Implantology Education for US & Canadian Dentists
From clinical skills to practice growth: a strategic view of implant training at home and abroad.
The Rise of Implant Dentistry in the US & Canada
An aging population, higher aesthetic expectations, and better access to financing are driving a sustained boom in implant dentistry across North America.
As the population ages, more adults are living longer with complex restorative needs. At the same time, patients increasingly expect fixed, natural-looking solutions instead of removable dentures. Insurance plans and third-party financing have also made implants more accessible, turning what used to be a luxury treatment into a mainstream option.
For general dentists, this shift creates both an opportunity and a challenge. Implant demand is rising, yet many clinicians received little or no live-surgery experience in dental school. Practices that integrate implants can offer more comprehensive care, while those that don’t risk losing patients to competitors who do.
Why General Dentists Cannot Ignore Implantology
Implants are no longer optional. They shape how patients perceive your practice, your clinical scope, and your long-term growth.
- Offer fixed, long-term solutions instead of removable prostheses.
- Improve occlusion, function, and bone preservation with implant-supported restorations.
- Elevate your surgical skills (flap design, suturing, bone management).
- Reduce complications associated with compromised bridgework or ill-fitting dentures.
- Differentiates you from peers in your local market.
- Opens doors to teaching, speaking, and leadership roles.
- Strengthens your professional profile with advanced clinical credentials.
- Brings renewed satisfaction and motivation to daily practice.
- Adds a high-value revenue stream to your practice.
- Keeps patients in-house instead of referring them out.
- Improves patient loyalty and word-of-mouth referrals.
- Supports investment in technology (like CBCT) with clear ROI.
Types of Implantology Training: From Theory to Live-Patient
From short online modules to intensive live-surgery residencies, each format plays a role. The key is knowing what each type can (and cannot) offer.
Most dentists start with theoretical courses and model-based workshops, then progress to mentored cases and live-patient programs. Below is a high-level comparison to help you position where you are now and what your next step could be.
| Training Type | Hands-on Level | # Surgeries | Typical CE Hours | Cost & Time | Ideal Candidate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Theoretical (online / in-person)
|
Lecture only | 0 | ~8–20 | Low cost; 1–2 days or self-paced | Newcomers exploring implantology |
|
Hands-on (models / typodonts)
|
Simulated practice | 0 (no live patients) | ~20–30 | 2–3 day workshops; moderate cost | Dentists building basic surgical confidence |
|
In-office mentoring
|
High (your own patients) | 1–5+ cases | Variable (if accredited) | Flexible; mentor fee per day/case | First real cases in your own practice |
|
Live-patient (domestic)
|
High (real patients) | ~5–15 | ~30–50 | Multi-day or modular; higher cost | Those wanting live experience without leaving the country |
|
Live-patient (abroad)
|
Very high (intensive) | 20–30+ implants | ~50–60 | 1 week abroad; premium but efficient | Dentists seeking maximum surgical volume in short time |
Why Many North American Dentists Travel for Live-Patient Training
Travel-based programs offer concentrated surgical volume, diverse cases, and structured mentorship that are hard to replicate at home.
In Latin America and beyond, well-designed programs combine supervised treatment for local patients with intensive hands-on training for visiting dentists. For many clinicians, a single week abroad provides more live-surgery experience than several years of sporadic in-office cases.
- Very convenient for US-based dentists (especially from the South and West Coast).
- Multiple live-patient programs in cities like Cancún or Tijuana.
- Often bilingual staff and tailored CE for North Americans.
- Strong track record of structured, university-based courses in Santo Domingo.
- Ideal balance of supervision, patient flow, and CE structure.
- Attractive destination where many bring a partner or extend their stay.
- Known for cutting-edge implantology and advanced surgeries.
- Good for clinicians seeking full-arch, sinus, or complex grafting exposure.
- Travel time and language may be more challenging for some.
