Knowledge and Attitudes of Dental Interns in Karnataka State, India, Regarding Implants

Abstract

Implant treatment today is highly reliable as a valid restorative option for missing teeth. As more patients worldwide opt for implant treatment, it is now imperative for dental practitioners to have sound information about dental implants so they can help patients make informed decisions. This study sought to deine the knowledge and attitudes regarding dental implants of dental interns in the state of Karnataka, India, and to evaluate the dental implant curriculum structure at the undergraduate level.A survey was conducted of dental interns (students in their ifth, clinical year of undergraduate study) in seven of the forty-ive academic dental institutions in this state. The questionnaire consisted of ifteen questions that assessed the respondents' level of knowledge and source of information regarding implants. A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed, and 417 interns responded for a response rate of 83.4 percent. In the results, 73.3 percent reported they were not provided suficient information about implants in their undergraduate curriculum, and 95.7 percent of them wanted more. Also, 63.5 percent of the respondents believed that high costs could limit the use of dental implants as a tooth replacement modality in India.

Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitude Regarding Dental Implants among Dental Interns

“…This is different from the result of a similar study where only 12.2% of the interns said 'experience of operator'. 11 In our study, a majority of the respondents 57.85% said that the longevity of dental implants is 10-20 years, whereas 36.07% said the longevity is lifetime. Such perception that implants last lifetime could lead to highly unrealistic patient expectations.…”

“…This is similar to the result obtained in a similar study done in India. 11 A majority of interns said the main advantage of dental implants is they are more conservative 58.6% but 41.4% of the respondents gave other answers. In case of implant therapy, there is no need of reduction of adjacent teeth and thus, no question of abutment failure.…”

“…In case of implant therapy, there is no need of reduction of adjacent teeth and thus, no question of abutment failure. 11,12 Tooth supported fixed partial dentures have the long-term complications like secondary caries and abutment tooth failure. Whereas, the belief that implants yield a better long-term prognosis than tooth has now clearly been rejected in several comparative studies and systematic reviews.…”

“…11 The studies conducted in Austria, The United States and Japan have shown the patient's concern regarding the high cost of dental implants. 11 Although implant therapy may look to be more expensive than other treatment modalities for the first time, during the lifetime of the patient retreatment of the crowns and root-canals actually endup costing more to the patient. Interns should be aware of this fact so that they can educate the patients who feel this treatment modality is costly than others.…”

“…A pre-used questionnaire was taken from an article, a pilot study was carried out and minor modification was made in the questionnaire. 11 Data collection was done during the clinical postings of the interns and an effort was made to include a maximum number of interns. It was supervised and monitored by the investigators themselves.…”