Practical Occlusal Instrumentation, Splints and Equilibration (POISE) Course
Speakers: Roy Higson and Andy Lane
Poise: Balance, to hold in equilibrium
Laboratory based, intensive 2-day Hands-On introduction to essential occlusal principles with dozens of practical tips for how to make your dentistry more predictable, better looking and longer lasting and make your patients think you are amazing!
 
Next Course: 12th/13th November 2011 at the Academy of Clinical Excellence, Wakefield
 
Recent testimonial from a course attendee: “I’m amazed what a difference having extra knowledge of occlusion has made. I have treated many hundreds of patients since finishing the course but one in particular jumped out at me. The patient in question has had undiagnosed occlusal problems for years. The SDS questionnaire flagged up the problem. Past dental history revealed a bridge which had failed four times in ten years and numerous broken teeth. On examination he has very large bony exostosis, abfractions, Masseteric hypertorphy and classic violin strings through his Temporalis which were excrutiating to touch. Absolute barn door case, straight out of the notes. Amazingly he’s been a patient at the practice for 20 years and it had never been picked up. As you said on the course, you can only see what you know. After a stabilization splint and a decent bridge made in CR he’s got no pain and is pleased as punch with me as a dentist. He is a GMP for a living and values the holistic approach that we’ve taken to his treatment. He has since recommended other patients to the practice.
 
It frustrates me that there is such a big black hole in undergraduate occlusion teaching. I now don’t like looking at work that I’ve done before the course as I can see my own mistakes even though I considered myself a good dentist. I have older dentists who’ve been qualified for years telling me that occlusion is a waste of time. I truly believe it is not and am very grateful to you and Roy for changing my career. I think teaching at undergraduate level is the only way to get the message through to the masses, maybe the degree should be extended by a couple of weeks, it would certainly improve the quality of dentistry for many thousands of people in the UK. You and Roy could sell the course to universities and teach occlusion to the next generation of dentists, keep you both young too :-)”