Lynn D Carlisle DDS

In a move bound to shake up the relationship-based advanced CE community, the Pankey Institute and Seattle Study Club (SSC) announce in a April 30 press release an alliance.

Historically, the different advanced CE schools have been "Star Isolates" to use Joan Unterschuetz's apt description of CE schools. Star Isolates refers to the schools that form around "stars" like Pankey, Dawson, Spear, Christensen, Lee, Schuster and others.

These schools were separate kingdoms formed around the stars. This system had worked well, but was showing its age. Especially at the Pankey Institute.

Rumor had it that the Pankey Institute - and other Institutes - were struggling. The current economic climate heightened their struggles. Pankey recently had down-sized by letting three key full time faculty members go - Steve Ratcliff, Lee Ann Brady and Gary DeWood. (In ISOC, I had questioned the hiring of "outsider" Tony Trujillo and the dismissal of Ratcliff, Brady and DeWood.)

Pankey was in trouble. They were using alumni (private practitioners) as visiting faculty members to teach their courses and control their costs. Questions were being asked if this was diluting their course content. Was Pankey losing its way?

Aligns two of the best-known and admired brands in continuing dental education.

Now, the walls separating the kingdoms are crashing down. The Pankey Institute and Seattle Study Club have formed an alliance that on first glance is a win/win for both institutions, their students, alumni and dentistry.

This alliance significantly broadens both of their potential markets.

The Seattle Study Club aligns with the best known historic CE brand in dentistry. Pankey can be revitalized by its access to many more potential students and SSC's famous study clubs. SSC has access to the Pankey curriculum, facilities, philosophy and history.

Will the other "star isolate" schools follow in their footsteps and forge alliances?

What impact will this have in the relationship-based CE market?

Who made the first move? (It was brilliant) What role did Mike Cohen, Tony Trujillo and Irwin Becker play in forming this alliance? Dentistry usually does not make radical moves like this.

What role will Steve Ratcliff, Lee Ann Brady, and Gary DeWood and their affiliations with Frank Spear, The Scottsdale Center, and the SSC have in these new alliances?

Will Pankey and SSC make this work?

It will be interesting (and exciting) to see what happens.

As with all changes, there will be several challenges and iterations of this alliance as both parties cope with the results of this change and alignment.

My opinion? Relationship-based dentistry has needed this. It will be a good thing for all concerned - Pankey, SSC, relationship-based dentists, and dentistry. It may be the dawn of a more collaborative era in relationship-based dentistry. Ironic isn't it, that relationship-based dentistry needs more collaboration amoung its "stars"?

Stay tuned, we will see.

Here is the Pankey press release:

The Pankey Institute and Seattle Study Club Announce Alliance

Aligns two of the best-known and admired brands in continuing dental education

Key Biscayne, FL and Kirkland, WA - The Pankey Institute (www.pankey.org) and The Seattle Study Club (www.seattlestudyclub.com) today announce an alliance to support each other's missions and to advance the profession of dentistry. The alliance will build a new community of learning for clinical success as dentists and specialists collaboratively learn and grow together. The Seattle Study Club (SSC) will exclusively endorse and encourage its members to attend Pankey Institute courses. SSC will feature Pankey-produced articles and case studies in its journal and website. SSC will be the exclusive study club alliance partner for The Pankey Institute, which will introduce SSC to its constituents through its publications, website, and other communications. Pankey attendees will receive referrals to local SSC clubs and will be encouraged to join a local SSC club as part of their Pankey experience. Both entities are likely to collaborate on curriculum development for their respective programs.

"Our ultimate objective is to enable our members to develop the highest-level Interdisciplinary Comprehensive Care for their patients," says Dr. Michael Cohen, founder of The Seattle Study Club. "We have entered into this alliance because the local nature of the study clubs offers important mentoring opportunities for Pankey Institute students as they advance through the Pankey Institute curriculum. And, the Pankey curriculum offers real value-added benefits for teams of interdisciplinary professionals working together to achieve the best results for their patients," says Cohen.

According to Mr. Tony Trujillo, President and CEO of The Pankey Institute, "We are committed to providing our students with the best educational experience possible while at the Institute and when they return home, to their local Seattle Study Club. The Chairman of our Education Department, Dr. Irwin Becker, and I also believe strongly that providing SSC members with greater and on-going exposure to the Pankey Philosophy will be of great benefit to them personally and professionally. The Pankey Philosophy is congruent with the educational programs of the SSC and will be an important addition to the SSC curriculum."

Dr. Barry Segal, Chair of The Board of Directors of the Pankey Institute, says "We are very excited that this alliance will provide the dental profession with enhanced learning opportunities. SSC and Pankey, working together, will provide the dental profession with comprehensive learning both at home and at the Institute."

Founded in 1972, The Pankey Institute is a nonprofit organization in Key Biscayne, Florida that promotes optimal oral health care through advanced continuing education for dentists (www.pankey.org). It was the first institute of its kind and remains among the most prestigious, attracting dentists from 42 nations to its educational programs. It is estimated that over 20,000 dentists and specialists have attended its courses and now serve millions of patients worldwide.

Founded in 1992, the Seattle Study Club consists of over 225 active specialists across the United States, Canada and Australia, all with their own affiliated study clubs. These doctors, the 6,500 members of their clubs, and the 35,000 affiliated staff members, are dedicated to the advancement of team treatment planning and total case management as the ultimate tool for achieving ideal comprehensive dental care. They have also committed themselves to excellence in their profession, and in the management of their practice.