FAQ about the ALF 101 Course

Both formats offer strong learning experiences — the right choice depends on how you learn best and what you need most right now.

Online Course

With the online course, you have on-demand access to all course material, allowing you to learn whenever it is most convenient for you. You can:

• Rewatch chapter and hands-on videos as often as needed

• Post questions directly within the course

• Access updates as new material becomes available

In addition, the online course includes one year of case support for pediatric cases, which many participants find invaluable when they begin treating patients.

The main limitation of the online format is that you do not gain hands-on cranial palpation experience, and I can't give you feedback on your wire bending skills.

Live (In-Person) Course

The live course offers a strong social and interactive component. I can provide individual guidance with wire bending and address specific clinical questions. You also gain valuable osteopathic palpatory experience, which cannot be replicated online.

The trade-off is that, due to the nature of group interaction, the material cannot be presented as concisely as in the online course. Given the volume of information shared, I consistently observe that participants eventually reach their cognitive limit. This is not a drawback of the course itself; it’s simply the reality of intensive, in-person learning.

How many dentists choose

Many dentists start with the online course to build a solid, structured foundation, then deepen their skills later through one of my live courses—either ALF 101, offered once a year, or one of my ALF Intensives, held several times a year at different locations.

Yes — with the right approach.

Based on my experience, dentists who complete the online course are confident and ready to begin treating patients when the following conditions are met:

• They complete the course within two to three months, maintaining momentum.

• They print out the manual and make notes.

• They watch each chapter video multiple times, often noting that even by the third viewing, they understand details they initially missed.

• They practice wire bending, using the dedicated exercises included in the course.

• They actively engage by posting questions and comments within the course platform.

• They take advantage of the case consultations before submitting a case to the lab (available after passing the final quiz).

The above builds confidence and has proven to be a reliable recipe for success.

On the other hand, I have observed that participants who feel overwhelmed by the amount of information, take more than three months to complete the online course, and do not practice the wire-bending exercises are not yet in a good position to begin ALF treatment. In those cases, it is best to wait until a stronger foundation is in place.

If carving out focused time for the online learning experience is challenging, you may gain more from the live course, where structure, hands-on guidance, and immediate feedback provide additional support.

Yes.

You can download the full course curriculum HERE.

You’re also invited to take a sneak peek at the first two segments of the course, so you can get a sense of the content, structure, and teaching style before committing.

ALF may not be a good match if your practice is built around:

• High-volume, fast-result orthodontics

• Patients who primarily want quick cosmetic outcomes

• A mindset of “one appliance, one protocol, one timeline”

That said, ALF can absolutely be a good match for any practice concept if you start with:

• Just a few carefully selected cases

• Allow enough time for each ALF patient visit. Initially, you will need at least 30 minutes or more per appointment. As you and your practice team become familiar with the structure of each visit, many tasks can be delegated, allowing you to gradually reduce your chairside time accordingly.

Yes.

You can always post comments underneath each chapter, and I will be happy to respond.

Starting in February 2026, a membership option will be available. This community is designed to support you as you progress through the course and beyond.

The membership provides:

• A place to ask questions as they arise

• Connection with peers who are also working with ALF therapy

• A monthly Zoom meeting where we review questions and problem-solve together

This platform remains available to you after you complete the course, offering continued support as your clinical experience grows.

The online course includes 1 year of case support for pediatric patients, starting from the time of registration.

After completing the course, you will receive a case presentation template, and we will review the diagnosis, treatment plan, and appliance design together.

Absolutely—regardless of which orthodontic or orthopedic method you use.

Orofacial myology addresses:

• Tongue rest posture

• Swallowing patterns

• Breathing habits

Ideally, an orofacial myologist should be part of the treatment team, either in person or via Zoom. If this is not possible, the exercises included in the course materials can be used to help guide the patient in the right direction.

No.

While cranial palpation is a valuable skill, it is not a prerequisite to begin offering ALF therapy.

If a cranial osteopath or craniosacral practitioner is available, collaboration can be very helpful. Having a colleague who can provide feedback benefits both you and your patients, and co-treatment leads to better outcomes.

As you attend cranial courses and develop palpation skills over time, you will become even more effective in adjusting the ALF.

 ALF requires a shift in thinking, not just a new appliance. 

First, it requires proper training—not only in the ALF approach, but also in a thorough understanding of facial growth and development, airway considerations, cranial concepts, orofacial myology, and posture. Without solid diagnostic skills, it is easy to move too fast or in the wrong direction.

The ALF Therapy and the Cranial Concept 101 course is a powerful foundational building block and can get you started. From there, continued education and clinical experience are essential.

Second, at the beginning of your learning curve, it is important to allow enough chairside time. Early on, appointments will take longer because you are observing more, measuring more, and thinking more. This is normal and appropriate. 

Third, it means starting with simple, well-chosen cases. Dentists who do best with ALF therapy resist the temptation to take on complex cases right away. Beginning with easier cases—such as children in the primary or early mixed dentition—reduces stress and allows for a smoother learning curve.
I will be happy to look at a case with you and provide feedback on how complex the treatment might be.

Equally important is patience: with the process, with the patient, and with yourself. ALF works in cooperation with the body’s adaptive capacity. Structural change takes time, and functional change even more so. Trying to speed things up often leads to frustration or unintended consequences.

Finally, successful ALF providers understand that this is a learning process, not a one-time skill acquisition. They ask questions, seek feedback, submit cases for review, and remain open to refining their approach. Over time, what initially feels slow and demanding becomes more intuitive, efficient, and deeply rewarding, as you begin to see changes in your patients that extend far beyond the oral cavity.

LIVE Course

Registration 
Please take note that the live course is offered once a year and is sponsored by the AAGO.

A 1-year AAGO membership is required to attend the live course. See membership details HERE.

ONLINE Course

Registration
Save $555 on the Year-End Promo 2025

You’re welcome to reach out to me at [email protected]. I look forward to answering your questions.