Program table, 2026
Every program found for the seven countries, with the evidence level of each entry. The last two columns show whether the program is counted in Figure 1 of the paper and as full-time or part-time.
| Country | Institution / provider | Program | Category | Award | Duration and mode | Entry | Implant content and clinical requirement | Fee or cost | Status in 2026 | Evidence | Source / note | In Figure 1 (dedicated implant program) | Mode counted in Figure 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | SCFHS; Riyadh First Health Cluster (King Saud Medical City) | Saudi Fellowship in Implant Dentistry (fine sub-specialty; program "Dental Implant") | Dedicated implant program | Fellowship; consultant in implant dentistry; academic qualification entered in the SCFHS qualification table; no renewal (author) | 2 years, full time (normal working hours, 8:00 to 16:00; author) | Saudi Board or equivalent in periodontics, OMFS, prosthodontics, restorative or family dentistry | About 2,700 h; minimum 30 cases (year 1) and 50 (year 2) by technique; written 100 MCQs and oral exam | not stated | Accredited 19 Aug 2025; valid 2026 to 2029; capacity 3 a year | P | SCFHS decision letter; curriculum. Level three sub-specialty; privileges forms treat a sub-specialty fellowship as the basis for additional privileges | Yes | Full-time |
| Saudi Arabia | Rowad Almaarefa (SCFHS accredited) | Clinical Training in Dental Implant Surgery and Prosthetic Restorations (SPP-20250004348) | Dedicated implant program | Certificate of competency (listed in the certificate of competency table of the SCFHS record, not the qualification table); no change of rank; renewed after an annual clinical requirement (author) | 1 year, extendable to 2; part-time, individualised; attendance mandatory, in person (not online), any time and any city (author) | Licensed specialists/consultants; general dentists are not accepted | 234 h (26 lectures, 88 pre-clinical, 120 clinical); five case types; OSCE; 80% per domain | SAR 70,000 | Batch 1 began 1 Jan 2026; about 20 trainees | P | Accreditation letter, booklet, SCFHS submission | Yes | Part-time |
| Saudi Arabia | Riyadh Elm University | Higher Diploma in Implant Dentistry | Dedicated implant program | Diploma | Duration not stated in the REU handbook (the Study in Saudi listing says 1 year, full time) | BDS, internship, SCFHS classification, interview | Syllabus listed in the table of contents of the handbook; its text was not readable in the file pages loaded | SAR 80,000 (registration SAR 500) | Listed in the REU Handbook for Postgraduate Studies 2025-2026 (updated 25 Jan 2026) | P/S | REU Handbook for Postgraduate Studies 2025-2026 | Yes | Full-time |
| Saudi Arabia | SCFHS (many centres) | Saudi Board in Periodontics | Specialty program with implant content | Board certificate | 4 years, full time | Saudi Board matching | Surgical part: competency matrix by year; no implant count; Implants paper in final exam | not stated | Active | P | SCFHS curriculum 2025 | No | |
| Saudi Arabia | SCFHS (many centres) | Saudi Board in Prosthodontics | Specialty program with implant content | Board certificate | 3 to 4 years, full time | Matching | Prosthetic part: 1 comprehensive fixed implant-supported case | not stated | Active | P | SCFHS curriculum 2025 | No | |
| Saudi Arabia | SCFHS (17 centres) | Saudi Board in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | Specialty program with implant content | Board certificate | 5 years, full time | Matching | Surgical part: 10 pre-prosthetic and implant cases as surgeon | not stated | Active | P | SCFHS curriculum 2020 text | No | |
| Saudi Arabia | SCFHS | Saudi Board in Restorative Dentistry | Specialty program with implant content | Board certificate | 3 years, full time | Matching | At least 1 anterior implant case; 15 logbook implant procedures | not stated | Active | P | SCFHS curriculum 2025 | No | |
| Saudi Arabia | SCFHS | Saudi Diploma in Advanced Education in General Dentistry | Specialty program with implant content | Diploma | not extracted | Matching | Second-year implant course, basic surgery | not stated | Active | P | SCFHS curriculum 2025 | No | |
| Saudi Arabia | SCFHS | Saudi Board in Family Dentistry | Specialty program with implant content | Board certificate | not extracted | Matching | Planning and complications only | not stated | Active | P | SCFHS curriculum 2025 | No | |
| Saudi Arabia | King Khalid University | Fellowship in Periodontics | Specialty program with implant content | University fellowship | 4 years, full time, 163 credits | BDS, internship, licence, TOEFL | Implantology 1 and 2; advanced implant surgery | not stated | Active | P | KKU brochure, May 2026 | No | |
| Saudi Arabia | King Khalid University | Fellowship in Advanced Prosthodontics | Specialty program with implant content | University fellowship | 3 years, full time, 126 credits | as above | Implantology 1, 2 and seminar; implant-supported restorations | not stated | Active | P | KKU brochure, May 2026 | No | |
| Saudi Arabia | Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University | Fellowship in periodontal disease, surgery and dental implants; Fellowship in Prosthodontics | Specialty program with implant content | University fellowship | Minimum 4 years, full time | BDS, GPA, internship, licence, TOEFL | Implant placement objective (periodontal fellowship); prostheses with or without implants | SAR 200,000 (periodontal fellowship) | Active (1446 AH) | P | IAU pages | No | |
| Saudi Arabia | King Abdulaziz University | MSc in Periodontics; Prosthodontics; OMFS; Operative and Esthetic Dentistry | University degree or diploma | MSc | 3 years | BDS, licence | Periodontics MSc names implant dentistry; others not stated | not stated | Active | P/S | KAU programs page | No | |
| Saudi Arabia | King Saud University | MSc in Dentistry (7 tracks); PhD; planned implant fellowship | University degree or diploma | MSc, PhD | MSc 3 years | BDS | not stated; implant fellowship announced as planned | SAR 260,000 (MSc) | Active; fellowship not running | P | KSU page | No | |
| Saudi Arabia | Jouf University | MSc in Prosthetic Dental Sciences | University degree or diploma | MSc | 3 years, 46 credits | BDS, licence exam, IELTS | Dental Implantology course, 1 credit, prosthetic emphasis | not stated | Active | P | Jouf page | No | |
| Saudi Arabia | Ibn Sina College | Masters in Restorative, Family Dentistry, Periodontics | University degree or diploma | Master's | not stated | BDS, SCFHS classification | Implants not mentioned | not stated | Active | P | College page | No | |
| United Arab Emirates | Gulf Medical University (NIHS accredited) | Clinical Certificate in Dental Implantology | Dedicated implant program | Clinical certificate | 1 year, full time | BDS/DDS; 3 years of experience after internship | 1,280 h (256 didactic, 1,024 clinical); at least 30 implants on 10 patients | AED 115,500 | Offered; admissions for September 2026 | P | GMU page | Yes | Full-time |
| United Arab Emirates | University of Sharjah with CAPP (NIHS accredited, ref. NIHS/122/2026) | Clinical Certificate in Dental Implantology | Dedicated implant program | Clinical certificate | 1 year; orientation 11 Sept 2026; 24 places | Dentists (interview) | At least 30 live implant placements and full restorations under direct supervision; stated to meet the UAE privilege requirements | all-inclusive fee (amount not read) | Offered 2026 | S | CAPP and provider pages via search | Yes | Full-time |
| United Arab Emirates | Maktoum Bin Hamdan Dental University College | MSc in Oral Surgery with Implant in Dentistry | University degree or diploma | MSc | 3 years | not read | not read | not read | Offered | S | Search summary | No | |
| United Arab Emirates | Hamdan Bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine (MBRU) | Postgraduate prosthodontics (3-year clinical program) | Specialty program with implant content | Specialty program | 3 years | not read | Implant restoration within prosthodontics; no implant-specific program found | not read | Offered | S | Search summary | No | |
| USA | Loma Linda University | Advanced Education in Implant Dentistry | Dedicated implant program | First professional certificate; optional MS/MSD | 36 months, full time; start 6 July; deadline 1 Sept | DDS or equivalent (general dentists eligible; no specialty required); national board exam; English test | Basic and advanced implant surgery and implant-supported prosthodontics; 64 clinical units; no case count; ABOI/ID oral exam eligibility; tuition $94,216 a year | $94,216 per year | Offered; deadline 1 Sept 2026 | P | ADEA PASS page; LLU catalogue; LLU program page (read 21 Oct 2026). LLU reports the first such program in 1976 | Yes | Full-time |
