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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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COVID-19 & Dentistry, presented in partnership with Henry Schein Dental
In the midst of constant changes, many alumni and industry partners have consulted the experts at Stanley Institute to discuss next steps, both clinically and as small business owners.
After 25 years in dentistry and more than a decade mentoring colleagues, Drs. Robert & Bobbi Stanley are perfectly positioned to offer guidance during these uncertain times.
In addition to both practical and business webinars related to the current pandemic, Dr. Bobbi Stanley has partnered with Henry Schein to discuss COVID-19 & Dentistry, A Guide for Dentists.
On Friday April 17 at Dr. Stanley offered a complimentary presentation with a live Q & A session.
If you missed the live broadcast, please see the replay below:
Emergency Care: Extractions
The current climate has changed the way we operate as clinicians. In most states, dentists are now only seeing emergency patients. Many times, emergencies can result in the need for extractions. If you haven’t performed an extraction since dental school, now it the time to review. Join Dr. Robert Stanley, the Smile Engineer®, as he offers a complimentary one-hour session on extraction technique best practices, loaded with numerous dental pearls you’ll be able to use immediately. Although he normally delivers this course in 8 hours, Dr. Stanley has consolidated the content into a two-hour action-packed, must see webinar. He will review a streamlined, practical protocol for implementing, or improving efficiencies for dental extractions in your practice and discuss topics such as:
- Instrumentation: Just the Necessities
- Biomechanics of Extractions
- Socket Grafting: Materials and Tools
- Flap Design
- Patient Pain Management
WEBINAR: CARES Act-what you need to know
Drs. Robert & Bobbi Stanley have harnessed their experience and expertise gained from more than 25 years as small business owners to forge ahead in these unfamiliar times. In the midst of providing answers for their large dental team, they have worked tirelessly consulting banks and attorneys to understand what this means for their own practice and dentists across America.
In this update, Drs. Stanley review what is known about the CARES act so far and how experts are predicting it can impact dental small business owners. Topics include:
- Is my business eligible for relief?
- How much can I qualify for?
- How do I apply?
- How much will I need?
- WILL THIS LOAN BE 100% FORGIVEN?
- What are approved ways to use the money?
New Advil + Acetaminophen medication
For years, dentists have recommended combining ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) to safely enjoy the complementary pain relief benefits of both drugs. Earlier this year pharmaceutical maker, Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK) announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved their exclusive drug, Advil Dual Action with Acetaminophen for over-the-counter (OTC) use. This is the first ever, all-in-one product on the OTC market and the dental community is enthusiastic about the ease of use for patients.
Simplified medication protocol will hopefully yield more compliant patients and a reduced need to prescribe opioids. Based on data from multiple clinical studies, the new medication has been shown to achieve more thorough pain relief compared to the individual components taken separately. Additionally, studies show the advil + acetaminophen combination manages pain as effectively as narcotics.
Dr. Robert Stanley, a dentist in Cary NC and co-founder of Stanley Institute says, “The combination of the two medications is very effective. Advil Dual Action will help eliminate confusing directions for managing postoperative discomfort and makes discharge directions easier to follow. By complying more closely with doctor’s orders for pain relief, patients have a better overall dental experience. This is a great, safe addition to the dental arsenal.”
Best Dental Practices during COVID-19: A continuing discussion
In the midst of uncertainty, we must collect our thoughts and continue to move forward as healthcare providers and team leaders. In our previous webinar, we spoke with an employment attorney (link to webinar). Now, we are faced with navigating this evolving landscape. Drs. Robert & Bobbi Stanley have been in dentistry and small business ownership for more than 25 years. Although they, and many others have weathered employment issues, recessions, natural disasters and more, the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. We must press ahead together and not be paralyzed with the fear of what may lie ahead.Join Drs. Stanley for a peer-to-peer forum and open discussion about navigating the unique challenges we face as dentists, business owners and Americans. The dental community has the opportunity to unite and persevere through this difficult landscape by continuing this collaborative conversation.
- Employment Law compliance—which one do I follow, Federal, state, local?
- Workplace Safety
- Anti-Discrimination-what does that mean for health screenings?
- Exempt vs Non-Exempt employees-what are my obligations?
- Paid sick leave
- FFCRA Sick Leave
- Workers Compensation
- Unemployment
- Top 5 practices for crisis response
- Small business loan-is that the right decision?
- How to create an action plan-for business-will I pay sick leave or vacation
- Action plan covid19 infection of patient or employee
- Emergency paid sick leave-who qualifies?
COVID-19 Town Hall for Dentists
Thank you to Lira Johnson, Employment & Labor Attorney & Partner at Dinsmore, as well as, Drs. Robert & Bobbi Stanley for a webinar plus question and answer session to help dentists navigate the coming weeks as business owners and clinicians. The following questions and more were addressed:
- What do I tell my team?
- How can I pay my team?
- What should I do with retirement while closed?
- What are my rights as an associate?
- What are options for team health insurance during closure?
- Do I pay out PTO?
- Can my employees get unemployment benefits?
- What is the difference between furlough, layoff and terminating employees?
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