Taking stock of training in implant dentistry

Abstract

Despite the ever-growing demand for implant treatments by patients, there is confusion about what the appropriate training pathway in implant dentistry should be. This is accompanied by a worrying lack of training at undergraduate level for correct patient selection and monitoring of implant cases. An unclear training pathway, inappropriate referrals and a 'hands-off' approach to patients with implants may be putting patients at risk. This article highlights these issues with a suggestion that the training should of course follow the current GDC guidelines, but goes further to suggest that the end point of training should be at diploma level as a minimum, either via a university route, or via the RCS Edinburgh Diploma in Implant Dentistry Examination.