| USA | Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine | Implant Dentistry Fellowship | Dedicated implant program | Fellowship | 12 to 24 months; start 1 July; deadline 1 Dec | INBDE; TOEFL if needed; considers non-CODA graduates | One-year track surgical skills (flap, bone and soft tissue grafting, socket preservation); two-year track adds advanced surgery and restorations; no case count | not listed; no stipend | Offered | P | ADEA PASS page | Yes | Full-time |
| USA | University of Rochester, Eastman Institute for Oral Health | Gerald N. Graser Surgical Implant Fellowship | Dedicated implant program | Advanced certificate (New York State) | 12 months; start 17 June; deadline 1 Oct; 1 position | US citizens or permanent residents; prosthodontic residency experience listed | Diagnosis, planning, surgical placement and maintenance, straightforward to complex; no case count | not listed; stipend for US/Canadian graduates | Offered | P | ADEA PASS page | Yes | Full-time |
| USA | Medical University of South Carolina | Digital Dentistry postdoctoral program (implant and digital emphasis) | Dedicated implant program | MSD in Digital Dentistry plus clinical certificate | 24 months; 3 positions; deadline 1 Aug | National boards; TOEFL 90 | Guided implant placement, digital planning, full-mouth rehabilitation; no case count | not listed | Offered | P | ADEA PASS page | Yes | Full-time |
| USA | Jacksonville University | Certification in Comprehensive Oral Implantology with MSD | Dedicated implant program | Certificate; MS in Dentistry | University page: 24 months; catalogue: 36 months; paid residency | DDS/DMD; national boards; state licence | Surgical, periodontal, prosthetic and maintenance; follows the AAID core curriculum; ABOI/ID exam eligibility; no case count read | tuition not included | Applications open for summer 2026 | S | University pages via search (duration sources conflict) | Yes | Full-time |
| USA | Tufts University | Advanced Digital Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry Fellowship | Dedicated implant program | Fellowship | 1 year, full time | not read | not read | not read | Deadline 1 Oct 2026 | P | Tufts program page: one year, full-time, tuition based, deadline 1 Oct 2026 | Yes | Full-time |
| USA | NYU with Dental Best Practice (Netherlands) | Two-year implantology and oral rehabilitation program with Dental Best Practice (four weeks at NYU) | CE course / society credential | NYU certificate (not a degree) | 2 years; start Sept 2027 | Dentists already placing implants | Clinical training in the Netherlands | not read | Announced | S | Provider pages via search | No | |
| USA | AAID MaxiCourses (for example the New York course with Englewood Health residency) | MaxiCourse, 300-hour implant program | CE course / society credential | Credential pathway (AAID Associate Fellow) | About one year; part-time | Dentists | 300 hours lectures, workshops, live surgery | not read | Offered | S | Search summary | Yes | Part-time |
| USA | Advanced Education in General Dentistry and GPR programs (for example UCLA, Washington, Buffalo, Augusta, Texas A&M) | One-year AEGD/GPR certificates with implant content | Specialty program with implant content | Certificate | 1 year | DDS | Restorative and implant dentistry; UCLA emphasises restorative and surgical implant dentistry; live placement not guaranteed (Northwest program) | varies | Offered | S | ADEA PASS and school pages via search | No | |
| USA | CODA-accredited residencies | Periodontics, Prosthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | Specialty program with implant content | Specialty certificate | 3 to 6 years | DDS | Implant training within each specialty; CODA standards include implant instruction (NYU prosthodontics states this) | varies | Active | S | NYU and PubMed items | No | |
| Canada | McGill University | Fellowship in Oral Implantology | Dedicated implant program | Certificate of fellowship | Part-time, 1 day a week, 1 Sept 2026 to 30 Apr 2027; 2 fellows a year | DDS/DMD, licence, basic implant course | Supervised clinical work; case numbers not read | CAD 15,000 | Offered 2026 (deadline 31 July 2026 passed) | S | McGill page via search | Yes | Part-time |
| Canada | University of Toronto | Advanced Training Fellowship in Implant Dentistry | Dedicated implant program | Fellowship | 1 year; deadline 30 Sept for an August start | Postgraduate specialty degree | Lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions and clinical practice in both surgical and prosthetic phases; six didactic modules; full clinical participation needs an Ontario licence; certificate does not confer specialty status | not read | Offered; limited openings | P | Program page read 21 Oct 2026 | Yes | Full-time |
| Canada | University of Toronto (continuing dental education) | Implant Residency for practising dentists | CE course / society credential | CE (186 points) | 16 days over about 11 months | Ontario-licensed dentists | Two supervised cases; meets RCDSO initial requirements | CAD 19,895 | Not offered after 2024 | P | Program page | No | |
| Canada | Dalhousie, Manitoba, Laval and other universities | Periodontics specialty programs with implant surgery | Specialty program with implant content | Master or specialty certificate | 3 years | DDS | Implant therapy within periodontics | varies | Active | S | Search summaries | No | |
| United Kingdom | University College London (Eastman) | Implant Dentistry MSc (PGCert at year 1, PGDip at year 2) | University degree or diploma | MSc | 3 years part-time, mixed mode; September 2026 start (applications closed 30 June 2026) | GDC registration, 1 year post-qualification experience; patients available | Clinical, academic, research; PGCert covers straightforward cases | UK £12,650 per year (2026/27) | Offered | S | UCL page via search (page returned 403) | Yes | Part-time |
| United Kingdom | University of Bristol | MSc Dental Implantology | University degree or diploma | MSc | 3 years part-time (about 20 attendance days in each of years 1 and 2); 1 year full time for overseas students; next intake September 2027 | BDS or GDC-registrable degree; 1 year of clinical experience; GDC registration for home and part-time students | Students treat their own implant patients provided by the program; Year 3 dissertation or clinical portfolio; patient numbers not stated | Home part-time £9,900 a year; bench fees £7,750; overseas full time £59,800 | Offered; next entry 2027 | P | Bristol page (read) | Yes | Part-time |
| United Kingdom | University of Lancashire | Clinical Implantology MSc | University degree or diploma | MSc | 1 year, blended learning; September 2026 | not read | Supervised patient treatment by consultants | not read | Offered | S | Search summary (page 403) | Yes | Part-time |
| United Kingdom | University of Salford with ICE Postgraduate Dental Institute | MSc/PGDip Dental Implantology | University degree or diploma | MSc, PGDip | MSc 3 years part-time; PGDip 18 to 24 months; September | GDC registration; 2 years of experience; indemnity; expression of interest first | Minimum four patients treated, mentor for first cases, live surgery theatre; e-portfolio, case discussions | £10,927 year 1 (2027/28), then £2,731 per 15 credits | Offered; entry September 2027 | P | Salford page (read) | Yes | Part-time |
| United Kingdom | College of Medicine and Dentistry, Birmingham | MSc in Oral Implantology | University degree or diploma | MSc (exit PGCert/PGDip) | Part-time 3 years, blended; full time 15 months (no patient treatment); September 2027 | BDS and dental regulator registration; references | Cadaver technique course 1 to 2 weeks per year; patients and implant numbers not stated | £11,000 a year without clinics; £14,500 with clinics | Offered | P | COMD page (read) | Yes | Part-time |
| United Kingdom | Aston University with Cambridge Academy of Dental Implantology | MSc in Advanced Dental Implantology | University degree or diploma | MSc | 2 years part-time, blended | not read | not read | not read | Offered | S | Search summary | Yes | Part-time |
| United Kingdom | University of Brighton | Dental implant reconstructive surgery (PGDip, PGCert) | University degree or diploma | PGDip, PGCert | 24 months part-time | not read | not read | not read | Offered | S | Search summary | Yes | Part-time |
| United Kingdom | University of Greater Manchester (Bolton) | MSc Prosthodontics and Implantology | University degree or diploma | MSc | 2 years full time | not read | not read | not read | Listed | S | Listing only | Yes | Full-time |
| United Kingdom | VSS Academy with University of Portsmouth | MSc Clinical Implantology (two years) | University degree or diploma | MSc | Part-time (VSS Academy course page, read by the author) | not read | not read | not read | Offered | A | VSS Academy page supplied by the author (https://vssacademy.co.uk/courses/msc-clinical-implantology); the earlier listing of an MSc Advanced Implant Dentistry was subject to validation | Yes | Part-time |
