Community Involvement and Education – Huntington Beach, CA
Staying at the Forefront of Periodontics by Leading in Dental Education
Over the past decade, the dental field as seen huge advancements in technology and science. As a leader in the profession, Dr. Braga works hard to keep his position at the forefront of these exciting developments. By being a lifelong student and staying involved in university academia, dental education, and detailed multidisciplinary dental study clubs with many colleagues, he can accomplish precisely that.
For example, Dr. Braga is happy to lead four study clubs well-known in the dental community, including the:
- Spears Study Club
- Beach Cities Dental Hygiene Study Club
- Periodontal, Implant & Restorative Study Club
- Small Group Multidisciplinary Study Club
Dr. Braga is also currently a clinical professor at the University of Southern California Department of Graduate Periodontics.
Club for Periodontal, Implant and Restorative Study
Dr. Braga is currently a Co-Leader of the Periodontal, Implant & Restorative Study Club. For the past 20 years, it has been considered the biggest and one of the most established study clubs in the region focusing on multi-disciplinary aspects of dentistry. His goal is to advance team dental treatment planning and total patient management so dentists can use it as a tool for better and more comprehensive care for their patients.
Members of the study club include dentists from Beach Cities and many other surrounding communities. These dentists participate in hands-on demonstrations, panel discussions, clinical treatment planning sessions and problem solving. They also invite internationally-known speakers, giving them an opportunity to share information at local meetings.
Beach Cities Dental Hygiene Study Club
Dental hygienists are playing an even greater role in the overall health of patients as technology and science continue to advance within the field. For example, there is a large amount of evidence that supports the idea that oral health and general health maintain a direct relationship. Furthermore, there is a correlation between plaque and poor oral hygiene and Gingivitis, Periodontitis, and Peri-Implantitis, confirming that dental hygienists have an important role to play in the dental community. This means dental hygienists need to be just as focused on continuing education as other dental professionals.
As a result, the Dental Hygiene Study Club was born. This group provides a vibrant learning environment that advances the future of dental hygiene as well as the careers of its members. This makes it easier for us to serve our patients better and more effectively. While we provide interactive ways for members to learn, our meetings also include fellow dental hygienists in the area. Exchanging ideas, reviewing exciting products and discussing advancements in the profession are just a few things you can expect from the Study Club.
In February 2016, the Beach Cities Dental Hygiene Study Club came together, and we couldn’t be happier with the interest people showed. Approximately 50 hygienists from the community arrived, and Dr. Braga spoke at the first meeting. This meeting was titled “Back to Basics,” which focused on the examination of diagnosis of periodontal disease. We plan to meet two to three times a year. Additionally, meetings are complementary, include continuing education units and provide attendees with a meal.
The Spear Small Group Study Club is designed to make dedicating yourself to a higher level of clinical, diagnostic, and treatment planning and value creation skills easier. During your time here, you can work right alongside with a small group of dentists, including Dr. Braga and Dr. Duncan, as well as complete eight treatment planning interdisciplinary case studies throughout the year. The entire group’s skills, competency and confidence excel when knowledge and resources are pooled together. If you’d like to view Spear’s online resources, take a look at the Spear Online Digital Library.
You can take advantage of one of the most effective and enjoyable learning experiences of your professional career with Dr. Braga’s Spear Small Group Study Club. Through a small group of committed members with a shared vision, purpose and objectives, you too can achieve the ultimate goal of practicing dentistry at the highest levels possible.
