Training Standards in Implant Dentistry for General Dental Practitioners

Members of the Training Standards in Implant Dentistry Working Groups for both the original document published in 2005 and the revisited document published in 2008 included ADI President Paul Stone and subsequently ADI President Anthony Bendkowski.

The President posted notification on the ADI Members Forum in January 2009 for all members to contribute in order for the ADI to be able to fully represent its members when the Standards document next comes up for review in 2010.

The General Dental Council (GDC) convened a small working group in December 2005 to consider training standards for dental teams who wish to practise implant dentistry. The document produced by this original group has been revisited and updated in 2008 and the membership of the current working group is included as Annex A.

The remit of these groups, which were independent of any organisation, was to consider what standards of training would be required by the dental team before practising implant dentistry. These standards should  be published and then periodically reviewed in light of developments in implant dentistry. Such standards should be used by the dental team and the providers of training, to ensure consistency. The GDC will also refer to the standards in the consideration of patient complaints against dentists who, allegedly, practise implant dentistry beyond the limits of their competence. 

It is to be emphasised that the intention of this document is not to limit the practice of implant dentistry, which is seen as an important part of the treatment options for patients. The GDC and working groups recognise the necessity to ensure patient protection by establishing and maintaining standards of training in implant dentistry. 

It is recognised that training in implant dentistry can be obtained from a variety of sources including University, Royal Colleges or hospital-based training, as well as courses run by individuals and commercial groups.

The purpose in setting standards for such training is to ensure that dental teams who practise implant dentistry are competent to do this work and that patients are protected.

Click for PDF of Training Standards in Implant Dentistry for General Dental Practitioners - Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK), The Royal College of Surgeons of England.