Since 2002 I have engrossed myself in higher learning at the Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education, and since 2004 have served in a Facilitator-In-Training and later, Visiting Faculty to Pankey Institute role for other dentists.
As an Atlanta Dentist, I was well supported in my learning, as there are many dentists here who not only have taken courses at Pankey, but have also taught as well. I consider myself lucky to have had a dozen amazing mentors over the past 15 years, and to quote Sir Isaac Newton, “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.”
The Pankey Institute is different from all the other major centers for continuing education in dentistry in a few ways: it’s the only not-for-profit advanced education center, which makes me feel like the materials and products I am exposed to are not being “sold” to me, but rather are vetted by experienced dentists. Further, there is a central philosophy that is woven through courses at every level: create balance in your life where work is an important part, but only part – use your business to make your financial dreams come true; treat your patients as the human beings they are, complete with emotions and experiences that shape who they are today in your chair; and own your skill set! Master it, apply it, and see your hard work pay dividends in its longevity for the patient’s benefit!
The thing I love best about serving as Visiting Faculty to Pankey Institute is that the more I teach, the better I learn my craft; through finding more creative and simpler ways of explaining this field to student-dentists, the better I become at explaining it to my patients and engaging them in meaningful choices.
Having said all that, I can also say I am fully in love with my profession. At 15 years in, I figure I have two more sets of 15 in me to give back to this community.
Now, is there any wonder why I love Pankey??
