Dental implant practice among Hong Kong general dental practitioners in 2004 and 2008

Abstract

Objective: To describe the dental implant practice profile of Hong Kong general dental practitioners in 2008 and the trend since 2004.

Materials and methods: A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to 630 dentists through systematic sampling of registered dentists.

Results: A total of 290 completed questionnaires were returned (response rate, 53%). Implant dentistry was practiced by 61% of the respondents. The survey also revealed that 84% of those respondents who own their private practice performed implant dentistry. About half of the dentists (49%) who performed implant dentistry placed or restored 5 or more implants per quarter. Among those dentists not practicing implant dentistry, the majority (85%) were interested in attending continuing education courses in dental implantology.

Conclusion: There has been a significant increase in the number of general dental practitioners practicing implant dentistry in Hong Kong since 2004. By 2008, more than half of the general dental practitioners (61%) are practicing implant dentistry. Most of them not practicing implant dentistry expressed a desire to learn more about dental implants. This survey revealed a high demand for continuing professional development in implant dentistry in Hong Kong.