dawson academy mini-residency

What is the Dawson Academy Mini-Residency?

We’re often asked this question by dental professionals. In its most simplistic form, the Dawson Academy Mini-Residency includes all of our Core Curriculum courses, expedited and at a lower price compared to taking our Core Curriculum courses individually.

But there’s more to the Mini-Residency than meets the eye. This ADA CERP accredited program is crafted for dental professionals who are passionate about finding innovative solutions to complex challenges, eager to sharpen their clinical skills, and driven to elevate their practice to new heights—all within just about a year.

In short, if you’re ready to transform the way you practice and rapidly elevate your skills, the Mini-Residency is your path to achieving exactly that.

But you might be wondering, “What exactly is taught at the Dawson Academy Mini-Residency?” Allow us to walk you through it.

A Comprehensive Dental CE Experience

The Dawson Academy Mini-Residency was meticulously designed to be a comprehensive, structured program that teaches the foundational principles of Complete Dentistry. Unlike many other courses that might focus on a single aspect of dental care, the Mini-Residency offers a complete package, covering the functional, aesthetic, and biological aspects of patient care.

This is a comprehensive dental CE training series that covers everything from occlusion to advanced treatment planning and even practice management. It was designed by practicing dentists to equip you with the tools needed to provide both your patients and team with the best possible care by performing the most efficient dentistry to achieve the most profitable and predictable outcomes.

Here’s What You’ll Learn in the Mini-Residency

1. Occlusion and TMD

You’ll develop a deep understanding of occlusal problems and temporomandibular joint disorders, learning how to diagnose and treat these conditions effectively. Following Dr. Dawson’s concepts and systems, we ensure that occlusal harmony is always paramount.

2. Smile Design and Esthetics

This is where the art and science of smile design come together. You’ll learn how to create beautiful, natural-looking smiles that function properly within the masticatory system.

3. Comprehensive Examination and Treatment Planning

You’ll master the skills needed to conduct thorough examinations and develop comprehensive treatment plans that align with your entire team. This ensures you’re not just fixing problems but providing lasting solutions that enhance your patients’ overall dental health.

4. Practice Management

It’s not just about clinical skills; it’s also about running a successful practice. We want you to be both profitable and effective with your team and the training you’ve received. You’ll learn how to implement the Dawson principles to improve efficiency, enhance patient satisfaction, and build a thriving, patient-centered practice.

5. Hands-On Training

This program isn’t just about sitting in lectures. As you progress through the Core Curriculum, you’ll receive ample hands-on training through workshops and practical sessions, so you’re ready to apply what you’ve learned as soon as you return to your office.

what is the dawson academy mini residency

A look into Dawson’s Core Curriculum

Now, let’s talk about the Core Curriculum—the heart of the Mini-Residency. This is where you really get to dive deep into the principles of Complete Dentistry:

Core 1: Occlusion & Smile Design

At Core 1, you’ll start with the fundamentals of occlusion and quickly discover the things you weren’t taught in dental school. We’ll explore ways to reduce your insurance dependency and begin the process of transitioning to fee-for-service care, which allows you to stand out as an advanced dentist in your local area.

Core 2: Examination & Records

The cornerstone of the Dawson philosophy begins with a thorough comprehensive examination and the accurate gathering of necessary records. At Core 2, you’ll master the use of a Lucia jig to obtain a centric relation bite record and perfect the process of using digital photography for diagnostic images.

Core 3: Treatment Planning

Utilizing the standardized records discussed in Core 2, you’ll learn to visualize optimal dentistry from esthetic, functional, biological, and structural perspectives at Core 3. You’ll also explore the four treatment options—reshaping, repositioning, restoring, and surgical correction—which are critical components of step-by-step dental treatment planning checklists.

Core 4: Equilibration & Orthotics

As you may know, equilibration is a cornerstone in the treatment of occlusal disease. At Core 4, you’ll discover the importance of the trial equilibration and gain hands-on experience adjusting various case types to ensure your complete understanding of the materials presented.

Core 5: Diagnosis & Airway

Enjoy a break from travel with Core 5, an online lecture. Provisional restorations, bite registration techniques, laboratory communication, and cementation/adhesive options will be key components of this presentation, along with an introduction to airway-focused dentistry.

Core 6: Predictable Esthetics

Core 6 is where you’ll learn the critical steps for performing anterior restorative procedures at their highest level. Restoring anterior teeth and managing dental esthetics with predictability truly represents the culmination of our understanding of this intricate system, as we strive to emulate what nature originally created.

Core 7: Advanced Problem Solving

Core 7 is the final course before being awarded the title of ‘Dawson Scholar’ is a resort-style event that focuses on extreme occlusal wear cases, anterior open bites, deep overbites, extreme overjet, and Class III malocclusions. Neutral zone and vertical dimension will be covered in detail as they pertain to the treatment of these issues.

As you can see, each course builds on the one before it, providing a cohesive and integrated learning experience that prepares you to deliver outstanding care in your practice. By completing the Core Curriculum, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to handle a wide range of dental cases and practice complete dentistry with excellence.

Dr. hess at the dawson academy mini residency

Why the Dawson Academy Mini-Residency Might Be Perfect for You

So, why should you consider the Dawson Academy Mini-Residency? Here are a few reasons why this program stands out:

Comprehensive Learning: You’ll engage in advanced dental continuing education focused on practicing Complete Dentistry, rather than just a narrow aspect. This approach makes you more versatile and better prepared to handle a variety of cases in your practice.

Learn from the Best: The faculty at Dawson Academy are not just educators; they’re experienced practitioners eager to share their knowledge and help you succeed. What sets our faculty apart is that they’re all practicing dentists. This means that, the Monday after the course ends, they’re applying what they’ve just taught in their own practices.

Flexible Format: The Mini-Residency is designed to fit your busy schedule. With courses offered in multiple locations, you can expedite your success and complete the program in about a year.

Join a Community: You’ll become part of a network of like-minded professionals committed to the principles of Complete Dentistry. It’s a great opportunity to share experiences, learn from one another, and build lasting professional relationships.

Boost Your Practice: By integrating Dawson principles into your practice, you’ll not only improve your clinical skills but also enhance patient care, leading to greater satisfaction and loyalty.

Is The Dawson Academy Mini-Residency Right for You?

If you’re passionate about dentistry and dedicated to providing the best care for your patients, the Dawson Academy Mini-Residency is a worthwhile investment in your future.

Whether you’re noticing gaps in your education or are simply tired of single-tooth dentistry, the Mini-Residency offers a solution: the ability to identify issues other dentists might miss and provide the least amount of dentistry necessary for the most profitable and predictable outcomes.

Ultimately, it’s about becoming the best dentist you can be—for yourself and your patients.