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Engineering Smiles in Medellín: Dr. Robert Stanley's Groundbreaking Implantology Course
Engineering Smiles in Medellín: Dr. Robert Stanley's Groundbreaking Implantology Course
In the heart of Medellín, Colombia, a city known for innovation and transformation, dental professionals gathered on July 31 and August 1, 2025, for a world-class continuing education experience led by none other than Dr. Robert Stanley, "The Smile Engineer." With his signature blend of precision, engineering expertise, and clinical excellence, Dr. Stanley delivered a two-day educational journey that challenged conventions and raised the bar for implant dentistry in Latin America.
Day 1: Redefining Success in the Esthetic Zone
The event opened with a lecture that could best be described as both technically sophisticated and immediately practical. Dr. Stanley captivated the audience by demystifying the challenges of implant placement in the esthetic zone—an area where beauty, biology, and biomechanics all converge.
Rather than offering abstract theory, Dr. Stanley walked attendees through his real-world digital workflows—revealing how engineering principles can help dentists not only place implants accurately but also design treatment plans that account for long-term esthetics, bone stability, and patient satisfaction. His approach wasn’t about taking shortcuts; it was about making smart, data-driven decisions at every stage of treatment.
What made this session especially powerful was the way Dr. Stanley connected the digital and the human. He showed how leveraging 3D imaging, guided surgery, and virtual planning doesn’t replace clinical judgment—it amplifies it. Attendees left with a new lens through which to view immediate placement and esthetic zone management, grounded in technology but focused on outcomes.
Day 2: Hands-On Mastery in the Operatory
While Day 1 set the conceptual foundation, Day 2 brought the theory to life through a fully immersive hands-on workshop. Participants rolled up their sleeves and got to work, practicing both anterior and posterior implant placements under Dr. Stanley’s close guidance.
More than just drilling models or following steps, the workshop encouraged participants to think critically. Every exercise came with context—Why choose this angulation? How will this impact emergence profile? What happens if the soft tissue behaves differently than expected? Dr. Stanley pushed attendees to move beyond textbook answers and develop adaptable, real-world skills.
The energy in the room was focused, collaborative, and elevated. Whether refining flap design techniques, troubleshooting complications, or exploring alternative approaches to bone management, participants were engaged in deep learning—and many commented on how the hands-on format gave them the confidence to immediately apply new techniques in their own practices.
A Standout Event in Latin American Dentistry
What made this Medellín event truly exceptional was the fusion of education, mentorship, and innovation. Dr. Stanley didn’t just teach how to place implants—he showed how to approach implant dentistry like an engineer, with precision, systems thinking, and a relentless pursuit of better outcomes.
For those in attendance, it wasn’t just a course—it was a shift in mindset. A reminder that excellence in implant dentistry requires more than skill with a handpiece. It takes planning, technology, experience, and a willingness to embrace the digital tools that are reshaping the profession.
Looking Ahead
Dr. Stanley’s visit to Medellín left a lasting impact on the Colombian dental community and all who traveled to be part of this transformative experience. As implant dentistry continues to evolve, events like this are a reminder of the power of education to inspire change—and of the leaders who are shaping the future, one implant at a time.
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Putting Together a Great Dental Team
Use your team to grow your team
“So, how do we put together a great team in our office? We know that today, in these times, it’s really challenging to find really good help because unemployment is at an all-time low. It’s challenging to find people to come into our office and work for us.
Obviously, we can put out an ad on Indeed or Craigslist or wherever you feel it’s important to advertise. Just make sure that ad talks about how great your office is, and how fun it is. Talk about the team culture that you have — not just about the qualifications you’re looking for because people with qualifications can go anywhere.
Here’s another idea: why don’t you get your team involved? Offer your team an incentive if they can find a great person and you end up hiring that great person. You’d be surprised how many other team members your team members know. And they hear people say, “I’m not happy in my office and I would love to move.”
Allow your team member to invite another team member to join the team and then incentivize them — give them a few dollars to bring someone in who’s a quality person who fits your culture. Allow your team to build your team. It’ll grow and the culture will continue to develop.”