| United Kingdom | Delta Dental Academy (private; EduQual Level 7) | Diploma in Implant Dentistry | CE course / society credential | Level 7 diploma (not a university award) | 25 Sept 2026 to 27 Feb 2027 | not read | not read | £10,000 | Offered | S | Straumann listing | Yes | Part-time |
| United Kingdom | Newcastle University | Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Implant Dentistry | University degree or diploma | PGDip (120 credits) | Part-time | Dentists, 1 year post-qualification | Straightforward cases per FGDP standards; patients treated by a named student | not read | Specification 2014-15; status to check | P | Programme specification; included in Figure 1 by the author's decision (2026 status not confirmed on the website) | Yes | Part-time |
| United Kingdom | College of General Dentistry (formerly FGDP(UK)) with RCS England | Diploma in Implant Dentistry | University degree or diploma | Diploma; Advanced Certificate | 2 years part-time | GDC registered; enough patients | Four case reports by type; Type 4 cases for the advanced certificate; viva | not read | RCS page: no longer running at the College | P | RCS pages; included in Figure 1 by the author's decision (2026 status not confirmed on the website) | Yes | Part-time |
| Germany | Goethe University Frankfurt (Carolinum) | Master of Science in Oral Implantology | University degree or diploma | M.Sc. | 2 years, modular; four visits of 7 to 11 days | dentists | not read | not read | Offered | S | Search summary | Yes | Part-time |
| Germany | University of Münster (IMC) | Master of Oral Medicine in Implantology | University degree or diploma | Master | 4 semesters, blended | dentists | Web-based plus practical training | EUR 9,550 per semester | Offered | S | Search summary | Yes | Part-time |
| Germany | TU Dresden with International Medical College | M.Sc. in Implantology and Dental Surgery | University degree or diploma | M.Sc. | Part-time; study regulations dated 2 Feb 2026 | dentists | not read | not read | Offered | S | Search summary | Yes | Part-time |
| Germany | Witten/Herdecke University | M.Sc. Implantology and Periodontology | University degree or diploma | M.Sc. | Part-time | dentists | not read | not read | Listed | S | Listing only | Yes | Part-time |
| Germany | University of Freiburg | M.Sc. Periodontology and Implant Therapy | University degree or diploma | M.Sc. | 6 semesters, blended | dentists | 106 graduates in 15 years (case study) | not read | Offered | P | Ratka-Krüger 2026 | Yes | Part-time |
| Germany | University of Duisburg-Essen | Master Implantology and Dental Surgery | University degree or diploma | Master | 3 semesters, part-time | dentists | not read | not read | Discontinued (enrolment to winter 2024/25) | S | Listing | No | |
| Germany | DGI with APW | Curriculum Implantologie; certified implantologist; advanced implantologist (25 cases, 2 years, 100 implants); DGI expert | CE course / society credential | Curriculum certificate; society titles | About eight weekend modules for the curriculum | dentists | Live surgery demonstrations; one day of observation; advanced level: 25 cases presented in an exam | not read | Offered | S | Trade and journal articles (older); DGI rules to verify | Yes | Part-time |
| Austria | Danube Private University, Krems | M.Sc. Oral Surgery / Implantology | University degree or diploma | M.Sc. | 4 semesters (80 ECTS), part-time (an earlier source said 6 semesters) | dentists | not read | not read | Offered | S | Trade report | Yes | Part-time |
| Switzerland | University of Zurich | Master of Advanced Studies in Oral Implantology | University degree or diploma | MAS | 3 years, part-time | dentists | not read | CHF 30,000 | Offered | S | Career portal | Yes | Part-time |
| Australia | University of Sydney | Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (Oral Implants) | University degree or diploma | Graduate diploma (48 credit points) | 1.5 years part-time; runs every second year (2026 should be an intake year, unconfirmed) | Dental graduates | Eight units; mentored sessions (6 x 6 h units); case presentations; no case count | not read | Listed in 2025 handbook archive | P | Sydney handbook (2018 detail; 2025 archive) | Yes | Part-time |
| Australia | Charles Sturt University with ADA NSW | Graduate Diploma of Dental Implantology | University degree or diploma | Graduate diploma | 18 months part-time; applications for 2027 open; next intake session 1 2027 | AHPRA registration; 2 years of general practice; interview | Implant placement and restoration instruction; placement details not read | about A$43,500 (aggregator) | Offered | S | ADA NSW and guide listings | Yes | Part-time |
| Australia | University of Melbourne | Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (Implants) | University degree or diploma | Graduate diploma | 2 years part-time (four semesters) | Dentistry degree | Substantial patient care | not read | Handbook (2024): discontinued | S | Handbook via search | No | |
| Australia | gIDE with Straumann | Master Clinician Program in Implant Dentistry | CE course / society credential | Certificate or diploma (listings differ) | 1 year; four classroom sessions plus online | dentists | Hands-on, case reviews | not read | Sessions in Melbourne and Sydney 2026 | S | Straumann pages | Yes | Part-time |
| Germany | Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (University Medical Center) | Master Personalized Oral Implantology and Periodontology | University degree or diploma | Master (further education) | Part-time; hospitation in cooperating private practices | Dental degree (grade 3.0 or better), 1 year of professional experience, English B2 | not read | not read | Offered | S | Study regulations via search | Yes | Part-time |
| Germany | DGI with Steinbeis University Berlin | DGI-affiliated master in implantology | University degree or diploma | Master | not read | dentists | not read | about EUR 25,000 (2015 article) | Status to check | S | Trade article 2015; not counted in Figure 1: not a dedicated implant program (author) | No | |
| Switzerland | University of Bern | Master of Advanced Studies in Reconstructive Dentistry and Implantology | University degree or diploma | MAS | 3 years; usually with a clinic assistant post | dentists aiming to specialise | not read | not read | Offered | S | Career portal | No | |
| USA | New York University College of Dentistry | Liu Advanced Clinical Fellowship in Implant Dentistry | Dedicated implant program | Fellowship certificate of attendance (not a CODA-accredited postgraduate certificate) | 2 years, full time, Monday to Friday 8:00 to 17:00; 80% clinical and 20% didactic; July 2027 to June 2029; 12 seats | Graduate of a dental school (US or foreign trained); diploma, transcript, personal statement, one recommendation | Restorative and surgical experience under close faculty supervision; publication of a scholarly article as lead author; eligible to apply for ICOI fellowship and diplomate status; no case count stated | see NYU tuition page | Offered; priority deadline 31 Jan 2027 | P | NYU program page read 21 Oct 2026. A one-year NYU track for specialists was not found | Yes | Full-time |
| USA | NYU College of Dentistry, Linhart Continuing Education Program | Implantology: Surgical and Prosthetic Treatment | CE course / society credential | 200 CE hours; meets ICOI fellowship requirement | 1 year, part-time; one half-day session a week (35 sessions); September 2026 to June 2027 | US-licensed dentists (patient treatment option); observation option for internationally trained dentists | Live patient treatment with one-on-one faculty supervision: extractions, grafting, implant placement and restoration; patients provided or brought by the trainee; no case count stated | $19,995 a year plus $950 registration | Offered | P | NYU program page read 21 Oct 2026 | Yes | Part-time |
| Canada | University of Alberta, School of Dentistry (continuing dental education) | Alberta Implant Residency | CE course / society credential | Up to 124 CE credits | 10 months, hybrid: online theory course plus a hands-on surgical course over five weekends; about 118.5 hours; 18 participants in the surgical part | DDS or DMD with an active licence; hands-on part also needs NDEB completion or equivalency and a letter of good standing | Prosthetic and surgical skills for general practitioners; two implants per patient donated by industry; no case count stated | $16,250 (as listed) | Offered; limited capacity | P | Program page read 21 Oct 2026 | Yes | Part-time |
Who may place implants, by country
Regulatory basis, who may place implants, required training and link to rank.
