Embarking on a journey into the world of myofunctional therapy can be both thrilling and daunting. The potential to significantly impact your patients’ health and well-being is immense. However, it’s crucial not to let the initial excitement cloud your better judgment. Many dental professionals find themselves overwhelmed by the number of available courses and unsure of where to start. Let’s break down the steps to successfully navigate this field, ensuring you make informed decisions that will benefit both you and your practice.
Step 1: Reflect on Your Goals
Before you even consider which course to take, it’s essential to look inward. Ask yourself:
- What do you hope to achieve by entering the field of myofunctional therapy?
- Are you looking to add a new revenue stream to your practice?
- Do you want to specialize in treating TMD or OSA?
- Are you passionate about pediatrics and want to serve the 0-5 population?
- Interested in pre and post oral maxillosurgery cases?
Each of these goals may require different training and coursework. With nearly 20 introductory courses available, it’s vital to choose one that aligns with your specific aspirations. Don’t just rely on suggestions from colleagues who may not share your practice style or objectives.
Step 2: Utilize Free Resources
The landscape of myofunctional therapy education is diverse, with many people teaching courses simply because they can. Unfortunately, this often means a lack of freely available resources to help you make an informed decision. Recent surveys, like the one from the International Association of Airway Hygienists (IAAH), reveal that many dental professionals end up regretting their investment after spending $10-30K on startup costs without seeing a return.
Take advantage of the wealth of free information available. Use Google, ask for resources, or explore my YouTube channel, where I offer over 60 hours of content on key topics. This will help you determine whether myofunctional therapy is a manageable and worthwhile investment for you.
Step 3: Interview Your Instructors
Choosing the right course involves more than just reading a brochure. It’s essential to connect with potential instructors directly. Email, message, call, or text them to ask your questions. Understand how their course fits your needs—or doesn’t. If an instructor is unresponsive or provides vague answers, it may indicate their level of commitment to your success and the post-course support you can expect.
Here’s an overview of a dozen courses:
Step 4: Seek Mentorship
It’s surprising how many clinical professionals invest in courses without any in-person mentorship opportunities. Myofunctional therapy involves working with real patients on high-stakes issues like breathing, sleep, digestion, and cognitive health. Relying solely on didactic information is risky.
On-site mentorship allows for real-time feedback, skill development, and streamlined success. If your chosen course doesn’t include mentorship, inquire about the cost of adding it. This investment will be invaluable as you translate theoretical knowledge into practical skills.
Step 5: Debunk the Multiple Intro Courses Myth
You don’t need multiple introductory courses to start seeing results. This myth often arises from courses that fail to provide comprehensive content. A well-structured intro course, coupled with mentorship, should equip you with the necessary skills to achieve successful outcomes.
Bonus! Watch this video to understand the relevance AND irrelevance of certification.
In Conclusion
While it may seem like a lot of information and effort, you’ll be grateful later when your $2-3K investment begins to yield returns. Meanwhile, your peers may be struggling with $10K+ investments that don’t pay off. By following these steps, you can ensure that your foray into myofunctional therapy is both rewarding and successful.
Remember, the key to success in this field is due diligence. Reflect on your goals, leverage free resources, communicate with instructors, seek mentorship, and avoid the trap of multiple introductory courses. Your future self—and your patients—will thank you.
Airway Matters 