Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

Do you have an opinion or some- thing to say on any Dental Tribune UK article? Or would you like to write your own opinion for our guest comment page? If so don’t hesitate to write to: The Editor, Dental Tribune UK Ltd, 4th Floor, Treasure House, 19-21 Hatton Garden, London, EC1 8BA Or email: lisa@dentaltribuneuk.com Editorial comment A n interest- ing piece of research has been published by the British Dental Trade Association (BDTA), looking at how dental practices are adopting new tech- nologies within their surgeries. The topics looked at included the adoption of computers and their use within the practice, imag- ing software and the move to dig- ital and the influencing factors for product choices (good to see that editorial review is holding steady or I could be out of a job!). The main topic of interest for me however, is the increas- ing acceptance of online educa- tion for dental professionals look- ing for options for CPD. Sixty per cent of respondents to the sur- vey said that they were planning to participate in online training in 2011. Forty-three per cent state that they are looking to increase their online training provision; a further 45 per cent will maintain their online training at its current level. These are by no means fig- ures to be sneezed at. With the emphasis on quality and value for money these days, the conven- ience of webinars, online courses varying from short courses to full MSc degree programs, the ability to complete and store your core CPD remotely and securely and the ability to train not just yourself but the whole of your team using the power of the practice computer is a big advantage for hard-pressed principals and practice managers. This is also good news for pro- viders of online educations such as Smile-on Ltd. Subjects for this type of training also provided some interesting reading. Restora- tive topped the charts by a long way, with aesthetics/cosmet- ics second and endo third. I am a big believer in online training; having watched webinars from both sides of the fence and seen the interactivity and knowl- edge used and gained by both lecturers and delegates. Distance learning is not new, but the level of interactivity and connectivity that online education can now give to students of all levels cannot be underesti- mated. Online learning – it’s the future, and it’s here. DT Online training – the future ‘I am a big believer in online training’ Online training is the future 3NewsFebruary 7-13, 2011United Kingdom Edition