of Organized Dentistry
How did general dentists start to get squeezed out of the tooth extraction business? To answer this question, we first need to review the history of dentistry, particularly in the United States. Prior to the 19th century, dentistry was largely unorganized and unregulated.
The world’s first dental school, the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, was established by Horace Hayden and Chapin Harris in 1840. Shortly thereafter, dental training began to incorporate consistent principles, techniques and philosophies that shaped modern dentistry.
You can be sure that extractions were an area of strong focus for early dental students. As science and technology advanced, areas of specialization began to emerge. The specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery did not begin to take shape until 1918, and officially recognized by the ADA as a specialty in 1947.
Throughout dental history, dentists have been the primary oral health practitioners. They have historically provided the full scope of dental practice, including extractions. Until very recent history, general dentists have been relied upon by patients to meet all of their dental needs.
Why on earth would a dentist, trained and qualified to practice the full scope of dentistry, feel that he/she should not include extractions in the scope of their practice?
Because of the rigid delineation of dental specialties, such as oral and maxillofacial surgery and periodontology, specialists have tried to assume ‘ownership’ of exodontia procedures and marketed to create the illusion that general dentists are no longer as qualified to perform these procedures.
For political and economic reasons, or perhaps because other disciplines in dental school have expanded their share of the teaching time available, dental schools have de-emphasized surgical training for general dental students, leaving many of them largely underprepared to safely and efficiently provide these basic surgical services to their patients.
As a result of changes in dental culture and training, there are now many dentists who are inadequately prepared to provide this core dental service, but basic office oral surgery is still included within the scope of practice for general dentistry. Is this a freedom that could change in the future? It is up to today’s dentists to maintain their right to practice the full range of dentistry in order to meet the needs of their patients.
It is
imperative to the profession that surgery be maintained as it should be,
because without the ability to provide these treatments, access to care, particularly
in under served areas, can be adversely affected. As of 2018, 42% of Americans
do not see a dentist at least once per year.
This is a number that is increasing, rather than improving, and is down
from 38% in 2016. With a large
percentage of the population only seeing a dentists about once per year, or
less, it is imperative that when they do see a dentist, that dentist can
provide the care that they need, when they need it.
Patients Expect to Receive the
Treatment They Need From Their General Dentist
Today’s
general dentists know that in order to build a thriving practice and increase
patient loyalty, they need to provide their patients with more of the services
they want and expect.
Patients want:
Outstanding patient service
Good value
Convenient care, including easy access to the services they need
Patients expect to receive all of their dental care from their general dentist. With very few resources for appropriate training programs beyond dental school and specialty training programs, there is a need for a training program that makes it possible to meet the needs and expectations of today’s dental patients.
” There is a need for a training program that makes it possible to meet the needs and expectations of today’s dental patients”.
– Dr. Karl Koerner
The Koerner Center for
Surgical Instruction
One
notable proponent of surgical dentistry, Dr. Karl Koerner, recognized the need
for a truly comprehensive oral surgery training program geared toward general
dentists. He has made it his mission to teach oral surgery to general
dentists, and has done so for thousands of dentists over the past three
decades.
Dr.
Koerner has worked to develop an opportunity that provides a complete and well-rounded
educational experience. Many general dentists who recognize their
patient’s need for these procedures, cobble together their own advanced training
through attending a myriad of day and weekend courses, hoping to achieve
proficiency. This method leaves holes in the educational experience and
inhibits true proficiency in the art and science of dental surgery. Dr.
Koerner co-founded the Koerner Center for Surgical Instruction, together with
Dr. Dave Roberts, in order to fill those holes and equip general
dentists to meet the oral surgery needs of their patients with safety,
efficiency and confidence.
KCSI’s thorough and structured curriculum ensures appropriate didactic education, and combines this knowledge with clinical experience in a lab setting, and with live patients. The program provides a complete educational experience in four distinct continua. KCSI’s program consists of 24 hours of didactic and hands-on lab experience in Continuum 1, then over 100 additional hours via the self-paced online Continuum 2. Upon completion of these two modules, students can continue on to a live patient course in Continuum 3, and achieve certification upon critical evaluation of 30 cases and KCSI Board Review. The program includes over 200 hours of education, and includes evaluation for proficiency prior to certification.
General
Dentists may attend a one day introductory course, or participate in the 24
hour Continuum 1 with hands-on lab, prior to deciding to complete the full
program. For more information about KCSI
and the important surgical training provided by the faculty, visit www.koernercenter.com.
