Dental Implant Training Courses

Hands-on Modular Course in Implant Dentistry

This modular course is a complete training and educational experience that delivers supervised clinical training and evaluates competency.  The programme addresses the higher educational needs of Dental Surgeons seriously intending to introduce dental implants as a treatment modality to their practices or to expand on existing knowledge and skills. The course will take participants step by step though the stages involved in the provision of an implant, case selection and management through to final restoration.

The core objective is to provide participants with the knowledge and clinical skills essential for the delivery of high quality dental care. It aims to promote an understanding of the principles fundamental to the provision of ethical, predictable and competent implant treatment. These objectives will be delivered through lectures and clinical training involving the placement of implants on participants own patients in a supervised and controlled clinical environment. The course is delivered as two modules comprising of lectures and supervised clinical training.

Module 1 – Theory of Implant Dentistry

Module Format

The course is delivered over ten days, divided in to five, two day units at two month intervals over the year. Module 1 may be taken as a stand alone course independently of Module 2.The course provides straight forward guidance as to which patients are suitable for treatment and more importantly which ones should be avoided. An important feature of the training will be hands on workshops affording an opportunity to explore the various components and system specific instrumentation in detail. After familiarisation of the various implant hardware and instrumentation the surgical phase of implant insertion will be explained.

Through lectures, group work, discussions and hands on experience, participants are introduced to the concept of osseointegration and given an overview of surgical and restorative techniques. At treatment planning sessions delegates are invited to present their own cases for evaluation and discussion which will form part of their individual clinical training schedule. Each day is based on a specific topic that underpins the principles fundamental to the safe practice of implant dentistry. Students will also have the opportunity to observe the placement of implants in actual implant cases.

Course Content

The teaching programme covers oral anatomy, relevant surgical techniques and pathological processes occurring in jaws relevant to implant dentistry. Physiology of bone healing and osseointegration and factors necessary for success. Patient selection, clinical assessment and conditions that contraindicate implant treatment. Obtaining informed patient consent and how to write a consent letter. Knowledge of oral radiology and computer imaging along with the ability to accurately interpret radiographs and CT scans. The healing processes following implant surgery and potential complications. Restorative and laboratory techniques together with the limitations of cosmetic implant dentistry. Long-term Implant maintenance and oral care.

Course Objectives

• will be able to identify and select suitable implant cases
• will be able to confidently diagnose and treatment plan implant cases
• will be able to promote and advise prospective implant patients
• will be able to understand the fundamental principles, theory and safe practice of implant dentistry
• will have gained practical knowledge of implant placement and restoration

Module Format

Under close supervision from clinical mentor participants treat three patients from initial consultation and assessment through to surgery and final restoration. Module 2 may be taken concurrently with Module 1 or within one year of commencing Module1. Students have two years in which to complete the module. This provides ample opportunity to practice the principles of diagnosis and treatment planning specific to restorative implant therapy.

Actual Implant Placement

Participants will be able to actually place implants on their own patients in an ideal clinical environment. Students learn implant placement techniques on actual patients and surgical protocols will be put into practice together with flap design. An important protocol is immediate implant placement following tooth extraction. This together with the latest techniques will be covered in detail as the range of treatment applications expands patient choice, acceptance and uptake. Techniques and surgical protocols appropriate to general practice will be explained in detail and demonstrated through one to one training.

The three cases will be carried out under the supervision of a clinical mentor at The Dental Centre DHCC. Participants have to demonstrate a satisfactory level of competence through these completed and assessed three supervised cases to complete the clinical module.

Competency assessment

• demonstrated sufficient knowledge of the basic principles of implant surgery and their application in patient care.
• demonstrated through the successful completion of  supervised clinical cases whole patient care
• the skill to plan, discuss and evaluate implant treatment in accordance with sound surgical and prosthodontic implant principles
• the ability to consistently propose safe, sound and ethical treatment plans
• the ability to handle soft and hard tissues with respect and according to sound surgical principles
• surgical skill when carrying out their surgical procedures according to set system protocols.
• the ability to manage simple surgical and  prosthodontic complications as they arise
• an appreciation of their own personal limitations, and the maturity and willingness to discuss and manage complex cases with their colleagues.
• planned and instigated an implant maintenance programme.

On completion of their three cases participants will be helped to produce a portfolio of evidence for these cases. The portfolio demonstrates the participant’s ability to provide a clear, evidence-based rationale for their management of the case. It validates the treatment plan and is based on a concern for patient care, demands, and expectations.  Additionally there will be an outcome that emphasises the underlying rationale, likely prognosis, and possible future management of the patient.

Role of the Clinical Mentor

Your supervised cases can be referred to the clinical mentor at The Dental Center DHCC which will be ultimately responsible for all aspects of the implant treatment. During clinical planning sessions, the mentor will guide you through the assessment and treatment planning stages of your implant case. The mentor will also be responsible for the production of the patient information pack, which will include the patient consent statement containing the agreed current situation and proposed treatment.

Competency Assessment

1. Consultation
2. Implant Placement
3. Impant Exposure
4. Restoration

Licensing Requirements

Participants on the Clinical Module 2 will need to be Licensed to practice at The Dental Center DHCC and hold a first degree in Dental Surgery from their country of training. Students outside the UAE may also need a visa to enter Dubai.

Recognition of Training

Delegates intending to use this training for professional registration should first confirm the requirement of recognition with their licensing authorities. The programme is unable to assist in this matter which will vary according between individuals and different authorities.

Stewart was instrumental in the development and establishment of the University ofWarwick Masters degree in Implant Dentistry. This successful programme has proved very popular with over 150 enrolled students, making it the largest postgraduate dental course in theUK. He is involved in several research projects into the response of bone to substitute bone materials and authored numerous articles on the subject of implantology, lecturing internationally . Stewart is the developer of a dental implant system, the most widely used British implant in the UK and has patented several implant applications.

Click here for Module 1 course programme

 Click here for Module 1 Appllication

       Click here for Module 2 Apllication