| Country | Legal or regulatory basis | Who may place and restore implants | Required training (hours, cases, test) | Specialist exemptions or restrictions | Link to rank or licence category | Link to programs | Evidence | Source / note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | SCFHS licensing; Ministry of Health clinical privileges policy QPS-004-AAP V2 (approved 1 Jan 2026) and the dental privileges forms; privileges are granted by the employing institution's committee (SPP booklet) | General dentists: the privileges forms state that there is no additional privilege for the general dental practitioner, so implant practice is not open to them (regardless of competency, experience or accredited program). Only specialized dentists may practice, through additional privileges after an SCFHS-approved residency of at least two years in a specialty or sub-specialty that included surgical implant placement, or a sub-specialty fellowship. Development: open practice before the SCFHS was established in 1992; credit hours of training with a license endorsement; accredited full-time programs; in 2025 an accredited fellowship and a part-time flexible program. | Past (author): 300 h for both parts, 150 h for one, no patient treatment required; now: accredited program with supervised patient treatment (about 2 years of training on patients, author); Implant Dentistry licensure exam (200 MCQs; pass marks 65% registrar, 70% senior registrar) | Surgical part for periodontics and OMFS; prosthetic part for prosthodontics and restorative; any specialty with an accredited program (author) | Yes: rank-linked (registrar, senior registrar, consultant); the MOH policy itself bases privileges on qualifications, experience and competence | Fellowship (3 a year), SPP (about 20), university fellowships; the REU diploma | P (policy, forms) | MOH clinical privileges policy QPS-004-AAP V2; clinical dental privileges forms (MOH General Administration of Dentistry, 2026); Annex 12, edition 4 (file dated May 2022). |
| United Arab Emirates | Dubai Health Authority privilege (PI-01, 2021; CG-06 guideline 2025); Abu Dhabi DoH privileging standard; MOHAP; NIHS accredits programs | DHA-licensed general dentists and dental specialists (except dental radiologists) may apply for the implantology privilege | DHA: a recognised course of at least 12 months with at least 30 implants on multiple patients under 1:1 supervision, signed logbook, computer-based test; or a recognised specialty program that included surgical and prosthetic implant treatment. Abu Dhabi (secondary source): 30 implants on at least 10 patients | Advanced surgery (sinus lift, advanced grafting) only OMFS, oral surgeons and periodontists (DHA) | Licence categories general dentist and specialist; general dentists are eligible | NIHS-accredited one-year certificates (Gulf Medical University; University of Sharjah) prepare for the privilege | P (Dubai); S (Abu Dhabi) | DHA document read in full |
| USA | State dental practice acts and boards; no federal implant rule. National specialty commission lists 12 specialties without implant dentistry. ABOI/ID and AAID are voluntary private credentials. Oregon (OAR 818-012-0005(4)-(5), from 1 Jan 2024) is the only state with an implant-specific rule found; Texas relies on the standard of care; Washington and Florida statutes have none; Oklahoma unresolved; CA, IL, MA, OH not read. | Any state-licensed dentist within the state scope of practice. In Oregon, any dentist (specialist or general) after 56 hours of hands-on clinical implant course work; specialists may count residency training. | Oregon: 56 hours hands-on (treatment planning, case selection, complications, supervised surgical placement) with an AGD PACE, ADA CERP or CODA-approved provider, plus 7 hours of implant continuing education per renewal. Elsewhere no hours or case requirement; CODA standards require implant training in periodontics, OMFS, prosthodontics and AEGD/GPR without numbers. ABOI/ID and AAID credentials are voluntary (hour figures from page summaries). | Oregon: extra-oral bone harvest only by OMS residency graduates (or hospital privileges); other states none found. Oregon Board data: 82 implant cases investigated 2014-2017, 41% disciplined, equally distributed between specialists and general practitioners. | No rank system | Dedicated residencies (Loma Linda, open to DDS holders including general dentists; Boston University, Rochester, MUSC, Jacksonville); NYU two-year fellowship and one-year part-time program; fellowships; AEGD/GPR certificates | P (Oregon, Texas, CODA); S (others) | Oregon Board of Dentistry FAQ (read); TSBDE newsletter Aug 2025; CODA standards PDFs; NCRDSCB page. |
| Canada | Provincial dental regulators. Ontario RCDSO: 2013 guideline in force; draft Standard of Practice (August 2025). Other provinces not found | Any licensed dentist who meets the educational requirements and works within competence | Ontario draft: straightforward cases need 35 h for the phase practised and 14 h for the other phase, or 35 h each for both phases (70 h); complex cases need prior straightforward experience, high surgical or prosthodontic proficiency, and specialist-led courses with mentoring or supervision; records of training required; RCDSO does not approve courses | Registered specialists in OMFS, periodontics and prosthodontics with comprehensive implant training in an accredited specialty program are exempt from the hours | No rank system | McGill fellowship; Toronto 12-month fellowship (specialists); Alberta hybrid residency (general practitioners); short residencies | P (Ontario draft) | RCDSO draft read; the other provinces N |
| United Kingdom | General Dental Council: implants are an additional skill beyond the dental degree; work within training and competence; FGDP/College of General Dentistry Training Standards (2016) and mentoring guidelines (2022) used in fitness-to-practise reviews. Implantology is not on the 13-title specialist lists | Any GDC-registered dentist (general dentists included) after appropriate training | No statutory hours or cases; standards describe the training expected before treating patients; mentors need 250 implants and 70 h training (register entry); courses: 4 patients (Salford), clinical portfolio (Bristol), 4 case reports by type (diploma) | None for placement; specialist titles protected (not "implantologist") | No rank system | Part-time MSc/PGDip/PGCert programs (UCL, Bristol, Salford, Birmingham, Lancashire, Aston, Brighton), private diplomas | S/P | Kim and Stagnell 2018 (P); GDC pages not read (S) |
| Germany | Federal and state chamber rules; the Federal Constitutional Court (2001) allowed practice-focus titles in implantology; society titles (DGI, BDIZ EDI) | Every licensed dentist may place implants (consumer-information source); titles signal training | No statutory minimum found; practice-focus title evidence: curriculum certificate, about 3 years of implant practice, 200 implants or 70 cases (society and chamber sources, older); DGI tiers (certified: curriculum; advanced: 25 cases, 2 years, 100 implants; expert) | Specialist titles (for example oral surgery) separate | No rank system | Part-time master's (Frankfurt, Münster, Dresden, Freiburg, Krems, Zurich); DGI-APW curriculum | S | Older secondary sources; verify the chamber rules |
| Australia | Dental Board of Australia: scope of practice registration standard and guidelines (2020): practise only within education, training and competence; no implant-specific rule; implant dentistry is not among the 13 recognised specialties | Any registered dentist within competence | No hours or cases; university diplomas and society courses are voluntary | Specialists practise within their registered specialty | Registration division only | Sydney, Charles Sturt, (Melbourne discontinued), gIDE | P (specialty list); S (scope detail) | Board page read; scope guideline via summary |
