Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

Enrol today! Call for details Limited places available! TR213860 213860_BDJ_Nobel 8/2/12 13:10 Page 1 Ken Harris takes the first steps towards gaining an MSc 7Msc BlogMay 21-27, 2012United Kingdom EditionUnited Kingdom Edition A long with the news of my upcoming 30-year reunion came the re- alisation that I am actually in the twilight of my career, much to my children’s glee, and their regular quips about my advancing years (and re- ceding hairline) seem all the more appropriate these days. Should I go gently into that good night or should I try to raise the enthusiasm to rage a little more against the dying of the light? One thing I’ve learned af- ter 30 years in dentistry is eve- ryone’s an expert. The advent of the evidence-based dentist- ry movement, possibly driven by government and perhaps fuelled by dry-fingered aca- demics (OK, I’m prepared to concede moist) has often been given short shrift by the army of general practitioners such as myself who is working in the ultimate “in vivo” labora- tory. After all, we’ve all been there and done that, even if for many of us the T-shirt no longer fits. It is a truth universally ac- knowledged (at least by wet fingered dentists) that an aca- demic dental colleague in pos- session of a “learned” opinion must be in need of a soap box. Equally, when the strident views of general dentists, of- ten determined by hard-won personal experience in years of practice, are voiced (who mentioned soap box?) the cry of “show me the evidence” is equally valid when our aca- demic colleagues choose to cross swords with us. I have always been suspi- cious of dogma from either side and have an infinite ca- pacity for doubt; I blame my Irish-Catholic Liverpool back- ground, but my long-suffering family just call me a grumpy old man. However, I’m still passionate about my pro- fession, and I’m always look- ing for new knowledge I can use. But who can we trust? I was once told the half-life of a dental fact is five years, and how many of these dental facts are driven by commer- cial interests? I’m currently on holiday, and when I boarded the plane I was bombarded by posters from a well-known high street bank, (and we think we have an image problem) urging the public to consider the world of opportunity out there. Us- ing an example about Holland exports (although I’m lost as to what relevance the fact that Holland exports more soy sauce than Japan has), one piece of advice caught my eye. Tucked away at the bottom of the poster was the suggestion that we need to invest in edu- cation in order to be ready for the new opportunities coming our way. Hmmmmm… Hallowed path My academic career was stopped in its tracks back in 1982 when my application for a house job at Newcas- tle Dental Hospital was un- ceremoniously rejected, and I went straight into practice instead. There was no voca- tional training in those days. I had given up any thoughts I would ever tread the hallowed academic path when I discov- ered a whole load of “interest- ing” stuff on the internet and it seemed that post gradu- ate education was available online. I have never seen the attractions of technology for technology’s sake, pre- ferring the more intellectual pursuits of a good book or a stimulating conversation (or so I tell myself) and my usual scepticism held me back. But I soon discovered that you could sign up for an MSc in almost any branch of dentistry with guaranteed success if you had both a pulse and a credit card (with the latter be- ing most important). Two years ago I first no- ticed the MSc in restorative and aesthetic dentistry at the University of Manchester; a highly renowned establish- ment. I was looking for a course with serious aspiration and the confidence in itself to challenge its delegates; I was also looking for a univer- sity with the courage to set the bar high enough to gain respect within the academic community at large! After a recommendation from my old friend Elaine Halley, who had signed up at the outset two years ago, I decided to take the plunge. I thought people would praise me for my open mind and the willingness to take up a new challenge, yet when I told my family, my friends, and even my patients, they could scarcely disguise their amuse- ment! Only one of my friends, who actually has 37 watch- es (almost as many as Nigel Saynor) said he recognised a kindred impulsive spirit, and congratulated me on my deci- siveness. Consequently, I now find myself reading about the in- fluence of air abrasion on Zir- conia ceramic bonding; unu- sual, I’m sure you’ll agree, but it’s more unusual given that I’m sitting on an exercise bike at the very swanky Biltmore Hotel in Miami, while eve- ryone else is relaxing by the pool! This MSc thing is start- ing to take over my life I’m afraid… maybe I should be very afraid? DT Taking the plunge ‘One thing I’ve learned after 30 years in dentistry is everyone’s an expert’ About the author Ken Harris gradu- ated from the den- tal school of the University of New- castle upon Tyne in 1982 and passed MFGDP(UK) in 1996. He maintains a fully private prac- tice with branches in Sunderland and Newcastle upon Tyne specialising in complex den- tal reconstruction cases based upon sound treatment planning protocols. He is one of only two Accredited Fel- lows of BACD, holds full membership of BAAD and remains a sustaining member of AACD. He is currently UK Clinical Director for the California Center for Advanced Dental Studies and the only UK Graduate and Mentor of the Kois Center in Seattle. Is there really no time for relaxing?