Written by DTC Miami
Created 07/2/2018
You may know about dental implants, but are your patients well-informed? Is the public well-informed about dental implants? Dental implant awareness is an important concept that the public should have knowledge about. While many of us are advertising the services our practice offer, we also should consider whether the majority of the public will understand what dental implants are and how they are a beneficial treatment option for tooth loss. The more you know about a subject, the more expert you are on it. It is exactly the same for the public.
The more informed they are about dental implants, the more comfortable they will be exploring it as a treatment option. According to a study done by the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, “Dental implants are becoming increasingly commonplace in clinical practice as the “gold standard” for replacing missing teeth. However, the general public is often uninformed or misinformed regarding whom to consult for such treatment and the costs involved, as well as the procedures performed and the proper aftercare.”(1). Dental implants are becoming more popular, especially, as the go-to-treatment for patients with missing teeth. It is crucial that patients understand basic implant knowledge and as dentists, it is our job to ensure patients are comfortable and confident with dental implants as a treatment option.
According to the study done by the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, when participants were asked, “Who do you think is the most qualified to place implants?” general dentists were only 11% of the answer of participants (2). Evidently, as general dentists who are learning about implants, it is our duty to ensure our patient is confident in our abilities and knowledge of implants. Make sure to explain to patients the basic and important aspects of dental implants. A simple question like, “do you have any questions about dental implants?” can go a long way. Should we start testing our patients on what they know about implants? Not necessarily. Nonetheless, “…it is essential that the treating doctor have some idea of not only the prior knowledge that patients who come seeking implants have, but also the accuracy of that information.” (3). Not only is it important for general dentists to know basic to knowledgeable implant dentistry, but also for their patients to have a clear understanding of implants.