FAQ
COURSE INFORMATION
When can I start?
You can start at any time! The Diploma is self paced and all content is available via a 24/7 e-learning portal.
How much time will I need to commit each week to complete the course in 12 months?
We recommend committing 2 hours per week for the UK course, or 12 hours per week to complete the Australian course in the 12 month time frame.
Is there any face-to-face training?
There is no travel required for completion of both the UK and AU accredited Diploma. There are three 1:1 coaching sessions included which will be ONLINE and live with Dr Vandana Katyal, Orthodontist to help guide you during your course. You can also attend our clinics in Mosman, Sydney to observe a variety of patients, procedures and our workflow. This is optional and does not incur an additional fee if you are enrolled in dual accredited diploma.
What support is available during the BOSS Diplomas?
You will have access to a secured online group discussion forum as well as access to a private chat channel with Dr Katyal 24/7 to ask any clinical questions. You can also discuss your cases live on a monthly basis with Dr Katyal via zoom during our case discussion webinars. You will also receive feedback during the 1:1 coaching sessions with Dr Katyal.
What is the difference between the Australian-accredited and UK Accredited course?
The Australian accredited course is a nationally recognised program which is endorsed by ASQA and awarded by our approved Registered Training Organisation (The Digital Orthodontic College). A total of 400 hours of CPD are earned through this course. This course requires 2-7 hours of study per week for 12-18 months depending on your level of experience. The course includes 1-1 specialist mentoring as well as the opportunity to observe clinical sessions in Dr Katyal’s practice in Sydney (www.cccsmiles.com.au). The ssessments required to complete this program are very comprehensive, requiring treatment of clear aligner patients in your clinic. It is best suited to a beginner.
The UK course is accredited by EduQual in the UK (EduQual Level 7). A total of 100 hours of CPD are earned in this course. This course requires 1-3 hours of study per week for 10-12 months depending on your level of experience. This course is 100% ONLINE, requiring no travel. It does not include 1-1 coaching or attendance at clinical sessions, however these can be added on for an additional fee. The assessments are mostly done online and do not require any clear aligner patients to commence treatment in your practice. However, you will be
required to present orthodontic records to successfully complete this Diploma. This is best suited to the intermediate learner who has done some orthodontic courses, although beginners can also do this.
If I can’t attend a webinar, will I be given a recording?
Yes, all webinars are recorded and uploaded to the e-learning platform within 72 hours after the live event
Do you teach braces?
We do not focus on fixed appliances. The course focuses on clear aligners but some fundamentals of orthodontics will be taught. Clear aligners are often more predictable, faster and efficient when used with evidence-based methods. Because it is mostly digital, the skills required to treat clear aligners cases are often obtained faster than for braces.digital, the skills required to treat with clear aligners are obtained quicker than for braces.
What post nominals can I use on completion?
You will receive two certificates depending on which course you are enrolled in: Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Orthodontics and 10905NAT Graduate Diploma of Digital Orthodontic Treatments. The post nominals are PGDip Dig. Orth. (UK) and Grad Dip Dig. Orth. (AU).
Why should you enrol in the BOSS Diplomas?
You can master clear aligners at your own pace and receive an AU or UK accredited diploma. They are flexible, online and require no travel. You can start at any time you wish. The AU diploma will also provide 1-1 coaching as well as in-office observation days for those who want to learn with via clinical sessions. All diplomas are led by an Orthodontist and accredited
trainer and provide many levels of support during and after the course. You will also have access to an online dentistry library during the course. Digital Orthodontic College is a Registered Training Organisation in Australian and The UK, bringing you quality assurance and relevance in our education to you.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
I have no experience with orthodontics or clear aligners, can I still do this course?
Yes! Both the UK and AU accredited Diploma are suitable for beginners. We recommend the AU accredited course for beginners as it includes higher levels of support such as 1-1 coaching with an orthodontist as well as the option to have faceto-face clinical observation sessions in Sydney, if required. The volume of learning is also 4 times the UK accredited course.
Do I need accreditation from a clear aligner company before starting?
Yes, you will need to have accreditation and access to a clear aligner system to be able to complete the course and maximise its benefits.
What clear aligners or companies do you recommend?
Some options include Invisalign, Spark, SureSmile and AngelAlign. Please contact individual companies to obtain access as we are independent from manufacturers. We do not recommend Invisalign Go or Clear Correct.
What equipment will I need to complete the course?
You will need a digital camera; photographic retractors and mirrors, a working laptop with access to video conferencing tools and access to a functional dental clinic. You must be a licenced practicing dental practitioner with dental indemnity insurance to do this course.
