Comprehensive dental implant training for undergraduate dental students: a Canadian university experience

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Over the past 30 years, dental implant science and technology has vastly improved our ability to restore and reconstruct lost dentition and masticatory function over traditional dental reconstructive methods. Osseointegrated dental implants have proven to be extremely predictable and reliable in restoring function and resolving challenging disabilities that can occur with both the partially edentulous and fully edentulous dental patients. The provision of implant dentistry requires additional expertise beyond traditional dentistry in both the surgical phase (placement in the bone) and the restorative phase (fabrication and placement of a crown/prosthesis attached to the implant). In most dental schools, pre-doctoral students in general dentistry have limited exposure to implant dentistry and in some cases learn only the restorative phase. In Canada, at the University of Alberta, Department of Dentistry, Division of Implant Dentistry, the pre-doctoral dental students are receiving personal mentorship by dental specialists in both the surgical placement of dental implants and the restorative phase. This unique opportunity and hands-on experience provides the students with a higher level of training along with a broader knowledge of all aspects of implant dentistry.