Dental implant placement by predoctoral dental students: a pilot program

Area of Science:

• Dental Surgery
• Dental Education

Background:

• Dental implant education is expanding in predoctoral dental curricula.
• New York University College of Dentistry initiated a pilot program for dental implant training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of training predoctoral dental students in surgical posterior implant placement.
• To assess student performance in a pilot dental implant honors program.

Main Methods:

• A pilot program trained fourth-year dental students in implant restorations and surgical placement.
• Eight students were selected for an honors program, with seven completing requirements.
• Surgical protocol events were recorded during implant placements.

Main Results:

• Seven students successfully completed didactic and simulation requirements.
• Forty-seven surgeries were performed, resulting in the placement of fifty-two implants.
• Minor surgical events, such as torque achievement and direction changes, were managed successfully.

Conclusions:

• Predoctoral dental students can be effectively trained to surgically place posterior dental implants.
• The pilot program indicates that integrating surgical implant training into dental curricula is viable.
• Successful implant placement by students supports the trend of posterior implants becoming standard of care.