Status of North American Graduate Programs in Periodontics Providing Laser Education and Clinical Training: A Cross-Sectional Survey

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the status of laser use and training in the U.S. and Canadian graduate periodontology programs. A survey questionnaire was sent electronically to 55 periodontology program directors in North America. The questions focused on laser implementation, types of lasers used, for which procedures lasers were used, and level of education/clinical training provided to residents. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact test. Twenty-two directors responded (40%). Most programs (86%) used lasers and 89% used a diode laser. Laser treatment was the most used for periimplantitis (84%). Fifteen programs (79%) provided didactic and clinical training, with 47% programs giving 4-12 h of didactic training. In 53% of programs, residents completed 4 to10 procedures. Only 29% of programs had residents who had received a certification in lasers, with most (80%) programs requiring between 1-9 cases for certification. Of the participants not providing laser training, the major barrier was indicated as being "expense", with 68.7% reporting plans to implement laser education. Conclusions: Most graduate periodontics programs were providing laser training and treatment. There was great variability regarding the training methods, specifically in number of dedicated laser courses, time allocated for laser training, and prerequisites for laser certification.