Dentists warned over implant qualifications

Concerns about implant dentistry standards have led to the General Dental Council (GDC) to remind all dentists that they must only undertake procedures that they are properly trained and competent to do. Dentists currently doing implant dentistry, and those considering branching into that area, are being urged by the GDC to read guidelines published by the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK), Training Standards in Implant Dentistry. The guidelines make clear the minimum training the GDC would expect dentists to have successfully completed before undertaking implants. In a new policy statement, the GDC has confirmed that it will refer to these guidelines when assessing complaints against dentists who have allegedly practised implant dentistry beyond their competence. The guidelines – which the GDC considers the authority on training standards for this procedure – make clear that inserting dental implants is a surgical procedure that should only be carried out by dentists with suitable training. This would normally involve a postgraduate training course in implant dentistry and an assessment of competence. Training can come from a variety of sources including university, Royal College or hospital-based programmes, as well as from courses run by commercial groups or individuals. Hew Mathewson, GDC President, said: ‘We have concerns that some dentists have been carrying out this very invasive procedure without having completed adequate training and an assessment. It's essential for patient safety that dentists have had sound postgraduate training before doing it. ‘Dentists who are already practising implant dentistry, as well as those thinking about getting into it, need to read the Royal College guidelines and understand the level of training we expect them to have achieved.' The GDC's policy statement is at www.gdc-uk.org/Our+work/Education+and+quality+assurance/Policy+statement+on+implantology.htm

 Posted on : Mon 3rd - Nov - 2008