Lynn D Carlisle, DDS, August 24, 2007

I once figured that I had spent over one million dollars in time, money and energy on continuing education. Out of all the courses, meetings, Institutes, and Centers I have attended, my dental study group has been the best way to learn. Why? I think it is because of the learning community my study group and I have created over the last 30 years.

My dental study group just finished its annual retreat. It was our 30th. For me, it has been the best way for me to learn.

I once figured that I had spent over one million dollars in time, money and energy on continuing education. Out of all the courses, meetings, Institutes, and Centers I have attended, my dental study group has been the best continuous way to learn.

Why? I think it is because of the learning community my study group and I have created over the last 30 years.

Why? I think it is because of the learning community my study group and I have created over the last 30 years. It is a way we can help each other apply what we have all learned at the courses, meetings, Institutes and Centers we have attended. We challenge, help and hold each other responsible to learn, grow and change.

We help each other in good times and bad.

We went beyond the boundaries of dentistry as we learned to trust each other. We dropped our facades and shared our hopes, dreams, accomplishments, fears and discouragements in our personal and professional lives. We came to love each other.

Each of us has unique strengths and weaknesses that match very well. Some of us excel in technique, or business, or behavior, or systems, or materials, or management, or investments, or planning or ---. When one of us is stuck, we can call up our group expert and he will help us get unstuck.

We do our best to help each other do their best.

We also have a hell of a lot of fun, razz each other unmercifully, and have many wonderful stories to tell about our time together. "Remember the time that we ___________."

Here is a quote from "The Spirituality of Imperfection" by Kurtz and Ketcham that captures the spirit of this kind of learning community. "In such company, one is likely to find friends who are also guides: wise women and men who listen well, who offer advice and support, who help us to clarify our questions, to recognize our options and to make our choices, and who seek and find in us the same realities."

If you are not a member of a dental study group, I suggest that you start one. It can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. The applications are endless.

If you are a member, share your stories of what works and what hasn't worked in your study group in the discussion forum. Discussion Forum

For more information on how to form a dental study group, click on: How to form a dental study group - the best way to learn.

Related Articles

·  L.D. Pankey, DDS on dentistry as a people business ·  The characteristics of a helping relationship ·  A master psychologist looks at educational principles you can use in your dental practice today. ·  Money, mentors, practice management, following your bliss, patient relationships; Gerry LeDoux, DDS shares insights on the importance of these factors in your dental practice. ·  Where are the leaders in dentistry today? - Part I ·  How to form a dental study group - the best way to learn.