Attending a workshop teaches you the principles. Placing your first implants on your own patient, in your own surgery, is something else entirely. That gap between knowing and doing is where many dentists stall, and it is exactly the gap one-on-one clinical mentoring is designed to close.
At ImplanTalk, mentoring follows a simple, structured idea: you observe, then you participate, then you perform with guidance. Each pathway is tailored to the clinician’s experience, the patient’s needs and the complexity of the case. This article explains how it works, who can apply and what to expect, including the fees. It builds on our One on One Clinical Mentoring program.
Three stages, one progression
The model is deliberately gradual. In I Do, you watch the mentor work through a real clinical case and see the workflow from start to finish. In We Do, you step in and take part in the case with direct mentoring beside you. In You Do, you carry out a significant share of the work while the mentor observes and guides.
The aim is not to rush you through the stages. It is to move you towards greater independence at the point you are clinically ready, with a mentor present at every step to support your decisions.
Who can apply
Priority is given to dentists who have completed a relevant ImplanTalk workshop, such as the Single Implant Workflow or AOX Clinical courses.
Participation and progression remain subject to case suitability, patient consent and clinical approval. Mentoring is arranged case by case, so a conversation about your experience and your intended case is the natural first step.
Category One: single and multiple implants
Category One covers single and multiple implants. It follows the three stages across single and multiple implant cases, and the clinician’s role grows at every step.
| Stage | Patient | Your clinical role | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| I Do | Mentor’s patient | You observe the clinical case and workflow. | $200per case |
| We Do | Your patient | You participate in at least 30% of the case with direct mentoring. | $2,500per case |
| You Do | Your patient | You complete approximately 50% to 70% of the case, with the mentor observing and guiding. | $2,500per case |
Notice the shift in the patient. In I Do, you observe the mentor’s patient, which keeps the learning low-pressure. From We Do onwards, you are working on your own patient, which is where the learning becomes directly applicable to your practice.
Worth remembering
The share of the case you perform rises from observation to at least 30% in We Do, and then to roughly 50% to 70% in You Do. The mentor stays involved throughout.
Category Two: AOX full-arch rehabilitation
Category Two applies the same progression to AOX full-arch implant rehabilitation, a more complex pathway that combines surgery and restorative dentistry. Here the stages are defined by who performs the surgery and who completes the restorative phase.
| Stage | Patient | Your clinical role | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| I Do | Mentor’s patient | You observe the surgery and restorative workflow. Restorative observation is included. | $1,500per case |
| We Do | Your patient | The mentor performs the surgery, and you complete the restorative phase. | $12,000per single arch |
| You Do | Your patient | You perform the surgery with the mentor observing and guiding, and you complete the restorative phase. | $12,000per single arch |
This is restorative mentorship in the truest sense. In We Do, you take ownership of the prosthetic phase while the mentor handles the surgery. In You Do, you take on the surgery as well, with guidance on hand. For a deeper look at the clinical journey itself, read our guide to the complete AOX journey.
Understanding the fees
Mentoring fees cover the mentoring itself. A few related costs are charged separately, and it helps to plan for them from the start:
Charged separately
- Implants, grafting materials and related components
- General anaesthesia and anaesthetic fees
It is also worth remembering that the AOX mentoring fees shown above are for one arch. If you are planning treatment beyond a single arch, discuss it with the team first.
Approval and responsibility
Every case requires assessment and approval before it is accepted into the mentoring program. This protects the patient, the clinician and the quality of the learning experience.
Mentoring supports your development, but it does not transfer your professional obligations. The treating dentist remains responsible for appropriate patient assessment, records, consent and ongoing care.
Key takeaways
- One-on-one mentoring follows a structured pathway: I Do (observe), We Do (guided participation) and You Do (greater independence).
- Priority goes to dentists who have completed a relevant ImplanTalk workshop, subject to case suitability, patient consent and clinical approval.
- Category One covers single and multiple implants, from $200 per case to observe through to $2,500 per case for We Do and You Do.
- Category Two covers AOX full-arch rehabilitation, from $1,500 per case to observe through to $12,000 per single arch for We Do and You Do.
- Implants, grafting materials, components and anaesthetic fees are charged separately.
- All cases require approval, and the treating dentist remains responsible for assessment, records, consent and ongoing care.
This article is general educational content written for dental professionals. Fees and arrangements are subject to case assessment and approval. It is not a substitute for clinical training, individual patient assessment or professional clinical judgment.