PTC Buyers Guide

You can think of training as a cost or see it as an investment. But to get the most from any training you need to think about what you expect to achieve within your laboratory. You can start the process by asking and answering some basic questions:

• What is the real cost of training your staff?
• What could be the real cost to your business of running it with under trained staff?
• What could you achieve if you had consistently trained staff with defined quality standards?
• Download Full Price List (PDF 14kb)

What’s the right training approach for you?

If training makes sense for your business how do you decide the best route to follow?

Ask yourself some more challenging questions:

What skills do you want to develop?

• Do you have a simple short-term skill deficit you need to cover?
• What is the learning and training culture of your company?
• Do you have an existing training structure you can enhance?
• Do you want to create an ongoing training structure within the business?
• Are you and your staff self-learners or do you achieve more with interaction?
• Do you want external validation and certification?
• Do you want to bring new employees up to commercial speed as quickly as possible?
• Do you want to implement consistency and quality standards into your output?

What is PTC? How does it fit in the laboratory and the training arena?

PTC is shorthand for the training products developed and supplied by American company, Productivity Training Corporation.

PTC skills training was launched in the UK in 1985 and has been undergoing refinement and development ever since. That’s because, like Aspects dlm, PTC believes improvement is always possible. Just as technology changes in the dental laboratory so it changes in the training environment. PTC and Aspects dlm are keen to make sure our products remain relevant and at the forefront of dental laboratory productivity needs.

How does PTC work and who is it aimed at?

PTC training is designed to support a range of learning styles. That includes people disciplined enough to benefit from the teach yourself approach for example. And it also covers those who want the challenge of external validation and certification of their enhanced skills.

You can buy the PTC product range in four different combinations. The same fundamental information is available in each. Different elements that support the learning experience are added to each of the combinations in the range.

The four levels are:

1. Techbook - a hardbound reference book. This is aimed at people who want key information at hand on an ad hoc basis. It’s useful if you write articles or develop your own training material and want to be sure of your facts.
2. Learning module - comprises Techbook and a supporting DVD. Aimed at people who want to work through the examples to practice and develop the skills the book describes. Having supporting DVDs also helps to get a clear grasp of what is being covered in the text.
3. Techmaster - learning module in manuals format plus student kit (tools and materials). The printed information supplied in this system comes in a loose leaf, ringbound format. Having all the necessary tools and materials supplied makes this a complete self-learning package. You can work at your own pace and compare your output to that in the DVDs. You have everything at hand to get exactly the same results that have been worked through and demonstrated for you on the DVD. With this approach you can repeat steps and take as much time as you need before moving on. You have complete control and responsibility for the quality of the learning and the finished results. You are the judge of the standard of work that is produced.
4. TVS - the star of the range and the most sophisticated, comprehensive skills learning system available. If we could guarantee success it would be through this system. In essence it’s the TechMaster system but with different DVDs, verification drills, seminars, workshops, course guides and training manuals. It comprises almost everything you need to reach successful phase one validation - a standard set and certified by PTC. The TVS skill system process is unique and is explained in more detail below.

Almost everything is a very important caveat here. There is one additional, and extremely important element needed to make any of our products work for you. And that’s motivation, application and effort from the learner. The old adage is true: success is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration.

What aspects of dental technology skills does PTC cover?

Essentially three areas: crown & bridge, dentures, and Smile Design

PTC comprises the following modules. However, not all modules are available in each of the four learning options. The chart below shows which modules apply to each learning option.

Modules

SPA = Simplifying posterior dental anatomy
SAA = anterior anatomy and the science of a natural smile
CBW = crown & bridge anatomical waxing
FDF =
APPA = anterior & posterior anatomical waxing
CAB = contouring anterior bridges
CPB = contouring posterior bridges
CDC =
CND = creating natural dentures
Smile Design

Contents of each learning option

Module	Tech Book	Learning Module	Tech Master	TVS
SPA
SAA
CBW
FDF
APPA
CAB
CPB
CDC
CND
Smile Design

With the TechMaster option you can buy any individual module or a combination of modules cover complete elements of training as shown below.

Techmaster Packages

Anatomy	SPA, SAA
Waxing	CBW, FDF
Porcelain	APPA, CAB, CPB, CDC
Anterior	SAA, APPA, CAB
Posterior	SPA, APPA, CPB
C & B	SPA, SAA, CBW, FDF, APPA, CAB, CPB, CDC
Techmaster Complete	(C & B and CND)

With TVS you can buy the following complete modules:

• Crown & bridge
• Creating natural dentures
• Smile Design

What is TVS?

TVS is the best option if:
you want to install an ongoing training system that meets your immediate and future training needs, gives you confidence in quality and consistency, boosts productivity , and keeps it high.

When considering TVS be aware of the commitment you are making. This system takes training seriously and sets clear expectations to deliver its promises.

For example, as a TVS customer you will need to do preparatory work before you do the required seminars and workshops.

You’ll need to attend, and be involved in, interactive hands-on workshops. The things you make during these workshops will be measured against a required standard. Attaining the required standard is a prerequisite for PTC verification and certification.

Once you have completed the workshops you’ll have to go through the production cycle again back in your own laboratory. The things you produce will again be measured against the standard. You’ll be tested using phone verification.

Once you have been successful at these three cycles, you’ll achieve phase one verification and certification. You’ll have worked hard for it and you will understand what it takes to succeed.

With that under you belt, it’s up to you to take your staff on the same learning journey. This is phase two verification.

You know who is right for training and development and you know how the system works. You have the basics needed to get your staff up to the same level of competence and skill as you.

Once you have defined your laboratory training plan, order the customised course guides for each of your staff. Then start them on the learning cycle.

Ultimate verification is three cycles away. Add motivation and application to the PTC TVS system, and consistent quality and productivity is within your control.