Mexico:
Convenience
★★★★★
Case volume
★★★★☆
Dominican Republic:
Structure
★★★★★
Case volume
★★★★★
Brazil & S. America:
Advanced techniques
★★★★★
Travel distance
★★☆☆☆
Ratings are indicative to help compare typical strengths of each destination.
University-Based Live-Patient Training in the Dominican Republic
A structured residency in Santo Domingo with guaranteed surgical volume: 30 implants placed per participant, 30 assisted, plus 7 sinus lifts in the advanced level.
Hosted at a modern dental school clinic, this program is organized in two levels for US & Canadian general dentists: Level 1 – Implant Foundations and Level 2 – Advanced Sinus & Grafting. Over 5 intensive clinical days, each Level 1 participant places 30 implants (guaranteed) as primary surgeon and assists on another 30 implants under close supervision.
Level 2 builds on that foundation with 7 sinus lifts per participant plus the corresponding implants and guided bone regeneration or ridge-splitting procedures when indicated. Both levels are delivered in a university setting with small groups and a clear CE structure. For a detailed breakdown of Level 1 and Level 2 you can visit the main program page at implantology.courses .
Clinical Highlights – Level 1
- 30 implants placed per participant (guaranteed).
- 30 additional implants assisted at the chair.
- Focus on everyday, reproducible cases for general practice.
- Immediate and delayed placements according to case selection.
Clinical Highlights – Level 2
- 7 sinus lifts per participant in the posterior maxilla.
- Associated implant placement in grafted sites when indicated.
- Guided bone regeneration and ridge splitting in selected cases.
- Ideal for dentists ready to tackle more complex posterior cases.
Educational & CE Highlights
- University-based program with structured curriculum.
- 50 AGD-PACE CE credits.
- Certificate issued by the partnering university for each level.
- Three months of post-course online mentorship included.
Travel & Logistics
- 5 consecutive clinical days (Monday to Friday).
- Weekend arrival and departure for easier travel planning.
- Hotel and daily transport packages available for participants.
- English as the main teaching language; bilingual local staff.
Level 1 – 30 implants placed
Level 2 – 7 sinus lifts
University-based • 50 AGD-PACE CE credits
A guaranteed-volume program where you place 30 implants, assist on 30 more, and—if you choose the advanced level—perform 7 sinus lifts under expert supervision in a structured university clinic.
From Course to Clinic: The Real Impact on Your Practice
The value of implant training is measured not just in CE hours, but in years of sustained growth, better patient care, and a stronger clinical identity.
Example scenario only. Actual results depend on your case mix, fees, and how proactively you integrate implants into your practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
A few common questions from US & Canadian general dentists considering live-patient training.
Do I need prior implant experience to join a live-patient course?
How many implants should I expect to place in a good live-patient course?
Is international training safe and ethical for patients?
Will my state or province accept CE credits from an international course?
How do I start integrating implants into my general practice after training?
Should I choose Mexico, the Dominican Republic, or another destination?
The Dominican Republic sits in the middle as a very balanced option: flights are still relatively short from most major US and Canadian hubs, patient flow is strong, and several programs are based in university clinics with formal CE structures. For North American dentists who want a mix of high case volume, academic oversight, and a comfortable environment for travel with a partner, Santo Domingo is often the most convenient compromise between “close to home” and “truly intensive” training.
About the Author
Dr. Badí Haddú, DDS is an implantologist, educator, and course director with more than 25 years of clinical experience. Based in Spain, he has placed thousands of implants and mentors dentists from around the world in live-patient training programs in the Dominican Republic.
As the director of an international implant course in Santo Domingo, Dr. Haddú focuses on structured, evidence-based protocols and close mentorship. His goal is simple: help general dentists safely move from theory to confident, predictable implant surgery.
Contact & Course Information
Ready to discuss upcoming dates, Level 1 & Level 2 availability, or group options for your practice or study club? Click below to visit the main contact page and send us your details.
➡️ Go to Contact & Course Information