Incorporating implant dentistry into undergraduate dental curriculum: need, problems and a simplified implementation strategy

ABSTRACT

As a consequence of several paradigm shifts and the increasing need and demand for implant restorations by patients, these days' implant related procedures are more frequently performed by general dental practitioners [GDP]. The resulting lack of not following a team approach by the GDP has increased the rate of implants related complications. Thus dentists upon graduation need to be made competent by incorporating, in the curriculum, relevant concepts and procedure related to dental implants. This will enable local dental institutes not only to be in line with those in developed countries but they will also produce dental graduates competent for the practice of dental implants. The implant related curricular content shall comprise of learning and training of; indication of oral implants in overall treatment planning of patients, understanding of the basic aspects of healing and tissue integration, basic biomechanical andmaterial science principles, patients' evaluation, selection and identification of their treatment complexity, relevant ethical and moral considerations, surgical and prosthetic techniques, monitoring,maintenance and management of complications related to peri-implant tissues and implant prosthesis. This writing elaborates upon the strategy for overcoming the barriers to introducing dental implants in dental undergraduate studies and for ensuring desired learning and the acquisition of skills related to these issues of implant-supported dental restorations by graduating dentists