Dental laser training critical to patient outcomes, says expert
Expert guidance on why dental laser training determines clinical success and ROI. Courses available in June with American Board certification.
Dr Robert Convissar, a leading authority on dental laser technology with 37 years of laser-assisted dentistry experience, argues that proper training is essential for practitioners to unlock the full potential of laser technology in clinical practice. He emphasizes that while dental lasers offer significant benefits including reduced patient discomfort, faster healing, and minimally invasive procedures, many clinicians hesitate to adopt them due to a steep learning curve and limited educational opportunities.
Why training determines success with dental lasers
Convissar stresses that laser adoption must be driven by the goal of delivering superior patient care, with financial success following as a natural consequence. However, he identifies a critical gap in the dental industry: unlike other new technologies, laser systems often lack adequate training support from manufacturers. Without proper education, practitioners risk failing to realize the clinical and financial benefits their investment should provide. The specific wavelength and cost of a laser system directly affect its capabilities; a £5,000 laser cannot perform the same procedures as a £50,000 system, yet many practitioners misunderstand this distinction.
Clinical applications backed by research
Once practitioners master laser techniques, the technology enables procedures impossible with conventional methods. These include analgesia-free and sutureless surgical work, bloodless procedures with faster healing due to bacterial killing at the surgical site, and advanced treatments such as assisting patients with sleep apnoea management or regenerating bone in periodontally compromised patients. Convissar notes that all these applications are supported by peer-reviewed studies. Additional diagnostic tools, such as Goccles optical filter glasses used with a curing light, allow early detection of oral lesions before they are visible to the naked eye, improving outcomes for oral cancer screening.
Training courses and certification opportunities
Convissar is delivering two hands-on courses in the United Kingdom on 18, 19, and 20 June 2026 at the Holiday Inn Hemel Hempstead. The two-day course on 18 and 19 June is the only course worldwide permitting participants to sit for certification by the American Board of Laser Surgery. Topics covered include oral cancer diagnosis, soft tissue laser dentistry, and tongue-tie treatment using the PEEL protocol. Early-bird discounts of £100 are available for bookings made before 17 May.
Frequently asked questions
What does Dr Robert Convissar say about dental laser training requirements?
Convissar emphasizes that training is critical to achieving maximum return on investment with dental lasers. He notes that many dental laser companies have ignored the learning curve required, yet unlike other new technologies, lasers often come without adequate educational support. Without proper training, practitioners will fail to realize the clinical and financial benefits of their investment.
What clinical procedures can dental lasers perform that conventional methods cannot?
Dental lasers enable analgesia-free and sutureless surgical procedures, bloodless operations with faster healing, and advanced treatments such as helping patients with sleep apnoea or regenerating bone in periodontally compromised patients. All these applications are supported by peer-reviewed studies.
Do different cost dental lasers perform the same procedures?
No. Convissar states that a £5,000 laser cannot perform the same procedures as a £50,000 laser. Each laser wavelength has a specific role, and some are far more versatile than others. Cost directly reflects capability.
When are Dr Convissar's dental laser training courses in the UK?
The two-day soft tissue laser course runs 18 to 19 June 2026, and the laser tongue-tie masterclass is on 20 June 2026. Both are held at the Holiday Inn Hemel Hempstead. Early-bird discounts of £100 are available for bookings made before 17 May.
What certification can dentists obtain from the June training courses?
Participants in the 18 to 19 June course can sit for certification by the American Board of Laser Surgery, described as the world's most authoritative certification board for physicians and dentists who use lasers in clinical practice.
