DTUK1510

June 7-13, 2010United Kingdom Edition O ne of the fundamental concepts in dental under- graduate training is be- ing able to understand the anato- my of the face, head and neck – a skill that is directly transferable to the facial aesthetics industry. Understanding the muscles of facial expression and the distrib- ution of nerves and blood ves- sels, and being able to relate this to treatments is key to being able to correctly deliver treat- ment, and carry out procedures in a reproducible, effective and painless manner. Improving skills As with all new skills, confi- dence in this field is only ac- quired with practice. These are not skills that can be learnt from a textbook, and hands-on experi- ence is the best way to learn. My training ethos is “tell-show-do”, and in the courses that I run, I encourage students to first learn the basics of a procedure, before watching me carry out a series of live procedures they can in- teract with, and ask questions about. I then encourage them to get as hands-on as possible as soon as they feel ready. There is no substitution to hands-on training, but it is vital it is supervised by an experi- enced professional. I am keen to offer “beginner” and “advanced” modules as I believe this is the best route to take, as the learning experience cannot be rushed, no matter how skilled a practitioner you are. It would be foolhardy to expect to be able to inject deli- cate and complicated areas of the face after just one day’s train- ing – after all, not many den- tists would have been able to perform a complicated root ca- nal procedure after just one day at dental school! Making progress Advances in medical science are helping to keep moving the fa- cial aesthetic industry forward, with new products, techniques and methods becoming avail- able all the time, therefore, once qualified it is important not to become complacent. It is vital to maintain an active interest in the industry, and ensure that all practitioners attend regular re- fresher courses. It is crucial to keep on top of the ever-changing trends within this fast-paced in- dustry, as well as being confident with new, updated techniques. As well as ensuring that medical employees are kept updated, it is essential to also make sure that all practice staff are well versed in the aesthetic procedures and fully understand the options available. Many po- tential patients are first likely to have an initial con- versation with the reception team be- fore speaking with the practitioner, and some patients prefer to air any concerns they have with them. If the whole team are able to answer questions confident- ly, and allay fears, the patient is likely to feel more com- fortable and relaxed about the proce- dure, and indeed the whole experience. As with every medical procedure, it is unlikely that every case will be the same. Learning how to deal with any complications that arise, or difficult cases, is key to gaining confidence – however this is a skill that is ultimately learnt through experience. I of- fer a mentoring system for my students, so if they ever experi- ence any doubt, or feel that they would benefit from a little extra advice when planning a treat- ment, I am on hand to answer any questions. Confidence and competence The most important thing to consider before getting started in the facial aesthetics industry, however, is the enthusiasm re- quired to be able to offer the best treatment. Although all treat- ments are entered into volun- tarily, remember that the pat- ient is putting their face in the hands of the practitioner, and therefore requires that person to be completely confident and competent, in order to ensure that they walk out of the surgery with a smile. DT Practice makes perfect Dentists are by far the easiest healthcare profes- sionals to train in the area of facial aesthetics, but as with all medical procedures, further train- ing and education in the field is a must, insists Dr Bob Khanna About the author Dr Bob Khanna is widely regard- ed as one of the world’s leading exemplars of den- tistry and facial aesthetics. Presi- dent and founder of non-profit or- ganisation The In- ternational Acad- emy for Advanced Facial Aesthetics (IAAFA), Dr Khanna heads the only UK organisation to combine medical and dental professionals. He is the ap- pointed clinical tutor in facial aesthet- ics at the Royal College of Surgeons and has trained thousands of dentists and doctors through the Dr Bob Khan- na Training Institute. Further training is a must when considering offering facial aesthetics at your practice ‘There is no substitution to hands-on training, but it is vital it is supervised by an experienced professional’