Implant training among GDPs mainly “theoretical”

  • Date: 14 July 2015

CURRENT dental education in the UK at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels does not instil confidence in GDPs to provide and maintain dental implants, according to a study published in the British Dental Journal.

Researchers from the University of Birmingham School of Dentistry surveyed 91 GDPs working in a group of practices in the West Midlands. Sixty-seven (77 per cent) stated that they learnt only "theoretical aspects" of dental implants during their undergraduate training and the majority felt the training they received was inadequate.

Barriers in dental implant provision by general dentists were identified as the risk of failure (56.3 per cent), concern over potential complications (65.5 per cent) and the cost of learning (51.7 per cent). The results were correlated to the implant competences set by regulatory organisations such as General Dental Council and Association of Dental Education Europe.

Link: Maintaining dental implants – do general dental practitioners have the necessary knowledge?

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