Understanding your team
At a dental office, you need a variety of people with different talents in order to make the business a success. When looking for new employees to hire, make sure to first take a look at your own team.
What are their individual strengths and weaknesses? And we’re not talking clinical skills (though you should look at that too). Do they like to keep the office organized? Are they good at remembering patient names and charts? Do they excel at getting new callers to convert? How is their bedside manner? If your team is struggling in one of those (or other) categories, make it a point to look for someone who can fill that void. In interviews, ask the person about those specific skills and, in working interviews, make sure they demonstrate them. You can also try giving potential employees a personality test to see where exactly their strengths lie.
Every person comes equipped with their own strengths and weaknesses. Understanding those, and hiring people who fill the gaps, is the best way to create a well-rounded team.
Learn more about the business of dentistry
Master the business of dentistry by joining us for our Dental Entrepreneur Summit. In the course, Dr. Bobbi covers a variety of business-related topics including:
- Decreasing stress while increasing profit
- Hiring a top-notch team
- Developing team leaders
- Incentivizing your team
- Putting together a quality personnel manual
- Increasing your new patient numbers
- Increasing profits in your hygiene department
- Controlling cash flow in your dental practice
- Telephone etiquette to get calling patients on the schedule
- Effective marketing
- Planning for retirement now

Lifelong learning: Stanley Institute founders attend prestigious dental meetings
At Stanley Institute for Comprehensive Dentistry, our mission is to not only provide comprehensive dental education but also to continually learn and grow. This commitment to lifelong learning is embodied by our founders, Dr. Robert Stanley and Dr. Bobbi Stanley. They are always in pursuit of the latest advancements in dentistry, regularly attending continuing education courses and events to stay at the forefront of their field.
This weekend, they are thrilled to be attending the renowned Chicago Mid Winter meeting and the exclusive, invitation-only American Academy of Restorative Dentistry’s annual meeting. These prestigious events gather the brightest minds in dentistry, offering a wealth of opportunities for learning, collaboration and growth.
As dental educators, Drs. Robert and Bobbi Stanley understand the importance of staying updated with the latest research and trends in dentistry. Their constant pursuit of knowledge ensures that they can provide the most relevant and up-to-date education to their students at Stanley Institute for Comprehensive Dentistry.
But why is this so important? Companies and institutions thrive when they transform their customers—or in our case, our students—into better versions of themselves. By continually expanding their knowledge, Dr. Bobbi and Dr. Robert Stanley ensure they can guide their students on this transformative journey.
Just as they are committed to their own growth, they encourage their students to demonstrate the same consistency in their learning journey. So, as they head off to these meetings, we celebrate not only their dedication but also the profound impact it has on our students. Their relentless pursuit of knowledge empowers our student community, equipping them with the tools and expertise to excel in their dental careers.
Stay tuned for updates from their journey and the insights they’ll bring back to Stanley Institute!

Keep Your Team Motivated
“A dream written down with a date becomes a goal. A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan. A plan backed by action makes your dreams come true.” ― Greg Reid
The dentist cannot do it alone. You must assemble a winning team. Everyone loves to succeed! Motivate your team with goals and rewards.
Establish your goals
At your annual kickoff meeting or end-of-year clarity retreat, work with your team to decide where you need improvement in the coming year and set realistic goals with everyone from hygienists to front desk staff.
Create an action plan
If you do not clearly outline how you will succeed, your team becomes a ship without a sail. Develop small steps that move the needle and assign tasks to individuals. Don’t forget to record who is responsible for what and circle back at the agreed upon time!
Decide on a reward
Whether large or small, give your team something to anticipate! It doesn’t always have to be a grand prize. Rewards can be as small as a pizza lunch for the team or a Starbucks gift card for an individual!
Keep the goal top of mind
The old adage out of sight (or hearing), out of mind. At your morning huddle, discuss your goals and how you will achieve them that day! During the day, have a designated “cheerleader” that will remind the team of the goal and give a progress update several times. At the end of day meeting, report the strides that have been made or decide what needs improvement.