Central comparison table
Implant training in Saudi Arabia and international comparators (evidence level: P read in primary document; S summary or secondary; A author statement)
| ID | Jurisdiction / body | Program or pathway | Award or status | Entry | Duration and mode | Hours (as published) | Clinical requirement model | Minimum required | Supervision ratio | Assessment | Surgical + prosthetic? | Link to licensing or privileging | Capacity / intake | Evidence level | Source and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K1 | Saudi Arabia, SCFHS (accredited provider: Rowad) | Clinical Training in Dental Implant Surgery and Prosthetic Restorations (SPP-20250004348) | Certificate of Competency, listed in the certificate of competency table of the SCFHS record (not the qualification table); no change of rank or sub-specialty; renewed after an annual clinical requirement (author) | Licensed specialists/consultants (OMFS, periodontics, prosthodontics, restorative, family dentistry, advanced general dentistry) who are competent in either the surgical or the prosthetic part; CV, interview | 1 year, extendable to 2; part-time, individualised plan | Lectures 26 h; pre-clinical 88 h; clinical 30 sessions x 4 h = 120 h; total 234 h | Case-type based: five cases covering the range of implant prostheses; number of implants per trainee varies with experience | Five case types: single-unit fixed, multi-unit fixed, removable, esthetic zone, full-arch (booklet); submission to SCFHS: at least one fixed and one removable case; monthly case presentation and journal club; portfolio | 1:3 (one surgeon and one prosthodontist per session) | MCQ, simulated procedures, live-patient competency, OSCE; 80% required in each domain; remediation, dismissal after two failed reassessments | Yes (individual plan may focus on one part) | Certificate registered in the record; clinical privileges granted by the employer's committee (MOH policy: additional privileges need documented training and committee approval) | about 20 trainees (author) | P | Accreditation letter, SCFHS submission (17 Sep 2025), booklet (1 May 2026). Documents differ on some items. |
| K2 | Saudi Arabia, SCFHS (Riyadh First Health Cluster; King Saud Medical City) | Saudi Fellowship in Implant Dentistry (SCFHS: fine sub-specialty, program "Dental Implant") | Fellowship certificate; graded Consultant in Implant Dentistry; academic qualification entered in the qualification table; no renewal (author) | Board or equivalent in periodontics, OMFS, prosthodontics, restorative dentistry or family dentistry | 2 years, full time, normal working hours 8:00 to 16:00 (author); accredited 1 Jan 2026 to 31 Dec 2029 | Didactic 324 h, case seminars 210 h, pre-clinical 30 h, clinical 2,150 h; about 2,700 h in all | Count and technique based | Year 1: 30 implant cases (5 single anterior, 5 single posterior, 5 bridge, 5 overdenture, 5 full-arch guided, 5 immediate); year 2: 50 cases by technique (GBR 8, soft tissue 4, internal sinus 10, external sinus 2, split ridge 4, chin graft 2, ramus graft 2, immediate placement 5, immediate loading 5, both 4, full mouth 2, guided 2) | not stated | 4-monthly evaluation; written 100 MCQs (70%); oral on two treated cases (70%) | Yes | Sub-specialty accreditation by SCFHS; the privileges forms treat a sub-specialty fellowship as the basis for additional privileges | accredited capacity 3 per year, 6 in total; 2 enrolled (author) | P | SCFHS accreditation decision 19 Aug 2025; curriculum supplied by the author. |
| K3 | Saudi Arabia, university (Riyadh Elm University) | Higher Diploma in Implant Dentistry | University diploma | BDS, internship, SCFHS classification, interview (listing) | 1 year, full time, on campus (listing); a separate REU page says 2 years for Majmaah-linked diplomas | not found | not found | not found | not found | not found | Yes (listing) | SCFHS involvement | not found | S | Study in Saudi and youapply listings; REU pages show only an MSc in Dentistry. |
| K4 | Saudi Arabia, SCFHS | Saudi Board in Periodontics | Board certificate (specialty) | Bachelor, internship, licence, matching | 4 years, full time | not stated in hours | Competency matrix by year (D = direct supervision, I = independent) | No numeric minimum for implant placement; pre-clinical implant course on sheep jaws; final exam includes an Implants paper | not stated | Written, clinical, logbook, workplace assessments | Surgical only | SCFHS specialty classification | about 25 accredited centres | P | SCFHS curriculum (2025); author's copy. |
| K5 | Saudi Arabia, SCFHS | Saudi Board in Prosthodontics | Board certificate (specialty) | as above | 3 to 4 years, full time | not stated | Required case list | Case 4: comprehensive fixed implant-supported prosthesis (at least one full arch), 1 case; implant workshop day | not stated | Written, clinical, logbook | Prosthetic only | SCFHS specialty classification | many centres | P | SCFHS curriculum (2025). |
| K6 | Saudi Arabia, SCFHS | Saudi Board in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | Board certificate (specialty) | as above | 5 years, full time | not stated | Logbook minimums | 10 pre-prosthetic and implant cases as surgeon; 11-lecture block | not stated | Written, clinical, logbook | Surgical only | SCFHS specialty classification | 17 centres | P | SCFHS curriculum (2020 text). |
| K7 | Saudi Arabia, SCFHS | Saudi Board in Restorative Dentistry | Board certificate (specialty) | as above | 3 years, full time | not stated | Logbook and case requirements | At least 1 anterior implant case among 15 comprehensive esthetic cases; 15 "implant fixture" logbook procedures (meaning unclear) | not stated | Written, clinical, logbook | Mainly prosthetic | SCFHS specialty classification | about 40 centres | P | SCFHS curriculum (2025). |
| K8 | Saudi Arabia, SCFHS | Saudi Diploma in Advanced Education in General Dentistry | Diploma | as above | not extracted | not stated | Course with clinical component | Second-year Dental Implant course, basic surgical procedures; no numbers | not stated | Final and clinical exams | Basic surgical | SCFHS classification | 9 cities | P | SCFHS curriculum (2022, Sep 2025). |
| K9 | Saudi Arabia, SCFHS | Saudi Board in Family Dentistry | Board certificate | as above | not extracted | not stated | none | Planning and complications only | not stated | Written, clinical | Neither | SCFHS classification | 16 centres | P | SCFHS curriculum (2025). |
| K10 | Saudi Arabia, universities | University fellowships: KKU Periodontics (4 y) and Advanced Prosthodontics (3 y); IAU Periodontal disease, surgery and implants (4 y) and Prosthodontics (4 y) | University fellowship (mirrors the Board) | BDS, internship, licence, TOEFL, interview | 3 to 4 years, full time | KKU 163 and 126 credit hours | Course based | KKU: Implantology 1 and 2 plus seminar; IAU: implant placement objective (periodontal fellowship); no case numbers | not stated | university exams, research project | Surgical (perio) or prosthetic (pros) | SCFHS-linked classification | few | P | KKU brochures (May 2026); IAU pages; IAU fee SAR 200,000. |
| K11 | Saudi Arabia, universities | Master's: KAU (Periodontics, Prosthodontics, OMFS, Operative), KSU (7 tracks), Jouf (Prosthetic Dental Sciences), Ibn Sina (Restorative, Family, Periodontics) | MSc | BDS, licence, language test | 3 years | Jouf 46 credits | Course based | Jouf: one implantology credit (prosthetic); others not stated | not stated | university | Mostly one part | - | few | P/S | University pages. |
