Dentsply Sirona Academy Announces Fall Webinar Series on Digital Workflows and Aligner Therapy
Dentsply Sirona has officially announced the launch of an intensive professional development series, hosted through the Dentsply Sirona Academy, designed to equip dental practitioners with the latest digital workflows and clinical strategies. Scheduled throughout November and December 2026, the curriculum consists of five distinct, one-hour live webinars. Each session is accredited, allowing clinicians to earn one continuing education (CE) credit, a vital component for maintaining licensure and staying abreast of the rapid technological advancements in modern dentistry. By providing these resources at no cost, the organization aims to reduce barriers to entry for advanced digital technologies such as cloud-native scanning, CBCT-integrated planning, and precision aligner therapy.
The Evolution of Digital Dentistry Education
The decision to focus this late-year curriculum on integrated digital workflows reflects a broader industry shift toward "connected dentistry." Over the past decade, the dental profession has moved from analog processes—such as physical impressions and manual treatment charting—to fully digital, data-driven ecosystems. Dentsply Sirona’s recent initiative is part of a strategic effort to bridge the knowledge gap that often follows the acquisition of high-tech hardware. While equipment adoption has accelerated, clinical proficiency in translating raw digital data into actionable treatment plans remains a primary area of focus for practitioners globally.
The Dentsply Sirona Academy has historically served as a central hub for this educational outreach. By utilizing live webinar formats, the academy allows for real-time interaction, enabling practitioners to ask specific questions regarding complex case management. This approach is particularly relevant as the market for clear aligners and guided implant surgery continues to grow, with a rising demand for general practitioners to handle cases previously reserved for specialists.
Chronological Schedule of Clinical Sessions
The educational series is strategically sequenced to address the lifecycle of a patient’s treatment, beginning with patient evaluation and progressing through to complex restorative and orthodontic interventions.
On November 10, the series commences with Dr. Elio Filice, who will address the foundational aspects of clear aligner therapy. His session is specifically curated for general dentists who are looking to expand their orthodontic offerings. Dr. Filice will focus on the diagnostic nuances required to identify ideal candidates for SureSmile Clear Aligners. By providing a framework for evaluating case complexity, the session aims to help clinicians distinguish between routine cases—such as minor crowding or post-orthodontic relapse—and those that necessitate a formal referral to an orthodontist.
Following this, on November 17, Dr. Joe Chichetti will shift the focus to digital implant workflows. As the integration of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) becomes standard in modern practices, the ability to synthesize this data into a comprehensive treatment plan is essential. Dr. Chichetti’s presentation will detail the end-to-end process: from the initial CBCT-driven diagnosis to virtual planning and the eventual fabrication of surgical guides using Primeprint technology. This session underscores the importance of the DS Core platform in visualizing outcomes before a single incision is made, a practice that significantly enhances patient safety and predictability.
As the series moves into December, the focus intensifies on specific technical challenges. On December 8, Dr. Brian Gaudreault will lead a deep dive into the biomechanics of interarch elastics. While clear aligners have revolutionized orthodontic treatment, managing complex movements like vertical corrections or Class II and Class III malocclusions often requires the adjunct use of elastics. This session will provide attendees with actionable strategies for staging these movements and ensuring patient compliance, which remains a frequent hurdle in aligner therapy.
On December 15, Dr. Reena Patel will address the digital interface between the clinician and the patient. Her session on cloud-native scanning using the Primescan 2 and DS Core platform focuses on the "scan-driven conversation." By demonstrating how to integrate digital impressions into the patient consultation process, Dr. Patel will highlight how visual data can improve patient understanding of their oral health, thereby increasing treatment acceptance rates.
Finally, on December 17, Dr. Cory Costanzo will conclude the series by bridging the gap between digital simulation and anatomical reality. His presentation will examine how the integration of CBCT data into orthodontic simulations allows clinicians to account for root positioning and the biological limitations of the alveolar bone. By exploring trim-line alternatives and the precise utilization of attachments, Dr. Costanzo’s session will offer advanced technical insights for clinicians looking to optimize the final results of their aligner cases.
Industry Context and Supporting Data
The move toward these specific topics is backed by significant industry trends. According to recent market analysis in dental technology, the global clear aligner market is expected to continue its upward trajectory, with an increasing number of general practitioners entering the space. However, clinical studies consistently indicate that the success of these treatments is highly dependent on the clinician’s ability to accurately perform "case selection." Incorrectly identifying cases that are too complex for a standard aligner protocol is a leading cause of patient dissatisfaction and treatment failure.
Furthermore, the emphasis on DS Core and cloud-native workflows aligns with the broader push toward interoperability. In modern clinical environments, data silos are a significant productivity drain. By utilizing platforms that allow for the seamless transfer of diagnostic data between CBCT scanners, intraoral scanners, and lab fabrication software, dentists can reduce chair time and improve the precision of their restorative work. Research suggests that practices that utilize digital workflows for implant placement report higher success rates and fewer complications compared to those relying on traditional free-hand or 2D-based planning.
Analysis of Implications for Practitioners
The implications of this training series extend beyond individual clinical outcomes; they touch upon the operational efficiency of the modern dental office. By mastering in-house surgical guide fabrication, for instance, dentists can significantly reduce the lead time between initial consultation and the surgical procedure. This not only improves patient satisfaction but also enhances the practice’s return on investment for capital equipment.
Moreover, the emphasis on continuing education credits serves a practical purpose for clinicians. With state and national boards requiring a specific number of CE hours annually to maintain licensure, these complimentary sessions provide a dual benefit: they satisfy regulatory requirements while providing high-value, specialized training that is often expensive to obtain through third-party conferences.
For the industry, the Dentsply Sirona initiative represents a proactive approach to managing the "digital divide." As technology evolves, the challenge is no longer just the availability of advanced tools, but the expertise required to utilize them safely and effectively. By focusing on the intersection of biomechanics, diagnostic imaging, and digital communication, the series addresses the three pillars of modern dental success: accuracy, predictability, and patient engagement.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
As the dental landscape continues to evolve, the demand for accessible, high-quality education will only grow. The Dentsply Sirona Academy’s commitment to providing these sessions suggests a recognition that the future of dentistry is collaborative. By facilitating these conversations between experienced clinicians and the broader dental community, the organization is helping to set a standard of care that is rooted in digital precision. Practitioners interested in participating are encouraged to register through the academy’s official portal to secure their spots in these live sessions, as the interactive nature of the webinars is expected to draw significant interest from dental professionals across the globe.
By prioritizing these specific areas—from the biomechanical nuances of elastics to the integration of cloud-native scanning—Dentsply Sirona is not only teaching practitioners how to use its tools but is also fostering a culture of continuous learning that is essential for the longevity and success of the modern dental practice. As we approach the end of 2026, these sessions serve as a final opportunity for clinicians to sharpen their skills and prepare for the challenges and innovations that the new year will undoubtedly bring to the field of dentistry.
