Flexibility has always been a crucial element in our lives, but with the fast pace and alert rhythm our world has experienced in the past few years, flexibility has reached new cotes and is now an essential element when it comes to studying and teaching. If you’re a post-graduate student eager to learn more or a practitioner who’s finding it difficult to manage work time, personal time and professional time, then you should look for an online dentistry course. Postgraduate dental courses are specifically designed to meet the needs of professionals in the field, which is why you can often times take such classes fully online.
The topic of human health and online classes tends to raise a few eyebrows when presented, which may deter many individuals interested in advancing their skills from taking on this opportunity. If you were thinking of expanding your knowledge but you know you don’t have the time to invest in on-site courses, then this article is for you. We are going to answer and de-bunk some of the most commonly asked questions about postgraduate dental courses.
Question No. 1: What Kind of a Dentistry Course Can I Take Online?
An online dentistry course is targeted towards postgraduate students or professionals and it is designed to cover specific topics, which aim to develop specific skills. This is one of the reasons why these courses are very niche. However, that is a good thing when it comes to classes in general, because it reflects dedication, precision and excellence.
When searching for postgraduate dental courses, the most common specialties you will find online are:
- Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics
- Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry
- Dental Implantology & Oral Surgery
- 2D Radiography and Interpetation
In addition to this, you can sometimes find other specialties that revolve around the topic of dentistry but are not entirely related to the field.
Question no. 2: Are Postgraduate Dental Courses Accredited?
Yes, most of them are and determining whether or not they are should not be a difficult task. If an institution is bring forward postgraduate dental courses, they will mention if they are accredited and you should not have to look for too long to determine that information.
One of the easiest ways to look for accreditation is to search for EduQual’s recognition. EduQual is a globally recognized UK qualifications regulator, with multiple levels of accreditation. In what regards the diploma issued upon completion, you should inquire whether or not it is recognized by SQA Accreditation, a globally-recognised qualifications regulator in the UK.
Question no. 3: Who Are These Courses Designed For?
Just as the name implies, postgraduate courses are designed for students who have completed tertiary education and are looking to expend their knowledge and expertise. These courses are designed for qualified dentists who are eager to enhance their clinical skills while practicing.
Question no. 4: Can I study fully online or should I expect offline participation also?
Because they advertise themselves as online postgraduate dental courses, the attendance is expected to be fully online. Certain course institutions might have a module or two requiring off-line participation, but that should be clearly stipulated and the dates communicated ahead of time.
Normally, an online course is entirely online. It is not common for institutions to offer live events or offer participation to various conferences on the topic of the course, but that comes in addition to the class and mandatory physical presence is not expected. Course diploma should be granted even if off-line events and workshops are not attended.
Question no. 5: Does an Online Dentistry Course Offer Live Sessions?
Depending on the institution that provides you with the dentistry course, you might be entitled to live sessions. These live sessions are usually carried out online and, in care you might not be able to attend them at a certain time, most of the institutions will offer recordings of the sessions so that students can revisit them at any time and experience the event even if they missed it.
If a potential institution is carrying out live sessions, you should make attending them a priority, as they often feature appearances from important gusts, the event offers you the possibility to ask questions and interact with the professor and with the community and represent a great opportunity to grow your network and gain new skills.
Bonus Question: Do I Get a Diploma at the End of the Course?
Yes, it is normal that you get a diploma at the end of any dentistry course that you take, regardless of them being online or offline. It would be best that you inquire with the potential institution ahead of time whether or not they offer any form of certification, so that you avoid spending time and financial resources on something that does not grant you the recognition that you need.
If your institution offers you a UK Level 7 diploma, that showcases excellence and is both recognized and respected globally, therefore the completion of such a program will not only expand your skills and knowledge but it will also enhance your CV and credibility as a practitioner.
Bottom Line: Are These Courses Worth It?
If you’re asking from a financial perspective, the answer is most definitely yes, but even if you’re asking from a practical stand-point, the answer is also yes. A dentistry course offers you the information, the knowledge, the skill and the insight you need to advance your practice, without interfering with your current practice or with your lifestyle.
By cutting on the costs of commute and on the times spent on route, you win valuable time that you can invest in self-study or self-care. Online course have brought something that we as a humanity considered to be impossible prior to the 2020 pandemic, and that is the possibility to study online.
Considering the advanced state of being our world experiences, it was only a matter of time before a dentistry course and postgraduate dental courses would reach the online dimensions and allow practitioners from all over the world to develop their skills from inside the very same office the practice in.