The AIA Advantage: Transforming Dentists into Elite Implantologists

Tailor your educational experience in implant dentistry with the Australasian Implant Academy’s flexible curriculum, accommodating learners at every stage of their journey, from beginners to seasoned professionals.

By Danny Chan

For dentists seeking to expand their clinical artistry into the realm of implant dentistry, the path towards actualisation must be carefully cultivated. A haphazard educational venture risks leaving the practitioner’s skills wanting – devoid of the knowledge and experience required to choreograph intricate implant cases with consistent results. Conversely, the curriculum offered by the Australasian Implant Academy (AIA) takes a highly structured and encompassing approach to implant education.

Led by leading implantologists such as Dr. Dean Licenblat, Dr. Ned Restom, and Dr. David Bassal, the AIA offers four fellowship programs culminating in a Full Fellowship, in addition to three live patient surgical externship programs. On top of a rigorous, fully-accredited curriculum, students benefit from exceptional hands-on clinical experience at a state-of-the-art facility in the scenic Central Coast, NSW.

Different Levels of Fellowship: From Novice to Professional

Since its inception in 2019, this forward-thinking institution has refined a structured, four-part Fellowship program that takes a 360-degree view of implant education. 

As AIA Founding Faculty Member Dr. Ned Restom says, “The fully integrated curriculum deep dives into the theory components as well provides compressive practical experience with hands-on sessions working with models. 

“Upon course completion, clinicians are able to develop complex treatment planning protocols and confidently place implants for their patients.”

The methodical pathway begins with Fellowship 1: Fundamental Implantology, geared towards those just starting their implant journeys. This lays the crucial groundwork covering surgical basics like flap design, suturing, socket grafting, and immediate implant placement. 

“For those getting their feet wet in implantology, Fellowship 1 gives them an open platform to treat patients in multiple ways,” Dr. Restom explains.

Fellowship 2 kicks it up a notch to more advanced implantology and augmentation procedures. Having cut their teeth on at least 10-15 prior implant cases, attendees take a deeper dive into immediate implants in extraction sockets, partial extraction therapies, and other complex techniques. “The theory prepares you, but to truly advance you need the hands-on experience this program provides,” Dr. Restom emphasises.

The flagship offering is undoubtedly Fellowship 3: Full Arch & Beyond. Covering full-arch solutions from standard implants to zygomatic and pterygoid alternatives, this intensive equips experienced implantologists to negotiate even the most challenging edentulous cases. 

Says Dr. Restom: “Even if you’re an experienced full arch implantologist, we teach you beyond full arch, which is zygomatic, pterygoid, and what we call remote anchorage.”

Aspire to the Elite Club of Implant Dentists

The Academy’s focus is on preparing clinicians for the rigorous American Board of Oral Implantology (ABOI) examination process. The Fellowship Program is fully accredited by Jacksonville University.

“It’s an extremely difficult examination process – one of the toughest in the field of implantology,” says Dr. Restom. 

According to the pioneer and leader in the field of complex implant dentistry, becoming an ABOI Diplomate is one of the highest accreditations in implantology globally. 

“The significance is that you become a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology, which is a specialist status in implantology. It puts you in an elite group of only around 600 global members.”

Chance to Work on Live Patients under GA

What truly sets the AIA apart, Dr Restom says, is their provision of surgical training opportunities. The Academy has forged collaborations allowing certain procedures to be conducted at a local private hospital under general anaesthetic conditions.

“Being able to place implants on live patients under general anaesthetics in a hospital setting using state-of-the-art facilities and following strict guidelines is crucial training,” Dr. Restom elaborates.

“Our externships provide that invaluable real-world experience under supervision.”

These externships cover basic and intermediate implant placement, advanced grafting procedures (including sinus and block grafts, PRP, and PRF), and Full Arch treatments.

Access to Alumni Network and Ongoing Support

The experienced implantologist readily acknowledges the steep learning curve to acquire the complex surgical techniques and the need to constantly update and refine the skills. He assures course attendees that the AIA will support their endeavours through WhatsApp and mentorship groups even after they have graduated from the Fellowship program.

“The support is there anytime they need it, even after completing the courses. As long as they are part of the AIA alumni, they’re part of that mentorship group. We completely support them on an ongoing basis,” Dr Restom confirms. 

“Candidates get direct contact with us as a resource. We have monthly sessions where they can present cases and treatment plans for group review and feedback from multiple experts. So there is very powerful ongoing support.”

Dr Garo Mazmanian, an AIA course attendee who works at Bonnells Bay Dental, concurs: “After completing the course, you have access to an invaluable alumni network. 

“They run monthly webinars, which are open to the public. The webinars provide so much knowledge which you’d otherwise need to pay for. 

Have it Your Way

According to Dr. Restom, the AIA has developed a comprehensive educational model that not only takes into consideration your existing implant knowledge and expertise, but also the individual’s level of confidence.

“Implantology covers everything from single implants all the way to full arch reconstruction on an edentulous maxilla and mandible. It ranges from simple surgical and prosthetic procedures to extremely complex surgical cases. We need to provide different levels and entry points – we can’t teach a kindergartener and a Ph.D. student the same thing,” Dr. Restom avers.

“However, if a student transfers from another university at an advanced level, we recognise that and allow them to enter at an appropriate point, like Fellowship 3 on Full Arch Implantology. We don’t force everyone to start from Fellowship 1 unless they want the fundamentals from the beginning.”

With world-class curricula, hands-on surgical training, ABOI preparation, and lifelong mentorship, the AIA Fellowship pathway aims to fully equip clinicians on their way to becoming accomplished implantologists. Importantly, they get to determine the pace at which to reach their professional destination.

For more information, visit: https://australasianimplantacademy.com.au