Continuing Education

A. Description of the fields

The periodontology concern with the structure and function of the tooth-bearing tissue. The implant dentistry concern with the structure and function of dental implants including the surrounding tissue.
The fields include the diagnostic and therapeutic measures for the prevention and treatment of periodontal and peri-implant diseases.

B. Target of the continuing education

With the continuing education for the acquisition of the specialist dental title for periodontology and implant dentistry, the trainees shall acquire knowledge and skills that enable them to work in the entire field of periodontology and implant dentistry on their own responsibility.
At the end of the training, they should be capable. Independently provide systematic care to patients with periodontal and peri-implant diseases and conditions.

• Place oral implants independently
• Conduct consultations and special examinations
• Correctly assess the relationship between the costs and benefits of diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic measures in periodontology and implant dentistry and apply these in an ethically responsible manner towards each patient, taking into account his or her environment.
• Recognize and consider interdisciplinary problems and interrelationships between general health, medical conditions and diseases of the oral cavity.
• Participate in research projects
• Independently analyses and interpret scientific work

Duration of the continuing education

The duration of the continuing education is 3 years with an employment level of 100%. If the level of the employment is lower, the duration of the continuing education will extended accordingly. The same applies by an interruption due to pregnancy, long military service or prolonged illness. Periods of continuing education that fall below of a 50% employment level can not be credited.

Structure

The three-year-program is made up of around 4,000 hours of continuing education. These are to be based on the following distribution:

Interim examinations and qualification interviews take place during the continuing education program.
After the completion of this program, a final evaluation is carried out by the training supervisor and an assessment is made as to whether all the requirements for registration for the MAS continuing education examination have been met in accordance with the regulations. The MAS program offer trainees the opportunity to conduct research, produce publications, gain teaching experience and attend continuing education events. Attendance at continuing education events is at the discretion of the director of continuing education. Regular attendance at events is expected. Visits to other further training institutions for collegial exchange are desired.

Content requirements

• The MAS-candidate for periodontology and implant dentistry has to:
• Be proficient in the clinical skills required in periodontics and implant dentistry.
• As a trained clinician, to has a sound knowledge of the subject-specific literature
• To have skills to communicate knowledge
• Be prepared to orientate one's professional activity towards the needs of the population according to current health economic and ethical criteria.

Basics

• Knowledge of the normal and pathological anatomy, histology and physiology of periodontal and peri-implant tissues
• Knowledge of oral tissues
• Knowledge of the microbiology of the oral cavity
• Knowledge of immunology
• Knowledge of the aetiology and pathogenesis of periodontal and peri-implant diseases and conditions, as well as mucosal lesions and pathologies of adjacent structures.
• Knowledge of the epidemiology and principles of prevention and therapy of oral, dental and peri-implant diseases and conditions.
• Knowledge of the relationship between periodontal and systemic diseases
• Knowledge of the professional handling of diagnostic and therapeutic instruments and devices
• Knowledge of the most important textbooks and journals in the fields of periodontology and implant dentistry.
• Skills to critical analyse interpret and summarise scientific papers.
• Skills to summarise present and discuss a disease case
• Skills to correct assess the limits of one's own knowledge and skills
• Knowledge of the ethical principles that must be observed in dealing with patients and in cooperation with colleagues.
• Skills to conduct a professional discussion with other involved dentists
• Skills to present aspects of the discipline to a lay audience.

General patients care

• Knowledge of preventive measures and screening methods in dentistry.
• Skills in general dental diagnostics, including prosthetic, occlusal, mucogingival and stomatological aspects.
• Skills in risk assessment and prognosis of dental interventions
• Dental emergency management skills
• Skills of preparing treatment plans for the restoration of the masticatory organ in a synoptic manner and taking into account the patient's situation.
• Skills of risk assessment and monitoring in medical risk patients
• Knowledge of the cost/benefit ratio of diagnostic and therapeutic measures
• Skills in long-term monitoring and follow-up care
• Skills in talking to the patient about their illnesses

Diagnostic

• Skills to take a periodontal/peri-implant history and to obtain a periodontal/peri-implant status.
• Ability to draw up an assessment plan, evaluate the results of the assessment and derive a diagnosis or differential diagnosis from it.
• Basic knowledge of the technique and interpretation of imaging and laboratory diagnostic procedures used in periodontology and implant dentistry (interpretation of biochemical, genetic, immunological, microbiological and other examination results).

Therapy

• Skills to establish and implement or monitor a sequential treatment plan involving oral implants.
• Knowledge of relevant pharmacology and its therapeutic benefits
• Understanding of non-surgical and chemotherapeutic treatment principles
• Knowledge of surgical procedures, their indications and postoperative conditions
• Skills to perform relevant evidence-based procedures

Requirements for the Master's thesis

The MAS-candidates must have a scientific publication in the field of periodontology and implant dentistry or one of its borderline areas.

In principle, only those who hold a federal or a recognised foreign diploma in dentistry can be admitted to the MAS Continuing Education Programme in Periodontology and Implant Dentistry.