The Campbell Academy Blog

A short series on getting started in implant dentistry: Part 6 - What’s Next??

And so, I get to the end of my short series about getting involved in implant dentistry and just some insights, hints and tips over Christmas time.

And so, what's next?

Well, the next thing, if you're interested in implant dentistry, is to do something because life passes you by, and the next thing you know, you'll be reading some crap blog series by a fat, slightly overweight Scottish guy in New Year 2026 and you wouldn't have started yet.

I think the question about getting started for anyone who even has the remotest amount of interest is, "What have you got to lose?"

A little bit of money? Yes, potentially, but the knowledge you've gained and the things you will learn from any of these courses will way outstrip the money you spend Initially.

You will get a lifetime value year on year on year, month on month on month of clinical activity that reflects on the learning that you have. Whether you end up placing implants or restoring implants or not, it will just make you a better dentist by committing to CPD like this, which will give you value through the rest of your career.

As I stated in the previous blog, you'll meet the most extraordinary people and make the most extraordinary friends.

And so, the question is, which system are you going to work with?

Are you going to pick something inexpensive, which allows you more accessibility into your practice and keeps your costs down but potentially could have more problems and less support, or are you going to go for something premium because you want to offer your patients the best possible treatment you can and to tell them that you are doing that?

Do you want to do something as fast as possible? Because it's possible to do that, but realistically, every introductory aspect to implant dentistry of any node is classed as a year course.

Sometimes, you can condense this down into shorter areas, but it's generally 12 to 15 modules (as in days) of energy, education and time spent to get to any level of understanding of straightforward implant dentistry.

Once you get to that level, you'll want to look further because the wonder and the depth and the complexity of implant dentistry are such that you will never learn enough to think that you know 50% of the subject, let alone 100% (I don't know how anyone manages to be a general practitioner, which is the hardest job in the world).

But once you've reached the stage where you've completed your straightforward training, you can then decide if you want to access more complex training.

For my piece, I would suggest that you try to pick somewhere where you can go from start to finish because if you like the first cohort that you're with, you might be able to follow this through in a much more friendly and engaged and empathic way than continually coming into places where you don't know.

You can work with a tribe of people and see an MSc three-year course or The Campbell Academy in three years of courses, which are spread over five years and then you can get to know people, including the delegates, the staff, the educators who will know you and know your requirements and needs.

Put your money down. You'll need to pay for implant dentistry training, whatever way you do it, but create the space and the time to learn and become fascinated with your work, photograph it, reflect on it, and make it better, and you won't go far wrong.

Rarely have I ever found someone who started out trying to improve themselves in implant dentistry and regretted what they'd done.

Good luck.

You'll definitely need it.

It's a quality roller coaster, but that's how the one should be, right?

It shouldn't just be flat, easy roads on cruise control.