Dental implant practice among general dental practitioners in Hong Kong

Abstract

Objective. To determine the dental implant practice profile of general dental practitioners in Hong Kong. Methods. A questionnaire and a stamped, addressed return envelope were mailed to a random sample of 518 dentists. Results. A total of 257 completed questionnaires were received (response rate, 53.8%). Implant dentistry was practiced by 38.9% of the respondents. The most common reason for not providing dental implant service was insufficient knowledge and training. Among those dentists not practicing implant dentistry, the majority (88.5%) were interested in attending continuing education courses in oral implantology, while 29.3% of them planned to perform clinical work in implant dentistry in the near future. Conclusion. At the time of this survey, over 60% of general dental practitioners in Hong Kong were not practicing implant dentistry although most expressed a wish to learn more about this area of practice. This survey revealed a high demand for further education and training opportunities in implant dentistry among the general dental practitioners of Hong Kong.