Why conventional teaching methods don’t work
(Why my trainings are different and why coaching really works)

Most dental trainings consist of a large number of delegates sitting in a lecture theatre, being addressed by an expert supported by a power point demonstration. Generally the delegates will be given a copy of the slides.
The following diagram is a summary of some research conducted by NTL Institute for Applied Behavioural Science, to assess information retention when the data is delivered in different ways.



The research shows that when information is delivered in a lecture only 5% of the information is retained although this does increase to 20% when it is supported by audio visuals. This may be efficient and profitable as far as the training provider is concerned, but does it deliver what you are paying for, more knowledge?

When a training session includes a demonstration as I have seen at a rare number of dental seminars the information retention is increased to 30%.

When the tutor facilitates a discussion retention is increased up to 50%. This was my preferred way of revising for finals, a group of friends agreed what we were going to learn, spent a period of time studying our notes and text books, and then got together and discussed the ideal answers for past paper questions. This is also why one of the many reasons that clients who recruit business coaches like me learn so much more about how to run great practices as a skilled coach will facilitate a discussion and ask questions rather than disseminating data.

If training sessions become a workshop style, where the delegates are involved in learning by practicing what they are learning, the information retention will increase to 75%. Dental training of this format are on the increase at still comparatively unusual.

To increase our information retention to 90% it was found that it is beneficial to learn the information immediately or teach it to someone else. This is one on the many reasons that when working with my clients I will ask them at the end of each session what they would like me to hold them accountable for doing by the next session, as I will always check in at the beginning of the next session to find out what action has been taken, it will come as no surprise to learn that my clients are making immediate use of the information they have elicited during our discussions.
Many of my clients will also make sure that they have staff meetings scheduled after our sessions so they can feed back to their team what they have learned.
Your training budgets may be being squeezed, and investing in your education is an essential investment, I would invite you to choose training and coaching programmes that make every penny count.

If you want to improve your clinical skills, choose a training that offers a small group and builds in facilitated discussions and hands on using phantom head or real patients. (From personal experience I would recommend Paul Tipton’s trainings www.tiptontraining.co.uk/courses ) Plan ahead, book time off in your diary as soon as you come back to the practice and share with your staff what you have learned.
When developing your business skills work with a business coach that offers regular 1-2-1 coaching on the phone, Skype or face to face, in a discussion style where your coach elicits information from you. Make sure your coach holds you accountable for taking immediate action as a result of your coaching session and share this information with other people as soon as possible. Ensure your coach offers practice training days with the whole team, where your coach facilitates group learning by discussion, inviting the team to practicing what they are learning and they hold you accountable for taking the action necessary to move your practice forward.

These are some of the reasons you will seldom find a power point presentation at one of my seminars or practice training day, and I will invite you to contribute and practice.


For further information as to how I can help make you your good practices great call me on 01296 770462 | 07989757884 or e mail me Jane@healthyandwealthy.co.uk