| K12 | Saudi Arabia, SCFHS (historical, author's account) | Credit hours of training in implant surgery and prosthetics, with a license endorsement for the surgical or the prosthetic part | License endorsement: "surgical part" or "prosthetic part" | courses from any provider | n/a | number of hours not stated in the paper | Hours only, no patient treatment required | none | n/a | n/a | either | License endorsement | n/a | A | Author's account of the history before accredited programs; no document cited in the paper. |
| I1 | United Arab Emirates, Dubai Health Authority | Dental Implantology Privilege (PI-01 v3, 10 Aug 2021; revision due 10 Aug 2026; CG-06 guideline effective 1 Mar 2026) | Privilege added to the dental licence | General dentist or any dental specialist (except radiologists); either a DHA-recognised implantology course or a recognised postgraduate specialty program that included surgical and prosthetic implant treatment | Course: structured multi-module program of at least 12 months, with an academic dental institution | Not given as hours (12 months minimum) | Count based, with complexity categories | At least 30 implants per trainee on multiple patients of differing complexity in a signed logbook: single (anterior and posterior, upper and lower), multiple implants in a jaw (unilateral and bilateral), full arch; grafting and sinus lifting may be included | 1:1 for the practical component | Computer-based test; logbook not older than 2 years; good-standing certificate | Yes (surgical and prosthetic) | Privilege required to practise; course completion alone is not enough; advanced surgery (sinus lift, advanced grafting) only OMFS, oral surgeons, periodontists | not stated | P | DHA document read in full. |
| I2 | United Arab Emirates, Department of Health Abu Dhabi | Standard for Implantology Privileging (2013) and annex | Privilege granted by facility privileging committee as a list of procedures | Either an accredited postgraduate clinical implantology program, or a specialty/residency program with at least two implantology modules | Secondary sources: 18 months or 160 CPD hours | secondary: 160 CPD hours | Count based | Secondary source: 30 implants on at least 10 patients with countersigned logbook; criteria include training length, cases, complexity, proof of competency, facility, team | not found | not found | Yes | Privilege required | not stated | S | Official files would not open (certificate error); secondary sources only. |
| I3 | United Kingdom, FGDP(UK) / Royal College of Surgeons of England | Diploma in Implant Dentistry (Advanced Certificate with two additional cases) | Diploma; Advanced Certificate | GDC-registered, licensed dentists practising with enough patients for the work-based components | Taught components over 2 years, part-time, work-based | not stated on the pages read | Case-type based portfolio | Four case reports (one each of Type 1 single or multiple tooth replacement in the esthetic zone, Type 2 multiple splinted units, Type 3 overdenture or fixed full arch, plus one of choice); Advanced: two Type 4 cases (ridge augmentation with autogenous bone and implants brought into function); signed clinical logbook with each case | not stated | Written assignments, practical exercises, case reports approved by tutors, 90-minute viva by two examiners on three cases plus unseen cases | Yes | Professional standard (GDC scope of practice and FGDP training standards); not a licence | cohort-based | P | RCS England pages and academic regulations (cohort 19, 2018). The RCS page states the diploma is no longer running at the College. |
| I4 | United Kingdom, Newcastle University | Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Implant Dentistry | PGDip (120 credits) | Dentists and teams with little or no implant experience, one year post-qualification | part-time | 120 credits (theory 40; surgery 40; restoration 40) | Patients treated at the straightforward level (as defined by the FGDP standards); each patient planned, implanted and restored by a named student | Number not stated in the specification read | clinical supervisor per session | Written cases, oral exam, surgery assessment proforma | Yes | Professional standard | not stated | P | Programme specification 2014-15; check current. |
| I5 | United Kingdom, review | Postgraduate implant education in the UK (2017 data): 8 master's, 8 diplomas, 2 certificates, 13 CPD courses | varies | GDC registration | master's 2.5 y; diploma 2 y; certificate 1 y; CPD 0.94 y; all part-time except 3 master's | CPD mean 81 h | Mentoring in 10 of 13 CPD courses | Supervised patients 1 to 50 | not stated | varies | varies | FGDP TSID 2016 (15 standards) | cohorts 4 to 24 (4 courses) | P | Kim and Stagnell 2018, Int J Implant Dent 4:8. |
| I6 | United Kingdom, Register of Implant Mentors | Entry requirements for implant mentors (faculty benchmark) | Register entry | At least 5 years in the technique; postgraduate implant qualification or a structured course of at least 70 h | n/a | course of at least 70 h | Mentor experience | At least 250 implants placed and/or restored (consensus figure), with anonymised logbook and invoices | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | P | Register webpage. |
| I7 | Australia, University of Sydney | Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (Oral Implants) | Graduate diploma (48 credit points) | dental graduates aimed at general practice | 1.5 years, part-time only | Mentored sessions: 4 units x 6 sessions of 4 to 6 h in private practice | Mentored sessions plus case portfolio | No number of cases or implants stated; clinical case presentations carry 80 to 90% of several units | mentor in practice | Case presentations, logbook (10%), viva, written exam | Yes | Professional (dental board registration) | bi-annual intake | P | 2018 archived handbook. |
| I8 | Hong Kong, University of Hong Kong | MSc in Implant Dentistry | MSc | BDS and at least one year of work experience | 2 years full time or 4 years part time | Not stated on the page (a search result cites at least 1,100 contact hours) | Two clinical courses; simple to medium implant therapy with little or no augmentation | number not stated | not stated | Courses, dissertation | Yes | Specialist register has no implant specialty | not stated | P/S | HKU Faculty page. |
| I9 | Singapore, National University of Singapore | Graduate Diploma in Dental Implantology | Graduate diploma | not read | not read | not read | Case based | A search snippet mentions ten cases | not read | not read | Yes | not read | not read | S | Official PDF returned 404; verify. |
| I10 | United States, ABOI/ID and AAID (private certifying bodies) | Board certification (ABOI/ID); AAID Associate Fellow and Fellow credentials | Credentials, not a specialty | ABOI/ID: general dentists and specialists; AAID: licensed dentist | n/a | ABOI/ID (secondary): 670 CE hours, 300 in a continuum program; AAID Associate Fellow (secondary): 300 hours, 75 participatory; Fellow: 400 hours, 5 years | Examination based | ABOI/ID: written exam of 200 MCQs and an oral exam defending cases; AAID: written exam of 150 MCQs and an oral case exam on six standardised cases (read on AAID page); case counts for certification not found | n/a | as stated | Yes | None (advertising and credential recognition issue; the national specialty commission lists 12 specialties and none is implant dentistry) | n/a | P/S | NCRDSCB page (P); ABOI and AAID pages (P); hour figures from search summaries (S). |
| I11 | United States, ADA-recognised specialties | Periodontics, Prosthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residencies (CODA) | Specialty certificate | dental degree | residency, full time | n/a | Program standards | not extracted | n/a | n/a | Surgical or prosthetic by specialty | State dental boards | n/a | S | PubMed titles only (OMFS 2007, prosthodontics 2008 and 2010, periodontics 2017). |
