Four Qualifying Groups
There are currently four clinician groups who typically perform dental implant surgery:
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons have 15 years of formal training in the specialist surgery field to do with the mouth and jaw. Current training in Australia requires them to complete degrees in dentistry, medicine and oral surgery.
• Oral Surgeons have three years of formal specialised surgical training, in addition to a degree in dentistry. They do not have a degree in medicine.
• Periodontists have eight years of formal training specialising in the field of dental bone support and gum surgery. Periodontists hold a degree in dentistry as well as a Masters Degree or equivalent in periodontics.
• Dentists with five years of formal training in all facets of general dentistry. Dentists cannot refer to themselves as an “implantologist” or “implant specialist”. They can, however, title themselves as a “dental surgeon”, “implant dentist” or “implant surgeon” without any additional formal training.
“Special interest” does not mean Specialist
You should never assume the status of a clinician as a “specialist” based solely on their marketing information. Having a “special interest” in implantology does not make a dentist an actual “specialist” registered with the Dental Board of Australia.
The level of surgical experience can vary enormously between dentists so it is advisable to research their background and postgraduate education.
Dr Chan is accredited at Australian hospitals and can therefore offer surgery at Southbank Day Surgery under general anaesthetic for your comfort and peace of mind. Some dentists are limited to performing in-chair surgery only.
For implant surgical procedures complicated by underlying pathology such as chronic sinusitis, diabetes, lack of natural bone, we will refer you to a board-registered specialist.