I was struggling with endodontics in my daily practice, getting suboptimal results and I really needed to find a way to achieve better outcomes for my patients. I mentioned this to some dental friends and the simplyendo® teaching programmes came highly recommended, so I decided to investigate their offering a little further.
In addition to the trusted recommendation, the locality and price associated with the simplyendo® courses were also an attractive draw for me and make it a good, cost-effective option. I found that many endo courses were based in London, which would have meant I needed to factor in travel and inflated hotel costs. However, simply® being situated near Liverpool suited my needs far better and really helped to reduce the overall cost of the training I needed.
I’m glad I found simplyendo® and took the plunge to carry out my learning with them. One of the best aspects was the ability to speak to other clinicians, not just about endo but all aspects of dentistry – I don’t get that in my day-to-day practice. The relaxed environment that the team have created make it a really nice way to learn – we would chat about dentistry and have a little grumble and moan together while learning a new skill!
A different mindset
My enhanced endodontics skills have really benefitted me in numerous ways. I have now got myself into the mindset of keeping up to date with evidence-based work, so my learning hasn’t stopped in the classroom. The biggest change must be my confidence in my restorative work, it’s at another level now. I have less self-doubt now because I have the knowledge and skill set to overcome problems that I may encounter. This has made me far less stressed when I go to work as I know I can save most teeth, which is a great feeling.
In addition, I have noticed a new level of respect from my peers now that I have my post graduate education. Not all dentists go on to undertake this level of learning, so it shows a commitment to improving both yourself and the patient experience. This helps to boost referrals and, of course, this all leads to an increase in earnings.
No sacrifices
If endo is an area you struggle with you will absolutely benefit from a course with simplyendo®. There are other courses out there that are perhaps more patient-based, but this is brilliant for those who have a family and a job as you can fit your learning around everything else. It doesn’t feel like you need to make a big sacrifice to achieve your post-graduate training, there is less impact on real life, which was key for me. Formby itself is lovely and it always felt like a nice break away. The hotels in the area aren’t expensive so I would go the night before from York and make the most of it.
Overall, I feel that my training with simplyendo® has provided me with a good return on investment. The courses are accredited and delivered in a relaxed environment by friendly teachers who are always quick to help with questions. The staff are approachable and efficient, I can’t fault anything. If you are considering taking a course with simplyendo®, just do it!
I have always had a special interest in endodontics and have been planning to do an Endodontics Masters course for around 10 years. I’m based in Dublin, Ireland, and unfortunately there are no such courses available here, so I started to check out training opportunities in the UK. However, I found only full- or part-time courses and as a working dentist with a small child it was not an option for me to move to the UK or to travel a lot.
I almost gave up on my plans to study, but one of my colleagues knew an endodontist who had done the simplyendo® course and he said that it is available online as well. I got in touch with the endodontist, who was very happy with his experience with simplyendo® and encouraged me to get in touch with them.
A reassuring environment
I emailed Julie at simplyendo®, who replied immediately. She was - and has always been - very nice and helpful. In fact, the entire team are extremely supportive, from the sales to all the tutors, it is very easy to deal with them.
I was so pleased to have found a course that I can do online. I only have to travel once or twice a year for 1-2 days, so I can continue working and looking after my child without any major interruptions.
The course itself is very interactive and formal. I find it great that I can ask any kind of question, whether its theoretical or about an exact case, and there is always an answer and help available. The simplyendo® Forum (on the website and on the app) is really useful, as I can discuss cases with the tutors and colleagues and I receive feedback that directly helps my work. If I don’t want to share a case with everybody, I can ask for support via private email. It is very helpful to have both options available and I always receive an answer very quickly.
Enhanced confidence
I now feel much more confident in case selection and diagnosis, which is an essential starting point for a successful outcome. I also learnt a few tips and tricks for approaching canals with difficult anatomy and I find this extremely useful in my daily practice. I am much more confident in talking to patients about root canal treatment, explaining the possible difficulties and the chances of a good long-term result.
I would highly recommend the simplyendo® course to anyone who wants to improve their endo skills. It is great for those who want to become familiar with different types of rotary instruments, root canal preparation techniques and root canal filling techniques, that can make root canal treatments much more relaxed and predictable for general dentists. There is also an opportunity to learn the latest ESE guidelines and up-to-date endodontic and post-endodontic restorative treatment methods, including trauma management. The 10-day course is a very good introduction to the masters programme.
Whatever your goals are, whether you want to improve your endo skills as a general dentist or you want to continue on to further studies, the simplyendo® offering it is great as they offer a certificate, diploma and MSc in Endodontology.
