Dental study clubs may improve care quality, help build practices

Study clubs are a way dentists can continue education, network and share experiences with other dentists, according to the American Dental Association. They are often started by state and local dental societies.

The ADA highlighted three U.S. study clubs:

The Duluth (Minn.) Dental Forum has been around for 75 years and focuses on clinical topics, practice management, and sometimes even food and brewing.

"Unlike certain areas known mostly for a high level of competition, separatism and elitism, this district stands out for the shared respect between general dentists and specialists," Duane McDonald, DDS, told the ADA. "These relationships further enhance the level of care provided.”

Seattle Study Club has more than 250 clubs worldwide and can help build dental practices, Michael Cohen, DDS, founder and president of Seattle Study Club, told the ADA.

"What people were missing was the way to clinically interact," Dr. Cohen said. "[Study clubs] are a way to help someone become the complete clinician."

The Dawson Academy
"The mixture of types of practices and levels of experience encourage[s] a wide variety of topics and perspectives that benefit everyone attending," said Jeff Scott, DMD, clinical director of study clubs at St. Petersburg, Fla.-based Dawson Academy. "Most dentists struggle with the same issues — it is always reassuring that you are not the only one."

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