North Texas Dentistry Volume 9 Issue 1 2019 ISSUE 1 DE | Page 5

Texas A&M College of Dentistry
Bridging College
and Profession
Through Continuing Education
by Jennifer Fuentes
Dr. Minh Nguyen, left, and Dr. Amerian Sones treat a patient during the
Continuing Education Dental Implant Continuum in spring 2016.
With nearly 50 learning opportunities and
enrichment programs every year, the Office of
Continuing Education at Texas A&M College
of Dentistry provides the highest-quality CE
credits to dental professionals.
This represents at least one program a week,
says Dr. Amerian Sones, director, whose
department recently completed reaccredita-
tion by the American Dental Association
Continuing Education Recognition Program.
Lifelong learning with the latest technology
in dentistry continues to bring alumni back to
the college.
“Bridging College and Profession” is the
department’s slogan as its CE programs have
ventured out of the lecture hall and into the
clinic, a goal of Sones’ since assuming the
position in 2012. Providing lecture, hands-on
and actual clinical experience uniquely posi-
tions the department in the continuing educa-
tion realm.
One such program, the seven-month Dental
Implant Continuum, currently in its fifth year,
has trained approximately 70 general dentists
and four full-time faculty members in implant
placement through work on more than 150
patients. The continuum has provided a venue
for Institutional Review Board-approved clin-
ical research, conducted through the CE
office, focusing on 62 of the continuum’s
patients.
This year, new part-time continuing educa-
tion staff members who are Caruth School of
Dental Hygiene graduates will help expand
the department’s marketing footprint and
coordinate development of online courses for
around-the-clock accessibility.
“New to 2019, we aspire to provide CME —
continuing medical education — credit
though Texas A&M College of Medicine,”
Sones says. “This will permit us to award a
credit letter to nurses, physicians, radiation
oncologists, pathologists and other health
professionals to enhance our interprofes-
sional, collaborative efforts in continuing
education.
“As the only maxillofacial prosthodontist at
the Sammons Cancer Center since 2012, I
hope to invite the head and neck team to our
CE program on oral pathology and provide
CME credit. This could ultimately impact
patient outcomes positively as we collaborate
on the diagnosis and treatment of oral and
systemic diseases.”
Sones explains the CE program will remain
on the sixth floor of the existing building after
the college’s new clinical facility opens,
bringing clinical hands-on courses and even
more live-patient programs.
“Our goal is that the next generation of dental
professionals will look to the college for life-
long learning and return to sharpen and
enhance their skills in a world-class facility
using the latest technology, materials and
equipment,” Sones says. “As our local pro-
grams develop, we also have plans to expand
into an international reputation as dental pro-
fessionals travel to Dallas to gain education
and knowledge. As you can see, continuing
education has a bright future!”
Texas A&M College of Dentistry (formerly Bay-
lor College of Dentistry) in Dallas is a part of Texas
A&M University and Texas A&M Health Science
Center. Founded in 1905, the College of Dentistry
is a nationally recognized center for oral health
sciences education, research, specialized patient
care and continuing dental education. Learn more
at dentistryinsider.tamhsc.edu or follow @TAMU-
dental.
Jennifer Fuentes is a communications coordi-
nator at Texas A&M College of Dentistry. A 2006
graduate of Texas Christian University, she has
worked in the communications and editorial field
for 12 years.
Sones explains her leadership roles among
general dentists and specialists in the Acad-
emy of Osseointegration have been good
preparation for her department’s initiatives.
“Continuing education requires similar lead-
ership skills as a private practice except rather
than patients coming to your office, you have
dental professionals attending,” she says.
“Managing and balancing a budget and
ensuring that productivity is met are impor-
tant for our department, too. The academy has
taught me about staying current with new
trends in dentistry and the importance of
organized dentistry.”
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