I had been putting off pushing for that next level of knowledge… there’s always a reason not to follow what your head is telling you, whether it’s time, money, or simply questioning ‘why bother?’. However, I was training undergraduates and I didn’t want my time and practice-based knowledge to be outdated, or, worse still, proven poor practice in this ever-changing field.
I like saving teeth, which is why I’ve always found endodontics fascinating; it’s challenging but interesting. It’s something that I’ve always liked to take more time over, do well and try to develop my skills.
Fri, Oct 23, 2020
Please see below an email received from Paul Dummer, President of the European Society of Endodontology regarding an education patient video on the role of Vital Pulp Treatment.
Best wishes,
Mike
A new ESE video on Vital Pulp Treatment has just been launched on the ESE channel within YouTube. The video has English subtitles (text) and an English voice-over.
The video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_W4F7AcsNZ0&t=29s
Please make use of the video – which is designed for patients to understand better the scope of vital pulp treatment. National endodontic societies have the opportunity of asking the ESE to customise the video into any language to include the subtitles as well as the voice-over. Please contact your society directly if you would like to have a customised version rather than the one in English.
Best wishes
Paul
PS The ESE is developing a range of other videos, each addressing a specific topic within Endodontics, and each will be able to be customised for national endodontic societies.
Professor Paul Dummer
President: European Society of Endodontology
[email protected]
Please see below for some feedback from a simplyendo member who attended our Formby teaching college on 14/15 October.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed the simplyendo programme. This endodontic course has improved my knowledge, technical skill level and day-to-day clinical problem solving. It is a great community to be a part of to discuss clinical cases and clinical challenges. The course is focused on improving each individual student and the hands-on sessions allow for great practice with excellent feedback. The course is extremely accommodating and has implemented excellent safety provisions during the challenging period of time of Covid-19. Remote online learning and reduced group sizes with clear safety protocols at Formby ensured a safe space to continue learning. I highly recommend the simplyendo
programme" D.C.
Formby and its famous red squirrels!
Gerald O’Connor shares how his experience at simplyendo has allowed him to reach his professional goals
In 2013, I was working as a GDP in the UK when I decided to return to Ireland with my family. I took a hiatus for two years before setting up my new practice and, once I did, I realised I wanted to make my clinical practice more niche.
Why endo?
By David Baker
I’m often asked by other dentists why I chose to do further studying in endodontics.
Louise Crompton shares how she helps students to navigate the challenges of an MSc
While embarking on an MSc is an exciting time, it can also be quite daunting, especially for those who have never undertaken a postgraduate certificate. Here at simplyendo we are dedicated to providing a high level of teaching to ensure you get the most out of your Masters degree in Endodontology, which is why we don’t just stop at the endo side of things.
I live and work on the Isle of Man at the Tracey Bell Dental and Aesthetic Clinic, and we have an excellent visiting endodontist who has been treating our patients. However, he recently decided to cut down his hours and, although we have five dentists working at our practice, we all cover quite specific areas of dentistry. The thing is, I hated endo but I realised that I needed to become better at it in order to fill the gap and provide our patients with the service they need.
Simplyendo is simply the best!
As a dental professional there are many areas that you will face on a day-to-day basis. From general dentistry such as check ups and fillings, to cosmetic treatments like whitening and bonding, through to perio and endo surgeries that are rather more involved. It is natural for each individual to enjoy carrying out some treatments more than others, and to feel less confident in some areas.
If you are considering furthering your dental skillset, knowing which direction to turn your attentions to can often feel overwhelming. Dental professionals are extremely lucky to have a wealth of options open to them – from dental implants to facial aesthetics and everything in between – but inevitably all courses will cost you both time and money, so it is essential to choose wisely.
Mike Turner, tutor at simplyendo, shares what endodontics has brought to his life...
I started studying dentistry at the University of Liverpool in 1995 and graduated with my BDS in 2000. From there, I worked as an associate in general dental practice for a few years across Birkenhead before moving to Newcastle, then Northumberland, and then Hartlepool. It was around this time that I decided to concentrate my career in a narrower field.
"The clarity of what needs to be done at each stage and the easy accessibility of information and resources really is amazing.
I'm just working on improving my utilisation of the simplyendo website to answer any questions I have and the support you offer really is second to none. I can't imagine the time and effort you have to invest!
The more I think about how I approached dental treatment after dental school and the way I am doing it now the more I realise it has all been a journey, a journey that continues.
My journey from simplyendo to Endo Reality.........
I signed up to do the 10 day course with simplyendo in 2012 on the recommendation of a good friend in the endodontic world. I only intended to do the 10 day course and now three years later here I am with an MSc in Endodontics and a company producing endodontic training teeth!
