Dental implant education in Nigeria: a curriculum guide.
OBJECTIVE
Anecdotal evidence suggests that the practice of implant dentistry, "gold standard" for edentulism is presently very low in Nigeria. This article proposes a model for teaching dental implant education and also emphasises the need for inclusion of standardised dental implant education in the dental curriculum in Nigeria.


METHODS
A literature search using the MEDLINE was conducted on various models for teaching of dental implant education worldwide.


RESULTS
Implant dental education for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes has 3 components namely: didactic educational programme, laboratory hands-on experience, and clinical hands-on experience. In addition, dentists and dental educationists can gain proficiency in basic and advanced implant dentistry through implant dental education organised by recognised universities, private and international implant organisations, manufacturer-sponsored educational programmes as well as training and courses organised by dental associations.


CONCLUSIONS
Dental implant education should be given a priority and be included in both the undergraduate and postgraduate dental curriculum in Nigeria. In addition, a standardised implant dentistry programme should be formulated and developed for all dental schools in Nigeria.
Adeyemo
W L
WL
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria.
Akeredolu
P A
PA
Oderinu
H O
HO
Olorunfemi
B O
BO
D003479:Curriculum; D015921:Dental Implants; D003814:Dentistry, Operative / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria; D013335:Students, Dental
D015921:Dental Implants