Programmatic Assessment of a University‐Based Implant Training Program Using Patient‐Reported Outcomes

Abstract

The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (UKCD) established an implant training program that provides training in the use of a single implant system, evidence-based diagnostic and treatment protocols (standardized work practices), and a total quality management system (Implant Quality Assurance Program). The aim of this study was to assess the programmatic effectiveness of the UKCD implant training program by reporting the success and survival of implants placed, using patient-reported outcomes and comparing them to previously established benchmarks. A total of 415 patients (963 implants) were interviewed, approximately 50 percent of all qualiied patients. The implant survival rate was 97 percent, and 88 percent of the implants were considered successful (as determined by patient-centric criteria). These outcomes were consistent with the program's previously established benchmarks of 90 percent. These results suggest that work standardization (in the form of speciic treatment protocols) and the use of a formal, incremental learning system can result in positive patient outcomes. Clinical outcomes should be monitored in academic dental settings as part of clinical process improvement, and these outcomes can provide a means of assessing the effectiveness of the training program.

Prospective clinical implementation of optional implant treatment into pregraduate dental education—mini implants for retention and support of mandibular overdentures

“…In dental implant therapy (DIT), lack of experience or technical skills may result in disadvantageous results or even serious complications [ 2 ], and there is increasing interest in providing adequate DIT-related education for dental students, even if with variable content and duration [ 6 ]. Dental and surgical simulators may allow familiarizing with a variety of procedures before performing them on a patient, but only live procedures on real patients will give the student an overview of the treatment situation.…”

“…Dental and surgical simulators may allow familiarizing with a variety of procedures before performing them on a patient, but only live procedures on real patients will give the student an overview of the treatment situation. Also, actual clinical outcomes may be the best measurement for assessing overall effectiveness of the respective training [ 6 , 8 ]. Therefore, the present study evaluated an optional pregraduate DIT-course consisting of simple prosthodontic and surgical tasks.…”

“…Though, even if DIT has been incorporated into most pregraduate academic dental institutions in the USA and Europe, it has been taught markedly conservative when compared to other treatment modalities [ 1 ]. Nevertheless, there is evidence that dental implants that were provided by pregraduate students (undergraduate students in the clinical part at dental school)—under work standardization, strict guidance, and proper patient selection—show high survival and success rates, even in the esthetic zone [ 4 – 6 ]. Also, implementation of implant-restorative programs in undergraduate dental curricula resulted in a high students’ satisfaction [ 7 ].…”

Implant Treatment in the Predoctoral Clinic: A Retrospective Database Study of 1091 Patients

“…In addition to such provider‐related differences, patients seeking treatment in dental schools may exhibit a lower level of oral health literacy, compliance with dental hygiene, and different expectations than their peers treated in private practice, which could also affect the long‐term treatment outcome. Therefore, implant survival rates achieved in a predoctoral clinic may differ from the survival rates observed in an experienced clinician's practice; however, to the best of our knowledge, reports about success and failure of implants placed in the context of a predoctoral teaching program are very few in number and limited to small patient cohorts …”

Prosthetic reconstructions and referring implant survival in a postgraduate program: A retrospective study

“…At the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry a total of 415 patients with 963 implants were interviewed. The implant survival rate was 97%, and 88% of the implants were considered successful as determined by patient-centred criteria 33 . These results suggest that work standardization (in the form of specific treatment protocols) and the use of a formal, incremental learning system can result in positive patient outcomes.…”