The perfect combination

08 June 2012
Volume 28 · Issue 6

Debbie Snelson explains the importance of theoretical know-how and genuine hands on experience.

Even though implant dentistry still doesn't quite carry the popularity here as it does throughout the rest of Europe (around seven times more implants are placed each year in Italy than in the UK) its attractiveness has increased significantly over the past decade. Treatment has undeniably become more affordable for patients, in no small part because of training clinics, which can offer cost-effective care on the patient's complete understanding that it is provided by qualified dentists learning new skills in a fully-supervised training environment under the watchful eyes of highly-experienced tutors.

Of course, as accessibility to dental implants continues to open up to patients, it is inevitable that more dental practices see the commercial and professional advantages of offering such treatments as part of a more diverse portfolio of provision. The Association of Dental Implantology estimates there are currently around 2,000 practitioners providing some aspect of implant dentistry, with this figure rising year-on-year. Becoming well-practised in the art of dental implants obviously requires dentists to complete further training and obtain additional qualifications to learn all of the necessary skills and techniques, something Dentale has seen firsthand, with the number of dentists successfully undertaking the 'Introduction to Implant Dentistry and Advanced Practical Implantology' courses more than trebling over the past 18 months.

Like any dental discipline, implant dentistry has its own particular techniques, terminologies, and instruments to discover. But while it's essential to get a solid grasp of the theoretical aspects surrounding implants, the quickest and most effective way to learn is to combine the classroom and study with a more 'hands-on' practical element of training.

On the five-day 'Introduction to Implant Dentistry' course, in addition to studying the background and theories behind dental implants, delegates get to place at least one 'live' implant on a patient. Dentists on the 10 day 'Advanced Practical Implantology' course will place a minimum of 15 implants and are guaranteed to treat at least six cases from initial diagnosis right the way through to placement and restoration. Such practical experience really does provide the perfect preparation for dentists to go on and successfully practice implant dentistry on a daily basis.

This is particularly the case when dentists have their support staff and dental nurses on hand to learn alongside them at their own implant training courses. While the dentist obviously needs to develop his or her dental implant skills and techniques, it's important their support staff also gain the competence and confidence to help them deliver quality care and treatment. A well-drilled team, if you pardon the pun, brings about a huge number of benefits – if treatments can be delivered smoothly and efficiently, turnaround times become quicker, giving the practice the opportunity to dramatically increase the number of patients it can treat.

Dentale has been busy extending its course portfolio, and throughout the summer will be launching a number of additional training programmes. While the dental disciplines involved may change, one thing that remains the same is the importance of gaining new skills through hands-on practical learning.