"Living in a Virtual World and Other Ramblings through a Cluttered Mind"
Steve Ratcliff, DDS, MS - Thursday, April 15, 2010
3 hours CE credit
Dr. Ratcliff is the Executive VP of Specialty Education at The Spear Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona where he helps specialists and their restorative colleagues embrace the gifts and challenges of interdisciplinary care. He has been in the private general practice for 30 years and for the last 15 years has focused his work on comprehensive adult restorative care. Although he was nicknamed “the claw” by several of his friends in dental school after almost failing basic dental techniques he has become regarded as one of the premier clinicians in the US. The former Chairman of Education at the Pankey Institute, Steve is passionate about helping dentists reach their preferred future. He is excited about the uses of photography to bring clinical examples to life, as well as how to use images for interdisciplinary discussion and patient understanding.
Course description: Virtual dentistry, what is it? We know about cadcam and milled copings and abutments; yet really it is much more! In a few short years our lab benches and dental laboratories will look like video gaming centers. Did you hate articulators in dental school; you may never need one again! What about digital impressions, do they work? Can we really eliminate all that goo we put in people’s mouths? Even if all this works, why should I change? Digital advances have opened up a whole new dimension in our dentistry and for the benefit of our patients. We can be more thorough and more accurate in our diagnoses and provide care that is more precise, easier to fabricate and deliver and ultimately takes less time and with less discomfort to our patients. Simply, we can’t afford to not stay current with technology!
We will explore:
The virtual articulator
How 3D cone beam technology is changing the way we practice
Treating the terminal dentition-virtually
Digital Impressions-beautiful dies
What do I need in my office?
5:30 PM Registration and Reception (complimentary beverages available)
6:00 PM Dinner
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Program