You must have access to the list below when starting the diplomas:
- Dental examination and restorative instruments and resin / GIC based bonding materials
- PVS impression material and trays or a digital intraoral scanner
- Computers with a webcam and microphone and relevant word-processing and presentation software
- Digital cameras and related equipment for orthodontic record taking
- Online access to a range of clear aligner systems, materials and laboratory
- Range of patients (real or simulated) with varying dental conditions and wide age groups.
Can I do the AU accredited Diploma only?
Yes this is possible, however this is not recommended as the there is no cost difference between the dual accreditation and AU alone.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
What kind of cases will I be able to treat after graduation? Do you cover early treatment cases?
Yes, both the UK and AU accredited Diploma will give you the knowledge and skills to be able to treat mild to moderate cases including early treatment, deep bites in adults and children, Class II correction, expansion of the upper jaw in children and the majority of Class I cases with clear aligners.
What clear aligner system is taught?
We are not specific to any aligner system and teach principles that allow you to use any aligner system. Currently we recommend Invisalign, AngelAlign, SureSmile and Spark. However, if there is a particular system you work with, we can still teach the principles and mentor cases with your system.
How soon after the course will I be able to start treating patients with clear aligners?
We recommend starting at least two orthodontic clear aligner cases during the period of study to get the greatest benefit from the course. In our experience, most beginners start their first case within the first 6 months of enrolment and many go on to do further cases by the end of the course.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
What is the cost?
Click here for cost information on our courses : digitalorthodonticcollege.com/courses
Do you accept credit cards?
We accept all major credit cards. Surcharges apply between 1-2% depending on the card type. This is calculated at the time of payment online. Click here to pay online: pay.pinpayments.com/r012/sc
Are Payplans available?
We only offer Payplans for the dual accredited Australian and UK course. The course is drip fed with this option.
What is the benefit of an upfront payment?
We do not discount upfront payments. The entire course content is available with full payment allowing you to fast track your Diploma completion.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Will the Diploma be recognised by AHPRA?
AHPRA mandates that “You must only perform dental treatments that you have been educated and trained in, and that you are competent in”. The Graduate Diploma aims to increase your skills and knowledge in the field of clear aligners and digital orthodontic treatments. At this stage we do not have any affiliations with AHPRA, however this may change in the future
Who is the accrediting body?
For the Australian accredited 10905NAT Graduate Diploma of Digital Orthodontic Treatments the awarding body is the Digital Orthodontic College. The Digital Orthodontic College is the accrediting body and is a Registered Training Organisation recognised by the Australian Skills Quality Authority.
For the UK accredited Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Orthodontics, the awarding body is EduQual in the UK.
Where can I download the program guide?
Please visit the link here to download the course guides or contact us for more info: digitalorthodonticcollege.com/courses
I WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BOSS
What is digital orthodontics?
The dental world is very quickly becoming digital. Clear aligners and digital orthodontics are overtaking fixed braces, which will become obsolete in future years. Treatments are planned on the computer, online predicted simulations are created ahead of time and active treatment can be monitored remotely using the very latest in dental technology.
Why is BOSS Course/ Digital Orthodontic College for me?
As the dental world becomes more digital, our education has to move with the times in the same way to keep up. General dentists do not have the same training as orthodontists and as a result we need to bridge that gap. The Digital Orthodontic College teaches you everything you need to succeed in the new era of digital orthodontics, and provides the only orthodontist-led nationally recognised diploma. We are also 100% online and self-paced so you can start whenever you like and no travel is required.
Do you have courses for Hygienist or Dental Therapists?
We are in the process of creating new courses all the time. Please contact us via the contact us form to stay updated with our new courses: digitalorthodonticcollege.com/contact-us
Who is Dr Vandana Katyal?
Dr Vandana Katyal – Course Director and Leading Orthodontist.
BDS (Syd), MScMed (Syd), DClinDent Ortho (Adel), MBA, MRACDS, MOrth RCSEd, Cert IV in Training and Assessment (2021).
Dr Vandana Katyal is an Australian certified and registered Specialist Orthodontist since 2013. She is highly experienced in delivering the latest, most efficient and most comfortable invisible orthodontic treatments.
Dr Katyal earned her Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 2001 and her Master of Science in Medicine (Clinical Epidemiology) at The University of Sydney in 2010.
In 2013, Dr Katyal completed her Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Orthodontics from The University of Adelaide and Membership in Orthodontics from the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh.
In 2019 she completed a Master of Business Administration and the world’s most innovative Design Thinking bootcamp from Stanford University. Her aligner-based orthodontic practice is based in Mosman, Sydney (cccsmiles.com.au) where she treats mild to complex orthodontic cases with clear aligners and digital technologies.
More info HERE
How can I test drive BOSS course content?
Our Youtube is a wealth of infomation on clinical tips, foundational orthodontic videos, clear aligners cases and testimonials. You can also watch introductory diploma videos as well as learn about assessment requirements – CLICK HERE.