The Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) has published essential new guidance that sets out the training standards necessary to practice implant dentistry. Training Standards in Implant Dentistry for General Dental Practitioners was produced by the Standards Working Group, convened by the GDC and comprising representatives nominated by leading UK dental bodies.

The Working Group was established in response to concerns about the quality of implant dentistry practised by some dentists and the provision of training in this area. Its aim in setting training standards was to ensure that GDPs who practice implant dentistry are competent to carry out this work. Patient protection was also central to the rationale behind the guidelines, as the Working Group found that training in this area was often provided on an ad hoc basis. Hew Mathewson, President of the GDC, said 'When the Council considered the standards and training in implant dentistry in 2004, it became clear that the provision of training in this area was very varied and that the setting of common guidelines was important in the interest of patients – particularly as it is such a new, fast-growing and invasive aspect of dentistry.'

The GDC expects that the document will be used as a benchmark by those who practise implant dentistry. The document is available to download from the FGDP(UK) website at www.fgdp.org.uk and will also be published in the respective journals and websites of the bodies represented on the Working Group.