Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR PR China, Implant Dentistry/Family Dentistry
The first postgraduate course dedicated to Implant Dentistry at The University of Hong Kong was established in 2006 with the introduction of a Master of Science (MSc) in Implant Dentistry program. This is a part-time two-year program aimed at the needs of the practicing dentist in Hong Kong who already had adequate exposure to patient care for at least two to three years. The candidates are educated and trained to reach competency levels for the treatment of straight-forward (S) and, in selected instances, advanced (A) cases.
In autumn of 2008, another program, the Master of Dental Surgery in Implant Dentistry (MDS Implant Dent) was introduced. This MDS program is devoted to the entire field of implant dentistry including treatment planning, preparatory therapy, implant installation without or with bone augmentation, prosthetic reconstruction, patient maintenance and coping with biological and technical complications. The candidates are educated and trained to reach competency levels for the treatment of straight-forward (S), advanced (A) and complex (C) cases.
Emphasis is placed on comprehensive treatment planning involving oral implants to reestablish satisfactory esthetics and function under healthy conditions for the partially or totally edentulous patient. Treatment planning is given a special priority in postgraduate curricula and specialist education. Implants are also installed in younger patients who have missing teeth due to cleft lip, alveolus and palate, agenesis of teeth or other hereditary abnormalities of the hard tissues of the teeth and implants also used for orthodontic anchorage.
ITI Scholars are invited to attend all the educational and academic events of the structured two- or three-year graduate programs that may lead to specialization in their home country. The one-year scholarship can only offer approximately 50 percent of the theoretical background of the two programs mentioned above.
The ITI Scholar will have only limited exposure to patient care, and this will depend on the previous clinical exposure and skills of the Scholar prior to his/her arrival in Hong Kong. Nevertheless, the Scholar will be exposed to numerous clinical and treatment planning sessions, both in implant installation as well as prosthetic reconstruction involving dental implants.
Applicants must hold a TOEFL or IELTS certificate as proof of proficiency in English (for non-native-English Speakers) by the beginning of the ITI Scholarship program.
ITI Scholars will participate in a one-week continuing education course offered by the faculty staff and in collaboration with the Department of Reconstructive Dentistry of the University of Iceland (Prof. Bjarni Pjetursson) and the University of Sydney (Dr. Lisa Heitz- Mayfield).
ITI Scholars have the possibility to participate in MDS (Master of Dental Surgery) education and research in implant therapy.
The program also offers Scholars the opportunity to get actively involved in an ongoing research project or to start a new project in collaboration with the faculty staff.
The following are involved in the educational and training program:
Prof. Dr. Dr. hc Niklaus P. Lang
Associate Prof. Edmond Pow
Assistant Prof. Dr. Martina Lulic
Prof. Dr. Bjarni E. Pjetursson (University of Iceland, former ITI Scholar)
Dr. Lisa Heitz-Mayfield (University of Sydney, former ITI Scholar)
Dr. Rino Burkhardt, MAS in Periodontology, Zurich, Switzerland
Research avenues may include:
• Wound healing and establishment of osseointegration and the peri-implant soft tissue seal
• Aetiology and pathogenesis, prevention and therapy of peri-implant infections
• Development of therapeutic protocols
• Clinical research in diagnostic procedures, evaluation of risk factors and antimicrobial therapy
• Quantitative radiology in the assessment of treatment outcomes
• Systematic reviews evaluating treatment options in implant and reconstructive dentistry
• Participation in the ITI Education Week, organized once a year at the University of Hong Kong
The University of Hong Kong
ITI Scholarship Chairman: Prof. Dr. Nikos Mattheos
The University of Hong Kong
Faculty of Dentistry
Prince Philip Dental Hospital
34 Hospital Road
Hong Kong SAR PR China
E-Mail: nikos@mattheos.net
