1008: How Real Masters Think About Continuing Education

Is online continuing education enough to elevate your dentistry? With unlimited access to webinars, social media cases, and on-demand videos, it’s easy to believe you can master complex procedures from a screen. But is that really how clinical excellence is built?

In this episode, Kirk Behrendt interviews Dr. Adamo Notarantonio, educator, clinician, and faculty member at the Kois Center, about the critical differences between online and in-person learning. They discuss why hands-on training, mentorship, and layered learning are essential for developing technical skill, clinical judgment, and the ability to think under pressure.

You’ll learn how to adopt CE with patience, how to avoid the social media comparison trap, and why real growth requires more than watching a video. If you want to elevate your thinking and your results, listen to Episode 1008 of The Best Practices Show!

Main Takeaways

1. In-person, hands-on education is essential for mastering clinical techniques that cannot be fully learned through online videos.
2. True clinical growth requires repetition, deliberate practice, and mentorship over time.
3. Social media often presents highlight reels that do not reflect the full clinical reality behind cases.
4. The ability to think outside the box during unexpected clinical situations separates good clinicians from great clinicians.
5. Layered learning—lecture, hands-on application, mentorship, and case review—deepens understanding and improves implementation.
6. Dentists should focus on competing with themselves rather than comparing their work to others.
7. Adopting CE effectively requires patience and a long-term mindset rather than seeking rapid results.

Snippets

1. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome
2. 00:18 Meet Adamo: A Special Guest
3. 01:20 The Importance of Continuing Education
4. 02:48 Adamo's Journey and Career Changes
5. 04:15 Hands-On Learning vs. Online Education
6. 07:43 The Value of In-Person Training
7. 09:48 Thinking Outside the Box in Dentistry
8. 12:22 Mindset and Continuous Learning
9. 14:47 The Reality of Social Media in Dentistry
10. 16:29 The Reality of Before and After
11. 16:41 The Trust Factor with Instagram
12. 16:58 AI in Dentistry Presentations
13. 17:29 The Importance of Clinical Tips
14. 18:20 The Role of Educators in Dentistry
15. 20:27 Understanding Constricted Chewing Patterns
16. 21:53 The Value of Layered Learning
17. 23:48 The Future of Continuing Education (CE)
18. 24:50 Shadowing and Mentorship in Dentistry
19. 27:42 Final Thoughts on Adopting CE
20. 29:25 Where to Learn More About Adamo
21. 31:01 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-Up

Guest Bio/Guest Resources

Dr. Adamo Notarantonio is a practicing dentist, speaker, and educator who serves as faculty at the Kois Center. He is a past president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and has earned accreditation status within the organization. Dr. Notarantonio lectures nationally and teaches hands-on composite and restorative courses. He previously owned a private practice in Long Island, New York, and now practices as an associate while focusing extensively on education and mentorship.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamoelvis/

Course website: https://www.imprescourses.com/

Kois Center: https://www.koiscenter.com/

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

1. The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/
2. Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
3. Upcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/
4. Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/
5. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com
6. Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com