| I12 | Germany, DGI-APW | Curriculum Implantologie; title "Spezialist Implantologie"; Master of Science (Krems) | Curriculum certificate; practice-focus title | dentists | about eight weekend modules | not found | Modules with live surgery demonstrations and a day of observation | not found | not found | not found | Yes | Professional titles | about 5,000 completed by 2018 | S | German trade and journal articles 2005 to 2018. |
| I13 | Europe and Germany (Freiburg) | ADEE consensus papers 2009 and 2014; Freiburg blended-learning master's in periodontology and implant therapy | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | No standard; wide diversity from 1-2 day courses to master's | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 106 graduates in 15 years (Freiburg) | P | Abstracts read. |
| I14 | United Arab Emirates, Gulf Medical University (accredited by the National Institute for Health Specialties) | Clinical Certificate in Dental Implantology | Clinical certificate | BDS/DDS/DMD recognised by the UAE Ministry of Education; at least 3 years of clinical experience after internship; English; BLS; ministry trainee evaluation letter; possible interview | 1 year, full time | At least 1,280 contact hours: 256 didactic, 1,024 clinical and practical | Count based | At least 30 implant placements on 10 different patients (30 surgical cases) | not stated | Module quizzes and written exams (at least 60%); logbook evaluation (at least 70%); at least 80% attendance | Yes | Prepares for the DHA/MOH privilege (a course alone does not allow practice) | not stated; tuition AED 115,500 incl. VAT | P | GMU programme page (read). |
| I15 | United Arab Emirates, Maktoum Bin Hamdan Dental University College | MSc in Oral Surgery with Implant in Dentistry | MSc | not read | 3 years | not read | not read | not read | not read | not read | Surgical focus | not read | not read | S | Search summary only. |
| I16 | United States, Loma Linda University | Advanced Education in Implant Dentistry (post-DDS certificate; optional MS or MSD) | First professional certificate; optional MS/MSD | DDS or equivalent; GPA 3.0; three recommendations; English test; national board parts for US graduates; no specialty qualification required, so general dentists are eligible | 36 months, full time in residence | Clinical courses total 64 units; clinic minimums of 120 h per quarter (clinical practice), 60 h (periodontics in implant dentistry), 60 h (prosthodontics in implant dentistry); didactic 156 units | Hours-based clinical courses | No implant or case number stated on the catalogue pages | not stated | University assessments; graduates may challenge the ABOI/ID oral exam in the final year and may qualify as AAID Associate Fellows | Yes (both phases) | No licence link; credentials are voluntary | not stated; tuition $94,216 per year | P | Loma Linda catalogue and programme pages (read). LLU program page read 21 Oct 2026. |
| I17 | Canada, Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (regulator) | Draft Implant Dentistry Standard of Practice (August 2025; the 2013 guideline is current until adopted) | Regulatory standard (draft) | All dentists; registered specialists in OMFS, periodontics and prosthodontics who had comprehensive implant training in an accredited specialty program are exempt from the education requirements and need only continuing education | n/a | Straightforward cases: 35 h for the practised phase and 14 h for the other phase; both phases: 35 h each (70 h in all); complex cases need prior competence in straightforward cases and specialist-led courses and mentoring or clinical supervision | Hours by phase and complexity | No case numbers in the draft; records of courses, mentoring and supervision required | n/a | Course criteria and learning outcomes in appendices; RCDSO does not approve courses | Phase-based: surgical, prosthetic or both | Regulatory standard (professional misconduct if not trained) | n/a | P | RCDSO draft standard (read). Closest parallel to the Saudi hours-based licence era and to the specialty-exempt model. |
| I18 | Canada, University of Toronto | Continuing education Implant Residency for practising dentists (2024; no longer offered) | CE course (186 CE points) | Ontario-licensed dentists | 16 days in eight two-day blocks over about 11 months | 16 days | Own patients treated under faculty supervision | Two cases | faculty supervision | No formal assessment described | Yes (limited) | Meets the initial RCDSO educational requirements | not stated; fee CAD 19,895 | P | Programme page (read). |
| I19 | United Kingdom, College of General Dentistry (formerly FGDP(UK)) | Training Standards in Implant Dentistry (2016, 15 standards) and Mentoring in Implant Dentistry good practice guidelines (2022) | Professional standards | dentists | n/a | Register of mentors: course of at least 70 h | Mentored practice with work-based assessments | No case count in the mentoring guidelines; mentor must have 250 implants (register) | mentor | Case-based discussion, direct observation of procedural skills, clinical evaluation exercise | Yes | Used in GDC fitness-to-practise reviews | n/a | P/S | College pages (read); full text of the 2016 standards not yet read (link redirected). |
| I20 | Germany, universities | Part-time master's programs: Goethe University Frankfurt M.Sc. in Oral Implantology (2 years, four visits of 7 to 11 days); Danube University Krems (6 semesters, Austria); University of Zurich MAS (3 years, CHF 30,000); Münster Master of Oral Medicine in Implantology | Master's degrees | dentists | 2 to 3 years, part-time | not read | Modular with clinical components | not read | not read | not read | Yes | Titles and professional status only | not read | S | Search summaries; verify on the university pages (the Frankfurt page did not load). |
| I21 | United States, New York University College of Dentistry | Liu Advanced Clinical Fellowship in Implant Dentistry | Fellowship certificate of attendance (not CODA-accredited) | Graduate of a dental school, US or foreign trained | 2 years, full time (Monday to Friday, 80% clinical) | not stated | Supervised clinical work; no case count stated | no minimum stated | close faculty supervision (ratio not stated) | Scholarly article as lead author required | Yes (restorative and surgical) | No licence link; some states may allow graduates to apply for a licence | 12 seats | P | Program page read 21 Oct 2026. No one-year specialist track found. |
| I22 | United States, NYU Linhart Continuing Education Program | Implantology: Surgical and Prosthetic Treatment | 200 CE hours | US-licensed dentists (observation for international dentists) | 1 year, part-time, 35 half-day sessions | 200 CE hours | Live patient treatment with mentorship | no case count stated | one-on-one faculty supervision | not stated | Yes | None (CE course; meets ICOI fellowship requirement) | four weekly sections | P | Program page read 21 Oct 2026; tuition $19,995 a year. |
| I23 | Canada, University of Toronto | Advanced Training Fellowship in Implant Dentistry | Certificate of completion; does not confer specialty status | Dentists with postgraduate specialty degrees; Ontario licence for clinical participation | 12 months | six didactic modules plus clinical practice | Lectures, seminars, laboratory and clinical practice | not stated | not stated | not stated | Yes (both phases) | None | limited openings | P | Program page read 21 Oct 2026. |
| I24 | Canada, University of Alberta | Alberta Implant Residency | Up to 124 CE credits | Licensed dentists (DDS or DMD); NDEB or equivalency for the hands-on part | 10 months, hybrid; five hands-on weekends | about 118.5 h | Online theory plus supervised hands-on surgical and prosthetic sessions | two implants per patient donated by industry; no case count stated | not stated | not stated | Yes | None (CE) | 18 in the surgical part | P | Program page read 21 Oct 2026; fee $16,250 as listed. |
Three comparison points
Specialty status, who may practice, and link to rank, by jurisdiction.
