UCL EASTMAN DENTAL INSTITUTE IMPLANT DENTISTRY DIPLOMA
FAQs
Who is the course aimed at?
The course is designed for dentists with little or no experience in implant dentistry, to
enable them to comprehensively diagnose, treatment plan and treat, within the scope of
their ability, patients in need of implant-based prosthodontic treatment.
The aim of the programme is to enable dentists to bring implant dentistry into their
everyday practice. Graduates of the programme will be equipped with the skills necessary
for dental implant case selection and planning, and the skills to restore a straightforward
implant case.
How long is the course?
The course is 3 year part-time Diploma.
It consists of approximately 82 contact teaching days, divided approximately below:
 Year 1 30 days
 Year 2 34 days
 Year 3 18 days
How often do I need to attend at the Eastman?
 Years 1 and 2 are relatively intense initially. In the first few months of each year you
will usually attend 4 days/month (Tuesday & Wednesday and then a week off, before
another Tuesday & Wednesday). From about mid-February you will attend twice a
month (usually alternate Tuesday's)
 Year 3 you will attend about twice every 6 weeks
How many patients do I need to treat to obtain the diploma?
To obtain the diploma you need to present 4 completed cases (2 with photos and video, 2
with only photos).
Do I need to provide the patients?
Yes, you will need find suitable patients for treatment.
How many patients can I treat at the Eastman?
You can assess, plan and place the implants on all 4 patients with us (this would take 2-3
visits) for each patient.
In addition, you can restore 2 of those patients with us (this would entail up to a further 5
visits for each patient).
In year 1 you plan and place implants (and do 2nd stage surgery if necessary) for 2 patients.
Then in year 2 you restore those 2 patients and place implants in a 3rd patient (which you
restore in practice)
In year 3 you can place implants in a 4th patient.
As a bare minimum you need to treat one patient with us from start to finish – the others
you can do in practice if logistics dictate it’s tricky for patients to come down.
What format of teaching is delivered?
The programme is delivered through a series of interactive lectures, seminars, hands-on
training, live surgery and supervised clinical treatment (both surgical and restorative implant
treatment).
Updated Feb 2016
UCL EASTMAN DENTAL INSTITUTE IMPLANT DENTISTRY DIPLOMA
FAQs
Are they any exams?
YES! There are assessments at the end of each module/academic year. These comprise of
written exams, practical exams, vivas and case reports.
Are they there many written assignments?
In each of years 1 & 2 there are two short written assignments.
In year 3 there is a literature review done in groups.
What type of cases are suitable?
The types of cases that are ideal are simple straightforward ones – those that require just
one or two teeth replaced with good bone volume, good general health, good oral health
and conforming to the existing occlusion.
How much are the tuition fees?
The current fees can be found the UCL Eastman website at
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/eastman/education/programmes/implant-dentistry-postgraduatediploma.
Do I need to pay for any other items?
As regards to additional costs there a few things:
 The costs of the actual implant, implant components (eg abutments), laboratory
work, drape packs and biomaterials – this is usually about £1000 per implant – this
can be passed on to your patients if you wish.
 For documentation of cases you would need to have an SLR camera set up with
appropriate lens and ring flash (about £1400) and a camcorder (about £200-350) we will have sessions on photography and videoing skills!
 You would need access to a semi-adjustable articulator (preferably a Denar) and
facebow – if purchased this is about £750
Do I need a mentor in practice?
It’s advisable to a suitably experienced mentor to support you for any cases in practice until
you are confident to work alone. We can provide advice about mentoring when you start
the course.
Are the teaching staff specialists?
All of our clinical tutors are experienced GDC registered specialists in either Prosthodontics
or Oral Surgery.
How do I apply and when is the application deadline?
The application process and deadline are available to on the UCL Eastman website at
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/eastman/education/programmes/implant-dentistry-postgraduatediploma
Who do I contact for further advice / information?
In the first instance please contact our Programme Administrator, Richard Banks via
richard.banks@ucl.ac.uk (+44 (0)20 7905 1234), or Programme Director, Dev Patel
dev.patel@ucl.ac.uk.
Updated Feb 2016