How can Canadian graduate orthodontic programs better prepare their newly graduated orthodontists for the business challenges of orthodontic practice: An exploratory survey of Canadian orthodontists
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Abstract
An anonymous online survey of Canadian orthodontists was used to evaluate orthodontic practice management related background, training, needs and practices. Program directors of Canadian graduate orthodontic programs were contacted for details regarding their program’s educational opportunities in practice management.
The survey response rate was 19% (136/713). Four out of five program directors responded.
The majority of survey respondents expressed an opinion that their graduate program’s business exposure was insufficient, and more structured training would have been preferable.
A structured course in practice management may best be contained within current program lengths, or with a short program length extension. Room for additional teaching time may be made in orthodontic programs by way of internal restructuring including reallocation of free time, research time and other didactic exposure, however respondent’s here did not feel a reduction in clinical exposure to make room for a structured practice management course was acceptable.