Fazeela Khan-Osborne looks at what it takes to become an implant dentist.
There is not one definitive route to a career in dentistry. You only need to compare your own experience to that of your colleagues to know that there are various paths to success. Some will have known they wanted to be a dentist before they’d even stepped foot in a dental school; others – myself included will have started their journey as a postgraduate, having taken a degree in another subject.
Occasionally, there’s an element of luck – meeting an individual who inspired you and gave you that lightbulb moment. A common theme is someone who says they knew they were good at certain things, and enjoyed certain things, then eventually joined up the dots. My academic background is scientific, which taught me discipline and focus. But I started to realise I didn’t want to spend my life in a lab, I wanted to be out there, caring for people. That’s when I considered dentistry, which is about doing things in the correct way to enable patients to lead better, healthier lives.
Demand and ongoing rewards
When I qualified, I was struck by how many older people needed treatment to improve function, as well as aesthetics. If I trained in oral surgery, I knew I could help them with quality, ethical implant therapies. I learned as much as I could from eminent oral surgeons around the world, travelling extensively to broaden my skills and knowledge. Since then, I’ve built my own practice to deliver the kind of holistic, customised care I believe so strongly in. I’m still passionate about lifelong learning and education, teaching dentists the latest implant techniques and protocols, and the importance of having an empathetic approach.
Demand for dental implants continues to rise, as people seek a solution for a missing tooth or teeth. Our ageing population continues to grow, and patients in their 70s, 80s and beyond are coming to me, expressing an interest in an alternative to removable prostheses. As long as they’re in good dental and general health, adults of any age may be suitable for an implant. Immediate loading options have shortened treatment times and, because of their longevity, implants are a good value option too.
If you are able to place and restore implants, you can help more patients comprehensively. Being able to restore their smile, the smile they thought was lost, is a deeply rewarding experience, whether you’re placing your fifth implant or 200th. The results can be life-changing, as patients are able to eat their favourite foods and enjoy socialising without feeling conscious that they’re wearing a denture. Of course, you will also bring in a valuable new revenue stream, too.
Create your own path
There is no single pathway into implantology, and if you’re a new dentist, you shouldn’t feel intimidated by this field of dentistry. Implant treatments can be complex, but many are straightforward, and the techniques needed to deliver them will involve skills you already have. As a scientist, I learned to be detail orientated, to think critically and to be persistent and creative in my problem-solving. A scientist will observe and measure, interpreting the data they collect to draw their conclusions. Other skills I learned before I took my dental degree – such as communication and the ability to be open-minded in my thinking – have proven to be fundamental to my subsequent surgical career.
As such, I am a strong believer in building on the basics if you want tocreate a solid foundation for success. For novice general dentists who want to offer dental implant treatments, one pathway you could take is to first establish a good grounding in surgical techniques and theory. As you move along this pathway, you’ll develop your skills and broaden your knowledge, confident that you already have strong pillars in place.
The One to One Implant Education offers a PG Certificate in Surgical Procedures for General Dentistry, suitable for all GDPs. This programme will help you to build the basic skills that will benefit your future learning and put you in a great position to continue your journey with a diploma in implant dentistry. For this course, The One to One Implant Education is working in line with the College of General Dentistry’s (CGDent) guidelines. CGDent not only aims to bring high caliber workplace education to all dental professionals, but it sets authoritative standards for general dental practice and quality patient care. The One to One Implant Education has various options for dental implant training, with a significant hands-on element, delivered by a team of renowned practitioners and educators.
When you embark on your implant dentist journey, know that there are several pathways open to you. When making your decision, consider what you want to achieve and when. Think about the skills you have, build on the basics and focus on your goal. Choose learning that gives you confidence and by establishing a solid foundation for future success.