441: How Technology is Influencing Dental Education - Dr. Gerard Kugel - a podcast by ACT Dental

How Technology is Influencing Dental Education

Episode #441 with Dr. Gerard Kugel

Now is an exciting time for dentistry. Things are becoming easier, faster, and more accurate, opening up new possibilities. But as much as we talk about technology, dental education has been behind. So, where is the big technology push? To explore that question, Kirk Behrendt brings in Dr. Gerard Kugel to explain the technology lag, its causes, and how we can work to move things forward. Embrace technology, no matter your age! To learn why and how, listen to Episode 441 of The Best Practices Show!

Main Takeaways:

Don't be the first or last to experiment.

Technology will always come and go.

There is no must-have product.

Always embrace technology.

Never stop learning.

Quotes:

“I think dental education has been a little bit behind. And why do you think they're behind? What's one major reason we don't see the big technology push in dental schools? Expense. It’s expensive. Technology is costly. In my private practice, different story. You're at a school that's got 200 kids, 150 kids, it’s expensive. And secondly, your faculty, which sounds funny. You’ve got an older faculty who haven't embraced technology. So, I think technology in dental education has always lagged a little behind.” (5:10—5:41)

“Even though technology, we talk about it, it still hasn’t been totally incorporated into the dental community the way you would think.” (6:20—6:28)

“Five days a week doesn't mean you're a better dentist. What means you're a better dentist is you take the care, you learn, you read, you practice, you're humble, and you know that you can improve. I tell dental students I learn every day. It doesn't matter how many years I've had under my belt in dentistry. I learn. That's why I embrace technology at my age.” (8:20—8:39)

“Even a technology that we take for granted today, which is bonding to dentin, posterior composites, there was a time when that was very controversial. And I lived through those battles.” (12:03—12:14)

“The guy or gal who gets up and says, ‘This is the must-have product,’ I get that all the time, no, there is no must-have. I could hand you five different composites, and you would be fine with those.” (13:30—13:41)

“I always say don't be the first on the block, don't be the last on the block. Do a little homework. Listen a little bit.” (14:33—14:40)

“Anybody who says digital scanning is not accurate — it’s easier, it’s accurate.” (27:32—27:36)

“We are going digital. Most schools are because it’s the way to go. And I'm not telling you — I can do a great job with a polyvinyl siloxane impression. They do a great job. But in this day and age, if they're sitting in front of you and you've got impression material and you've got a scanner, if you don't grab that scanner, then you're just living in the Dark Ages. You've got your head in the sand. My patients love — they think you're a better dentist, even if you're not, because you're [using] digital.” (28:35—29:06)

“Get into a good situation at a good practice. Never stop learning. Find some good educators that are not bought and sold by corporations that you can latch on to.” (30:42—30:57)

“One of the regrets I always have is, I restored implants since the ‘80s. I'd never placed implants. Be well-trained. Placing single-tooth implants with a surgical guide is not that complicated.” (31:33—31:44)

“I tell students all the time, it’s not the dentistry; it’s the person behind the teeth that is often the issue.” (33:43—33:49)

“If you've got a patient that you really don't feel comfortable working on, be careful. Because all that money means nothing if you're miserable. What does it take to make you miserable as a dentist? How many miserable patients to make you miserable? One. You need that one...

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