A survey of oral implantology teaching in the university dental hospitals and schools of the United Kingdom and Eire

Abstract

Aim: To provide an overview of the currently available academic teaching and clinical training in oral implantology at the university dental schools and hospitals of the United Kingdom and Eire.

Method: A questionnaire was sent to the dean or director of dental studies and forwarded to the respective units involved in the academic teaching and clinical training of oral implantology. The setting was the university dental hospitals, and dental schools of the UK and Eire. Information was collected between July 1997 and March 1999. The main outcome measures were course availability, duration and emphasis for undergraduate and postgraduate study in the clinical discipline of oral implantology. The units or departments responsible for training and teaching were identified and formal degree courses were distinguished from non-degree courses.

Results: All institutions replied to the survey. All university dental schools provide undergraduate training in oral implantology in accordance with the guidelines provided by the General Dental Council. However, the courses vary with regard to the departments involved and the level of student participation. Thirteen centres provide informal postgraduate training with the duration ranging from one to eighteen days. Just eight centres provide formal academic graduate training based on oral implantology leading to recognised degrees.

Conclusion: All university dental schools provide undergraduate teaching in oral implantology. Most centres also provide informal postgraduate training based on oral implantology. However, opportunities for academic graduate training, leading to recognised qualifications in this subject, appear limited at present.