The Benefits of a Fellowship in Dental Implants
Dental implants have become a go-to solution for treating patients with missing or damaged teeth. These tooth replacements can restore a patient’s smile and boost their self-confidence. However, a dentist must be well-trained and experienced to perform the procedure correctly. Fellowship programs offer specialized training and education to develop the skills required to successfully treat patients with dental implant restorations. These courses can help dentists become leaders in their field of expertise and advance the practice of dentistry as a whole.
A dental implant fellowship can last anywhere from a few months to two years. The length of a fellowship program depends on the amount of time the dentist wants to dedicate to learning about the topic and how intensive the course is. Dental professionals can enroll in a dental implant fellowship program after completing a dental school program or as an advanced credential for dentists already in private practice.
An international Fellowship in dental implants can provide a unique opportunity to train under top clinicians and expand one’s knowledge base and skill set. This type of advanced credential is becoming increasingly popular with dental professionals who want to become experts in the area of implant dentistry. It is also a great way to gain hands-on experience that can be applied to real-life cases in one’s own practice.
The ICOI Fellowship certification process is designed to provide dentists with a verifiable credential that shows they are an expert in the field of implant dentistry. This credential is based on actual clinical experience and education in addition to contributions to the advancement of the profession. A dental professional must complete an ICOI approved implantology education course and obtain 30 hours of courses, demonstrate a significant level of clinical expertise in implant dentistry and be nominated by two current ICOI Fellows who can vouch for their competence in the field.
Upon successful completion of the ICOI Fellowship, the candidate will be given an official wall certificate to display in their office. This will serve as a reminder to patients that their doctor is an ICOI Fellow and has a strong commitment to the advancement of the field of implant dentistry. ICOI fellows are also expected to attend at least one ICOI sponsored meeting each year and participate in clinical implant dentistry research projects.
Fellowship in dental implants is a highly coveted qualification that can increase the confidence of your patients. The process is rigorous and requires an impressive amount of education, clinical experience and dedication to the advancement of the field. However, if you are committed to your career as an implant dentist and are interested in pursuing this advanced credential, the following steps will help you get started.
The Boston University Implant Fellowship is a 12- or 24-month program that offers comprehensive training in the surgical and restorative aspects of implant dentistry. The Fellowship is guided by the Periodontics and Prosthodontics faculty, including board-certified specialists. The curriculum is focused on developing a multidisciplinary holistic patient diagnosis, coordinating surgical and prosthetic treatment plans and establishing strong communication with other specialists to effectively manage complex implant cases.