Knowledge and Perception of Dental Practitioners towards Dental Implant Treatment in Routine Dental Practice

Abstract

Objective: To determine the knowledge and perception of dental implant among dental practitioners

Study Design: Cross sectional survey

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Periodontology / Prosthodontics, Peshawar Dental College Peshawar from September to November, 2022.

Materials and Methods: This cross sectional survey was conducted on 117 dental practitioners working in dental teaching hospitals or running an independent clinic in Peshawar through a structured questionnaire containing close ended questions. The inclusion criteria were qualified dental doctors registered with Pakistan medical commission, both genders and working in Peshawar.  Undergraduate dental students and dental house surgeons were excluded. They were asked about different parameters of implant placement procedures, for example, type of implants fixtures, surgical placement of fixture, impression taking procedures and post-operative care. Chi-square test was applied for comparison awareness about implants among level of qualification.

Results: The females were 50 (42.74%) and males were 67 (57.26%). Fairly informed participants were 36(30.77%), 49(41.88%) were moderately informed and 32 (27.35%) were well informed. Most common source of knowledge was clinical observations (n=58, 49.57%) followed by continuing dental education (n=46, 39.32%).  The knowledge about dental implant system was fairly enough in 62 (52.99%) and moderate in 25 (21.37%).  The knowledge about designs of implant abutment were fair in 59 (50.43%) and well informed in 18 (15.38%).

Conclusion: There is lack of proper knowledge about dental implants among dental practitioners about materials, types, surgical placement and design of appliance. Post graduate qualified dentist are more aware than general dentists.