Many have talked about the requirements of being a dentist in Australia, so this time we will tell you something more real and that is what lifelong learning actually looks like after being a dentist.
Not long ago, I flew to Sydney just to attend a course by an Italian professor on 3D applications in full-mouth implants. Three days, over AUD $2.5k and that’s not counting flights, accommodation, or the income lost from not working those days. Expensive? Definitely. And the thing is, you usually pay for this yourself. No one reimburses you. Some colleagues go even further, they will flying to the US or Europe for courses.
A lot of people assume that once you graduate and get registered, you’re set. In Australia, there’s a rule every three years, you must complete 60 hours of continuing professional development (CPD).
What that really means is you have to keep studying every year, learning new techniques, updating your knowledge or otherwise you’re considered not up to standard, and you could even risk your license.
You might ask, is it really necessary? It is.
This field moves fast. Back then, taking impressions and using traditional X-rays was enough. Now? We have Intraoral scanners, 3D-guided implant surgery, digital treatment planning, everything is evolving. Materials are changing, technology is changing, and even AI is entering the space. If you don’t keep up, you fall behind. Quickly.
Thankfully, dental schools across Australia offer dental CPD courses, seminars, and short programs throughout the year, which at least help those of us trying to keep up. But if you want to specialise, orthodontics, implants, paediatric dentistry, it never really ends.
So yes, dentists earn well, but at the same time you do need to invest in ongoing education and development.
Author: Sim K
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