Latest review

Implants are used not only in prosthodontics and restorative dentistry but also in orthodontics, where mini implants are sometimes used to provide anchorage. This position statement covers all forms.

For subscription purposes, Dental Protection defines a dento-alveolar procedure as one which involves the intra-oral tissues, teeth and tooth-carrying bones, ie, mandible and maxilla only. Any implant placed and wholly contained within these tissues – with or without bone grafting which is also contained within these tissues – is considered to be a dento-alveolar procedure and is generally included within our standard subscription rates.

There are two main exceptions to this, where additional subscriptions might apply:

Maxillofacial Procedures (Group 1)

Includes sinus lifts or bone augmentation procedures involving the floor of the nose or sinus as well as all other maxillofacial procedures with the exception of those outlined in Group 2.

Employer indemnified dentists working in private practice should refer to the subscription section of our website for the precise details and for the rate which currently applies.

Maxillofacial Procedures (Group 2)

If you carry out any of the following procedures you must pay the relevant Group 2 subscription regardless of whether you are singularly or doubly qualified.

Maxillofacial Group 2 includes:

• Extra oral procedures to face, head and neck including partial thyroidectomies
• Open reduction of zygomatic complex fractures
• Excision of maxilla
• Hemimaxillectomy for malignancy
• Osteotomies (maxilla and/or mandible)
• Prosthetic replacement of temporomandibular joints including arthroplasty
• Reconstruction with axial and micro-vascular flaps
• Neck surgery including block dissection of cervical lymph nodes
• Surgical treatment of thyroid and parathyroid glands
• Surgery involving the orbital complex
• Rhinoplasty (other than immediate trauma aftercare)

Refer to subscription section of our website for details of the available categories, and for the rates which currently apply.

A choice of several categories is available to cater for members who do (or do not) spend any part of their clinical time working in an employer-indemnified position.

Contact Membership Services for the rates which currently apply.

Training

As with all procedures, members should ensure they are suitably trained and experienced before undertaking these procedures without supervision. Dental Protection strongly advocates the use of mentoring as a key part of a structured implant training programme. Members are referred to our separate position statement on mentoring.

Placing implants outside Ireland

When setting subscription rates, there is no cross-subsidy between medical and dental rates, nor between members working in different countries. Subscription rates in each country are set on expert actuarial advice and they aim to be fair and equitable across the whole membership. This position statement applies to Ireland only.

In some international jurisdictions where Dental Protection membership is available, a disproportionate share of the total case-related expenditure is incurred in connection with dental implants. In these countries (for example Hong Kong, Israel and some countries within the Caribbean region) additional subscription rates are payable by any clinicians who have any level of involvement in implant dentistry.

To see a list of frequently asked questions, click here