Product Evaluation

PLANMECA

Planmeca Digital Academy

Planmeca FIT and Planmeca CBCT imaging customers receive world-class, hands-on training and education in a state-of-the-art facility

After taking a 2-day break from his dental practice, Dr. James Cahn returned feeling “much more comfortable” using his Planmeca CBCT for diagnostics and treatment planning, especially for guided implant surgery. Dr. Melanie Huckabee took the same 2-day trip and “felt comfortable returning to the office to start in-office crown fabrication” with her new intraoral scanner and milling machine.

So, where did Dr. Cahn and Dr. Huckabee go, and what made such a difference in their digital knowledge and confidence levels? The where is Chicago and the what is Planmeca Digital Academy, the company’s own state-of-the-art training and education center. Dentists who purchase the Planmeca FIT Complete CAD/CAM system or a Planmeca CBCT imaging system can partake in 2 days of hands-on training and lectures that teach the skills and knowledge they need to improve quality, workflow, and patient care.

Planmeca Digital Academy participants are taught the ins and outs of equipment, functionality, materials, and protocols by highly trained and experienced Planmeca instructors. For example, when learning about soft-tissue management for CAD/CAM success, Dr. Huckabee received helpful tips on picking up the tongue and cheeks during scanning. After taking a course on interpretation and implant workflow, Dr. Cahn learned to use his Planmeca CBCT for diagnostics and treatment planning and how to best integrate an efficient CAD/CAM workflow within his practice.

But the learning doesn’t stop there. What makes the Planmeca Digital Academy curriculum invaluable are its hands-on courses, where participants can scan, design, mill, and finish multiple restorations— and where Dr. Huckabee learned to use her newly purchased Emerald S scanner and PlanMill.

Course Content & Design

The core courses offered by Planmeca Digital Academy provide basic knowledge and, over time, lead to more advanced programs to increase a clinician’s technical knowledge and proficiency. For example, the Elements course teaches the basics to new Planmeca FIT users and provides CAD/CAM knowledge and training so clinicians can implement the complete digital workflow—from scanning, designing, and finishing, to learning about various milling materials. Clinicians also can opt for core CBCT courses that cover everything from CBCT basics and interpretation, to the implant workflow and orthodontic treatment planning.

After attending the academy, Dr. Grant Leishman was thrilled to learn an “in-depth and systematic way to interpret the CBCT and how to document it,” and Dr. Benjamin Rutherford called the digital scanning and milling “a great course” for improving team workflow. Pleased that “the course was handson and introduced relevant topics,” Dr. Gordon Ott suggested an additional day for first-time users with more individual instruction.

“It gave me the confidence to scan and mill crowns in my practice.”

- Gordon Ott, DMD Pittsburgh, PA

Quality of Instruction

Appreciating the small class size, Dr. Huckabee found the Planmeca instructors to be “very knowledgeable,” and Dr. Rutherford said, “The people were great” after attending the 2-day event with several of his staff members. For Dr. David Reznik, “the quality of the instructors and ability to reach all members of my staff” were the Academy’s most impressive features. Calling the instructors “well trained,” Dr. Ott suggested they “take more time to show us individually how to use the scanners.” After taking many online courses with Planmeca, Foteini Giannopoulou, a radiologist, says she has enjoyed meeting people through the courses and they keep each other informed of upcoming webinars.

Applying Knowledge in Practice

The real value of the Planmeca Digital Academy experience becomes apparent when clinicians take their new skills back to their practices. Dr. Leishman took the academy’s course on CBCT interpretation and digital implant planning and said he is now “more likely to recommend my CBCT for emergencies” and other indications. Similarly, Dr. Ott said the course “gave me confidence to scan and mill crowns in my practice.” Since attending several courses at the academy, Dr. Reznik noted, “We instituted new technologies to improve our practice and the training of our residents.” After taking a digital workflow course, Dr. Steven Spitz said he better understands the in-office design and printing process.

Once training at the Planmeca Digital Academy is complete, the education journey continues with advanced hands-on courses provided by Planmeca’s partner, The MOD Institute, where practitioners can learn advanced 3D imaging, scanning, milling, and 3D printing skills.

Overall Satisfaction

The Planmeca Digital Academy tuition includes 2 days of hands-on courses and CE credit hours. Each curriculum imparts the skills and knowledge needed to optimize team efficiency and increase production, revenue, and profits, while decreasing costs and inefficiencies. Dr. Reznik described the academy as an “excellent overall experience,” Dr. Ott praised the “good technology, well-trained instructors, and good accommodations,” and Dr. Cahn appreciated the “excellent instructors and good hands-on training in a beautiful facility.”

Takeaways

• Two-day curriculum provides comprehensive education and training on digital technologies
• Hands-on courses provide reallife experience for dentists to incorporate into practice
• Taught by knowledgeable and experienced Planmeca instructors
• Courses range from basic to advanced
• Tuition includes courses, lectures, and CE credit hours