| Jurisdiction | 1. Is implant dentistry a standalone specialty? | 2. Who may practise implant dentistry? | 3. Link to rank or licence category | Evidence level | Sources and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia (SCFHS) | The SCFHS training list has no main specialty in implant dentistry; implant dentistry appears as a fine sub-specialty with a final exam and a final clinical exam, and the 2025 accreditation decision places the fellowship at level three with a Board or equivalent as entry. It is a sub-specialty by structure and a standalone program in content. | Phase 1: anyone with a licence, including after a manufacturer course. Phase 2: hours-based licence (300 h for both parts; 150 h for one part) with licence endorsement for the surgical or the prosthetic part. Phase 3 (author): perio and OMFS for the surgical part, prosthodontics and restorative for the prosthetic part, then any specialty that completes an accredited program with about 2 years of training on patients, tied to additional clinical privileges. SPP booklet: general dentists are not eligible; clinical privileges come from the employing institution's privileging committee. | General dentists: no additional privilege exists for the general dental practitioner (privileges forms), so they cannot practise implant dentistry, whatever their competency, experience or accredited program. Only specialized dentists may practise, through additional privileges after an SCFHS-approved residency of at least two years including surgical implant placement, or a sub-specialty fellowship. The licensure exam blueprint gives pass marks of 65% for registrars and 70% for senior registrars. | P for the list, decision letter, blueprints, MOH policy and privileges forms | SCFHS training list; accreditation decision 19 Aug 2025; Saudi Fellowship exam blueprint; Implant Dentistry licensure exam blueprint; SPP booklet; MOH clinical privileges policy QPS-004-AAP V2 (2026); clinical dental privileges forms; Annex 12 edition 4. |
| United Arab Emirates, Dubai (DHA) and postgraduate programs | No implant specialty in the DHA documents; implantology is a privilege added to a licence. UAE postgraduate implant programs exist: Gulf Medical University one-year Clinical Certificate (1,280 contact hours; at least 30 implants on 10 patients; accredited by NIHS); MBHDUC MSc in Oral Surgery with Implant (3 years; summary only). | Any DHA-licensed general dentist or dental specialist (except dental radiologists) may apply for the privilege through a recognised course or a specialty program that included surgical and prosthetic implant treatment. Only oral surgeons, OMFS and periodontists may perform advanced surgery such as sinus lift and advanced grafting. | Licence categories are general dentist and specialist; general dentists are eligible (a difference from Saudi Arabia). No separate rank rule. | P | DHA PI-01 v3 (2021) read in full; GMU page read; CG-06 (2025) refers to privileged dentists. |
| United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi (DoH) | No implant specialty found; privilege-based. | Qualification by an accredited postgraduate clinical implantology program or a specialty/residency program with at least two implantology modules; privilege granted by the facility committee as a list of procedures; advanced surgery restricted to oral surgeons and periodontists (secondary source). | Not found. | S | Official DoH files would not open (certificate error); secondary sources. |
| Qatar (QCHP) | Approved dental specialties include Oral Surgery, OMFS, Prosthodontics, Periodontics, Restorative; no implant specialty found. | Approval of privileges is required before performing dental surgical privileges (2015 circular). A secondary source says licensed general dentists and specialists may apply for an implantology privilege and that advanced surgery is restricted. | Licence as specialist or general dentist depends on the recognised degree; non-core privileges can be requested. | S | QCHP circulars (2015, 2021) as summarised in search results; a 2022 blog for the privilege details. |
| United Kingdom (GDC) | Not a specialty. The GDC specialist lists hold 13 specialties and implantology is not among them; the titles "implantologist" and "implant dentist" are not protected. | Any GDC-registered dentist who has the training and works within competence. Implants are an additional skill; the FGDP(UK) Training Standards in Implant Dentistry are used by the GDC when investigating fitness to practise. | No rank or category linkage; specialist list status is separate from the right to place implants. | S/P | Kim and Stagnell 2018 (P); a commercial summary of the 2024 specialist list regulations (S); verify on the GDC site and legislation.gov.uk. |
| United States | Not a specialty: the National Commission lists 12 recognised specialties and implant dentistry is not among them. ABOI/ID (board) and AAID credentials are private certifications. A dedicated 3-year residency exists (Loma Linda, open to any DDS holder, so to general dentists); NYU offers a two-year full-time fellowship and a one-year part-time program. | Any state-licensed dentist; state dental boards govern scope and advertising of credentials. Specialty residencies in periodontics, OMFS and prosthodontics carry implant training. | No rank system; credentials are voluntary. | P | NCRDSCB page (P); Loma Linda pages (P); ABOI and AAID pages (P/S). |
| Canada (Ontario regulator RCDSO) | Not a specialty: the Canadian Dental Association page (via a search summary) lists ten nationally recognised specialties and implant dentistry is not among them. | Any licensed dentist who meets the educational requirements. The draft standard (August 2025) sets hours by phase (35 h for the phase practised and 14 h for the other; 70 h for both) for straightforward cases, and extra training and mentoring for complex cases. Registered specialists in OMFS, periodontics and prosthodontics who had comprehensive implant training in an accredited specialty program are exempt from the hours. Dedicated programs: University of Toronto 12-month fellowship (specialists) and University of Alberta hybrid residency (general practitioners). | Specialist status gives an exemption; no registrar-type ranks. The standard separates surgical and prosthetic phases and straightforward and complex levels, which resembles the Saudi phase-based history. | P | RCDSO draft standard (read); CDA list via search summary. |
| Australia | Not a specialty: the Dental Board lists 13 recognised specialties; implant dentistry is not on the list (page read). | Any registered dentist within scope of practice and competence; specialist registrants practise within their specialty; no implant-specific credential in the Board's page. | Registration category only (general or specialist). | P | Dental Board of Australia specialist registration page. |
| Singapore | Not a specialty: the Dental Specialists Accreditation Board lists eight specialties and implantology is not among them; a Graduate Diploma in Dental Implantology exists as a qualification. | Any registered dentist; only registered specialists may use specialist titles. | Specialist register only. | P | DSAB recognised-specialties page (read). |
| Hong Kong | Not a specialty in the Hospital Authority/Academy list: eight dental specialties (OMFS, orthodontics, paediatric, prosthodontics, periodontology, endodontics, family dentistry, community dentistry). | Any registered dentist; HKU MSc in Implant Dentistry is open to BDS holders with one year of experience. | Specialist register only. | S | HKAM register page via search results; Dental Council page not reached. |
| Japan | Moving toward recognition: the Japanese Society of Oral Implantology reports it is at a final stage in negotiations with the Japanese Dental Specialty Board for a specialist qualification that can be advertised; earlier materials say two implant societies had specialty or accredited sub-branch status (2018). | Any licensed dentist. | Not found. | S | Society pages (2026) via search; not confirmed on the Board site. |
| Germany | Not a specialty title for implantology: the practice-focus title (Tätigkeitsschwerpunkt Implantologie) was allowed by the Federal Constitutional Court in 2001; the specialist titles (Fachzahnarzt) cover other fields; "Spezialist Implantologie" is a professional-society title. Chamber rules not read. | Any licensed dentist; part-time master's degrees exist (Frankfurt, Krems, Zurich, Münster). | Not found. | S | Journal and trade articles (2003 to 2018); university summaries. |
| Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman | No implant specialty and, per the author, no postgraduate implant programs in the Gulf outside Saudi Arabia and the UAE (not verified). | Not found. | Not found. | N | Author's knowledge; no sources found. |
Method and limits
Program tables, searched 20 October 2026. Countries: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, USA, Canada, UK, Germany (with Austria and Switzerland), Australia.
Sources: SCFHS training list and accreditation documents; ADEA PASS (US advanced dental programs); university pages where they could be read; regulator pages (RCDSO, DHA, Dental Board of Australia, NCRDSCB); search-result summaries where a page could not be read (403 errors: UCL, Lancashire).
Evidence: P = read on the program or regulator page; S = search-result summary or aggregator, to verify on the institution page.
Gaps: UK programs at other universities (Edinburgh, Cardiff, King's, Manchester, Leeds were not found by search); US ADEA PASS finder did not load fully (other implant programs may exist); Canada outside Ontario, Quebec and BC regulators; Germany chambers; Australian universities beyond four; short manufacturer courses not systematically counted; entries dated 2026 may change.
Next steps for a complete program list: ADEA PASS finder export; UKCAT/Find a Masters export for the UK; Hochschulkompass for Germany; Australian course search; second reader to verify a sample (10 to 20%).