I hear the question asked all the time, “What is the best dental implant to place for a general dentist”. I always see the question answered form a surgically driven response. Today I would like to take a wider look at the question and an even wider look at the answer.
A lot of what implant companies tell the clinicians and their marketing message is that their implants are superior and that once a clinician starts using their implants that to switch to a different Implant would be too difficult.
I would like to make the assumption that all implants made at a respectable manufacturing facility with a respectable process can and do work.
So why do Dentists choose a dental implant system to start with and satay with that company line. Most dentists choose implant systems based on where they received their training.
If the industry of labs, dentists, Educators, and manufactures are all using a couple of systems that have open connections and parts then this will create a network effect. It becomes easier and cheaper, and more useful to all parties to have industry standards so that processes and systems can become streamlined and universal.
I would also encourage dentists to look at who developed the system. Not all companies were built on the idea of general dentists training and using their products and continue to be dedicated to that idea and concept moving forward.
The final thing I would encourage dentist to look at while evaluating implant companies is: Are the implant companies that sell the systems private entities or publicly traded?
I recommend Dentists Choose their Implant systems based of multiple criteria:
My top Dental Implant companies based on this evaluation process in No particular order:
Today’s guest is Charles Schlesinger, DDS, FICOI. Charles is a dental implant practitioner and educator who has lectured domestically and internationally, and has been awarded as one of Dentistry Today’s Top Educators for several years running. He’s an expert in such topics as advanced restorative, implantology, and cadaver-based implant and grafting. When he’s not lecturing, he maintains a private practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Charles’ name has been showing up everywhere for me lately, and I’m delighted to have him on the show. He’ll share his story and talk about where he did his studies, as well as how he got to where he is today. Given his expertise in dentistry, you would think this was his lifelong passion, but in fact he took a winding route to get here. He worked in immunology research for a couple years, then transitioned into teaching high school biology, before finally moving into dentistry.
As you’ll hear today, Charles believes that every dentist is capable of placing implants if they really want to. If this is an area that interests you, he recommends finding a beginning course from an instructor you like to learn more about the area. If you don’t feel ready after the end of that course, you can build from there. Once you’ve gotten your feet wet and want to take the next steps, look into The CD Schlesinger Group to learn more.
If you’re further along in your career and ready for something new, you might want to get involved in teaching and education. As an expert in this himself, Charles offers several potential paths that someone at this stage could take. Tune into the episode to hear his recommendations! We’ll also chat about the importance of differentiating yourself and where Charles will be offering courses this year, and Charles will offer some closing words of encouragement.
Today’s Guest:
Charles Schlesinger, DDS on LinkedIn
In This Episode:
[01:13] - Charles takes a moment to share the story of how he got into dentistry, which wasn’t his original intended field of work.
[05:54] - We hear about Charles’ decision to branch out into his own practice, and how his career has progressed from there.
[10:13] - A lot of people can probably relate to Charles’ story and path, Philip points out.
[11:20] - One of the unique aspects of dentistry is that you have the ability to be a jack-of-all-trades but also pick and choose what you want to do, Charles explains.
[13:18] - For people who are early in their implant dentistry career, where could somewhere learn more about implants?
[20:02] - Philip seconds Charles’ recommendation to take a small course to see if implant dentistry is right for you.
[22:12] - Charles offers advice for someone who’s taken the first step and has placed a couple dozen implants and wants to go to the next level.
[29:40] - For someone who’s further along in their career and wants to look into getting involved with education, how could they get involved with that?
[38:04] - Philip recommends finding what you’re passionate about, documenting those cases, and telling a story.
[39:30] - Charles recommends finding something about what you do that differentiates you from everyone else.
[41:26] - Where will Charles be teaching various courses in 2019?
[45:17] - People can get in touch with Charles through his website, The CD Schlesinger Group.
Links and Resources:
Charles Schlesinger, DDS on LinkedIn