Training in Implantology and Decision-Making Practices Regarding Edentulism: An Internet-Based Survey

Purpose: To evaluate the first-choice treatment options proposed to edentulous patients and the rationale behind them using an internet-based survey conducted among a sample of French dental clinicians. Materials and Methods: From July to December 2018, an internet-based survey was conducted among a sample of 2,000 dental practitioners in order to assess first-choice treatment options proposed to edentulous patients. A total of 349 responses were received, and 310 questionnaires were included for analysis. Results: The majority of clinicians proposed a maxillary complete denture (CD) (59.7%) and mandibular implant overdenture (45.2%) for edentulous patients. Almost 30% of practitioners proposed a CD as the first-choice option for mandibular edentulous patients. Binary logistic regression showed that the likelihood of proposing implant therapy in the maxilla was significantly increased for male practitioners (OR = 2.041, 95% CI = 1.231 to 3.385, P .05) and for clinicians who had further training in implantology (OR = 2.301, 95% CI = 1.354 to 3.917, P .05). In the mandible, the likelihood was significantly increased for clinicians who graduated 10 to 19 years ago (OR = 5.312, 95% CI = 1.331 to 21.208, P .05), had further training in implantology (OR = 2.246, 95% CI = 1.121 to 4.500, P .05), had expectations of comfort and stability (OR = 11.810, 95% CI =5.289 to 26.372, P .001), and proposed the treatment according to national and international recommendations (OR = 3.252, 95% CI = 1.208 to 8.755, P .05). Conclusion: The research results suggest that proposing either a CD or implant restorations for treatment of edentulous patients depends on training and specific skills in implantology.