Evaluation of Isfahan dental practitioner's awareness about dental implants

Based on data available request for dental implants is ever-increasing in Iran parallel with that in other countries. Therefore, dentists are required to increase their awareness about this treatment modality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate Isfahan dentists’ awareness to be able to program implant educational courses. In this descriptive, cross-sectional study 300 dentists were evaluated in Isfahan. Questionnaires were distributed among dentists and collected in person, which were later coded. Average marks of questionnaires were determined between 0 and 60. ANOVA and t-test were used for statistical analysis (α = 0.05). A total of 67.7% of the subjects had not participated in any sort of implant courses. Total average mark of the questionnaires was 28.33 ± 16.9 (based on marks from 0 to 60). Average marks of general practitioners and specialists were 27.87 ± 16 and 41 ± 17.9, respectively, demonstrating a statistically significant difference (p value = 0.03). Average marks of dentists participating in implant courses and those not participating in the courses were 38.72 ± 13.74 and 23.4 ± 16.12, respectively, with statistically significant differences (p value < 0.001). Average marks of general practitioners and even specialists were much lower than the ideal. Regarding the need for knowledge in dental implants it is recommended that dental students’ curricula and dentists’ in-service training courses be tailored to accommodate this need.