The merits of post-graduate academic qualifications and choice of clinician for “specialised” treatments such as dental implants.
A nice lady visited me a few months ago at our dental practice in Southampton worried about a tooth she had recently lost. We discussed several options to have it replaced, and we quickly concluded that she would love to have a dental implant exactly like the one that she already has, replacing the tooth behind. So, we further discussed thoroughly the relevant risks and benefits of the dental implant treatment, together with the most possible and relevant complications for her case. I also informed her about what to expect with regards to possible future problems and maintenance of the implants; simple things that should be discussed for any kind of treatment, not only dental.
She very kindly thanked me for the knowledge I had offered her after confirming that she understood all of it. She was indeed impressed with the depth of the discussion and the presentation of the treatment, which to her admiration was much better and well-informed compared to the relevant discussions she had with the ‘specialist that placed her other dental implant about a year ago’.
She had already decided to go ahead with the dental implant treatment, so I asked her if there are any concerns she might have.
And right then it came: ‘Do you have a Master’s like the specialist that did my other one? Are you sure you can do the implant, or should I go back to him?’.
This is when I realised what most non-academically trained people, and indeed a lot of professionals in my field, do not know: What is an MSc? I had several discussions with many people from all different walks of life and the conclusion is very firm. Most people believe that an MSc is a title of specialisation, of expertise, of authority. That someone who has completed for example an MSc in Dental Implantology is an expert in practising implant dentistry and obviously very good at what he or she does. A true Master, as the title depicts.
In fact, though, a “Master of Science” (MSc) is a certification from an academic institution that the holder has completed a basic research project and most probably is competent and able to do further research without the guidance of a mentor. An MSc is an academic title, most of the time being the first step to obtaining a PhD (Doctorate) which involves a much more in-depth research project, most of the times on an original and never before studied subject.
So, in our example an MSc in Dental Implantology is a certificate (most probably from a university) that the holder has done some kind of research on dental implant therapy. Some examples of MSc research projects are the different characteristics of implant surfaces or implant sizes, or the number of implants placed in NHS hospitals every year and how many complications they have. Most of this research is bibliographic, which means that the researcher has spent most of their time reading different articles on a very specific subject, rather than placing any implants on real patients.
What it does not mean in any kind of way, is that the holder of the MSc title is an expert on the field of dental implantology. Unfortunately, there are a big number of MSc Implantology courses where the participants place two or three dental implants over the duration of the programme. This is a far too small a number to get any proper experience in the placement of dental implants.
So how do you know where to go for dental implant treatment?
If you want to have dental implants and indeed any other kind of treatment, you should find a professional that you trust and can build a good relationship with them. If you would like to make sure that they can provide you with good treatment then questions like ‘how many of these have you done’ and ‘what kind of successes and failures you have so far’, are very useful. Having an academic title will obviously help as well. Participating in relevant scientific societies and most of all having a mentor or experienced colleagues to refer to and cooperate with, is probably the most important thing in a dental professional’s life. Ask them about this or have a search to find out.
But most of all, beware of the Masters, or at least the ones that appear to be.
P.S. I referred the lovely lady back to the ‘specialist’ that placed the previous implant advising that as he had already established a good relationship with her and the existing implant was successful, it would be easier for him to proceed with another implant. She returned a week later and asked to have the implant with me. It is now restored and functioning.
P.P.S. The term ‘implantologist’ does not really exist. There is no recognised specialty in ‘Dental Implantology’. And yes, I do hold an MSc with Distinction and Highest Achiever Award, not in Implantology…so…trust me not.