Keep the rewards in sight as well. Are you planning a nice dinner on the town if the team hits a certain goal? Pin up a copy of their menu in the break room to get everyone excited! Another idea is to talk about what you might eat or how you might dress that night!
Celebrate everything
Large or small, be certain to point out the wins as the leader of the team. And enjoy your reward!
Dr. Bobbi Stanley has practiced dentistry for over 25 years. She has established best practices for setting daily, monthly and annual goals and the team incentives to encourage her staff to meet them. In her Dental Entrepreneur Summit, she details the methods she has used to build one of the oldest and largest comprehensive dental practices in the Southeast.
In 2020, the course will be offered in-person and virtually for dentists that are serious about making 2021 their best year yet!

Dental Implant Continuum-Virtual Courses
Necessity is the mother of invention. ~English proverb
This year has certainly been a roller coaster! Between nationwide dental clinic closures, scrambling for PPE and dissecting the CARES Act, it was anything but business as usual for dentists and their teams. While many components of dentistry pressed pause, continuing education took center stage!
In the uncertainty of the pandemic, Stanley Institute made an immediate pivot to help our dental colleagues. Through a series of complementary webinars, Drs. Robert & Bobbi Stanley came alongside fellow dentists to navigate the changing landscape of business ownership and clinician. It soon became clear that this new normal was here to stay. Therefore we have transitioned our implant continuum to a virtual learning platform. In addition to our on-demand webinars and presentations, our implant curriculum is now available digitally.
Our start to finish single implant curriculum consists of Essentials 1 PLAN, Essentials 2 PREP and Essentials 3 PROS. Since we were unable to host Essentials 2 in person this Spring, the virtual course was given live and it was also entirely recorded while being optimized for the virtual learner. It is available on-demand.
We will be hosting Essentials 1 both in-person and virtually August 21-22. Essentials 3 will be presented in-person, virtually and recorded August 28-29.
Additionally, Stanley Institute has partnered with the International Congress of Oral Implantology to provide a path to ICOI Fellowship. Upon completion of these courses, you will qualify for Fellowship.
Don’t miss out out on this unparalleled opportunity to add implants to your practice and letters to your name from the comfort and safety of your own home! Contact Stanley Institute today to learn more about our on-line courses.

Achieve Optimal Esthetics in Implantology with Prosthetic Planning Protocol
Achieve Optimal Esthetics in Implantology with Prosthetic Planning Protocol
Posted In: Clinical on July 27, 2020
Dr. Robert Stanley, the Smile Engineer®, utilizes his PhD in mechanical engineering and DDS to bring a unique perspective to the dental implant process. Dr. Stanley begins implant procedures with an ideal aesthetic in mind. Utilizing CBCT technology and principles of engineering, he ensures predictable aesthetics and lasting, functional results. Regardless of whether you are referring out your implant surgeries, or doing them yourself, these crucial concepts are paramount for successful treatment outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn the three to achieve cosmetic and functionally successful dental implants
- Learn about the Digital Prosthetic Planning Protocol (DPPP) for dental implants
- Review the technology needed to get started with digital planning protocol
Have questions? Contact us. Ready to add implants to your practice, don’t miss our start to finish implant continuum.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Piezocube by Acteon (video)
The Evolution of Piezo: Engineered for Ease & Efficiency
Dr. Robert Stanley is a dentist and mechanical engineer, professionally known as the Smile Engineer®. Dr. Stanley’s unique background combines principles of mechanical engineering with state-of-the-art implant dentistry, providing world-class aesthetics solutions with maximum patient comfort. His surgical approach relies on measured, proven and reliable principles and products. As a long-time user of piezoelectric technology, Dr. Stanley is intimately familiar with the growth of piezoelectricity and its surgical applications in dentistry.
In this one hour presentation, Dr. Stanley’s discussion points will include:
•atraumatic extractions in the esthetic zone
•implant retrievals
•lateral sinus grafting
•ridge reductions and bone removal
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