How have dentists grouped themselves in the acceptance and provision of implants?
Some general dentists don t want to be involved, preferring to either refer patients or to just offer bridges without seriously mentioning implants or by dismissing them as too expensive or “you don t have enough bone”. If you haven t got enough bone, we can just fetch a bit. Easy! No argument for a bridge, at least without an assessment, costing and insurance rebate inquiry arranged by an implant dentist. There is not a specialty recognised for implants, nor is such a registration desirable, however the initial launching of implant treatment protocols involved a 2 member team approach using a surgical and restorative dentist. Now, the major training centres have extended their programs to allow general dentists with a prerequisite background to carry out both phases. In Perth, 4 general dentists have been trained in the surgical stage, including myself. The advantage of a multi-skilled sole operator is simply simplicity. No complexities of travelling from one office to another, no gli
