title: Dental implant use in New Zealand: A 10-year update.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to explore changes in dentists' promotion and use of implants in New Zealand over the past 10 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  A postal survey was conducted of a random sample of 807 New Zealand registered dentists, using a 23-item questionnaire adapted from one used in a similar survey in 2004.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The participation rate was 54.3%. In the past 10 years, the percentage of dentists providing an implant service has increased from 49.4% to 68.0%, with an equal proportion of females now providing this service. Single missing teeth (56.9%) and trauma (51.5%) are the most common clinical situations in which implants are provided. Patient enquiries about implants have slightly increased. A need for continuing education, particularly in the area of implant prosthetic procedures, was noted by 76.5%. Despite more proprietary implant systems now being available, the most commonly used system has remained unchanged. Cost is still the primary barrier to implementing implant treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although dental implant use in New Zealand has increased, it appears that a need exists for continuing education, particularly for implant prosthetic procedures. The perceived expense of treatment continues to hinder optimal utilisation.
authors: C M
authors: CM
authors: Murray
authors: W M
authors: WM
authors: Thomson
authors: J W
authors: JW
authors: Leichter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants