What can the market expect from you during and after the pandemic?
The pandemic spurred digital education offerings for the markets and was also a catalyst for e-learning platforms like ours. We pushed offerings that were already in the development phase to timely completion. Dentists are simultaneously receiving additional digital workshops, provided by our affiliates. Experienced clinicians lead these, we are talking about the so-called "Geistlich vLabs". Then there is our "big showcase", the online congress "Geistlich + YOU". In its second staging it again attracted thousands.
Let's take Germany as an example. How do your German colleagues bring educational offers to the woman, to the man?
Our colleagues put together a whole package. Customers were able to take advantage of webinars as well as online seminars with established experts and clinicians. Student training was also changed from classroom to online lectures. Further, universities offered online hands-on courses. In addition to the well-known course in ridge preservation, participants could expect hands-on courses on soft tissue management with Geistlich collagen matrices.
To what extent are appropriate third party educational opportunities an issue for you?
Offers from third parties are not taboo for us, quite the opposite: While our own training offers focus on our products and their application, we have entered into numerous training partnerships. For years, we have been cooperating with universities, private training institutions and professional associations. All offers - our own and those of our partners - can be found on our website in the events section.
It is well known that dentistry is becoming more and more "female". What does that mean for you?
The facts are impressive: at many dental faculties, women now account for up to 70% of students. However, it is also the case that many female dentists make use of part-time models later in their careers and are thus often lost to the surgical disciplines or regeneration. Ergo, these areas tend to remain a male domain longer than others. In the future, we will create specific offers for women.
Can we expect something new from Geistlich in further education?
The most current and important project is the development of a curriculum. In terms of content, this involves Geistlich developing a structured e-learning format that trains dentists in regeneration from A-Z. This is a first in dentistry; the scientific leadership is in the hands of Prof. Ronald Jung from the University of Zurich. This e-learning offer will then be supplemented with adequate face-to-face events. If we look even further into the future, augmented reality applications will find their way into our training and continuing education - sooner rather than later.
Mr Buck, thank you very much for this interview