The CMS Dental CE Courses: What Order Should You Take Them In?
As you make your way through the Clinical Mastery Series curriculum dental CE courses, you will inevitably grow and deepen your learning. That part’s a given! But what’s the best order to take courses in and why?
Everyone’s path is unique, yet there are good reasons for taking certain dental CE courses in a specific sequence. Keep reading for advice you can use to maximize the value you get out of the CMS courses and your dental continuing education.
We’ve also included some first hand advice from CMS alumni and educator Dr. Lee Gary
Ultimate Occlusion Series
Ultimate Occlusion 1: Mastering Functional Dentistry
- Style: Hands-on
- Pre-reqs: None
- Length: 2 days
The best place to start if you’ve never taken a CMS course before is our ‘Ultimate Occlusion 1: Mastering Functional Dentistry’ course. It has a lot of group activities where dentists can meet and network.
UO1 provides a great introduction to applying occlusion philosophies practically in the dental practice, and is the basis for moving from single tooth dentistry to full mouth treatment. You’ll meet all of the CMS instructors, and you’ll have plenty of time to work and network with your peers. The relationships created in a UO1 course can last a lifetime, and are extremely valuable as your dentistry career progresses.
Ultimate Occlusion 2: Mastering Complex Cases
- Style: Hands-on
- Pre-reqs: UO1
- Length: 2.5 days
Ultimate Occlusion 3: Treatment Planning & Case Presentation
- Style: Hands-on
- No pre-reqs
- Length: 2 days
‘UO2: Mastering Complex Cases’ and ‘UO3: Treatment Planning & Case Presentation’ are scheduled in such a way that dentists can complete the entire series in a convenient time frame. Level 2 teaches essential skills to incorporate aesthetic full mouth treatments. Level 4 is designed for clinicians who want to elevate their prosthetic skills.
Here are Dr. Lee Gary’s thoughts on his experience with UO1 and later courses:
I started with UO1 and after the first day knew that I would be signing up for UO2 as soon as it was available. I took UO2 within approximately 2 months of UO1 and I was really glad I did. From there I branched into the over the shoulder courses and the photography course the following year. I then repeated UO1, UO2, and Photography before proceeding to Treatment Planning and taking my team through the team training course.
What surprised me most was how much value I got out of repeating those courses! Hearing the information for a second time after implementing those ideas in my practice really allowed me to absorb it more deeply.
Full Mouth Rehabilitation: Live in the Op
- Style: Side-by-side learning with Dr. John Nosti
- Pre-reqs: None
- Length: 4 days (2 weekends)
Full Mouth Rehab is a more advanced course that is often taken later on. Observe Dr. Nosti as together you go through the process of diagnosing, treating, prepping, and seating 20 units of a full-mouth rehab.
Anterior Aesthetics: Live in the Op
- Style: Live patient with Dr. Olitsky
- Pre-reqs: None
- Length: 2 days
Anterior Aesthetics fits in well at multiple points in your CMS journey. You’ll want to make sure you take the Occlusion courses before jumping into smile design, so your patients don’t end up wearing down their beautiful restoration due to occlusion problems.
Anterior Aesthetics: No Prep Veneer Masterclass
- Style: Live patient with Dr. Olitsky
- Pre-reqs: None
- Length: 2 days
No Prep Veneer Masterclass fits in well at multiple points in your CMS journey as you learn how to produce highly esthetic and healthy long-lasting results with no preparation and minimal preparation of porcelain veneers.
Ultimate Aesthetics: Exocad 3D Smile Design Masterclass
- Style: Hands on with Dr. Olitsky
- Pre-reqs: None
- Length: 2 days
Exocad 3D Smile Design Masterclass fits in well at multiple points in your CMS journey as you learn the fundamentals of 3D-printed smile design powered by Exocad. Provisionals are the prototype of the final restorations. Take your digital dentistry to the next level by learning how to design smiles, print models and customize the chair side provisionals by hand to rival the final ceramic restorations.
TMD Workshop
- Style: Hands-on
- Pre-reqs: None
- Length: 2 days
The TMD Workshop is a unique course from Dr. John Nosti, Dr. Eric Farmer & Dr. Mike Smith that demystifies one of the most confusing topics in dentistry. It reviews diagnostic modalities and key treatment rationales.
Sleep Dentistry: Complete Implementation
- Style: Hands-on
- Pre-reqs: None
- Length: 2 days
Sleep Dentistry is a 2 day, hands-on course learn predictable sleep screening, how to determine, prescribe and fit appropriate appliances, market sleep solutions and how to handle financials and needed documentation.
Team Training
- Style: Team focus
- Pre-reqs: None
- Length: 2 days
Team Training is another course that is best to take after UO1 or UO2. Learn vital communication skills from Dr. Lee Gary and CMS Executive Director Jenn Janicki.
Below is Dr. Chris Kerns’ perspective on getting the most out of your CMS learning:
First and foremost, I recommend taking the courses as quickly as possible in any order as opposed to planning a sequence. Action always wins over intention for me. However, I believe the most logical foundational sequence would be: UO1, UO2, Photography, then Team Training.
I would then do the following: FMR, Anterior Aesthetics, and U03. I think it is much more beneficial to take Dr. Nosti’s Full Mouth Rehab course prior to Dr. Olitsky’s Anterior Aesthetics, and both prior to UO3. After that, TMJ/TMD course can be added for interested clinicians.
Let us know what courses you’ve taken and why or any advice you have for clinicians looking to join the CMS family!
