Since the moment I observed my first implant surgery I knew I wanted to learn as much as possible about all aspects of implant dentistry. Besides the two AEGD programs I attended at NYU and Columbia, here’s a list of continuing education programs I have participated in.

• Perio Institute: Dr. Jack Hahn. This is a two day introductory course. Great to get your feet wet and to get an idea of what lies ahead.
• Implant Seminars: Dr. Arun Garg. This is roughly a one year implant continuum which takes place in various USA cities.  You meet one week-end every month for nine months. I took mine at NYU. It was very comprehensive,informative, fun and the instructors were of high caliber yet very approachable.
• Hands-on implant placement and bone grafting: Dr. Arun Garg. A week-end course packed with practical guides in bone grafting. I recommend taking this course once you have placed implants although Dr. Garg doesn’t think it’s necessary. Either way definitely read his book: Bone Biology, Harvesting and Grafting for Dental implants: Rationale and Clinical Applications before attending the course. It will help demystify the bone jargon. The course has a cadaver portion where you pair up with someone of your own level and you get to place implants, do socket grafts, lateral window sinus lifts and chin blocks. They show you how to use PRP to repair sinus perforations and there is a separate workshop on using a piezotome. .
• 1st International Congress on 3-D Dental imaging:  This was by far one of the most exciting conferences I’ve been to. The possibilities that open up to you when you use cone scan technology to help you treatment plan and place implants are vast. Although this conference will not teach you how to use conescans and the software linked to them, it will definitely let you know what’s out there in the 3 D world and get you very excited about using this technology.
• International Congress of Oral Implantologists & New York Univeristy Implant Dentistry Symposium: You get great authorities on implant dentistry from around the world talking about the latest techniques and technologies. Last year I was fortunate to hear Dr. Lindhe lecture on the biology of socket healing. Dr. Francesco Amato also spoke about the orthodontic alternative to surgical implant site development. Basically you use orthodontic extrusion to develop the gingiva in an anterior area before placing the implant. Very cool!
• New York University Implantology: Surgical and Prosthetic Treatment (click on the Current Course Catalog and scroll down to page 32). This is an advanced implant course directed specifically to general dentists who desire a surgical and prosthetic training in the latest aspects of implant dentistry.

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