Never Stop Learning

On a website dedicated to self-improvement there is an article that states 42% of all college graduates never read another book again. Huh?! While that sobering statistic is hard to believe—and I realize you can’t trust everything you read on the Internet—the article goes on to explain how as children we soak up learning like a sponge—but then, at some point, we just stop.

One reason for my involvement with Compendium is to make a difference in our profession by advancing this publication’s mission started some 36 years ago: to improve dental health by presenting sound evidence in a well-reasoned, rational context. Dental education is our priority, and among our goals is to help practitioners never stop learning.

As such, this month we feature a CE article in which the authors draw on lessons they have learned regarding complex implant rehabilitation. Using actual case examples, they show and discuss staged-approach treatment planning and how to overcome the all-too-common problem of gingival recession around implants. Our other CE focuses on a study regarding patient adaptation to new dentures. It discusses the impact dentures have on the stomatognathic system, and addresses the question of how long patients should consider before opting for dental implant treatment.

One area where it seems we can never learn enough is in anterior tooth replacement, where using a dental implant has long been a clinical challenge. We’ve learned that implant abutments are crucial to success. In a case presentation, a procedure is described for providing a lithium-disilicate “hybrid” abutment to achieve esthetic restorations that potentially offer significant advantages over traditional options.

This issue also highlights two key research topics, one being the highly relevant subject of light-curing of composite restorations. The comparative study discusses optimal technique, light energy, and key factors such as restoration location. The other research report is on dental unit waterline contamination. It is timely in that updated CDC guidelines for infection control in dentistry are expected to be released in 2015.

So, keep reading. In fact, make learning a life-long endeavor.

Sincerely,

Louis F. Rose, DDS, MD
Editor-In-Chief
lrose@aegiscomm.com