KARACHI: Undergraduate dental education is increasingly extending beyond classroom-based instruction to give students early exposure to contemporary treatment concepts, and the Department of Prosthodontics at Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine (AIDM) has taken that approach into implant dentistry through a dedicated hands-on educational programme.
The department organised a Dental Implant Hands-On Workshop for undergraduate dental students, introducing students to fundamental concepts of implant dentistry alongside practical exposure to implant systems, surgical protocols and prosthetic components.
Moving implant education beyond the classroom
The workshop began with an academic session covering the foundations of dental implant treatment, including indications and contraindications, treatment planning, surgical and prosthetic components and relevant clinical cases.
The structured introduction was followed by an interactive practical session in which students were familiarised with implant kits and the basic principles involved in implant placement.
The practical component included demonstration of surgical protocols, hands-on practice using models and handling of prosthetic components, allowing students to connect theoretical concepts with simulated clinical application.
Such experience-based education has an established place in undergraduate implant dentistry curricula internationally. Dental-education literature has recommended that undergraduate students develop foundational knowledge in implant treatment planning, indications, contraindications and complications, while hands-on and preclinical training can provide an additional bridge between theoretical learning and clinical practice.
Prosthodontics-led training brings multiple disciplines together
The AIDM workshop was facilitated by a team representing prosthodontics and oral and maxillofacial surgery, bringing different areas of implant-related expertise into the undergraduate learning environment.
The faculty included Prof. Dr. Naseer Ahmed, Head of the Department of Prosthodontics; Dr. Saeedullah Shah, Assistant Professor, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Dr. Shujah Adil, Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics; Dr. Tooba Shabir, FCPS Resident, Department of Prosthodontics; Dr. Aimen Yaseen, FCPS Resident, Department of Prosthodontics; and Dr. Alkesh Kammal, FCPS Resident, Department of Prosthodontics.
The facilitators guided students throughout the lecture and practical activities, sharing their academic and clinical experience while introducing participants to fundamental concepts underpinning implant treatment.
Understanding implant systems and treatment planning
Rather than limiting the programme to the surgical placement of an implant, the workshop exposed students to several components of implant treatment, including case assessment, treatment planning, surgical protocols and prosthetic considerations.
This broader approach is particularly relevant to undergraduate dental education because implant dentistry extends beyond the surgical procedure itself. International educational consensus has emphasised foundational competencies such as understanding the evidence base for implants, patient assessment, treatment planning, restorative considerations and management of potential complications.
Research into undergraduate implant education has also found that hands-on learning can strengthen students' understanding of implant procedures and planning compared with theoretical instruction alone.
Industry support adds exposure to contemporary implant systems
Neo Biotech Pakistan sponsored the workshop, supporting the practical component through exposure to implant systems, surgical protocols and prosthetic components. Pak International served as the official distributor in Pakistan.
The industry-supported component formed part of the educational setting rather than replacing faculty-led instruction, with AIDM faculty and residents guiding students through the academic and practical sessions.
AIDM expands practical exposure for future dentists
The initiative reflects the Department of Prosthodontics, Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine's emphasis on hands-on clinical education and exposure to contemporary developments in dentistry.
For undergraduate students, early familiarity with implant dentistry can provide an academic foundation for understanding a treatment modality that increasingly forms part of modern restorative and prosthodontic practice. Studies of dental education have noted that implant dentistry has become an important treatment alternative and that undergraduate programmes can benefit from incorporating implant-related knowledge and experience.
The AIDM workshop therefore combined didactic teaching, faculty demonstration, simulation-based practice and exposure to implant components, giving participating students an opportunity to explore the field before progressing to more advanced professional training.
The programme concluded with an engaging learning session, with e-certificates arranged for participating students in recognition of their involvement.
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