The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level
of cognition and perception about dental implants
among a selected section of dental students in Chennai,
Tamil Nadu.
20 questionnaire based survey was conducted
through Google forms during the Covid lockdown period
from September 2020 to October 2020. A total of 200
dental students participated in this survey.
On knowledge of implants as a treatment modality,
29.5 % were aware about it very well and 60.5% only
moderately. Poor knowledge was exhibited by 10%.
Implant treatment was considered to be conservative by
54% and 27% did not. 31% recognized case selection as
the important factor for implant success whereas 27.5%
related it to patient compliance and 27% to surgical
technique. 53% were aware about immediate implants
and 43% responded that 1 year was the duration for
delayed implant placement. The main advantages of
using implants was attributed to aesthetics by 21%,
improved function by 12.5%, stability by 18.5% and all
the three by 48%. The cost, longer treatment time and
patient compliance were regarded as the main
disadvantage of using implants by 45.5% of the
participants.
This study demonstrated a moderate level of
cognition about dental implants among a selected sample
of dental students from Chennai. Changes in curriculum
may serve as a better resource for students to dissipate
correct information and implants as a treatment option
to the patients.