Invisalign Discontinues 10 Hour Continuing Education Requirement

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Are you one of the many dentists put off by Invisalign’s case submission quota and continuing education rules last year? Good news. Align Technology, Inc, the maker of the popular clear braces system Invisalign, has removed the quota from its requirements.

You might remember when Dentalblogs.com blogged about the unpopular rule change back in June of 2009. Since then, many dentists have voiced their opposition, and the AGD gave its members the ability to share their concerns directly with the president of Align Technology, Inc. A total of 1500 phone calls were made, and let’s just say they weren’t congratulatory in nature.

In response, Invisalign removed the 10 case quota from their requirements, leaving the 10 CE hours as a baseline for active accounts with Align Technology, Inc. Are you thinking that still wasn’t enough? You’re not alone; and finally, Align Technology, Inc. has seen the light.

Clearing the Air
In a recent press release, Align Technology, Inc. announced it’s no longer requiring 10 hours of continuing education courses as criteria for the Advantage Program or the Invisalign.com Find a Doctor feature. They will continue to offer elective courses and encourage dentists to hone their clinical skills through their CE programs. Citing the loyalty and trust of dentists as most important to them, the press release had this to say:

“While most clinicians believe that our training has been extremely valuable in helping to improve their clinical skills, doctors have told us that they want to make their own decisions on how much and what type of continuing education is right for them.  We know that the best way to meet this need is to continue to create excellent continuing education programs, when you want and where you want.

We will continue to improve our award-winning CE, and provide a wide variety of courses that offer CE hours, including 200+ hours of free online training and 100+ live courses each year.”

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Day 4 in Haiti: Providing Oral Care Education

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Last week, a team of five volunteers from Aspen Dental provided free oral care in Haiti. Here’s a post from dental hygienist Marissa Leach, RDH about her experience:

As we continue to work from the clinic in Jacmel, Haitians have shown up by the hundreds. It’s clear that the lack of oral care and oral health education is truly a crisis here.

To make sure every Haitian coming into the clinic is educated on best practices for oral care, we have provided toothbrushes and floss, and give mini-tutorials (through interpreters) on how to use them properly and often. They listen attentively and have shown appreciation for the care they have received.

Day-by-day, the line of people desiring care has grown longer. This small town works primarily on word of mouth, and if the first half of the week is any indication, we still have hundreds of additional residents to see before our trip concludes.

We have been providing care non-stop. The families in and around the Jacmel area are still recovering from the affects of the 2010 earthquake. Roads are blocked, and housing and basic living conditions are still dire. We are touched by the resilience of this community, and could not be more proud to be able to provide a true enhancement in the overall quality of life to the people here.

© 2012, Amanda H.. All rights reserved.

Day 3 in Haiti: Oral Care Education Falls Through the Cracks

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

This week, a team of five professionals from Aspen Dental — three dentists and two hygienists — are travelling Haiti on a one week health care mission. In the town of Jacmel, Haiti, the Aspen team has set up in a cinder block clinic and is providing vital oral care amidst a shortage of water and an unstable power supply.

Here is a post from Marilyn Bartley, RDH, Dental Hygienist at the Aspen Dental practice in Norwalk, CT about her experience.

As dentists and hygienists, we often take for granted that the patients we serve have access to dental care. Every day in my office in Norwalk, CT, I have the opportunity to educate patients on the importance of good oral health. The people we’re serving here in Haiti have no such luxury.

Your dental health is the gateway to your body’s health, and research has linked poor oral health to other serious health infections.

In Haiti, patients suffering from sharp pain in mouth are coming to us at the clinic. Many don’t have the oral hygiene knowledge to properly take care of their teeth and gums – knowledge that is second-nature for hygienists like me, or for those who regularly visit their dentist. Tooth decay and fragile teeth are a common sight this week at the clinic in Jacmel.

Haiti is the poorest country in the world that isn’t located in Africa; it is on the list of “least developed countries” according to the United Nations. Haitians across the island on average live on less than $2 a day, which includes the cost for a home.

Providing oral care is vital to the health of the people we’re seeing here. Without the proper oral care, Haitians don’t just suffer from excruciating pain, but risk their overall health, too.

Check back for more update from Haiti throughout the week.

© 2012, Amanda H.. All rights reserved.