Implant education patterns and clinical practice of general dentists in Australia

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to understand trends in dentists' implant training attendance and correlation to treatment provision. Implant-specific oral hygiene instruction coverage in training programs was investigated.

Methods: A cross-sectional web-survey of dentists registered in Australia was conducted. Respondents were asked about their background, implant training history and treatment provision. Results were analysed by implant provision characteristics and graduation decade.

Results: Three hundred and three responses from general dental practitioners (GDPs) were received and analysed. The highest implant training levels attained post-graduation were postgraduate non-specialist qualification (7.9% of respondents), continuing professional development (CPD) (73.6%) versus none (18.5%), with differences between implant providers and non-providers (P < 0.001), different graduation decades (P < 0.001) and those restoring implants or performing surgery as well (P < 0.001). University-based CPD was attended less than dental association/society or implant company CPD. Non-providers were significantly less likely to recall implant oral hygiene instruction sources (P < 0.001). Most GDPs (74.9%) provided implant services, with younger GDPs beginning earlier after graduation. About 16% of respondents did not provide implants once established career-wise.

Conclusions: Dentists might be providing implant treatments increasingly earlier in their careers. Respondents with more training were significantly more likely to perform more complex procedures, while implant training attendance trends varied by graduation decade.

Keywords: Continuing education; dental implants; dentists' practice patterns; oral hygiene; survey.