Doug Depew, Founder, TrapezioDoug Depew, Founder
Trapezio designs premier team training solutions for orthodontic practices. Formerly known as the Academy of Orthodontic Assisting, Trapezio imparts knowledge and training solutions to the entire orthodontic team, including all the different roles in the office.

In an exclusive interview with Manage HR magazine, Doug Depew, founder of Trapezio, shares insights on how his company is helping orthodontic practitioners provide clinical and non-clinical training solutions for their team members using high-quality curriculum and hands-on courses.

Streamlining Initial Orthodontic Training Workflows

Many dental practices lack practitioners with formal orthodontic training, which requires them to provide extensive and time-consuming training from scratch. Recognizing this need for quick and comprehensive orthodontic training, we have developed an e-learning platform that offers a new standard for online training of clinical and non-clinical team members in orthodontic practices worldwide.

Started as a classroom-based program, our company transitioned to an online curriculum to accommodate the increasing number of learners. We were endorsed by the American Association of Orthodontists in 2007. Today, we help orthodontists deliver standardized training solutions to their team members through well-designed e-learning programs. So far, thousands of successful graduates have significantly benefited from our courses.

E-learning Made Easy

Trapezio ensures a seamless user experience throughout the learning process. Clients can assign different licenses to their team members through our easy-to-use platform. They can then log in to the platform and access various courses that cater to their needs. We have made these courses informative and engaging to the learners with interactive learning methods like gamification.

Our orthodontics courses are further supplemented by a guide for hands-on exercises in orthodontic assisting. Each person graduating from the orthodontic assisting course receives a certificate of completion and a designation—ACOA certified orthodontic assistant—that enhances their credibility.
We also have other courses on the website for those at the front desk, marketing, or sales part of the orthodontic practice.

Scaling up during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic put Trapezio front and center, as the lockdown made it difficult for orthodontists to provide in-person training. Trapezio’s web-based programs gained considerable traction, which enabled learners to access and complete the courses from the comfort of their homes.
On top of that, the great resignation pushed all areas of health care to hire new staff members, many of whom weren’t well experienced in orthodontic practices. This significantly lifted Trapezio’s role in the orthodontic training industry. We have provided high-quality training to many people through our orthodontic assisting courses and equipped them with various skills depending on their level. We also conducted webinars during the early part of the pandemic, addressing the many needs of orthodontists during the global crisis, including remote treatment and patient monitoring.

Interactive and User-friendly Learning

Our courses are meticulously designed to evoke participation and engagement by involving learners throughout the process. We offer an interactive e-learning experience using PowerPoint and iSpring Suite, accessible via a browser, phone, or tablet. We leverage different learning tools, including audio, videos, and interactive games, to optimize learner engagement.

Trapezio’s e-learning platform offers a new standard for online training of clinical and non-clinical team members in orthodontic practices worldwide

Our Keystone course is The Academy of Orthodontic Assisting Level 1, with 14 lessons, each broken down into three modules, which require about three months to complete. Learners need to reach a competent score to pass the final test, as doctors want their employees to score 90 percent or better to keep working with them. To help with this need, we offer clients the ability to reset their tests whenever required. Suppose someone is sick or in no condition to take part in the test, they can retake it later, enabling them to complete their training and get certified.

Walking the Talk with Promising Results

We also ensure substantial results as much as we focus on the solutions we provide. Our client testimonials prove learners emerge from our courses with a strong understanding of the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ of the orthodontic process. We have had people with prior experience in the industry who completed our course and learned many things they had never known before.

We have an education program called The Academy of Insurance Coordinators for those who file insurance claims in an orthodontic office. Through the program, we enable coordinators to understand insurance claim submission, CDT codes, and other relevant information and skills pertaining to their job role. Trapezio’s course prepared many without access to adequate knowledge to gain mastery over the subject matter. The program was a massive success in improving the orthodontic offices compared to their previous state of affairs.

Leading Ahead with Expertise Rooted in Experience

The orthodontic industry is in its infant stage compared to other medical practices. Yet, our talented team showcases experienced professionals with 10 to 30 years of industry knowledge. Collaborations with leading consultants in the industry help us draft top-quality content for our clients. Trapezio is committed to aiding orthodontists in correctly training their staff and helping share knowledge and information on current trends and development. Our passionate and dedicated team helps turn this goal into reality. In 2009, Trapezio was rebranded to reflect the broader scope of education options for the entire orthodontic team. We have been improving and updating our curriculum ever since.