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Straight Talk Robert Waugh, MS, DMD

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On Commitment and Competency
by Robert Waugh, MS, DMD

After getting accepted to dental school and achieving top spots in our graduating classes, we earned our way into what is arguably the best field in all of health care: orthodontics. Although the process required competency, most of us excelled through an overwhelming commitment to learn. Upon receiving our specialty certifications we left the security of our residencies for private practice, finding ourselves motivated by that same commitment. This time, however, our common goal became providing our patients with the highest levels of care. It appears to me that our ability to perform this care is often not as powerful as our commitment to do it well.

I recently received a handwritten letter from a dentist in Myanmar (Burma), whose favorite subject is orthodontics. "Dr. Z" is a self-taught orthodontist whose remote location and lack of educational resources forced him to reach across the globe to me using paper, ink and stamps to ask me about a single clinical concept. He began his letter apologetically, saying, "I have to continue to conserve my education by writing to all parts of the world since there is no postdoctoral program here…" He explained his limited access to e-mail and the Internet. After reading his scribbled series of educated questions, it became clear that Dr. Z was very well read on many related subjects. Following his final question, he closed with "Let me know your extensive findings from time to time… Faithfully, Z." This letter has become an inspiration to me to recommit myself to learning more for the benefit of my patients.

Since graduation, I've learned more about orthodontics than I ever imagined possible through myriad resources. But, imagine having none of that. What if you never had your residency and had to teach yourself to help people who have debilitating malocclusions? Your university was accredited by the American Dental Association to a standardized curriculum, and more than 400 providers are recognized by the ADA to award continuing education credits through its Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP). Later this year, the ADA will vote on a proposal that "commercial entities" (companies that produce, market or distribute health-care goods or services used on or by patients) should no longer be eligible to award CE credits as ADA CERP providers. Whether you agree, such a change might impact trade meetings and courses manufacturers provide. These passive learning methods might be less common in the future and we might once again have to rely on our inner commitment to revitalize our enthusiasm for learning.

With our economy slowly emerging from its doldrums, we all still have extra time to "sharpen our saws" and ramp up our clinical, managerial and interpersonal skills. Take advantage of it and be thankful you don't have to rely on stamps to get it done
Author’s Bio
Dr. Robert Waugh has practiced orthodontics in Athens, Georgia, since 1989. He received his BS degree from Mercer University in 1983 and went to the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry to earn his DMD as well as an MS in Oral Biology. Dr. Waugh attended his residency in orthodontics at the Baylor College of Dentistry, earning a second master's degree and his certificate of specialization in 1989. He became a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics in 2000. For more information, please visit www.intellident.org.
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September 2025
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