Oral Surgery for General Dentists: Supplemental content, discussion and instruction based on the cases experienced by KCSI course attendees. Participate in this live web-based surgical case presentation platform designed to enhance the subjects covered in Continuum 1, 3-Day Surgical Symposium. The 30-minute, bi-weekly webinar is facilitated by Dr. Karl Koerner, Dr. Dave Roberts, and KCSI Instructors. Dentists who contribute cases to the group will be asked to present their case to the group for discussion.
Continue to build on your surgical skills and expertise with KCSI Grand Rounds
Why We Started KCSI Surgical Grand Rounds
Participants in the KCSI 3-Day Surgical Symposium in April 2019 asked for more case demonstrations, more videos and more examples of surgical extractions, suturing techniques, managing complications and other topics. KCSI “Grand Rounds” webinar platform is the answer to that call. Dentists who studied with us and have taken a KCSI course are invited to participate in this one-of-a-kind platform designed to meet and exceed your expectations for continued learning. You can request access to the platform by contacting KCSI at support@koernercenter.com.
KCSI Grand Rounds Schedule
When: Bi-Weekly Standing event taking place every two weeks beginning May 8, 2018
Time: 8PM CST
Place: Zoom Meetings Platform; You will need your tablet or PC for the best user experience.
30 Minutes Every 2 Weeks Can Have a Big Impact on Your Surgical Practice
We are confident that your participation in the KCSI Grand Rounds webinar forum will enhance your skills, and provide you with more tools to meet the needs and expectations of your dental patients. Make plans to join us on May 8th!
Your schedule is full including half an hour for an extraction in the afternoon – a lower first molar. As you get into the procedure… first, it won’t go numb. When it finally does, the tooth shatters with forcep pressure, roots are now broken off at the bone level, and things keep going downhill from there…. you’re struggling and the patient knows it. So much for a half hour! Eventually you make the call to refer the patient to a surgeon who can work the patient in that afternoon. But now you’re stressed out, your team is frustrated, and you’re running way behind which carries over to the rest of the afternoon. To top it off, your patient doesn’t have the same confidence in you as before and you feel defeated.
The truth is, most general dentists have been there. There has to be a way to become as smooth and proficient at surgery as you are with other procedures. The Koerner Center for Surgical Instruction has the training you need.
Surgical Extractions are a Service Your Patients Want and Expect From You
As a general dentist, you know your patients want and expect to have all their dental treatment provided by you, in the setting they are familiar with, surrounded by your team, who they are comfortable with. When it comes to tooth extraction and basic office oral surgery, your patients expect to have this treatment available through you. You an I know that it is not always that simple, and in order to avoid the situation described above, you refer them out. While there will always be cases you need to refer, wouldn’t it be beneficial to your patients and your practice to have the training and skills to keep more of those patients in house?
KCSI Has the Extraction Training You Need
The Koerner Center for Surgical Instruction was founded in order to provide general dentists complete, meaningful, comprehensive training in office oral surgery. Thousands of dentists have received their surgical training from Dr. Karl Koerner, and practice dental surgery in their general dentistry practices with confidence and efficiency. Now, you can receive his training through KCSI. Our oral surgery courses are designed to carry you through 4 continuaa, upon completion of which you are certified by KCSI and have gained the knowledge, wisdom and skills you need to provide surgical treatment for your patients safely, confidently, and efficiently. Our first continuum in the program is our 3-Day Surgical Symposium taking place on April 4,5, and 6, 2019. The course includes comprehensive didactic instruction on topics such as
patient evaluation and case selection
advanced armamentarium
surgical extractions
impacted third molars
root removal
bone grafting and socket preservation
wound closure.
KCSI takes you into the bigger picture with instruction on topics such as
post-operative care and discharge
prevention and response to medical emergencies
prevention/management of complications
Course participants will engage in hands-on lab experience using models and pig jaws to master procedures such as
Register Today for Continuum 1: 3-Day Surgical Symposium on April 4-6, 2019 in Dallas, Texas
Begin your journey toward mastery of basic office oral surgery by attending Continuum 1 and participating in this comprehensive surgical training course. Dr. Koerner, along with our team of expert educators personally teaches this course. We are confident that this program will be one of the best continuing education programs you have attended. When you register, use code TAGD#1 to receive a 20% tuition discount, reserved for the first 20 registrants.
Your schedule is full including half an hour for an extraction in the afternoon – a lower first molar. As you get into the procedure… first, it won’t go numb. When it finally does, the tooth shatters with forcep pressure, roots are now broken off at the bone level, and things keep going downhill from there…. you’re struggling and the patient knows it. So much for a half hour! Eventually you make the call to refer the patient to a surgeon who can work the patient in that afternoon. But now you’re stressed out, your team is frustrated, and you’re running way behind which carries over to the rest of the afternoon. To top it off, your patient doesn’t have the same confidence in you as before and you feel defeated.